A01898:229
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.
CHAP. XII.
The cases ordinary, wherein God doth leave His in darkness.
The cases ordinary, wherein God doth leave His in darknesse.
Now secondly, we come to the more ordinary cases, wherein God usually dispenseth light and darkness.1 Ere I name particulars, I will premise concerning them this general rule. We shall find, that God goes not constantly by the same rule in the dispensation of them: so as no man can say, that in such and such cases, God will and doth certainly desert men, or that he always doth so: but is various in his ⟨p. 126⟩dealings herein. For some men he leaves for a while in darkness, in, and upon, and immediately after their conversion; their sun riseth in an eclipse, and continueth so till none; yea till their night: on the contrary, towards others sometimes he never shines in more comforts on them then at their first conversion: again, some he deserts upon a gross sin committed; to others he never reveals himself more at any time, then after a gross sin humbled for, and repented of; thereby to show the freeness of his grace. So likewise, some that have less grace, and have lived more loosely, he fits their sails at death, and they have abundant entrance, with full sail into the Kingdom of Christ; others that have walked more strictly with God, and whose ends you would expect should be most glorious, he leaves to fears, and doubts; and their Sun doth set in a cloud.