A01898:159
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.
But ere I enter upon this enquiry I must premise a general Caution, to set limits to our discourse therein.
But ere I enter upon this enquiry I must premise a generall Caution, to set limits to our discourse therein.
And the Caution is this,1 that we are to reserve and maintain this, both as an undoubted truths ⟨p. 79⟩and as Gods sole and royal prerogative, 2that he can alone both search and know the heart and conscience; As in like manner, that He can only by his wrath immediately make those deep and killing wounds and gashes with which mens souls are often here and hereafter eternally wounded: (of which by way of caution also in the next chapter) which two glorious and incommunicable attributes of his, that Elogium of the word of God, Heb. 4. 12, 13. seems fully to hold forth unto us: where, as at the Gate of Paradise was set a Cherubin with a flaming sword to keep our fallen parents from ever entering in again, so there Christ is represented, as that supreme Judge, with whom, as at the 13. verse, we are eternally, to have to do, (or as the original [Greek or Hebrew], to whom we are to give an account: for so [Greek or Hebrew] is Rom. 14. 12. and elsewhere taken) and this with that dreadful sword of his word drawn, and brandished, (by which he will judge men at the later day, John 12. 48. and which therefore is called [Greek or Hebrew], verse 12. a judger of the thoughts, &c.) that by the awful terror thereof, he might compel and drive those that hear the Gospel, to enter into that rest, (to which he had exhorted, ver. 11.) which is set open by him for men now fallen to come into. Which sword, as it hath a double edge, (as there) so in his hand (who alone can wield it) it serves to a double use: That whereas in a Judge two things are requisite to the complete performance of his office: 1. Skill and knowledge to find out and examine the fact: