A01898:144
A child of light walking in darknessA childe of light vvalking in darknesse
A child of light walking in darkness: or A treatise showing the causes, by which God leaves his children to distress of conscience. The cases, wherein [God leaves his children to distress of conscience.] The ends, for which [God leaves his children to distress of conscience.] Together with directions how to come forth of such a condition: with other observations upon Isaiah 50. 10, and 11. verses. By Tho: Goodwin B.D.A childe of light vvalking in darknesse: or A treatise shewing the causes, by which God leaves his children to distresse of conscience. The cases, wherein [God leaves his children to distresse of conscience.] The ends, for which [God leaves his children to distresse of conscience.] Together vvith directions how to come forth of such a condition: vvith other observations upon Esay 50. 10, and 11. verses. By Tho: Goodwin B.D.
London: printed by Miles for R. Dawlman and L. Fawne, 1636
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly,1 he is not simply able to suggest them,§2 but to insinuate them in such a manner, as to take with us, and deceive us; yea, and often to set them on with a deep impression. Therefore in those places forementioned, it is not simply said, that there should be spirits which should suggest errors; but so suggest them, as that men should give heed unto them: 1 Tim. 4. 1. and 2 Thess. 2. (where the working of those very same spirits is set forth, ver. 9.) it is not only said, that they were sent as from God to delude, but with strong delusions; such, as should have a strength put into them, to prevail, so as that men should believe them. So also, that lying spirit which God sent, and who persuaded Ahab by a lye in the mouths of his false Prophets: commission is not simply given to him to suggest a lye, but so as it should prevail with Ahab; so 2 Chron. 18. 21. And the Lord said, thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail. And as he is thus able (when God gives leave) to delude wicked mens understandings with false reasonings in matters of heresy and false doctrine, by reason of that total darkness that is in them: So he is able (if God give leave (as sometimes he doth) to bring strong delusions upon the minds of Gods children also, through false reasonings about their own estates, by reason of that darkness which in part remains in them: by ⟨p. 66⟩means of which he may work the same effects for a time, and in a certain degree in a godly man, which in another, as was before observed. Thus the believing Galatians, especially some of them, were so far bewitched (as his word is) as for a time to assent to that great error in point of justification: And this by reason of that folly and darkness which remained in them, as he intimates, when he says; Oh ye [foolish] Galatians, who hath [bewitched] you, that ye should not obey the truth: Gal. 3. 1. And if in the very doctrine of Justification it self, believers were thus for a time deluded, (which is rare) then much more may they, and ordinarily are they misled in the application of faith, in the believing their own personal justification, which is the point in hand.