A01898:366
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.
First, art thou in misery and great distress, he is merciful, The Lord merciful, the Lord therefore able to help thee, and merciful, therefore wiling.
First, art thou in misery and great distresse, he is mercifull, The Lord mercifull, the Lord therefore able to help thee, and mercifull, therefore wiling.
Yea but secondly, thou will say I am unworthy, I have nothing in me to move him to it, well therefore, he is gracious, now grace is to show mercy freely. Yea, but I have sinned against him long, for many years, if I had come in when I was young, mercy might have been shown me: To this he says, I am long suffering. Yea, but my sins every way abound in number, and it is impossible to reckon ⟨p. 45⟩them up, & they abound in heinousness, I have committed the same sins again & again; I have bin false to him, broke promise with him again and again: his Name also answers this objection, he is abundant in goodness; he abounds more in grace, then thou in sinning; and though thou hast been false again and again to him, and broke all covenants, yet he is abundant in truth, also better then his word, for he cannot to our capacities express all that mercy that is in him for us. Yea, but I have committed great sins, aggravated with many and great circumstances, against knowledge, wilfully, &c. he forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin; sins of all sorts. Yea, but there is mercy thus in him but for a few, and I may be none of the number: yes, there is mercy for thousands, and he keeps it, treasures of it lies by him, and are kept, if men would come in and take them.
Yea but secondly, thou will say I am unworthy, I have nothing in me to move him to it, well therfore, hee is gracious, now grace is to shew mercy freely. Yea, but I have sinned against him long, for many yeares, if I had come in when I was yong, mercy might have been shewne me: To this he sayes, I am long suffering. Yea, but my sinnes every way abound in number, and it is impossible to reckon