A01898:157
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.
And as he can stir that guilt that is in us,1 so also work upon that injudiciousness and erroneous defilement that is in the conscience, to judge of a mans own estate; this satan works upon and abuseth: For as he hath a power to work upon the corruption in the rest of the faculties, so also over the defilement and pollution of the conscience, misleading it in the verdict, as cunning pleaders do a silly Jury; the wards of conscience are of themselves loose, and naturally misplaced, but he with his false keys wrings and perverts them much more: it naturally gives an uncertain sound, but he by his false alarums ⟨p. 78⟩and panic fears cast in, doth much more confound the testimony of it. And how easy is it to trouble a soul disquieted already, and to work upon jealousies which are raised? we see how far a cunning man can insinuate with jealous natures, to increase suspicions and surmises. When an humour is stirred, how easily is it wrought on: and when the Spirit hath already read us a sharp Lecture, and examined our consciences, then he strikes in, and descants upon all.
And as he can stir that guilt that is in us,1 so also work upon that injudiciousnesse and erronious defilement that is in the conscience, to judge of a mans owne estate; this satan works upon and abuseth: For as hee hath a power to work upon the corruption in the rest of the faculties, so also over the defilement and pollution of the conscience, misleading it in the verdict, as cunning pleaders doe a silly Iurie; the wards of conscience are of themselves loose, and naturally misplaced, but hee with his false keyes wrings and perverts them much more: it naturally gives an uncertaine sound, but he by his false alarums ⟨p. 78⟩and pannicke feares cast in, doth much more confound the testimony of it. And how easie is it to trouble a soule disquieted already, and to worke upon jealousies which are raised? we see how far a cunning man can insinuate with jealous natures, to encrease suspitions and surmises. When an humour is stirred, how easily is it wrought on: and when the Spirit hath already read us a sharp Lecture, and examind our consciences, then hee strikes in, and descants upon all.