A01898:268
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.
Other ends God hath to make trial of our graces, and a discovery of them. The same end that God had in leading his people through the great wilderness where no water was, where Sco• pions stung them, Deu. 8. 16. wch was to prove thee, &c. The same ends hath God in suffering his people to go through this desert, barrenness, and darkness, where no light is, and where terrors ⟨p. 145⟩of the Law do sting them, (for all those his dealings then, were types of Gods dealing with his people now) even to prove them, and to make trial of their hearts. For the same ends as he left Hezekiah to the power of sin, in the point of sanctification, namely, To know what was in his heart, doth he also leave others of his children to the guilt of sin, in the point of justification, to discover also what is in their hearts. This is conceived to have been his end in deserting Job; to show what strong patience, unconquered faith was in him. There be many gracious dispositions, which actually have not opportunity to discover themselves, bu• in case of this kind of desertion: some of those which are the highest acts of Grace, and purest fruits of it, and which are the surest evidences of the truth of grace, would never appear but in case of such desertion. For instance, then it is known, whether a man love God for himself, and for those excellencies of wisdom, holiness, and goodness that are in him, when yet he knows not, whether he himself shall be ever the better for them yea or no: Then also it is manifested to be pure, sincere, and unfeigned obedience. Then it is seen his repentance is true, when he repents not of it, then, when he is out of hopes of any reward for it. Then it is seen his sorrow is godly sorrow, when, though the sentence of condemnation is read to him in his own apprehension and conscience, and he verily thinks he is taking his leave of God for ever, and going to execution, ⟨p. 146⟩yet he can down upon his knees, & ask him forgiveness, and mourneth that ever he wronged him; is angry and displeased with himself, that a God so good, so just, should have so just cause to be angry, and displeased with him; and he finds he could have some rest and contentment that God is glorified upon one, who hath so much dishonoured him. Such dispositions as these would never see the light, if it were not for this darkness. But as Natura vexata prodit soipsam;