A01898:393
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.
Or is it (Lord) that thou aimest to have more obedience from me then heretofore thou hast had? plead, that this is the way at present to disable thee for service, for that while thou sufferest his terrors, thou art as one among the dead, listless not to his business only, but to all things else; Distracted with terrors, (as Heman pleads, Psal. 88. 15.) so as the powers and forces of thy soul are scattered, and dissolved, and cannot intend and attend upon their ⟨p. 62⟩duty; and besides this distraction in thy spirit, plead, that it consumes thy strength also, […] (as David also often complaineth, and makes an argument of it, as Psal. 39. 10, 11, 12, 13.) Remove thy stroke away from me, I am consumed by the blow of thine hand: When thou rebukest man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away as a •oth: Oh therefore spare me, that I may […] strength, before I go hence and be no more seen. And withal, put him in mind, that if he should go on thus to deal with thee, as thou shouldest not be able to do him much service, so nor to do it long. For it will cut short my days (Say) this David pleadeth, Psal. 89. 46, 47. compared with the 39. Psalm ver. 12.) How long Lord wilt thou hide thy self? for ever? Shall thy wrath burn like fire? remember how short my time is. As if he should have said, I have but a little time here allotted me in the world, though none of it be shortened,) And further tell him, that for that little time thou hast to live, the more joy thou hast, the more service thou shalt be able for to do him; and to go about his work more lively, and more strongly: (For the joy of the Lord is our strength: Nehem. 8. 10.) and more acceptably also,1 for thou lovest a cheerful giver. And therefore entreat him to restore thee to the joy of his salvation, so shalt thou be able to do him more service in a week, then in a year now, (long trouble of mind being as long sicknesses which make all thy performances weak) and it is for his disadvantage to have his servants lye long sick upon his hands.