A01898:305
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.
You err (poor souls) not knowing the Scriptures, and the manner of your God, and of his dealings with his people: to think that his mind is changed, when his countenance is; and so to run away from him; as Jacob did from Laban: to think he hath cast you off, when he is but returned to his place, that […] ⟨p. 10⟩[…] ⟨p. 11⟩⟨p. 12⟩you may seek him more earnestly. 1Like children, when their mother is gone aside a little, you fall a crying, as if you were undone. So it […] that you are always in the extremes; if he […] on you, then your mountain shall never be removed, if he hides his face, then he will never be merciful. […] as it is a fond and a childish fault, so it is beastly and brutish also, thus to judge. I term it so, because ye are led therein by sense▪ and like beasts, believe nothing but what you feel and see; and measure Gods love by his looks and outward carriage which when Asaph did in other afflictions, as you in this; he cries out he was ignorant, and as a beast, Psal. 73. 22. What will you trust God no further then you see him? It will shame you one day, to think what a great deal of trouble your childishness put the Spirit of God unto. As what a trouble is it to a wise man, to have a fond and foolish wife, who if he be but abroad, and about necessary business, haply for her maintenance; yet then she complains he regards her not, but leaves her; if he chides her for any fault, then she says he hates her; and is so much distempered by it, as a whole days kindness cannot quiet her again: Thus deal you with God, and though he hath given you never so many fair, and clear evidences of his love, and these never so often reiterated and renewed; yet still you are jealous, never quiet, always doubting, questioning all upon the least frown: that either God must undo you, by letting you go on in your sinful dispositions, without ever rebuking of you; or else lose the acknowledgement of all his love formerly shown, and have it called in question by ⟨p. 13⟩