A01898:83
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.
CHAP. IV.
How Satan and our hearts increase this darkness by false conclusions from the Spirits work, illustrated by the like in the illumination of Temporaries. The Spirits work in both compared.
How Satan and our hearts increase this darknesse by false conclusions from the Spirits worke, illustrated by the like in the illumination of Temporaries. The Spirits work in both compared.
And now the Spirit of God having proceeded thus far himself in causing such darkness,1 and terrors of conscience in them that fear him: Satan and their own hearts (unto which he may and doth often further also leave them) may take occasion from these dispensations of the holy Ghost, (which are all holy righteous and true) to draw forth false and fearful conclusions against themselves, and their estates; and start amazing doubts, and fears of their utter want of Grace and lying under the curse, and threatenings of eternal ⟨p. 25⟩wrath at the present; yea and further, of eternal rejection for the future, and that God will never be merciful; and so lay them lower, and cast them into a further darkness and bondage then the holy Ghost was cause of or intended: Misinterpreting and perverting all these his righteous proceedings; as interpreting, that withdrawing his light and presence, and hiding himself, to be a casting them off: Thus Heman, Psal. 88. 14. So likewise misconstruing that temporary wrath, chastising and wounding their spirits for the present, to be no other, then the impressions and earnest of Gods eternal vengeance: and arguing from their being under wrath, themselves to be children of wrath; and misapplying the application of all those threatenings of eternal damnation made by the Spirit but in relation, and under a condition of such and such courses for the future, to be absolute against their persons, and to speak their present estate; and because such examples of men cast off are presented to them, to show them what advantage God might take against them; they mistaking, think they read their own destiny laid before them in them; and conclude that God will deal so with them: And thus as the Apostle says of sin,