A child of light walking in darknessA childe of light vvalking in darknesse

You that are troubled in mind, think not your estates to be good, simply because you begin to cease to be troubled, but only then when the issue of your trouble is healing your spirits, by some sound ground of comfort; and when guidance in Gods ways, and more close walking with God is the issue of it. For God may slack the cords and take you off the rack, when yet he hath not pardoned you. A traitor who was cast into the dungeon, and had many irons on him, may be let out of the dungeon, and have his irons taken off, and have the liberty of the Tower, and walk abroad ⟨p. 69⟩again, with his keeper with him, and yet not have his pardon: nay usually before execution they use to take their irons off, and let them have more freedom. Thus it is with many. I thank God (says one) I have had much trouble of mind, distress of conscience, such and such sins terrified me, and I could not sleep for them: but now I am well again, and now they do not trouble me. Yea, but is this all? Thou hast cause to fear that thy irons are but taken off against execution. It is with men in point of trouble of mind in the guilt of sin, as in the power of it; in justification, as in sanctification: A man who hath had a strong lust stirring in him, if he hath gone a year or two, and findeth it not to stir, he therefore thinks he is utterly freed from it, which yet may be but a restraint of it, not killing of it; a cessation, not mortification: So it is often in this trouble of mind, which ariseth from the guilt of sin, because a man finds not those doubts, and fears, and terrors in his heart which he had wont, therefore presently he thinks all is well: when as it may be but merely a truce, not a peace; a laying down of arms only for a while, to make greater preparation against the soul afterwards; a reprieval and a little enlargement in prison, not a pardon, if this be all the issue of it.

You that are troubled in minde, thinke not your estates to bee good, simply because you begin to cease to be troubled, but onely then when the issue of your trouble is healing your spirits, by some sound ground of comfort; and when guidance in Gods wayes, and more close walking with God is the issue of it. For God may slack the cords and take you off the rack, when yet hee hath not pardoned you. A traitour who was cast into the dungeon, and had many irons on him, may be let out of the dungeon, and have his irons taken off, and have the liberty of the Tower, and walke abroad ⟨p. 69⟩