A01898:183
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.
Besides, therefore, these advantages and ways of knowledge, somewhat common to us men, each of other, they have a further, and and more near way of knowing the acts of the reasonable powers, the understanding, and will, then we men can have, even as they have also a way of communicating their thoughts to us in a more intimate, close, secret manner: yet still such, as falls short of an intuitive knowledge of them: they can go into a room further then we: and into a room which is next the privy chamber, which yet remains fast locked up unto them. As their power in all other things reacheth a degree higher then ours, so in this also. To open this a little.
Besides, therefore, these advantages and wayes of knowledge, somewhat common to us men, each of other, they have a further, and and more neere way of knowing the acts of the reasonable powers, the understanding, and will, then we men can have, even as they have also a way of communicating their thoughts to us in a more intimate, close, secret manner: yet still such, as falls short of an intuitive knowledge of them: they can goe into a roome further then wee: and into a roome which is next the privy chamber, which yet remaines fast lockt up unto them. As their power in all other things reacheth a degree higher then ours, so in this also. To open this a little.
Those reasonable powers and faculties in us, the understanding, and the will, the immediate immanent acts of which are thus in themselves fast locked up, being yet in this life drenched in the body, and bodily organs, upon which their working doth depend: As 1. The understanding is joined to the fancy, which makes parelii, and resemblances and shadows of those thoughts the mind secretly conceives and forms; so as scarce any thoughts do stir, but the fancy imitates them, and acts them as far as it is able. And 2. The will also is conjoined with the affections which are drenched, and show themselves in bodily ⟨p. 94⟩organs and spirits, so as not any motion of the will puts it self forth, but more or less some affections of the body do stir with it; and therefore affections are as well defined by their motion in the body, as by their seat in the will it self. As when anger is defined, ira est ebullitio sanguinis circa cor, a boiling of blood about the heart; and affections are but the flowings and reflowings of spirits to and from the heart.