A01898:249
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.
So when the incestuous person had committed that sin, 1 Cor. 5. 1, 9. for which, as then he was not humbled (for afterwards in the 2 Cor. 2. 7. when he was humbled indeed, he bids them comfort him) yet till that his humiliation was apparent, he bids them to deliver such an one to Satan, to the jailer, to the tormentor with him, to the prince of darkness to terrify him, and afflict his spirit. Now the meaning of that delivering him up to Satan, was that he should be solemnly excommunicated, which when it is performed as it ought to be, In the name of the Lord Jesus, and with the power of the Lord Jesus; then as the Church cuts them off from communion with them, so God from communion with himself, and withdraws all fellowship with their spirits, (as was before declared) And so leaves them alone in darkness, and to desertions; and not only so, but delivereth them up to Satan, not with a commission to carry them on to more sin (for the end propounded by the Apostle, was thereby to destroy the flesh, ver. 5. not to nourish it by provoking him to more sin) but to terrify and afflict his conscience, ⟨p. 137⟩and to stir up therein the guilt of sin, and terrors for it. Which God sanctifies to humble a man, and to mortify the flesh, and thus when that Corinthian was excommunicated, and given up to him, did Satan deal with him; for 2 Cor. 2. 7. he was nigh being swallowed up of too much sorrow; and this occasioned by Satan, whose devices we are not ignorant of says the Apostle, ver. 11. Now as every ordinance hath a proper peculiar work it is appointed for; an inward effect to accompany it in a mans spirit: So this, and that proper effect, and inward working and event of this great ordinance of excommunication, is terror, and sorrow, and desertion of spirit, thereby to humble a man; even as it is the proper effect of the Sacraments to convey comforts and assurance, and to convey the seal of the Spirit. And when this ordinance is neglected or omitted, when yet gross and scandalous sins require it; then a man belonging to God, God himself often works thus, and inflicts this on him without that ordinance. Thus he dealt with David, and others after gross sins. God inwardly excommunicates, and casts men out of his presence, and from all comforts in his ordinances, although they are not refused by men to come to them: