A01898:38
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 first, it is not to be restrained to outward afflictions only,1 which are called mans infirmities, as being common to man; which arise from the things of this world, or from the men of the world; though ⟨p. 7⟩to walk in darkness is so taken, Isaiah. 59. 9. and I will not exclude it here. For, in them also, a mans best support, is to trust in God; and it is the safest way to interpret Scriptures in the largest sense which the words and coherence will bear. But yet that cannot be the only, or principal meaning of it: for besides what is further to be said to the contrary, he adds withal, and hath no light, that is, no comfort: Now as Philosophers say, non dantur purae tenebrae, there is no pure darkness without some mixture of light: so we may say, there is not mere or utter darkness caused by outward afflictions, no outward affliction can so universally environ the mind, as to shut up all the crannies of it, so that a man should have no light. And besides, Gods people when they walk in the greatest outward darkness, may have, yea, often use to have most light in their spirits. But here is such an estate spoken of, such a darkness as hath no light in it.
And first, it is not to be restrained to outward afflictions onely,1 which are called mans infirmities, as being common to man; which arise from the things of this world, or from the men of the world; though ⟨p. 7⟩to walke in darknesse is so taken, Esai. 59. 9. and I will not exclude it here. For, in them also, a mans best support, is to trust in God; and it is the safest way to interpret Scriptures in the largest sense which the words and coherence will beare. But yet that cannot be the onely, or principall meaning of it: for besides what is further to be said to the contrary, he addes withall, and hath no light, that is, no comfort: Now as Philosophers say, non dantur purae tenebrae, there is no pure darknesse without some mixture of light: so wee may say, there is not meere or utter darknesse caused by outward afflictions, no outward affliction can so universally environ the minde, as to shut up all the crannies of it, so that a man should have no light. And besides, Gods people when they walke in the greatest outward darknesse, may have, yea, often use to have most light in their spirits. But here is such an estate spoken of, such a darknesse as hath no light in it.