A01898:361
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.
So that when a poor soul in distress is not able to say, I see such or such signs, or any evidence in my self, whereby I can say God is my God, or that Christ is mine; yet because I see free grace ⟨p. 41⟩enough in God, and righteousness in Christ, which I being a sinful man, and not a devil, may therefore be capable of, and may come to have an interest in them, though I know nothing in my self whereby I can challenge any present interest: and because grace and mercy is his Name, and Our Righteousness his Sons Name; therefore I do cast my self upon both, for pardon and favour, and thereupon my soul leans, stays, and abides, and from these it will not be driven. So that these two apprehensions meeting in the heart in truth, help to make up this resting upon his Name here spoken of; namely, First, [that there is such free grace, good will, and mercy, &c. in God, and that Jesus Christ is appointed and made to be our Righteousness.] And secondly, [that I am capable of, and may come to have an interest in both these,] and that though there be nothing in me which may challenge an interest in them, yet there is nothing that excludes me; whereupon I cast my self upon God for both, and there rest: yea though I cannot yet say that ever I shall obtain them. And this where it is in truth, and accompanied with that firm resolution of turning to God in all things aforementioned, is as good faith as any of you have in your hearts.
So that when a poore soule in distresse is not able to say, I see such or such signes, or any evidence in my selfe, whereby I can say God is my God, or that Christ is mine; yet because I see free grace ⟨p. 41⟩enough in God, and righteousnesse in Christ, which I being a sinfull man, and not a devill, may therefore bee capable of, and may come to have an interest in them, though I know nothing in my selfe whereby I can challenge any present interest: and because grace and mercy is his Name, and Our Righteousnesse his Sonnes Name; therefore I doe cast my selfe upon both, for pardon and favour, and thereupon my soule leanes, staies, and abides, and from these it will not bee driven. So that these two apprehensions meeting in the heart in truth, help to make up this resting upon his Name here spoken of; namely, First, [that there is such free grace, good will, and mercy, &c. in God, and that Jesus Christ is appointed and made to be our Righteousnes.] And secondly, [that I am capable of, and may come to have an interest in both these,] and that though there be nothing in me which may challenge an interest in them, yet there is nothing that excludes mee; whereupon I cast my selfe upon God for both, and there rest: yea though I cannot yet say that ever I shall obtaine them. And this where it is in truth, and accompanied with that firme resolution of turning to God in all things aforementioned, is as good faith as any of you have in your hearts.