A01898:292
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.
Secondly also,1 take notice of it, that you may be kept more in dependence upon God, and that you may fear him more, whilst you live in this world, men that know not any afflictions in this life beyond what they see with their eyes, & feel in the outward man; nothing beyond loss of friends & credit, these do often fear God less, (though truly) and when they come to part with any of these for God, are less willing; as when they must endure a cross rather then sin, are apter to choose affliction rather then sin, as Job says: but when they shall hear and know that Gods wrath is beyond Pharaohs wrath as Moses knew it; who yet in the vast apprehension of the greatness of it, cries out, Psal. 90. Who hath known the power of thy wrath? then they will obey God and fear him more then they would all the Kings of the earth, as Moses did, not fearing the wrath of Pharaoh. Heb. 11. 27. When men enjoy a confluence of all carnal worldly comforts, and think their mountain strong, well built with wife, children about them, and riches, health, and honours, they think they are then more out of Gods danger then other men, and are apt to say Soul, thou hast goods for many years: but know that God without taking either thy goods away, or thy soul away, can in this life put thy spirit into such a condition of darkness, as thou wouldst give all the world to have a moments ease; when all other comforts shall be to thee, but as the white of an egg as Job says. As he hath joys the world gives not, so he hath afflictions the world inflicts not. Therefore fear him more then the loss of all; obey him ⟨p. 7⟩rather then to keep all: for God can meet with thee in the middest of all: so he met with David though a King, and then all his wives & kingdom could not comfort him, till God would heal the bones that he had broken.
Secondly also,1 take notice of it, that you may be kept more in dependance upon God, and that you may feare him more, whilst you live in this world, men that know not any afflictions in this life beyōd what they see with their eies, & feel in the outward man; nothing beyōd losse of friends & credit, these doe often feare God lesse, (though truly) and when they come to part with any of these for God, are lesse willing; as when they must endure a crosse rather then sinne, are apter to choose affliction rather then sinne, as Iob sayes: but when they shall heare and know that Gods wrath is beyond Pharaohs wrath as Moses knew it; who yet in the vast apprehension of the greatnesse of it, cryes out,