A01898:278
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.
First,1 it is a means to destroy the flesh. The incestuous Corinthian was to be delivered to Satan, that is, to be terrified; to destroy the flesh. As corrosives eat out dead flesh, so these terrors the dead corruptions: and the reviving of the guilt of old sins, doth kill the seeds of those that remain in the heart. For if an outward affliction, which crosseth but the satisfaction of a lust, is a means sanctified by God, to kill a lust; then much more the inward terror, which the conscience feels, and which ariseth immediately from the guilt of a sin, must needs be a means much more.
First,1 it is a meanes to destroy the flesh. The incestuous Corinthian was to bee delivered to Satan, that is, to be terrified; to destroy the flesh. As corrasives eate out dead flesh, so these terrours the dead corruptions: and the reviving of the guilt of old sinnes, doth kill the seeds of those that remaine in the heart. For if an outward affliction, which crosseth but the satisfaction of a lust, is a meanes sactified by God, to kill a lust; then much more the inward terrour, which the conscience feeles, and which ariseth immediatly from the guilt of a sinne, must needs bee a meanes much more.
- 11. To destroy corruption.
Secondly,1 it is a means to humble. So Deut. 8. 16. the end of the biting of the Israelites by Scorpions, (which were the types of these stings and terrors) were, as to prove, so to humble them, and for this end was that buffeting by Satan (we have so often mentioned 2 Cor. 12. 7.) to keep down being exalted above measure: So also,