A01898:322
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.
These are two distinct things. For though God hath just cause and reason to leave us to this trouble; yet often the thing that troubles and disquiets us, is a mere mistake, a misapprehension: even as a father sees good reason often to scare the child; but yet the thing he suffers him to be affrighted with, is but a mere bugbear. It is necessary to enquire into both.
These are two distinct things. For though God hath just cause and reason to leave us to this trouble; yet often the thing that troubles and disquiets us, is a meere mistake, a misapprehension: even as a father sees good reason often to scare the childe; but yet the thing he suffers him to be affrighted with, is but a meere bugbeare. It is necessary to enquire into both.
First,1 examine what might be the true cause that provokes God thus to leave thee. So Lament. 3. 40. Let us search and try our ways, it was spoken by the Church in desertion, as appears by the former part of the Chapter. And to help your selves in this, go over all the Cases which have been propounded: hast thou not been carnally confident ⟨p. 20⟩in false signs? or rested too much on true, to the neglect of Christ, and Gods free grace? Didst thou not afore neglect to stir up thy own graces? &c. go over all those cases mentioned: something or other will be found to be the cause. This is necessary, for all the cause be known, the heart submits not; neither will it sanctify Gods name; nor will the trouble cease, till that which provokes God to lay it on be confessed and forsaken. And if it be a particular sin that God aims at, then usually, God useth the horror for, and the guilt of that very sin to afflict thee with; and then that sin it self is made the cause of thy trouble in thy own apprehension. So as then it is easily found out; thou wilt find thy sin to be the thorn in thy foot, the stone in thy shoo, that did grate, gal, and vex thee. David […] knew in