A01898:306
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.
But you that are more deeply and lastingly distressed, I pity you, I blame you not for being troubled; for when he hides his face, the creatures all are troubled, Psal. 104. 29. God would have you lay it to heart when he is angry, Isa. 57. 17. God there took it ill, that when he smote him, he went on stubbornly: if you should not thus lay it to heart, it were a sign you had no grace, that you made not him your portion, if you could bear his absence and not mourn. Carnal men having other comforts, can bear the want and absence of him well enough, but not you, that have made him your portion, and your exceeding great reward. But yet though you are to lay it to heart, so as to mourn under it; yet not to be discouraged, to call all into question.1 For though you change, yet not God:2 nor his love; for his love is himself, 1 John 4. 8, 9, 10. We may change in our apprehensions, and opinions; and Gods outward carriages and dispensations may be changed towards us, but not his rooted love: We are not the same to day,3 that yesterday we were: but Christ is the same to day, yesterday, and for ever. To say that he hath cast you off because he hath hid his face, is a fallacy fetched out of the devils Topics, and injurious to him: For Isay 54. 8. In a little wrath have I hid my face, for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I remember thee. First, I have but hid my face, not cast thee out of mind; and 2 though in anger, ⟨p. 14⟩yet but a little anger: and […] a moment: And all that while 4 I am nor […] full of thee, I remember thee, &c. 5 And this with kindness from everlasting to everlasting. When the Sun is eclipsed, (which eclipse is rather of the earth then of the Sun, which shines as […]) foolish people think it will never recover light, but wise men know it will.
But you that are more deeply and lastingly distressed, I pitty you, I blame you not for being troubled; for when he hides his face, the creatures all are troubled,