A01898:289
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.
USE. 2.
Who is among you that fears the Lord, 1and is translated out of the state of darkness, and yet never was in this darkness of desertion, which I have described unto you? You that have been free from those terrors of conscience, which are beyond all the miseries the world hath, (for as the jay of the Holy Ghost is unspeakable and glorious, so these terrors are unutterable, and unsupportably grievous) which yet souls that fear God, and have obeyed him more then you, have been made the anvils of: You that have been dandled, and cockered, and fed with sweet meats, had into the wine seller,2 and have had all the Trinity to […] with […] others have eaten gall and wormwood, 3as ⟨p. 5⟩it is Lament. 3. 19. And likewise you, who though you enjoy not much ravishing joy,4 and peace which passeth understanding, yet being justified by faith, you have (a solid) peace with God; and so walk in freedom of spirit, in the use of Gods ordinances, and the performance of holy duties: Let me out of this doctrine give all such this great instruction. To take notice that such kind of troubles there are that do befall Gods people,5 beyond what they have experience of; many there are that think not so;6 Jobs friends did not, and therefore censured him. And this is a necessary instruction.