A01898:176
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.
3. He may be privy to our vocal confessions of sins to God,1 or men; unto our laying open our own hearts to God in private prayers, or to others in trouble of conscience: therefore so much of the heart as is this way discovered, he can & doth know. And why may not God permit him, and give him the liberty and advantage to accuse us, even of that which he comes to know by this means? it being for the trial of his servants: especially in case they have returned again to those sins which they confessed, and yet have not forsaken: it is just, that then, as the guilt of former sins return upon us in such a case, so that satan should be permitted afresh to charge us with them. And that in this case a man should lose the privilege of sigillum confessionis, of the secrecy and seal of confession (as I may so speak.) And if God may permit a man to whom we have confessed, according to Gods own ordinance, yet to tell things confessed, and to cast them in our teeth, as sometimes it hath fallen out, why may not satan the accuser of the brethren sometimes be permitted to lay that to our charge, which he only knew this way?
3. He may be privy to our vocall confessions of sinnes to God,1 or men; unto our laying open our owne hearts to God in private prayers, or to others in trouble of conscience: therefore so much of the heart as is this way discovered, hee can & doth know. And why may not God permit him, and give him the liberty and advantage to accuse us, even of that which hee comes to know by this meanes? it being for the triall of his servants: especially in case they have returned againe to those sinnes which they confessed, and yet have not forsaken: it is just, that then, as the guilt of former sinnes returne upon us in such a case, so that satan should be permitted afresh to charge us with them. And that in this case a man should lose the priviledge of sigillum confessionis, of the secrecie and seale of confession (as I may so speake.) And if God may permit a man to whom we have confessed, according to Gods owne ordinance, yet to tell things confessed, and to cast them in our teeth, as sometimes it hath falne out, why may not satan the accuser of the brethren sometimes bee permitted to lay that to our charge, which hee onely knew this way?
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