A01898:379
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.
And waiting thus, go on to use all the means of grace more diligently, more constantly, though thou findest a long while no good by them: omit no ordinance God hath appointed for thy comfort and recovery: As in a long sickness, you still use means though many have failed, as the woman who had the bloody issue, spent all upon Physicians, in the use of means for her recovery. That trouble of mind doth only hurt you, that drives you from the means: that trouble of mind that drives you to the means can never hurt you. Therefore the devil endeavours nothing more then to keep such souls from the word, from good company, from the Sacraments, from prayer, by objecting their unprofitableness unto them, & that ⟨p. 54⟩all is in vain, and that you do but increase your condemnation.
And waiting thus, goe on to use all the meanes of grace more diligently, more constantly, though thou findest a long while no good by them: omit no ordinance God hath appointed for thy comfort and recovery: As in a long sicknesse, you still use meanes though many have failed, as the woman who had the bloody issue, spent all upon Physitians, in the use of meanes for her recovery. That trouble of minde doth onely hurt you, that drives you from the meanes: that trouble of minde that drives you to the meanes can never hurt you. Therefore the devill endeavours nothing more then to keep such soules from the word, from good company, from the Sacraments, from prayer, by objecting their unprofitablenes unto them, & that ⟨p. 54⟩all is in vaine, and that you doe but increase your condemnation.
But first, if thou learnest no other lesson in the use of the means, but that thou art of thy self most unprofitable; and that unless God teacheth thee to profit, no good is done, and so learnest to depend upon God in the ordinance; This is a great degree of profiting.
But first, if thou learnest no other lesson in the use of the meanes, but that thou art of thy self most unprofitable; and that unlesse God teacheth thee to profit, no good is done, and so learnest to depend upon God in the ordinance; This is a great degree of profiting.