A01898:190
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.
Thus we have seen how able Satan is to work upon those two forementioned principles of carnal reason, and abuse it with false Majors; and also upon conscience, in laying our sins to our charge, with mis-representations of our estates. It remains now only, that we show, how he can stir, and work upon the passions, and corrupt affections in us, and make use of them: and so set on all those false conclusions [That we are hypocrites] thence deduced, with hideous, and horrid fears, and terrors.
THus we have seene how able Satan is to work upon those two forementioned principles of carnall reason, and abuse it with false Majors; and also upon conscience, in laying our sinnes to our charge, with mis-representations of our estates. It remaines now onely, that we shew, how hee can stirre, and worke upon the passions, and corrupt affections in us, and make use of them: and so set on all those false conclusions [That wee are hypocrites] thence deduced, with hideous, and horrid feares, and terrours.
And hence,1 as he is called a Serpent, as was said,2 for slights, and cunning reasonings, and wiles: So likewise a Lion, of all beasts the strongest. Isaiah 38. 13. A roaring Lion, of all the terriblest, and most terrible in his roaring: whose roaring is therefore often in Scripture put to express dreadfulness, and horror; The Lion roars, who will not tremble. Amos 3. 8. And (as some have observed, and the Psalmist intimates it) by his roaring, he strikes such horror ⟨p. 98⟩and amazement into all other beasts, as they stand still as exanimated, and so he seizeth and preys upon them as he pleaseth; and in this respect those darts aforementioned, are principally called fiery; namely, for that dolour, and anguish, and inflammation, and combustion they cause through distempering the affections. Those fears which our own hearts engendered within us, were but as smoke; these darts of his put a fire into them, and do cause them to flame and blaze. The allusion is to the poisoned darts, which the Scythians of old, and other nations now use in war, dipped in the blood and gall of Asps, and Vipers; the venomous heat of which, like a fire in their flesh, killed the wounded by them, with torments the likest hell of any other. Which Job also alludes to,