A01898:376
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.
Direction 8.
The eighth direction is,1 to Waite upon God, thus trusting in his Name, in the constant use of all ordinances and means of comfort: Waiting is indeed but an act of faith further stretched out. As an Allegory is but a continued Metaphor, so waiting is but a continuing to believe on God, and to look for help from him, with submission, though he stays long ere he comes. Waiting is an act of faith resting on God; and an act of hope expecting help from him; an act of patience, the mind quietly contenting it self till God doth come, and of submission if he should not come. Therefore says the Church being in this very case: It is good (says she) to hope, 2and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord. It is good indeed to do so; for God will afflict the less, case you the sooner, comfort you the more when he doth come; and in the mean while it makes you to possess your souls, and to be your selves, and upholds them: and to do otherwise, to be impatient, and to give over looking for the Lord, as Abaz did, is the greatest folly that can be; for as Job says Chap. 12. ver. 14. If he shut up, there is no opening; all the world cannot let you out, he keeps the keys of the dungeon, and you must stay his leisure, and he stays but for a fit time to let you out, Isaiah 30. 18. He will wait to be grati••• to you, for he is a God of judgement, a wise and judicious God, and knows the fittest times and seasons; and that he stays so long, is not out of want of mercy, for he waits, and longs to be gracious; but ⟨p. 53⟩he doth it out of Judgement, and his wisdom sees not a fit time; he is grieved as well as you, that you are not yet fit for mercy, that his mercy would not yet be exalted if he should show it, till you further see your misery; and therefore says he, Blessed are all they that wait for him. And as he now waiteth but to be the more gracious to thee, so he did heretofore, a long while wait for thee, that thou shouldest begin to turn to him, and said, When will it once be;