A01898:96
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.
2. Also an innate darkness in our spirits as we are sinful creatures: 1since the fall,2 our hearts of themselves are nothing but darkness, and therefore no wonder, if when God draws but the curtains, and shuts up the light from us, that our hearts should engender, and conceive such horrid fears and doubts: Thus in the 2. Cor. 4. 6. The Apostle compareth this native darkness of our hearts unto that Chaos, and lump of darkness which at the first creation covered the face of the deep: when he says, that God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, (he referreth to the first creation, Gen. 1. 1, 2.) hath shined into our hearts [even of us Apostles] to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. So that no longer then God continues to shine, either the light of comfort, or of grace, no longer do our hearts [even of us believers] retain light in them. And if at any time he withhold that light of comfort in his face, when yet he continueth an influence of grace: Then so far do our hearts presently return to their former darkness: And then doth that vast womb of darkness conceive, and form all those fears and doubts within it self. Considering withal, that our hearts are a great deep also; so deep in darkness and deceitfulness, as no plummet can fathom them; Deceitful above all things, who can know it? ⟨p. 31⟩Jer. 17. 9. Darkness covereth not the face of this deep only, but it is darkness to the bottom, throughout darkness. No wonder then, if when the Spirit ceaseth to move upon this deep with beams of light, it cast us into such deeps and darkness as Heman (complaining) speaks of, Psal. 88. 6. and frameth in it self such hideous apprehensions and desperate conclusions of a mans own estate.
2. Also an innate darknesse in our spirits as we are sinfull creatures: 1