A01898:243
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.
Thirdly,1 in case of not exercising the graces ⟨p. 131⟩which a man hath;2 not stirring them up, &c. when Christians are as it were between sleeping and waking, which was the Churches condition in that Cant. 5. 2. then also Christ deserts. To perform duties with the inward man half awake, as it were and half asleep; to pray as if we prayed not; as on the contrary, we are to use the world, as if we used it not: Thus, to do the work of the Lord negligently, this provoketh God to absent himself; as he did there Cant. 5. 2. and so 2 Pet. 1. 9. He that lacketh these things; that is, useth them not, neglecting to add grace to grace, (as the former words expounds that phrase; and it agrees with the like elsewhere used: as Mat. 25. 29. He that useth not his talent, is said not to have it. To him that hath shall be given, &c.) A blindness soon falls on such a man, & he forgetteth all that ever he had (as was opened afore.) And indeed there is no reason that a man should have present comfort of future grace, when he neglects the use of present grace. Esa. 64. 7. God complains that there was none that stirred up himself; and for this, God was wroth. Whereas otherwise, ver. 5. God meets with him that worketh righteousness, and rejoiceth in him that rejoiceth to work righteousness, God meets such, and rejoiceth with, and draws nigh unto them: but others, that stir not up themselves, God rouseth and stirs them up by terrors. He that walks according to this rule, peace be on him, Gal. 6. 16. not else. Though comfort is not always the present necessary ⟨p. 132⟩fruit of righteousness, yet is never without it.