A01898:181
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.
5. By what he sees outwardly of our actions,1 he can many ways guess at inward corruption, which are the principles of them. He hath all the ways which a wise discerning man ⟨p. 91⟩hath, (who should always watch a man, and set himself to study a man, and that hath opportunity to suggest when he pleaseth, on purpose for trial and discovery) all the ways such a man hath to know the heart, satan hath. And that which Solomon says of a wise man, that though the heart of man be deep, 2yet a man of understanding will fetch it out, 3holds true of satan much more. As 1. by comparing one action with another,§1 one speech with another: so wise men guess at mens ends in things, and their respects that move them. 2. By gestures. By a cast of a mans §2countenance and behaviour, men are often discerned; by the like may satan see into us. Thus Joab discerned Davids pride in his command for numbering the people, so as it was loathsome in his eyes. And if Joab discerned this by the outward carriage of the matter, how much more might satan that put in the motives to persuade him to it? The Jesuits bid those of their followers who are to deal with men, when they talk with any, whose minds they would discern, still to observe their eye, to see what alterations are in their countenances, as through which the mind is transparent; now satan, he is a good Physiognomist, and he eyes a man. 3. Further §3he himself suggesting many motives, and reasons in businesses this way and that way, casting in many by-ends, and motives to be considered by us, he observes how the heart comes off at such and such suggestions, or where it stuck, and what suggestion it was that turned a man this way or ⟨p. 92⟩that way, and fetched him off. The Jews might see what moved Pilate to crucify Christ, because at that saying, as the Text notes, that else he was an enemy to Caesar, he gave sentence: so satan, when he stirred up David by proud arguments to number the people, he must needs know what pride was in his heart.