A01898:387
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 when he begins to bring in new sins, new indictments against thee, (as it is in the 16. verse:) Thou renewest thy witnesses: and when thou thoughtest he had done with thee, he fetcheth new rods forth, and enters into new quarrels, and reckonings long since past and forgotten, (as it is in the same verse) Changes and war are against me, vicissitudes and armies of disquietments; and when one army is overcome, new appear in the field. Then fall thou down upon thy knees, and say as Job at last doth;1 I have sinned, I have sinned, what shall I do unto thee? what shall I do unto thee? oh thou preserver (and not the destroyer) of men: these and these abominations I have done, and I ⟨p. 58⟩cannot now undo them; & what shall I do to obtain thy favour? Alas, nothing that can satisfy him: only confess thy sin, 2accept thy punishment. Go and strip thy self therefore, and with all submission present a naked back to him, and though every stroke fetcheth not blood only, but well nigh thy soul away, yet complain thou not one whit of him; put thy mouth in the dust, Lam. 3. 29, 30. Be still, not a word; but only such as whereby thou utterest thy complaints, and doest acknowledge thine own deservedness of ten thousands times more. And say as Micah 7. 9. I will bear thine indignation patiently, for I have sinned against thee: bear witness still to every stroke, that it is not only just, but also less then thou hast deserved, 3and that it is his mercy thou art not consumed, 4and cut off by every blow: and the heavier he lays on, struggle thou not, he will let thee down the sooner: the higher he lifts up his hand to strike, the lower let thy soul fall down;5 Humble your selves under his mighty hand: And still kiss the rod when he hath done.