What Wesley Left Out

~200 words

yet be not diſcouraged; but 
doc you exerciſe faith, goc out of your ſelves, 
rely upon Chriſt and that mercy which 15 to be 
found in God : you may feare God and wantit ; 
and youareto truſt in God in the wantof it. 
Thirdly, theſe words have a relation alſo to 
the fourth verſe, where he ſayes, (as that God 
had given him this aſſurance of his owne juftifi- 
cation, for his owne particular comfort in thoſe 
mmediately foregoing verſes to the Text, ſo 
there,) that God had alfo given him the rongue 
of the learned, to miniſter aword of comfort in ſea- 
ſon, to him that is weary and heavy taden : and 
thereupon in this act he accordingly ſhewes 
the bleſſed condition of ſuch perſons as are mf 
weery through long walking ip darkneffe 3; and 
withall he diſcoverethto them, the way of gert- 
ting out of this darknefſe, and recovering com- 
fort againe : And inall the word of God, rhere 
D 


The third, 


'19 A Childe of Light =... 


- 
_— 


is not a more comfortable and ſeaſonable word 
to one in ſuch a condition, to be found. All 
which argues, itis ſpoken of inward darknefle, 
and trouble of ſpirit,and that in point of apply. 
ing juſtification, and God tobe a mans God. 


$3L$LLELELLESSESCECSUEHKH 


CHap. II. 
The particulars of the diftireſſe

~166 words

up the light of thy coun- 

tenance:inwhich,more orledſe.in whe Sar 

of it ſome of Gods people have'thepriviledge 

to walk withjoy,from day to day : Pſal. 89. 15. 

They ſhall walke in the ught of thy countenance, in 
day. 


thy name ſhall they rejoyce all day, Andthis is here 
utterly withdrawne : and it maythus come-to 
paſſe ; that the ſoule in regard of any ſenſe or 
fi ghe of this,may be left in that caſe that Saw/re. 
ally was leftin: 1 Sam. 28.15, Gods departed 
from me, and anſwers me not, nether by Prophets, 
nor by dreames : though: with this diflerence, 
that God was really departed from Saxl, butto 
theſe, but in their owne apprehenſions: yer ſo,as 
for @ught they can ſceof him, God is departed 

D3 cleane 


\ 
\ 


I—_ 


1. Theimme« 
diatelight of 
Gods counte. 
nance : 


Plal.4.6. 


which he way 


. 


_. Chile Light” © 


lob 13.244 


And od the 


want of it may 
flandwith 


CAnſw 
Gods love till 
eontinued, 


—_— 


cleane from them; anſwers rhem neither by 
prayer, nor by. word, nor by conference ; they 
cannot get one good looke from-him: Snch was 
Lonahs caſc

~284 words

My. 
God my God why haſt thoa for ſakew me ? | 

Bur concerning this, you will aske, how can 
thu dealing of his ſtand with his ever/aſtig love, 
continued notwithſtanding to the ſoule he 


ſhould deale ſo with one he loves, but efpecially- 
how it may ſtand{'with-che- reak{ influence of his. 


grace, powerfally enabling the ſoule all' that 
while to goe on #8 ftare avdobey him ? 

For the firſt, it may ftand with his everlaſting 
love,and Godmay be hs God ftil,as the Text tels. 
us : ſo, Efa. 54. 8. Fer «moment, I heve hid my 
face, but with everlaſting kindneſſe wilt 1 have 
mercy on thee. It is but hiding hi face, and'con- 
ccaling his love,as Devid concealed his love 
from Abſelow, when his bowels yearncd to- 


wards. 


- 


Cc; 


» _— 


5 ww. \ 
- : . 
= 
- _ C% . % 
-” 
. ” 


fathers have,to fhut Hischildren ourof bis pre- 
ſence,when he is angry: and it is bur for 4 mo-- 
ment; that is,in comparifen-of ezermity y rhough. 


ily it ſhould be thaswith hia-. during s mans' 
whole life;zand: he therefore rakes liberty ro do: 
it, becauſe he hath ſuch arr eternity of crime”, 10- 
reveale his kindneſſcing time enough for kiſſes 
——  — — — , 
And forthe ſecond,the rea gracious infiurs-: - 
ces, and effects of his favour de continued; NPR 


uphold , ſtrengthening, an in 00 the: reallinflucace 
oule, ito obey and feare bims ; he yer *0<: 
concaales his favous. For, when' Chriſt com- 


ier 

that time, forther; he was: obeys 
Likeas were; that when-rhe Sunne i 
though-thecarthwams the- Ggbs of it, yer not 
the influence thereof; forthe metals whichare 
engendred inthe bortome of the'earth-are con- 
cotedby the Sunne'; ſo asthoughv rhe tight of 
the Sunne comes not to them, yerthe influence 
and vertue of it doth, and alrererh and changeth 
them : So doth Godsfavour vilit mens hearty a 1. 
inthe power, heate; and' vi influence of © 8 
his grace; whienthe lightand comfort of ivdorth - © 
not ; buris intercluded.. ttt 

The ſecond lighrwhich.God vauchſaferh his (cor gaces; ._ 

D 3 people 


A 4 Childe of Light 
oP le ordinarily to belp & eck our their faith,” 
Fe ht and bat Fetheir own graces ,unto 
which {o manypromilſes

~328 words

man, which ſtrike the ſpirit butthraugh 
the clothes of the body Wn ax z for ſaycs 
he, The =o of 4 1an wi us Aofemniry 
that is,all ſach outward a tions whecrin it 2 
ters but by way of moe and compaſſion z 
bur when the ſpiriticſclt LY bare Sake, 
and wounded immediatel Gods wrat 
(which only can reach itan _ it, )Who can 
berre this ? Thus towards Heman, God didnot 
_ only hide hu face from him, Pl. wi y,14- but Hs 
fierce wrath went over hims and thy gerrors(laye 
he) cut me off, v. 16, not waun bij only: bur 
even e#t him off : and fuch ea of imme. 
diate wrath, as<xprefſians and cffefts of Gods 
_n cr, theholy Ghoſt may make ppon the ſpirit 
ischilde : for itisarruththat God is angry 
=w wroth with them when they fin ; which 
anger he may make knowne, not only by dumb 
fignes lnourward erofies and <ffeQs ; butby an 


L a8 yay ali and: plainc and expreſſc 
peaking fo auch to their ir conſciences,, and Ma. 


to feele ſo much,by ſcaldingdrops of 
Koga caſuce ler fall « Aviv And 2S other 


. TO _ their. aoger by whipping no. 


F#CbildevfoLipht 
dics'of rheir children (upenthis ptoiutid as fayts 
the Apoſtle) becanſethey are the Fathers pf ou 
fleſh: Heb.12.9.S0,forthe like reaſon may God 
ſhew his anger,and chaftiſe his childrehiby leth- 
ing their ſpirits: For he is thefathts vfloar fiurity, 
as he ſpeaks in the ſarftephice: And lik&wiſe'or 
ſpirirs,and the very bones and marrow of them tis 
lie open and naked to him,with whom we haveta de, 
and bis word and ſpiritÞcing quick and power fall, 
and ſharper thin any two-rdged ſword, ate able jo 
divide,and euttevento the boats dnd warrow ; 45 
the ſame Author fpeakes. Yet withall, ſoas 
when he exprefleth his wrath thus ypen their 
confciences; he doth notwwitneſle,thatthis/isan 
eternal wrath whichhe ith coneeived aghirt 
them : for it is buta'temporary diſpleaſure; t;-« 
but for amoment,as Eſay ipeakes;the indizhtion 
ofa Farher;nor js itawtarh which rev og 
ſtice hath tirtedin hitn, but Farherly WPH277 y, 
And though the'Spitir'tels'them'that*God \is 
diſpleaſed,yet never thar they arc accurfed;that 

is a falfe colle&ion made ont ofiir, 
x. By hiking Yet 2: The hply Ghoſttnay proceed yetfur- 
O_ ther herein ; ſo far as EIS 2nd ſhaw 
crcnallwrach, Him, and ſhake 6ver

~597 words

and lay them in their 1 10ce} 
among the ſlaine whom God remembreth no more, 
as Heman ſpeakes, Pſal.88. 5. 

And as in theſc, ſo in other works and diſpen- 
ſationsof Gods Spirit, it is ordivary for Satan 


and aur hearts to praRile the like deluftons, and 
F2 falſe 


The like io 
ſtinced in 
Temporaies, 


(4 Childt of Lights 


A compat fon 
bervvecn whe 
worke of i1;u- 
minanmon in 
then, and of 


dakuefdein 
thelc,' 


talſe concluſions upan ths. To inſtance inthoſe 
mote commion and inferiour workes of the Spi- 
rit on the heartsof men, not as yet ſavingly re 
generated 2: The Spirit anlightwxugthemytoge. 
ther with ntipreſſionsot joy,and araft of ſweet- 
neſſe ini the promiſes ofthe Goſpell, and of fal- 
vationrevealked thercin, which under a conditi- 
onof truc re cand/convertion,che Spirit 
of God dotti:'imake the offer and render of 
Knowneuhta their heaces. Thus 'bee'w 
upon the ſtony ground, and in the 1ews by / 
miniſtery : /ahn5. 35. which light, and taſte, and 
revelation ofthis conduionall proftcr,tending 1 
away unto ſalvation, by alluring cheir hearts to 
ſceke it,they ofrtenthrough Sarans abuſe of this 
ood worke, and the ſclft-flattery of their ownt 
| ok doe toq tmaſtily take to bee that-prace 
which accompanies ſabvation, or which hath ſal- 
vation anncxedto'it : from which, che: 
bythat very expreſſion, Heb. 6. in the 'g. verſe, 
doth Ciffcrence thoſe exliehtnings, mentionefl 
vero. They thus miſtakmg theſtworkes pre- 
curſory tograce, even asthe 7ewy-miſtook Haba, 
that was bur ſent before to prepare th way for 
Chriſt, to be that very rae Chrift that was to 
come into.the world : and miſunderſtanding the 
entendment-of Gods moſt bleffed Spiricir-fuch 
his dealings, they make up roo haſty a conchift: 
on not meant by the Spirit in thoſe premiſes. 
And I inſtance in theſe the rather, becauſe 
theſe his diſpenſations of deſertion ( which wee 
have in hand)towards them already Da 
and. 


——— 
_—AF. — gm nn 


walkag ar Dark heſle. 


29 


and thoſe forcmentioned wiſitations towards 
ſach as often ati cine not toregeneration, arc inan 
oppolite way of compariſon exceeding parallel, 
and much alike in the diſpenfarions themſclves; 
as well as in the differing falſe conclufions 
which aredrawne frow eithcr, and do therefore 
excecdingly illuſtrate the one the other. God 
withdrawing himſclfe as much in their ſenſe, 
from -thoſe who are in covenant with him : 
as he drawcs neare unto, and vifis their hearts 
from on high,who arc as yer ſt to him : 
The needle of Gods favour and love varying 
as much (that I may fo allude) towards Hell in 
their Compaſſe who ſhall bee faved ': as doth 
heavenward inthe other, many of whomvarrive 
not thither. For as they are brought nigh to the 
kingdeme of heaven, (as Chriſt told him: foof 
true belecyers it maybe faid,thatrhcir foules do 
often draw neare to hell,in their own ſenſe and 
apprehenſion; andthe parnes F hell doe take hold 
»ponthem, And as the other are enlightned, as 
Balaaniwas : fothcy are leftrowalk om darkneſſe 
and ſee no light. And doe rafte of that wrath 
whichthe Law threatens :1as thoſe other rafte 
the goedneſſe ofthar ſalvationthe Golſpell offer- 
eth, God out of a. temporary anger chaſtifing 
them for amoment: as witha temporary favour 
he ſhinacch.upon the other. That as they for «ſea- 
ſow rejeyce in that light, John 5.35.S0 Gods dea- 
reſt children may be for a ſeaſon rn much hexvines, 
(asthe Apoftle ſpeakes) 1 Pet.1.6. and watke in 


darkneſſe.. Andas the fimilitude of the dealings 
F 3 them- 


Mar, r 2.34- 


A Childe of Light” | 


themſelves run thus far along in a parallel line of 
compariſon : So it holds 4 falſe apprehenſi. 
ons which Satan and our hearts doe make out of 
both: and the cauſe of the miſtake in cach,is alſo 
alike. For Gods dealings with thoſe T; 9 
beleeversbeing ſo like to thoſe dealings towar 
ſuch as receive a ſtate ofadoprionfrs6 him:They 
thence too haſtily conclude their acceptace un- 
tolife. And on the contrary, Gods dealings with 
theſe Temporary deſpairers,(as I may ſo call the) 
being ſo like in their ſenſe, to his proceedings 
with thoſe he cuts off tor ever, they in like ma- 
ner as haſtily conclude ( 7 ſaid in my haſte ſayes 
David)their eternall rejection. Only in the ifſue 
they prove unlike: theſe deſertions tending but 
ro the preſent diſcomfort of true beleevers, 
chroughtheir frailty : butinthe other through 
their owne willing negleR, their cnlightnings 
turne to their deſtruction, 

Soastoconchile

~132 words

this by reaſon of their weakneſle, 
and dependance upon God: And no leſſe,but far 
greater is the dependance ofthe new creature up- 
on Gods face & preſcnce;that it cannot be alone 
& beare up ir ſelf, but it fails if God hide himſelf, 
as Eſay ſpeaks,cha.57.Eſpecially now in this life 
during the infancy thereof,whilſt it is a c41/4,as 
God ſpeaks of Ephraim, Hoſ.11.1.thenit cannot 
ſtand,orgo alone, unleſle God beare it up in his 
armes,& trachitto go,as he = there, v. 1, 3. 
And thenalſo as children left alone in the dark, 
are affraid of bugbearcs,& they know not-whar, 
and are apt to ſtumble and fall, which is by rea- 


ſon of their weakneſſe : $0 is it with the new 
creature 


Q. 1. 
r. By reaſon of 
ou: weeineſſe 2s 
WC Are (7EUHTES. 


Plal.r04 293 


4 Childe of Light _ 


& 2. 


2, Ot an in- 
nate darkne//e 
as we are ſinful 
(CAURTIE. 


ts. 


creature in its childhood here inthis life, It was 
my infirmity ſayes Davidzand againe, Thes didf

~467 words

in them) is- as-apt. 
toraiſe and forgeas ſtrong objeRions againſtthe 
worke of faith begunne, and as peremptorily ts 
conclude againſt their preſent eſtates by the like 
miſapplication ofthe word ; but eſpecially by 
miſtarerpreting Gods dealings towards x nc 
And they being ſometimes led by ſenſe and rea- 
ſon,whileſt they walk in darkneſſe, they arc apt 

ro interpret Gods minde towards them, rather 

by his works and diſpenſations, which they -ſce 
and feele, then by his word, which they areto 
belceve. This we may ſee in Gideon, Indges Ge {\ 
Who becauſe God wrought not miracles as hee = 
had formerly for his people, but had dclivered 


them, 


HET —r————F——— 


" '% . 


& «e Wu 


"En 2305 WW I DD KK 2 Y» WS 9 Wy = 


them into their enemies hands,from thence rea. 
ſonerth againſt the meſſage of the angell, (Chriſt 
himſelfe)who had told him,che Lord u with thee 
v.12.But he objets, ohmy. Lord, sf the Lord be 
with us, why then is all this befallen ws ? Where be 
all the miracles which our fathers told us of ? Bat 
now the Lord hath forſake us,c&e.This we may al- 
ſo ſee in Aſaph, or what other holy pen-man of 
the 73.Pla. his heeles were well nigh = - up in 
the dark : My feet were — yes he )v.2. 
that is, from keeping his ſtanding by faith, as the 
Apoſtle ſpeaks, Roms. 5. and this by an argument 
framed by carnal reaſon, from Gods diſpenſati> 
on of outward proſperity to wicked menzbuton 
the contrary, Ty 29mm. of him every moriing, 
with outwardafflictions, as the oppoſition doth 
there import. And how peremptory is he, inhis 
concluſion thence deduced 2 Yerily,l have clen. 
ſed my heart in vaine: v.13.2and whatreaſon hath 
he 2 For all the day long I bave been plagued, oe. 
ver.14.Hethought his reaſon ſtrong, & irrefra- 
gable, clſe he would nothave beecne (o.conclu- 
dent [ Ferily, 5c. | But what would this man 
have ſaid & thought if he had beenin Hemans 
condition 2 orin 1obs,or Davids?if inthole ſhal- 
lowesof outward troubles, which are common to 
man,his faith could not finde footing ; but hee 
was well-nigh caried away with the common 
ftreameand errour of wicked men; to have cox- 
demned himſclfe,and the generation of the righte- 
045 ,V.15. How would his faith have been over- 
borne,1f all Gods waves and billowes had gone over 

2 im f 


him ? as David complaines ; Pſal. 42.7. How 
would he have ſunke in Hemans deepes, P[.88.07 
in Davids, P[.69.2. I ſink in the deep mire where 
there is no landing : 1 am come into deepe waters, 
where the floods over. flow me. Speaking of fuch 
waters 48 came in wnto his ſoule ;, ver. 1. Even the 
floods of Gods immediate wrath breaking in up. 
on his conſcicnce,over-flowing the inward man 
and notthe outward only. How much more pe- 
remptorily would he have concluded againſt 
bimſelf,if this had been his condition? as indeed 
they, & many others of the generation of Gods 
children _ done, when _ have laineun- 
dcr, and walkt in luch diftreſles. 
And

~438 words

of the ſhadow of death, 2s David) o,. | 
n_ hen# walks i# darkneff & bathnv tight :\ 
condition that doth afford/a moſdrompleate. 
Topicks for 'carnall reaſon to frame objections 
out of; When in reſpeQ of:/Gods —_—_— 
himthere is a EY of all badaſ. 
pectxchreaning perditionand defrocion:Whe 
9.4 1290P-"7: 17 24103 


A Childe of Light 


Jer.31.26. 


Job 13.26. 


_ words) frets the mind that it carmor lifkengo: 


faith is under ſogreat an RT is leltto fight 

it out alone in darknes,& hath no ſecond; W 

on the contrary carnal reaſon, & our dark heatts 
(which arcled by ſenſe) are poſleſied with the 
ſenſe (the de and moſt exquiſite ſcaſe)and 
impreſſions of (that which the heart is moſt jet» 
lous of ) Gods forcſt wrath and diſplealure;and 
that felt and argued (not meciaccly and afar off, 
by conſequence from outward aftiictions , but) 
immediatcly frotn Gods owne hand, Thou #l« 
waycs haſt ſuſpeRed (ayes carnal zeaſon) that 
thou wert achilde of wrath, and that thou and: 
God were enemies; But now thou fiadeſt it put 
out of queſtian, & that fram Gods own mouth, 
whe fpeaketb grievous things #741» thee;! cou 
haſt _ under we —_ ra - he —_— 
bitter things againſt thee,that is,in thy colcieace 
as Job foentsnnd; huldeth thee for an enemy, 24, 
and whips thee with che ſame;rod of bis imine» 
diate wrath & diſplcalute,wherewith he laſheth 
thoſe that arc cut from his hand, and whom be 
remembrethno more,but are now in hell,as He- 
was {peaks. Atimealſo this is when this preſet 
ſenſe of wrath ſo. diſtempers and(to uſe Hemant 


faith,which Ipeaksof nothing too,but of what it 
ſees notzeven as the people of [irae! could nat af 
tend to Moſes his mcfiage of dcltverace through 
the ang##/ſb of theirpreſentbondage Exod, 69% 
So'2s no wonder if then carnall reaſon bee moſt 
buſic,and takes this advantage toframe and ſug- 


geſtthe ſtrongeſt objeions tothe ſoulc whileſt 
e1s1n this diſtemper. | Adde 


baking in Darkneſle, 


41 


itas much in 
eſtates are naught, as in lecuri 
rate that their eſtatesare g 


cearc many other 
rupt affecions in the heart, which joyn and take 
part with carnall reaſon inall this its 
againſt faith, and which fer it awork & do back 


perſwadi 


Add untoall this 4.rhat as there is ſuch tr 6gth 


T0 
of cency reaſon which is thus oppolit to faich, 4 og 
ſo thatt 


7 axe corr 


fition 


{clf-loye(which briberh &byaſſerh carnall rea. 
ſon,cſpecually in judging of out eſtates)is found 
as deepintheone asin the other ; and this doth 


yer give further light to this point in hand. Fot 


ooke as before faith is wrought, ſe/f- fart 
(which-is one branch of fclf-love? briberh ing 
ſctteth carnall reaſon aworketo pleadthe good. 


neſle of their eſtates to men unr 


te, and 


cauſcth all ſuch falſe reaſons to rake with them, 


which tend ev perſwade them rotbinke well of 


themſclves. So when once faith is wrought, jea- 
& ſoſpitionſneſſe, & incredulity, (which arc 
,asgreat ſprigs of pride and ſelf-Jove in us, 
aSthe former, which doc begin ro. ſprout and 
ſhew themſelves, when that otheris lope off, and 
which do grow up together with the worke of 


ooh 


faich)theſe doedge & ſhar 
rcaſon,toargue

~466 words

to theſe corrupt principles,for 


inſtir, are plea- 


they are thereby nouriſhedand ftrengrhened. 
And the alon why ſuch jecleuſies, 8c Supt 
H ens, 


iples of COTrT« f-&ions of jr 


louſe, ſufdtion 
and ty, 
which joyne 
with cainall 


Godschildr&rhat their 4» in this, 
men UnNTcgenc- 
z and the hand of 


42 


ti. Aftd 


(A Chile of Light 


The riſe of 
glen and uf 
their working 
in the heart. 


ons,4c.(whichare ſuch contrary diſpoſiti6gugs 
to {clf-Aattery which ſwayed our opini6s of our 
eſtates beforc) ſhould thus ariſe & be ſtarted up. 
inthe hcartupon the worke of faith, and beg 
rather to prevaile now afterfaith, is; ? Becavſe 
that inthe work of humiliation,(whichprepares 
for faith )all thoſe ſtrong holds of carnal reaſon 
being demoliſht, whichupheld ſelf. Aattery,and 
that falſe good opinion of a manseſtate, & thoſe 
mountainous thoughts of preſumption as then 
laid low, a man is for ever put out of conceit 
with himſclf,as of himſelf. At whichtime alſo, 
2 he was (0 throughly & feelingly conyinced of 
the hainouſneſle of ſin, (which before [i ſlight- 
ed) & of the greatneſs & multitudes of his fins, 
that he is apt now (inſtead of preſuming as be- 
fore)to be jealous of God,leſt hemight have bin 
lo provokedas never to pardon him,8 is accor- 
dingly-apt to draw a miſintegpretation of all 
Gods dealings with him to ſtrengthen that con- 
ccit, And 3 having through the ſame convigi- 
on,the infinite errour and deceitfulneſſe of his 
heart before, in Aattering him and judging his e- 
ſtate goad, whenit is moſt accurſed, ſo cleere- 
ly diſcovered & diſcerned;hethereby becomes 
exceeding jealous, and afraid of erring-on that 
hand ſtil}, 8 ſois apt to led ancare to any doubt 
and ſcruplethat is ſuggeſted. Eſpecially 4 hee 
being withall made apprehenſive both of that 
lofinite danger to hiseternal ſalvation therema 

be in nouriſhing afalſe opinion of the 2oodneffe y 
of hiscſtatc if it ſhould prove otherwiſezbecauſe 


ſuch 


Wy O_ CON "In on dpodhoc tu, ,— ” 


walking in Darkneſſe, 


ſuch a falſe conceit keeps a man fr6 ſaving faith: 
wheras to cheriſh the contrary errour in judge- 
ing his eſtate bad, when it isin truth good, tends 
but ro his preſent diſcomfort;ſo as he thinkes it 
ſafertoerre on that hand than the vther. And 
5 being alſo ſenſible of what tranſcendent con. 
cernment his eternall ſalvation is ot, (which he 
before ſlighted)this rowſeth ſuſpition,(which in 


all matters of great CC and moment,is. 


alwayes doubting & inquilitive,) and alſo keeps 
it waking,which before layaſleep. Andall theſe 
being now ſtartled ind ſtirred up, do not onely 
provoke carnall reaſon unſatisfiedly to pry into 
all chings that may ſceme to argue Gods disfa- 
vour,or theunſoundnefle of our hearts, but alſo 
Co give entertainment too, and applaud all ſuch 
objections as are found out, and makes-vptoo 
haſtily falſe concluſions from them, 

Laſt of all

~392 words

of 
the Saints have done, Yea,fo as even #er own+5- 
ſciences, (whichare the only principle now lefe 
in us, which ſhould rake part with ar incou 
faith,and witneſle to us (as'the office of it is) the 
goodnefle of our cſtates)in this may joyne with 
the former corruprtions againſt us,an4 bring th 2 
falſe evidence, & pronounce a falle judgement. 
Even C6ſcience it felf, which is ordained as the 
urine of the bodyroſhew the'eſtare of thewhote: 
(& therefore is accordingly called Good or Evil 
as the mans ſtate is) This is apt in ſuchdiſt&pers 
to change and turne colour; and looke toa mans 
own view as fowl asrhe ſtate of a wery Sypeorrve, 


And the reaſon of this is alſo 8s evident, as is The reaſon.” 


the experience of iz. Even becaule conſcience 7c- 
mains mpart defiled ina man thatls regenerate: & 
though we are _— from an evill conſcience in 
t,yernot wholy : foes though earperſons arc 
Fol  diſtharged from theguitt of our fins, 1h0- 
row the are of Chriſts blood, before God ; 
yetthe ſprinkling of that upon ourconlci- 
ences whereby we apprehend this, as-mmperteR; 
andthe reaſon is, becauſe this very. ſprinkling of 
conſcience,whereby itteſtifies the ſprinkling of 
Chriſts blaod,& our juſtiftcation thereby, isbur 
part of the ſaactificatis of coſcience,as it na Fa- 
culty,wheſc office & duty 15 to teſtitie br wirnes 
our eſtates z& therefore asrthe ſandiificatio of all 
H3 other 


4 Childeof Light © 


other faculties is imperteR, ſo of c6ſcience alſo 
herein. And hence itis that when Gods Spirit 
forbcareth to witnes with conſcicnce,the good- 
nes of our eſtates, and ceaſeth to embolden and 
encourage conſcience by his preſence, and the 
ſprinkling of Chriſts blood upon it againſt the 
remaining dcfhlement;that then our conſciences 
are as apt to fall into feares,and doubts,and (elf. 
condemnings z «even as much as when he with- 
drawes the aſſiſtance of his grace,thoſc other fa- 
cultics are to fall into any other fin: And.there- 
forc as the Law of ſin in the other members may 
be up in armesand prevaile ſofarreas to lead us 
captive unto fin : So may the guilt of fin in our 
conſciences remaining in part defiled, by the 
ſame reaſon prevaile againſt us, and gettheup- 
per hand foul | lead us captive to feares and doub- 
tings, and caſt us into bondage. 


LELCLEELESLESTSTSSHSD CCD 
CHAP. VI

~197 words

this 
great plot of blowing upall. He rempecth Petey 
todcny his Maſter,Satan deſires to winnow you ; 
but he hath a further reach, a deſigne upon his 
faith; which Chriſt foreſaw, and theretore did 
mainly bend his praicr againſt it, But 1 have prai- 
ed that thy faith faile not : Satan hoped by that 
grofle {in to have drawn him into deſpaire, We 
may likewiſe oblerve how he did place this r&+ 
ptationin the forefront of thoſe three aſſtuhs 
which he made upon Chriſt; who as in his obe- 
dience,ſo in his temptations is made a complear 
example unto us;for he was tEpted i# all things, 
that is, with al ſorts of temptations, & alſo likews 
for the maner,only withont pn, Heb.g4.15, Now 
he tempted him not only to vain hopes, when he 
"wane him the glory of the whole world, &tro 
preſumption tothrow himſelfe down head! 
from an unwarrantable ground; Bur firſt, & prt- 
marily to jealouſics & diſtruſts between him and 
his Father, & between his humane nature & the 
divine;For whe Chriſt had newly received that 
teſtimony fromall the three per{ons;the F arhey 
proclaiming himto be his Son from heaven; the 
Spiris deſcending on him at his baptiſme,(irbe» 
ing theſpeciall grace and inſtitution of that or- 
dinance to ſcale up adoption and regeneration) 
then comes Satan and tempts him to queſtion 
thatvoice, [ thatit might be but a dcelufion:]-and 


Chriſts 


; 


balking in Darkneſle. 

Chrifts hamane'narure never er having done any 
outward miracle as yet,as appears /6.2,3 1,hee 
world gow have roghmcaenths oc PR 
theextremity of his hunger, o rarnarry. | 
to become bread,cto make trial allya Lhe 
Son of God or no, and hypoſtatica united to 
the ſecond perſon :! which f Godſhould not do 
for hj ro-queſtionhis Son-ſhip, and think 
allthisro be but a delufi 4 This-was 
of it, If chow be the Son 
PW bread,cri.w 
leaving him even Chet dniybread which 
par ha age 
net « ſtone inſtead 
6 anſ'if whether he was the San of Godor no. 
/.'Fhe reaſons rar are: any ex ig 7%» _— _ 
us, be. the ore. gre r _ 

i Theſſ.3:5 Frog —_ aran, in 
nn more that in this, leſt. hehad grDs 


ing and camper) ith; 
fa [ent 1o'know —_ you 


we 

nero lin, fakh, is i thatwork of

~422 words

mark of his envy is this, That 

God ſhould be vur God, who bath caſt ofi&imyand 

therefore whitn he {ces-he cannot feparate' bet 

tween God andwus really, he will endeavour to 

caſt and raiſe up jealoufics that heis net our God 

in our apprehenſions;: he endeavoured: torrmaiſe 

jcaloufics betweene God and our firſt 197 wo 

God knows you (ball -be as gods cre. As it God had 

forbidden them that fruit out of an envy to- 

wards them ofa better condition:andthe likeks 

+* ehdeavoiired between-Chriſts. humane nature 

and the. divine,though hypoſtatically united, '« 

And likowiſc 4-| That God hath given w eter» \ 

nall life and that life is in his Sex | this being that 

ru truthofthe Goſpell, ſoas a Chriſtian that 

| leeves.it net, makes Goda tyarg 1 Johs, roget\ 

lohn$.44 Therctore Satan being char great {yar,oppoleth 

this great truth, and our faich therein aboyeall 

other: þ ory at food advancement ofoar na» 

turein Chriſt according to that tryth;is thought ® 

by ſome tohave been his fall ——_ ,;1Jours +: 

derſtading that in 10+.8. He abode not in the truth. 

_—_—_— he doth new delight to make God a 

yar to us in our 2pprehepftons b (On 

his promiſes, andeſpecially ro ar Bo pres. 

iwation thercof out of Gods owne dealing with 

us, perveriing bi righttoue.wayes, ».. 


And 


walking in Darkneſle. 


torth in his name;zwh& theypubliſhed it on carth 
he ſigned it in heaven. which rightly ad- 
” miniſtred dorh enſue, firſt, that as the Church 
doth cut them off from communida withthem ; 
ſo God tuts them off from communion with 


himſelf}and hides,b& withdraws the light ot his. * 


countenance,rhe witnefſe of his Spirir, and his 
comfortable preſence. And not only ſo, but dels. 
vereth them up to Satan;that the confequer 
of it: (which therefore, fe ir ſmplyes the 
former,is put to expreſs thewhole proccediag) 
whichdelivexy of timunto Satan, was not a g1- 
ving him a commiſſion to cary him on to more 
fin:though thatofren be indeed the efleR of it 
in hypocrites, asin Alexaxder,1 Tim 11g.) for 
the end propounded bythe A WAaSto des 
firoy the fleſh, that is,corruptis6 body of fin, 
that the ſþi718 might be ſaved,v.5. that is,ches 
contrary prmciple ofgrace which yet remained, 
but wes ready todie, (as'it is Ng 
be ſaved and kept from death and deſtrudtion ; 
but it was to errific and affli his conſcience,8& 
to ſtir up in him the guilt of his fin witty terrors 
for it;zwhich God ſanRifieth to humble and to 
mortifie the fleſh. And thus, whenthat Corin. 
thian was exc6municated, did Saragjaccording- 
ly deale with him; for inthe next Epiſtle, 2 Coy, 
2.7. we finde him gelBvigh ſwallowed up of ſor- 
row; which was Satans doing, for ver.rr. We are 
uot ignoram (faith the Apoſtle in referencepart. 
lyto this) ef his devices, And ttius'Satan-oonti- 
nued ſtill mr FTE hebe- 
| | 13, gan 


- 


 AChildeof Light 


Where Or» 
dinance 15 neg- 
lected in caſe 
of (ome grofle 
finne, 


BR. _ $a 


Tan 15 £9 rempt 
"5, 


gan to be truly humbled,and was a fit ſubjeR to 
receive forgiveneſſe and comfort, ver. 7, when 
thovgh he tcared God and obeyed him, yet hee” 
walked in darkneſſe, til! the Charch received 
him. Orclſe 3.whenthis ordinance is notin the 
caſe of ſuch ſins adminiſtred,then God himlſelfe 
(who workes without an ordinance ſometimes 
the ſame effects that with. it) doth excommuni- 
cate mens ſpirits from his preſence ; and gives 
them up to'Satan,by terrors to whipthem home 
to himielf,So that God gives him leave to exer« 
ciſe power over both godly men and wicked 
men,only with this difterece: Wicked men God 
gives up unto him, as unto their Ruler, and their 
head ; they are therefore called the rulers of the 
darknes of this world,Eph.6.12. Who therefore 
worke. effeftually in the children of diſobedience : 
Eph.2.2.Orclſc as captives toaPrince,he taking 
them captive at his will, 2 Tim.2.26. ſo as they 
are captived and /ed away, t Cor.12.2. But his 
own,God gives up to him, but as priſoners toa 
Taylor,as a Magiſtrate may do his child, to come 
mit him; who hath not a power over his priſo- 
ner to doe any thing with him; but only by ap- 
pointment, fora time, with a limited c6miſſion, 
and theretoge cannot put him on the rack,or In- 
tothe dungeon, but when & how far God plea- 
ſerh: even as when Satawis ſaid to have caff them 
into priſon, Rev,2. 10, hiscommiſſion was but 
for ten dayes, and then God rebukes him. 

Satan having thus obtained leave ; now 3.to 
ſhew how able & powerfull he is to work dark- 


nes 


walking in Darkneſle. F1 
And ſecondly, as Satan hath ſucha defire, ſo F, 2. 
God-may givehis child up into Satans hand for Ged may and 
awhile thusro afflict and terrific his Spirit »His {2 ive vp 
laſt commiſſion over Job ſeemeth to extend thus Sarans hands, 
farzfor

~240 words

externally ;/by an audible voice nthebody ofa cerrun 31/es 
Serpent. And likewiſe as touching the ſecond 4- '*xmmon 
dam,we xeade not, that he: had acceſle to his in- — Lis 
wand ſenſes;290d ſpirit 5 þetonly by an:extexnall 2m adrmm ef, 
ſuggeſtion by vaice,angby.viſible'repreſentari. 75 odnoden 
ons z as, when he ſhewed him theglory of the wammitont) 
world io. viible Land-skips of-his 6wn making, edwprin- 
whichere repreſcneed £q the eye ;- what elle gs S Ser 
wasthe realon why detooke the advantage of a pexter mperin i 
mguntaio 4: i had beeo by- working od. hisin+ 9Vcter 1h; 
ward: ſenſes ,; any place. would;have ſerved for cp.io. * 
that. : But thedevill then appcarad.in aviſible 
ſhape and (o teqmpred bico, or heevould have 
had him Hllpdomeeroweorhy p him. Another 


_— 


time 


"A Childe of Light” 
time we find him creptinto one of his Apoſtles, 
to aſſault our Saviour by him, AMaſter pare thy 

Mur643 ſelf, ſaycshe,when therefore Chriſt ſayes to him, 
Get thee behinde me Satan : Thow art an offence to 
me. Soas ll Satan was kept at a diſtance and 
could come no nearer. And that he ſhould p 
come thus neare tohim,made Chriſt alſo in that 
great temptation inthe wilderneſs with ſo much 
vehemency and indignation, at laſt ſay to him, 
Avoide Satan,Mat.4.10.4s lothing the nearneſs 
of ſo foule a ſpirit : For what fellowſhip (that is, 
ſuch,thus neare )ſhould Light have with this an- 
gell ofdarkneſs! Nor ſhould he have ſuch-more 

: neareand inward acceſſe

~170 words

men,” who are 
nothing but darkneſfle; he may work in regene.” 
rate men,according tothe proportion of there- 
mainder of darkneſs in them,toa certaindegree, 
& for a limited ſcaſonzas to deludetheir reaſon, 
falſcly accuſe;and terrifie their confciences, &c, 
Only finall deſpaire and revenge againſt God, 
which is that ſin unto death, this the Apoſtle ex- 
cepteth; for having occaſionally mentioned that 
ſin, 1 1ob,5 .16.he addesv. 17.That bethat:ss born 
of God ſinneth not,that is,not that ſin;and he ſub« 
joyneth, But keeps himſelf that that eviilone toweh. 
him not : that is,not with the leaſt infuſionot the 
venome of rhat (in, which is properly b# fin, 10b. 
$.44. and which he toucheth thrir ſpicits with, 
who becomethe $ af >a ſeed. Andthereforc all 
ſuch inſtances as we find, that ſhew how he hath 
wrought on the ſpirjts ofcarnall men by reaſon 
of their totall darknes, may bealledged,toſhew 
in a proportion, what he.may alſowork on rege- 
nerate men for a ſcaſon,by reaſon of their dark- 
neſle in part remaining. AU things hapning 4- 
liketo all. Thus in generall, 


 TLLLLALLALLLLLAALALALA, 
CHaP. VIL 


More particularly, haw Satan workes upon thoſe 
three principles in ws: Firſt,on Carnall reaſon. 


Ecing therefore theexerciſe of his power lies 


inthat darknefſe

~231 words

are utterly remote from ſenſe, hee can infinuate 
and impart according to the meaſure and capa- 
city of mens apprehenſions. Therefore we are 
{aid to wreſtle with them about things heavenly,&t 
our interc{t therein is often made the matter of 
the contention,& the ſubjeRot the queſtion: ſo 
thar phraſe Zph.6.12, # ni wewins; when jtis 
laid, We wreſtle with ſpiritual wickedne(ſts iu beas 
venly, 15 rather to be underſtood of [ heaven 
things Jthen of heavenly places; ] the word (ignt- 
tying rather ſuperceleſtiall, in the higheſt hea. 
vens;whitherlit renercd of places)the devilsne- 
ver came {incetheir fall ; and it being uſedelſe- 
where for| heavenly things as Heb.$.5. andthe 
prepoſicion [ 4] or [ /»] bcing quis yn 
times put to expreſle the object matter about 
whicha thing is converfant,as. Mat. 11,6,Bleſſed 


[1 


———— — CO 


Balking in Darknelle. 


67 


i be that @ not offended in me , thatis, with or a- 
bout me,and for my fake;it may congruouſly be 
ſo here meant;as noring to us,that theprice, the 
ſtake, about which we wreſtle with Satan, are 
not things worldly, as honours, riches, and the 
like, but things heavenly, which concerne our 
ſoules and eſtates hereafter. Now the contenti- 
on being about heavenly things, and ſpirituall 
bleſſings, it cannot betranſated but by reaſon. 
ings ſuitable; that is, ſpirituall falſe reaſonings 
abitracted from ſenſe and fancy : and in this re. 
ſpec they are termed fpirituall wickedneſſes; be. 
cauſe in ſuch wickednefſes they deale and trade 
in eſpecially, or

~179 words

been broached in all ages ; 
as inthe primitive times among the Romanes,the 
broachers whereof are made the Emiſlaries of 
Satan,therefore Row. 16.16. he having branded 


them,untothe Rowans,#hat taught falſe Corins 
L2 among 


—— — 


63 A Childe of Light 
among them,and having inſtruQed them agai 

them, he gives this encouragement about R 

v.20.That Gad jhould tread downe ſatan under their 

feet ſhortly, having reſpec to Satans werke-in 

thoſe errors mentioned, ver. 16. Satan being the 

main author of them. Thus in the Church of 

Thyatira,thoſe curſed heretiques whoapplaud. 

ed themſclves,& were admired by their follow. 

ers for the depths and profoundneſle of the lear- 

ning ſhewne in thoſe herefies they broached: 

Depths as they ſpeake,Rev.2.24. But if they call 

them depths ſayesthe Apoſtle, I will call them 

Depths of ſatan, Depths of ſatan as they ſpeak, ]tor 

the devill wasthe maſter & the author and ſug. 

_ ofthem : ſo inafter-times, Apoſtacy isal- 

cribed to ſpirits of errer,that is, devils, which he 

foretelleth men ſhould give heed unto, Tim..4.1, 

and 70 the working of ſatan , 2 Thel. 2.9. it was 

He, that ſharpencd their wits and pens. Now the

~166 words

falſe-reaſonings 
about their own eſtates, by reaſonof thar darknes 
which i» part remaines in, them : by meanes of 
which he may workethe lame effeQs for atime, 
andin acertain degree ina godly man, which in 
another, as v/2s before obſerved. Thus the be- 
lecving Galathians,cſpecially ſome of thE, were 
ſo farbewitched (as his word is) as for a time to 
aſſent to that great errour in point of juſtificati- 


on:And this by reaſon ofthat folly and dartreſe 
L 3 which 


70 


"4 Childe of Light : 


ef Caution, 


Texans! 00h 
ee cauſa tfi- 
cax At 1:01! Decca» 
ri-poteſt necc/ſue- 
ve horniats ad 
ſeniendam ten- 
(ation nm non ad 
conſerdicadamn. 


which remained inthe,as he intimates, when he 
fayesy 0h ye [fooliſh] Galmtbians, who bath { be-« 
witched] you,that ye ſhould not obey the truth: Gal, 
3.1.And if inthe very dodrine of Juſtificationit 
ſclfe, belecvers were thus far a time deluded, 
(which is rare) then much more may they, and 
ordinarily are they miſled in the application of 
faith, in the beleeving their own perſonal juſtifi- 
cation, which isthe pointin hand

~320 words

thoſe 
reaſonings which ſupported us,by cavilling ob- 
jeRions,which kind of ſpirituall wreſtlings how 
oftenhbave we experience of in ſpiritual agonies? 
In the houre of temptation belecvers hnde con- 
flicts & bandyings of diſputes, rationally caried 
along,& pertinem objeions brought in againſt 
thoſc infer, which they ſecretly medirate of: 
In which caſe therefore Divines bid men notto 
difþute with that cunning ſophifter. Thus many 
whendeath hath approached, have foung 
they have had their reaſonings for thei 
& thoſe evidences they have had r 
taken away and confutcd as faſt 
thought of them. And that Satan | 
terity and skiltthus to m ſuch 
with us,1sfurther cvidet,in th 
ercfies,wherin he aſſiſts the contrive 
with pertinent conſiderations to back & 
firmetheir notions, in their private meditate 
ſtudics and contrivements. And indeed if Satan 
werenot able and skiltull chus to oppoſe and re- 
ply,theſc kinde of temptations which conſiſt in 
diſputes could not be managed: for otherwiſe in 
them Satan diſputed with us, but as if one af us 
ſhould reaſen with-a dumb-man that can-heare, 
but his anſwers cannot be known, 8: fo he knows 
no-way what replyto make.. Therefore {i 
Satan hath often ſome way more or leſſc a guels 
& inkling, what may be the anſwers of the heare 


againe. 


- wp 


Ld 


73 


again. Which were ic otherwiſe, the glory alfo 
which God hath by the yiRory gotten over Sa. 
tanin theſe remptauons, were muchobſcured;8& 
Satans confuſion leſle ;, for the vitory ofour 
faith in theſe diſputes, & the rediltanceit makes, 
lycs chiefly in thols r yes which are made, 
whereby it queacheth all his darts: whereof the 
devill, when he is once [enſible,and perceives it, 
he is confounded; forthen,when be is once ſen- 
{ible & apprehenlive that be is rebited, doth he 


2s by 

arilt gave,by which being i 
w» (as the text ſayes) as out of pride; 1 

that be was failed. So that Satan ſomewayor 
other isable to guefle mt, - and dilcernes' the re. 
plycs in our hearts to his objeRtions z as well as 
to make and caſt in objcaions, | 


$2$$SL6S$LECAREOISS GEO CO GD 
| - Cyay. V HL 


That Satan bs able ta work upon that other a 
| hu up [ Guilt of Conſcience. ] Bos, 
ow many waycs Saigu % ableto know matter by 


064 Ag ai # «l[o 39 ſes 13 0,5 work 
"= " wp. > 
Tx 


guilt f erranconſurfi of the conſcience. 
we ſee howable Sarnia ojoyn wane 
carnall reaſon in us againſt our we 

M will 


A Cbille of Light 
tempts to overcome andget the vigory;heas it 
were going about to ſtrike up our heels,as wreſt- 
lers do,that is,to takeaway from under us

~290 words

to 
diſpute with that cunning ſophifter. Thus many 
when death hath approached, have found that 
they have had their reaſonings for their eſtates, 

& thoſe evidences they have had recourſe unto, 
taken away and akned as faſt as they have 
thought of them. And that Satan hath this dex- 
terity and skill thus to manage ſuch kinde of dif- 
putes with us,is further evidet,in the framing of 
herefies,wherin he aſſiſts the contrivers ofthem 
with pertinent conſiderations to back and con- 
hirmerhcir notions, in their private meditations, 
{tudies and contrivements. And indeed if Satan 
werenot ableand skiltull chus ro oppoſe and re- 
ply,theſc kinde of temptations which conſiſt in 
diſputes could not be managed: for otherwiſe in 
them Satan diſputed with us, but as if one of us 
ſhould reaſon with a dumb man that can heare, 
but his anſwers cannot be known, & ſo he knows 
no way what replyro make. Therefore ſuret 
Satan hath often ſome way ,more or leſle a guels 
& inkling, what may be the anſwers of the heart 


againe. 


walking in Darkneſle, 


again. Which were it otherwiſe, the glory alſo 
which God hath by the viRory gotten over Sa. 
tanin theſe temptations, were much obſcured,;8& 
Satans confuſion lefle ;, for the victory ofour 
faith in theſe Ciſpures, & the refiſtance ir makes, 
lycs chiefly in thoſe replycs which are made, 
whereby it quencheth all his darts: whereof the 
devill, when he is onceſenſible,and perceives it, 
he is confounded; forthen,when he is once ſen- 
{ible & apprehenſive that hc is refiſted, doth he 
fiy from us, as the Apoſtle ſpeakes, 1am.4.7. and 
that of his own accord, as the expreſhon there 
imports;even asa foiled and diſgraced fouldier. 
And this we may ſce. in his cariage in thoſe his 
temptations of Chriſt; which were managed by 
mutuall diſputcs; & whercin the foiling ot ſatan, 
was by the anſwers out of Sqgipture which 
Chriſt gave,by which being con d,he left 
him (as the text ſayes) as out of pride, aſhamed 
that he was foiled. So that Satan ſomeway or 
othcrisable to gueſle ar, and dilcernes the re- 
plycs in our hearts to his objeRtions z as well as 
to make and caſt in objeQions. 


ITILLLLALIALACACAAIEELLL, 
CHAP. VIIL 
That Satan is able to work upon that other corrupt 
privciph inw, [ Guilt of Conſcience. ] 39th, 
| how many waycs Satan « ableto know matter by 
« 10 object againſt 45 al[o $9 ſet it 01,5 work 
wpon the guilt br erroneouſnefs of the conſcience. 
To

~330 words

he muſters up againſt us. This ſort of tempratigs 
(we have in hand)conſfilts cither of falſe mjors, 
or falſe m/nors;which are like the two wingsot x 
anarmy.His falſe majors,they are ſuch,as mulap, 
prehcfions ofthe wayes & of the work of grace, 
or miſunderftanding of ſayings of Scripturc,&c, 
which by reaſon of that darkneſle ot ignorance, 
that isin vs,he puts upon us-wreſted and perver- 
ted. As[ That to relapſe into the ſame fin againe 
andagain is not compatible with grace |6& many 
the like. For the opinions wherby ſome do mea- 
fure what ſtrineſle is eſſentiall ro-the being in 
the ſtate of grace,are often too ſevere and rigid; 
as inothersto0 looſe : The meaſure of ſomes 
roo ſcant,not giving allowance ro failings; as of 
others too lerge,taking inſuch groſle corruptids 
&the conſtant practiſe of them, as.cannot ſtand 
with grace. And Satan deceives with both : As 
the one ſort of prophane men to flatter them- 
ſelves to bein agood condition when they are 
not, ſo the other of weak & tender conſriences, 
that they are not in a good eſtate when they are. 
Andin like maner places of Scripture miſunder- 
ſtood,dor oft prove matter of great temptation 
to many,aSthat Heb.6.unto one,who having fak 
len from his firſt love,concluded he could never 


—— 


walking in Darkneſſe. 


75 


be ſaved, becauſe it is there ſaid, that they which 
are once enlightned, if they fall away,it u impoſſible 
they ſhould k renewed to repentance : wheteas it is 
only to be underſtood of a wang totall Apo- 
ffaſie. Thus as Elymas perverted the right wayes 
#f the Laxd ; So doth-Satan alſo : Elymaes bein 

therefore there called ch11d of the dovil,becaull 
hedid the work of his father therein. Now all 
ſuch falſe reaſonings as are founded upon ſuch 
miſtakes of the things,& of the rule it ſelf wher. 
by we (ould judg ofour eſtates, falſemajors, do 
properly belong ta the former head of Carnal 
reaſon, But he harh another wing of forces to, 
joynto theſe,and they are falſe accuſations ofa 
man tohimſelf, tr the guilt of his own heart & 
waycs,miſconceits of a mans ſ{elt,& miſapplica. 
tionsto 4 mans {elfe, another ſort of arguments 
whercin the miners are falſe. Soas khong a 
man be full of knowledge,and through the lighe 
therothatha right judgment both of the Scrip- 
turcs,& ofthe wayes & work of graceby which 
mens eſtates are to be judged; & fotherin Satan 
cannot b®too hard for himwith al his ſophiſtry: 
yetby miſrepreſcnting a man to himlelt,and by 
pervefting his owne waycsto him, making that 


Atts 14.10, 


which i« ſtraight, ſeem erooked, & all in-himto be | 


hypocriſie,a man is brought to paſſea falle fen- 
tence upon himſelfe, Soas ifthis ſubrill

~252 words

from thence a falſe concluſion. Fo inſtance in 
ſome one falſe reaſoning of this latter fort : Sa- 
tan oft argueth, and chargeth the conſcience of 
one diſtreſſed, inthis orthe like maner., 

Thoſe in whom any ſinraigneth,or in whoſe hearts 
hypocriſie and ſelf. love i the predominant princi- 
ple ,are not in the ſtate of grace. 

But ſuch an one art thou,c+c. For the proofe of 
which mor, he muſters up & ſets inorderinthe + 
view of conſcience, a multitude of inſtances, of 
lins comitted,thus hainouſly, thus ofr;of dutics 
omitted, & if pertormed, yer with ſuch and ſuch 
pride of heart, ſclf.aimes, &c. In which fort of 
realoning,the ##4jor and firſt propofition is true: 

but the »21ner, the aſſumption | ſuch an ene ard 

thou ] that is moſt falſe. And although there bea 
truth inthe inſtancesalledged toprove it : That 
ſuch fins have been commirted, and thatin per- 
tormance of duties ſuch particular by-ends, &Cc.. 

d :C . . 

0 arile,& are found inthe heart, yet nor in rhat 
maner,as he would lay the charge, not as 7aig#- 
'ng,not as the ſwaying &prevailing principle in 
2 mars wholecourſe, That hypocrific is there, 
cannor be denied:bur that hypocriſie rules there, 
& 15 predominant, & that nothing but hypocri- 
hie,this is iris falſe, which yet Satan arnezcth the 

' >- conſcience 


walking in Darkneſſe. 


mT 


conſctence with, to bring forchrhis conclufion 
out of all,Therefore thou art an hypeerite. Which 
concluſion hikewiſe, how able he 15 to fer or with 
terrors and affrightments, we ſhall thew anon. 
That which we have now in had, is to ſhew how 
able he is, for thoſe kinde of falfe reaſonings,the 
deccit of which lyes chicfly inthe «fſwmpreon, 8 
»1o7 propolition,thatis, in mifapplications to 
mans ſelf. In which he hath principally to deale 
with cenſcience;tor the gwiltof a mans particular 
wayes,ac&tions,and corruptions,(the ſeat where- 
of is the conſcience,) is maderhe marter of the e- 
vidence,and the proofes of thoſe minors : & the 
defilement and erroneoulnefsof the conſerence is 
that principle in us, which he works upon, when 
he enforceth ſuch ariſapprehenſion from thoſe 
evidences, 

Wherein

~5,581 words

and deſcants upon it all 


:o deeper terrours and diſtreſſe. * 
"oe N But , 


CO A EP n—_ —— cr —  —_ __ __ RE SL. 


9, A Childe of Light 


6. 2. But themore full and diſtin& explicationof 
A queriedif- Satans work of accuſation of us ens 


LY 


culles, wy further fearch and enquiry, anda larger demon. 
Tr C1 164 A , 

mz know mu» ſtration{ how ſatan ſhould ceme,cy how far,to know 
ter anunit iis, appgtter by uw: thus to accuſe HE of. ] For it he doth 
17 ACCC US Uis 


accuſe,he muſt,as he ſaid Ads 28.Have ought 4 
gainſt us whereof to accuſe : elſe it were in vaine, 
And there is this diffcrence between theic kinde 
of tentations wherin we arc exerciſed aboutthe 
gvilr of fin, & thoſe other unto f1n. That the ob: 
jet matter of other tentations1s what is without 
our ſelves: but in theſe,that which is tn us &fr6 
us,and hath been comirted by us, is made matter 
of objeCtionagainſt;8& diſquittmErunto'us. That 
which i from within the man, difquicts the man, 
Put ere Tenter upon this enquiry I muſt pre- 
miſe a generall Caution, to ſet limits to our dif. 
courſe therein. 
A Carrion pre- And the Caution is this,that we are to reſerve 
miled. and maintainthis,both as an undoubted truth, & 
—_ n 2s as Gods (ole and royall prerogative, that he cana- 
rogai-ee» lone both ſearch ox know the heart & conſcience. A$ 
Snow the beirt jo like manerthat He can only by his wrath imame- 
dratly make thoſe deep and killing wounds & gaſhes 
with which mens ſoules are often here > hereafter 
eternally wounded : (of which by way of caution 
al [0inthenext chap.) Which two gloriousand 
Incommunicable attributes of his, that Elogium 
of theword of God, Heb.4.12,13. ſeemes fully to 
hold forth unto us : whereas at the Gate of P#+ 
rad:ſe was [et a Cherubin with a flaming ſword to 


kcep our falne parents for ever entring in again, 
ſo- 


wolking in Darkneſſe, 


ſo there Chriſt is repreſented, as that ſupreame 
Judge,with whom,asar the 13. ver.we «re eter- 
wally to have to do,(or as the originall cx » falw 5 
xyG to whom we are ta give an account : tor fo 
»y@ is Rom.14.12.2a0d cllewhere taken) and he 
there ſtands with that dreadfull ſword of his 
word readydrawn,8& brandiſhed,(that word by 
which he will jadge men at the latter day, Jon 
12.48. and which therefore is called war ver: 
12. 4 jwdger of the thoughts, cc.) and. this tothe 
end that by theawtfull terror thereof, hee might 
compell and drive thoſcthat heare the Goſpell, 
toenter intethat reſt,(to which be had exhorted, 
ver. rt.) whichis ſet open by himformen-nhow 
faln to come int. Which [oordas ithath a dou- 
ble edge,(as there)ſo in hishand (whoalone can 
weildat) it ſerves toa double uſe, That whereas 
ina Judge two things are requiſite tothe com.- 
pleat performance of his oftice 2-1. Skill and 
knowledge to finde out and cxamine the fa : 
2. Power to exccute and torture the Maletator 
when found guilty. He ſhews how both rhele do 
tranſcendently and'ſolcly mectin him, by rela- 
ting what power is fod to be in lays word, which 
is theenſigne of his juſtice,and inſtrument of his 
power in judging, which is ſaid to be a diſcerner 
of the thoughts ,and a ſword chat, pierceth & woun- 
deth the foul and ſþirit with unutterable anguiſh, 


Which wounding power of the word is diſtinly 
ſer forth(as ſame)from the beginning of the 12. 
ver.to thoſe laſt words, [and «4 diſcerner of the 


thoughts, ] from whence to theend of the 13. v- 
N 2 that 


A Childe of Light " 

- thatothergthe ſearching and al-judging property 
of Ged,% his wordis laid forth to us. But rather 
as 1 conccive,the Apoſtle,in one continued me. 
raphor , caries along the expreſſion of both, 
throughout the whole,though more eminently, 
the one in that former part of the words,andthe 
other inthe latter: yer ſoas both arc alike made 
T he royalty of God,which is the thing we havein 
hand. Neither needs it ftumble any, that thisis 
there attributed only to the word of God, of 
which he only ſcemes to ſpeake : For that is all 
one,and to aſcribe it unto God : for as where the 
word of a King #, there is power, fayes Solomon, 
Eccle(.8 a where the word of God is,there 


—_ ——— 


is rhe power of God, and ſo is n here to beun- 
der{tood : and therefore as in other Scriptures 


his word is ſaid to create, and by it the heavens to 
be eftabliſhtze4c. andalfo, Gal. 3. 8. in the like 
phraſe of ſpeech, the Scripture is faid to foreſee, 
that is, God forcfaw,who writ the Scripture : fo 
allo here,to knew,and weundthe heart. Which to 
be the Apoſtlesexpreſle imention here, appears 
by the connexion of the 12.& 1 3.v. For where- 
as ver. 12. he begins with attributing this power 
unto the word, yet in the end he cloſerth his 
ſpeech with transferring all that was ſaid therof 
up0 God himſelf.v.1 3. with whom we have 19h. 

To open the words a little morelargely,ſoas 
to clearethis aſſertion out of th&,which it is ne: 
ceflary to premiſe. The words are, For the word 
of God ts _ and powerfull, and ſharper than any 
'w eaged (word, piercing to the dividing "_—_ 

0 


waking im Darkneſle. 


of foul and fpivit and of the joynts + marrow, & is 
4 di{cerner of the thong 13, and intents of the heart, 
neither « there any creature that is n#t manifeſt in 
his fight, but all things arc naked and opened to the 
eyes of him with whom we have to doe. 

And firſt,of that ſole ſcarching power of the 
ſoule inthis Chapter,and of that other, the ſole 
wounding power of the conſcience, in the next 
Chap. we ſhal have the like occafion to premiſe, 

For the preſent, that ſearching,examining, & 
judging wer of the word now in hand, he ex. 
preſleth by anallufion tothe anatomy of bodies: 
(which then, though not ſo frequently as now, 
was yetinuſc)orclſe to thecutting up of the {a- 
crifices, wherher thoſe of the Jews, or as it was 
uſed among the heathen ; eſpecially by the 
Soothſayers, who curiouſly ſearched into every 
inward part,as we finde in the Prophet, Exzekie/ 
21.21. and his ſimilitude ftands then, that looke 
whartheentrailes are to a ſharp fword, or Sa- 
crificers knife, or the like inſtruments of Anato- 
my in aſtrong and skilfull hand, ſuch are all che 
moſtinward, and ſecret parts of the heart, even 
thoſe which are moſt difficult to be divided,un- 
ro this ſword in Gods hand, when hee is pleaſed 
to uſe it ro ſearch the heart and reines, and to 
diſcover & bring forth ro judgement the ſecrets 
thereof. He can uſe this fword, not only to un- 
rip,and ſtrip off the outward clothes of ourward 
and formal! ations, and ſopreſent the ſoule »a- 
ked,(as his exprefſionis, ver. r3.)nor only to flea 
off all theskin, to excoriate, andſoto ſee what 

N 3 lycs 


A Childe of Light © 


lies under it,(as the next word thefe Terwwides, 
which is tranſlated opened, doth ſometimes fig- 
nific)but further to cleave & cut vp to the backe 
bone (toreven ſo deep doth the fignification of 
that word reach)that fo all the inwards may ap- 
peare; and this ſo curiouily divided & laid aſun. 
der, asto ſee and view apart what is in cach. 1: 
prerceth tothe arviding aſunder of ſoule and ſpirit, 
By which, grace & corruption,are not fo proper. 
ly here to be underſtood: for then hewould have 
rather ſaid, fleſh and ſpirit: and beſides,the per- 
ſons he ſpeaks this ot,are principally thoſe who 
ſhall be Gund ſecret unbelcevers, who have not 
ſpirit in that ſenſeat all in the:but they are here 
uſed to expreſle thoſetwo maine powers of the 
heart. The ſoxle, that is the inferiour part, that 
more ſenſuall part, whercinthe affeions are,(as 
1 Theſ.5.20.itisalſo uſcd) which it divides by 
diſcovering how cloſe and inordinatly all thoſe 
afteions . to fin :andthen 2. of the ppirit, 
thatis the ſuperiour part of the underſtanding 
conſcience, {c, which it rips up by diſcovering 
how theſe plot,& contrive the accompliſhment 
of fin. Dividing,that is, diſcovering apart,with 
difterence, how things are caried ſeverally in 
each:and withall, what correſpondency 2nd en» 
tercourle there is between theſe;how fn and all 
our aQtions paſſe through them from the one to 
the other,even as blood and ſpirits doc through 
the veinesand arteries,in all the parts from each 
to other. And asinthe body,there are ſeverall 
reg1ons(as Anatomiſts call the )divided by par» 


t1t10ns : 


walkmeg in Darkneſle. 


titions:the vita#parts inthe upper loft next the 
neck,in whichare lodged the heart, an4 lungs : 
The naturall parts inthat lower, and theſe divi- 
ded by the midriffe,as by a oor between them: 
ſointhe ſoul, (to which haply Solomon alludes, 
when Prov.19.27. becalls the ſeverall powers 
of it, The Chamber: of the belly,as ſome reade it.) 
there isthe ſcnſuall parr of the affeRions, The 
ſoule,c3e. which isas it were in a diſtin roome 
from that more ſublime & ſpirituall part,the þ4- 
rit. And as the ſpirit of man,that is,the coſcience 
and underſtanding of a man, ſearcheah all thoſe 
chambers, (a$stisthere) that is, Knows what & in 
manzas the Apoſtle ſpeakes, 1 Cor.2.11. (which 
yetwhe it doth ſo,it isnot by aninnate light, but 
with Gods candle,as Solomons exprefſionthere is: 
that is,by the word and the light thereof let up 
by him ia it.) So here,the word, under another 
{:militude, namely, of a ſword, is ſaid to cut up, 
& to diſcover all within thoſe ſcverall regions. 
And in the Spirit, it is ſaid todiſcover what can 
be imagined , moſt retyred and withdrawne, 
and fo lockt up, as no cye could findeit out, 
which he expreſleth by mentioning ſuch parts, 
as are moſt inwardly ſeated of all other : the 
warrow , which wee know is incloſed within 
the bones : and ze joynts, or ligaments, by 
which the joynts are knit, and move; theſe it 
unbares,and diſcovers alſo. Both which he in« 
terprets inthe next words, [ ard is a diſcoverer 
of the thoughts and intentions of the heart, )which 


arc a more plaine interpretation of what _ 
hac 


A Childe of Light 


Tue reaſons, 


had expreſſed by thoſe rwo metaphors. The ut. 
moſt intention & end,inall our actions, that isa 
the merrew, becauſe as the marrow gives moi. 
ſture to the bones, ſo by theſe our ends all our 
purpoſes and reſolutions (by which we are ſup 
ported in all our ations)are ſtrengrhned & con- 
firmed: and then our deviſing thoughts or plot. 
tings, our contrivements & machinations, thoſe 
by which we artificially do conneQ, and hang 
together many joynts of meanes, to accomplith 
& briog to paſle our intentions:(which hrs 
ofall other we ſtrive to hide and conceale)thele 
are as the joy#ts,or (asthe word 54a rather im- 
plies) as the ligaments, and the finewes, and the 
tendons by which the joynts doc move,fo theſe 
are they, upon which our defignes do move and 
turne. Even all thoſe cogitationes compaginate, 
plotting thoughts, the word, it diſcovers and 
cuts up, and alſo judgeth, and examineth, and 
paſſeth ſentence upon them : yea and that ſoex- 
actly, as nor the ſmalleſt fault can paſſe uncen- 
ſuredbyit : it is as a curious Critique in this re- 
view : win; it judgeth exaRtly,as Critiques uſe 
to doe. Soas by this Anatomy ,which the word 
makes,al things in man,every creature, even the 
leaft Fibra,the ſmalleſt ſting inthe heart which 
would eſcapethe ſight ofthe moſt exaR Anato- 
miſt,are all naked,and opened,and cut up afore the 


eyes of bim with whom we have to doe. 


| Thereaſons why God hath reſerved this to 
himſelfc,are,1.1t was for the glory of God,that 
he ſhould haye one private cabinet among the 


Creatures, 


walking in Darkneſle. Ig 
creatures, which he alone ſhould know, 8& keepe 
the key of, which might argue his omniſcience : 
as alſo one place to be ſanRified in, whither no 
creatures eye could pierce : That ſothe great- 
neſſe of his glory mighe appeare,namely,inthis, 
that heis not worſhipped outwardly onely , as 
greatones are, but inwardly im f1rit and trath : 
and that his glory is ſuch, as commands the in- 
ward parts,which no cyc {ceth bur bis own:ſo as 
a man will reſpet God ſo much as to ſandific 
him in ſecret when no creature looks upon him. 
2. That God alone might be the Judge & re- 
warder of mens waycs:& 1o looked at by them, 
to whom alone men muſt givean account:which 
would draw the creatures eye alone him, 
when the ſtrength and fiſt born af all aur aRi- 
ons,archis ſubjes alone, & do came under his 
eycand view. Thetforc it is ſaid that he rewards r Kings 8.39. 
men according 16 their works nohoſe heart he knows. 
It was fit, chat he ww take upon him to 
reward;,whoorily could know theprinciples of 
all ations, igwhich the chicfe of the good or 
cvill in the ation lycs. This isthe great glory 
of God and Chriſt at the day of jndgemenr, that 
they will diſcover the ſecrets of all hearts, 1 Cor. 4. 
$. It is not ſaid ſo muck ofmens actions, that 
they ſhall be then diſcovered as that the ſecrets 
of their hearts : For therein Tyes Gods glory, 
which he willnotgiveto any other. 6. 2 
This premiſed 98a moſt neceſſary Caution, I 11, ann 
cometo the diſquifition of that 2vgere mentio- hah marerca 


ned;How,and how far ſatan may come —_— —— 


CY 
op / 


— 


AChillesf Light: 


Two generall 
confideranions: 
x. That ke* 
knowes Wart 
COrrapt' 015 Arc 
in all meas nw 
taces, and may 
obzeR rhem to 
every one. 


2. Rv caſtiag in 
a jealous 
thought from 
ſome one parti» 
cular he knows 
by us,he might 
ſer the hart 
aworke tn <xa- 
mine all thc 


reſt, 


ſo much matter againſt us whereof to accuſe us, 

1. Ingenerall it may beconſidered : 

1. That he knows what ends, and intentions, 
& thoughts, & luſts, ſuch corrupt hearrsas ours 
uſually produce,and bring forth in all men; and 
therfore canimagine what by-ends, &c. may be 
ſirring in ſuch and ſuch ations,and ſo la 
to our charge:and ſo often hit right therein, and 
ſpeak a mans heart thus at randome. For our na- 
tures are apt to bring forth all concupiſcence , as 
the Apoſtle ſayes Rom.7.Therforc if there were 
no more,than that he knows all tEptations com- 
moy to mans nature,hemight go far in accu 
every man ; he having keyes of all ſorts, fo 
to mers ſpirits, tryes with every one which 
will enter, And as Davids elder brother char- 
ged David, when he came into the wars, This w 
the pride & the nanghtines of thy heart gueſſing at 
his by-cnds in it : ſo doth ſatan; heoftenin hi 
maner charges us by gueſſe, Thus he did 706, 
Doth 10b ſerve God for nenght ? hee knew. ſuch 
by-cnds werein ſome mens hearrs, and ſo ven- 


, tures to lay them to 7obs charge alſo. 


2. Though heſhould know very little of us, 
yet he may from ſomeone particular which he 
doth knowor ſuſpe&caſt in a ſuſpitiousrhought 
about a mans eſtate : and ſo ſet the jealous heart 
awork it ſeifeto ſcarch out more matter againſt 
it ſclfe. As in caſe oftreaſon,the leaſt hint given 
by ſome one, ſers the State aworke to examine 
the bottome of the buſineſs, and foto get all our: 
S0as ſatan often gives,and caſts in but a ſcruple, 


which 


Þalking is Darkneſle. 91 


which asa theame for the heart it ſelf to 
dilate upon , and the conſcience upon —_— 
tindes matter againſt it ſelfe to prove and en- 
creaſe that ſurmiſe. Thus ingenerall. 

But 2. he may more particularly know much *- More party 
againſt us to accuſe us of, and ſo frame bills a- 11. myknor, 
gainſt us out of what he knows,andthis firſt ſup. 
poſing he hadno acceſle to our inward parts, 8 
that he had no further way of knowing of us, 
than men have one of another,it being made the 
limits of mans knowledge by God to Samme!, to 
judge by outward appearance: yetall thoſe advan. 
tages which men have to know one another by, 
he hath over us, more than any man can have, 
and all more eminently. 

For 1. Thoſe ſpirirs candiſcern allc reall ;. All corporcal 
mhy ſhould not ofall men,at once,(for then «#5 commined 


why ſhould ſa:as travaile upand down the earth 
to review all in ite ) yet in that diſtance is pro- 
portioned unto the:they underſtand not only by 
innate inbred ſpecies, but ſome things per ſpecies 
acceptas 4 rebus, They learne daily. Thus 6y the 
Charchthe good Angels are ſaid to learne what 
they never before of the myſteries of the 
a_ Eph.3.10.& though thoſe pecies in them, 
and their maner of knowing corporcall things 
differs from ours, yetthey are analogicall with 
ours,and we nomore know the maner how they 
ſhould reccive, ſpecies a rebusrorporecs,the images 
of altchings done by bodily ſubſtances, than a 
blind man can imagine, how men that ſee ſhould 
-receive in colours : yct this we may —_— 
7 O2 that 


A Chille of Light 


2 \Which know- 
ledge hc 1m- 
proves by ſtudy 


z. He may be 
iy to Our 

nog © confelli- 

on unto God. 


thar all that the ſcaſcs or minde of man can 
know,that they can alſo : for naturall thingsare 
all Debita objetta, due objets made for them : 
for they were therefore made to be diſcerned 
by intclligentcreatures; and if by any, then by 
the moſt lupreme and intellecuall natures. 

2. They make it their bultneſle to ſtudy men, 
it is their trade to go.up and downand conſider 
men,Haſt thow not confidered({aics God toiatan) 
my ſervant 106 ? Satan uſcth to conſider and itu- 
dy men; &asthe Apoſtle exhorts to confotey one 
another to provoke to love, (0-futan co men 
toprovoke to finne, and to tempt for ſinne unto 
deſpaire, 

3.He may be privy to our vocall confeſſions of 
linnesto God, or men ; unto:Qur laying:open 
our owne hearts to God in-private prayers, Or 
to others in trouble of conſcience: therefore fo 
much of the heartas is this way diſcovered, hee 
can &.doth know. And why.may ao> God per- 
mit him, and-give-him the liberty, and advan- 
tageto accule us, even of that which he.comes 
to know by this meanes ? it.beingfor the-triall 
of his ſervants: cſpecially in- caſc-theyhaverre- 
turned againeto'thoſe ſinnes which they confel- 
ſcd, anul yet have not forſaken : it-is;quſt, that 
then, as theguilt of former linnes-returre:mpon 
us in ſucha cafe, ſo that fatanfhonld:/be-permir- 
ted afreſh to chargeus with them. . Andtherin 
this caſc a man ſhould loſe. the priviledge of þ 
gillum confeſlions , of the ſecrecy and feale of 
cont; ſhon ( as I may ſo ſpeake.) And if God 
may. 


Þalking in Darkneſle. 93 


may permic a man to whom we have coalciled, 
according to Gods owne ordinance, - yet to tell 
things confefled, and to calt them in our teeth, 
as ſometimes it hath falne out; why may not {a- 
tan the accuſer of the brethren ſometimes bee 
permitted lay that to our charge, which hee 
onely knew this way * 

4. Heis and can be preſent at all our more, ,.;..,1., 
retired aRions, and is privy to them;being with be preſeneanal 
us at bed;board,inall companies. By meancs of en ano Pn 


this hecan accuſe us : Firſt, accuſe us, 
1. Ofall grofle ations done,'that are obvi- 2.0 1 an 


ous to ſenſe : which indeed arcuſually.the grea- 4 
teſt matter-of accuſation , and doe ie upan us 
moſt heavily .in ſuch gemptations, as Devids 
murder and adukery did on him : My finne {ayes 
he, « ever befare me. And theſe having pulled a 
mandowne, and pur him into;priſon, abd clape 
him-up,.our owne conſciences then, may come 
in, withall our more privy corruptions,as lefler 
creditors.uſe to doc : and when once zhe. ſoule 
hath by meanes ofthe accuſing of ane foule a, 
given way-to doubting, thenall other-privy.cor- 
ruptions.joyne and offer.themſclves to acculc 
us alſo : \For they lie .at the doore (as Gad told 
Cain) ready for ſuch an occaſion. 


2: Alſo bemayby thisbe able to acculc_us of ».Ofdcadveſſe 
all deadoefſe and drowſinefſe,and neglett jn the —_—— d 


performicec of boly duties,as want of attention, neglet iu du. 

—_— inthem (for theſe are calily diſcer- ***. 
by any one that is obſervant) & of the-want 

of ſtirring affections, and alſo of negleRof boly 


O 3 conference. 


A Childe of Light 


And 3. a mavs 
bufome lit» 


e. From what 
he (ces out- 
wardly, h: may 
gueſie at in- 
rard corrupti- 
Ons. 


Prov.10.5. 


3. Waycs. 


conference in all companies, and the like, If a 
godly man wereto follow a man up and downe 
inall companies, how much might he know of 
2 man, and be able to accuſc him of ? 

3. By ſuch obſervations he may know a mans 
boſome ſinnes. So he knew and obſerved Indas 
boſome fin,to be covetcuſneſle,and according- 
ly ſorted his temptation to it. 

5. By what hce ſces outwardly of ouraQi- 
ons, hee can many wayes gueſſe at inward cor- 
ruptions,which are the principles of them. Hee 
hath all the wayes which a wiſe diſcerning man 
hath,(who ſhould alwayes watch a man,and ſet 
himſelfe to ſtudy a man,and that hath opportu- 
nity to ſuggeſt when hepleaſeth, on purpoſe for 
triall and diſcovery) all the wayes ſuch a man 
hath to know the heart, ſatan hath. And that 
which Selomon ſayes of a wile man, that though 
the heart of man bedeep, yet a man of under ſtading 
will fetch it out, holds true of ſatan much more. 
As 1. by comparing one action with another, 
one ſpeech with another : ſo wiſe men guefle at 
mens ends in things, & their reſpects that move 
them. 2. By geſtures. By a caſt of a mans coun- 
tenance and bchaviour,men are often diſcerned; 
by the like may ſatan ſee into us. Thus 7eab diſ- 
cerned Davids pride in his command for num- 
bring the people, ſo asit was loathſome in his 
cyes. And if 7eabdiſcerned this by the outward 
cariage of the matter, how much more might 
ſatan that put inthe motives toperſwade him to 
t*The Jeſuits bid thoſe of their followers who 


are 


walking in Darkneſle. 95 
are todeale with men, when they talk with any, 

whoſe mindes they would diſcerne, ſtill to ob- 
ſervetheir cye, to ſce what altcrations-are in 

their countenances,as through which the minde 

is tranſparent; now ſatan, he is a good Philtog. 
nomiſt, and he cycs a man. 3, Further he him. * 3- 
ſelſeſuggeſting many motives, and reaſons in 
buſineſs this way and that way, caſting in ma- 

ny by-cnds,and motives to be conlidercd by us, 

he obſerves how the heart comes off at ſuch and 

ſuch ſuggeſtions, or where it ſtuck , and what 
ſuggeſtion it wasthat turned a man this way or 

that way,and fetcht him off, The Jewes might 

ſee what moved Pilate to crucific Chriſt, be- 

cauſe at that ſaying, as the Text notes, that elſe 

he was an enemy to Ceſar, he gave ſentence : 10 

ſatan, when he ſtirred up David by proud argu- 

ments to number the people, hee mult needs 

know what pride was in his heart, 

Now 6

Cut continues beyond the first 4,000 words shown here — about 1,581 more in the scan at the link above.

~1,607 words

darts he wounds the conſcience withzand there- 
by augments our feares & griefs,8& cauſeth ſuch 
diſquictments and pangs, as that hell fire as ir 


were 


"| walkinginDarkneſſe. 


werebegins toflame in a mans conſcience. | As 
Chriſt isthat BraJen Serpent,ſo Satan is that fiery 
Serpent, that can iting us by the guilt of fn. - 


And here I muſt bring in the like caution as I «F Caution, 


uſed in the former Chapter ; namely, that hee 
works nottheſc terrors by immediate impreſh- 
ons upon the conſcience,which inthat reſpect is 
ſubje to Gods ſtroke alone, as to his know- 
ledge alone, Which as I intimated, Itake to be 
that other principall part of the drift pt thoſe 
words; Heb.4.11, 12. Theword of God « quick 
and powerfull,cc. Forthere he ſets forth Chriſt 
tous(as was ſhewed)as a judge compleatly ena- 
bled for vengeance againſt us , not onelyin re- 
| JpeRt of an omnilciency to finde us out inall our 
ſhiftings, butalſo (becauſe a judge would not be 
much teared,if he had only skill and knowledge 
though never ſo much,to ſearch, and finde out 
theguile and-guile of malefactors,it he were nor 
armed with power to avenge,and torture them) 
therefore withall, the Apoſtles ſcope is to ſtrike 
terrour into their hearts, in reſpe of that ven. 
geance he can execute; Andtherefore his aime 
is to exhort the,not to dally with God, or with 
his word, in which he had ſworne of thoſe that 
belceved nor, they ſhowld not enter into bus reſt, in 
the former ver, So as the purport of the words 
muſt neceflarily alſo be ſuppoled to be, to ſhew 
the dreadfull power of God,and of his word, in 
avenging it ſelf upon the contemners of himand 
it, and not mcerely to deſcribe his omaitcience, 
and knowing af the heart , but as joyned allo 


with 


A'Cbilde of Light 


with powerto pierce as deep in woun che 
ſoule,as in knowing of it. Yea,and #h#7,10 

an illuſtration of his knowledge is brought m 
but as aclearer demonſtration of H& power to 
punith, hv candive ſo deep into ourhearts. As 
from whence wee might argue, and feare rhe 
ſtroke of that ſword in his hand,whoſe eyes are 
ſo piercing. And accordingly to fet forth the 
dreadfulneſſe of this his power, all thoſe his ex. 
preflions there uſed dot as fully 'tend , as'to {et 
forth the other;8he likewiſe uſeth ſuch a com. 
pariſon, as both in the nature of the things, and 
according to the more uſuall phraſe of Scrip- 
ture, doth more properly and abundantly inti- 
mate this {laying and wounding of mens ſoules 
that ſhould be difobedient, by this his ſword, 
then that other of ſearching the ſoul and ſpirir. 
As 1. This wora, fayes he, « quick and lively, #6 
called notin reſpe& of duration only, as abiding 
ever ; but in refpe& to working and execution. 
Thingsthatare exceeding opcrative,thoughin. 
animate,we call ywck : So quick-filver, which 
runs through a mans bowels like haile ſhor; and 
ſo oppoſitely, drugs and drinkes that have loft 
their vertue,& arcineffeuall, we call dead. And 
in reſpeQto this encrgy,and power to work up- 
on mens hearts,ts that in John 6. 64. to bee un- 
derſtood; The words 1 ſpeake (layes Chriſt) ave 
ſpirit and life, that is, are full of an operative 
principle. For an aRive working principle, we 
uſe to call Spirit,as the ſpirit of wine, 8&c.In that 
therefore he ſayesthe word is quick, hee-nores 


out 


walking is Datkneſſe, 105 


out that that word is inſpired with a principle, 
moſt quick, fpirittull,and active, & fitto work as 
occaſion is,that is,cven with the 4oly Spirit, who 
is as the intertall formofic. And therefore 2. ha- 
ving thus intimated this internall forme of wor- 
king ; he addes wyy+ powerfull and mighty in 
operation,as noting out that power which flows 
from thence; that ability to produce ſtrange cf. 
feats upon the ſoule ; (theſe expreſhons cary 
report of more than of a kill, and dexterity to 
ſcarch and know the heart onely.) And then 3. 
he further inſtancerh in ſuch operations of it, as 
the cffeRts ofthat power, whichare moſt dread. 
full, as the compariſons he uſeth doe imporr. 
More piercing than any two-edged ſword. Now as 
cllewhere the word is compared to an armory 
of all forts of weapons, and engines for war and 
vengeance; The weapons of our warfare are migh- 
19,06. 1 Cor.,10.4. Inlike maner here, he more 
particularly reſembles it toa ſwerd,the moſt uſu- 
all, and moſt tercible of all the inſtruments of 
death, which weretheninuſe. The brandiſhing 
of which, ſtrikes paleneſle & horror into a man, 
cre the ſtroke comes athim. Which is uſually 
putin Scripture toexpreſle vengeance , & more 
eſpecially in the prophecy of Ezekiel. -As alſo 
Pl.7.13.' If be turne not, God hath whet bis ſword, 
and prepared bu tnſlruments of death,that is,to in- 
flittorments, &erernall torments alfo,as Dex. 
32.42. And indeed, whatfocver doth torment, 
or cauſedolour, & anguiſh,is in Scripture called 
a ſword; and the preyerag with « ſword, is uſed to 
# Q 


expreſle 


106 


4 Chile of Light 


Fil. 494.3) 
Rev.19.16. 
Lay 49-3, 


expreſſe the moſt exquiſite dolors,as Luk. 2.35. 
Tea, 4 ſword ſhall pierce through thy ſoule alſs : 
Speaking to the bleſſed mother of Chriſt, and 
of that her anguiſh and griefe, wherewith thee 
ſhould be cut even to the heart, when ſhee ſhould 
bchold her Son upon the Croſſe. Of whoſe do- 
lors upon the Crofle likewiſe, the ſame expreſ- 
ſion is uſed, Pſ.22.21. when he prayesy Deliver 
wy ſoule from the ſword. And in this reſpeQthe 
wordin Chriſts hand,is ſtil, when he is ſpoken of 
as a Indge, compared to a ſword : and fo here, 
And we may further obſcrve,how thusto ftrike 
the more terrour into their hearts in reſped of 
the wounds,andtorments itinflicts, he goes fur- 
ther oa to exaggerate the dread thereof : Hee 
fayes not only that it isas ſharpe, but more ſharp, 
not than a ſword of one cdge , but thana twe- 
edged ſword, nor than ſome, but than any two- 
edged ſword. And further, to ſhew that hee 
fpcaks it in relation unto wounding,and anguiſh, 
and torment it cauſeth in the ſoul, he mentioneth 
the diviſion of ſuch partsas are not onely moſt 
hid,& inward, in relation to diſcovery (for ſuch 
the marrow is being covered with the bones, & 
the ligaments covered with fleſh) but which are 
alſo of moſt exquiſite ſenſe, & the woundiug of 
which cauſerh the greateſt dolour. He ſaith, it 
piercethto the dividing the marrow, and there- 
tore cuts through the bones. For ſo it muſt needs 
be ſuppoſedto doe,when itis ſaid to reach unto 
the 1ar79w, Now the breaking of the bones is ſtil 
put to expreſle thoſe exquiſite and unſupporta- 


ble 


baiking in Darkneſle, 


ble terrors & dolours of conſcience, and woun- 
dings of the Spirit which s man cannot beare, or 
ſuſtaine. For when the bonesare broken,a man 
cannot ſtand nor ſupport himſclfe. And the like 
isalſothecutting of the ligaments, the nerves, (i- 
news, &arterics, thoſe «2s; that knit the joynts, 
whichare the organs of ſenſe & motion. Againe 
he ſayes,it dividcth not only the S#u/,thatis,the 
ſenſuall part,the paſſions of the minde,as woun- 
ding them; which creatures, as men and angels, 
can torment, and excruciate : But 7» y Tanns, 
that is,the Spirit a/ſo,whichis with an emphaſis 
expreſſed : and his meaning is not ſo much that 
it divideth the Sowle from the ſpirit, ( as ſome 
have underſtood it) but the ſoule and ſpirit alſo. 
Itisa two.edged ſword, and can at one blow 
ſtrike through bothzthis axe ſtrikes at the root ;at 
the ſpirit, which, when wounded, who can beare? 
laycs Solomon, And then he concludes ver. 13. 
That, As before him all things are naked ; So al 
mewn, that is, they lye with their throates 
cut,if he but ſtrike them,dead,and ſpecchleſle ar 
his feet, as Theodoret expounds that word, which 
is tranſlated opened. Now thus far,thar is, to this 
ſpirit in man,no created ſword can reach ;z they 
rurn edge at it:but cyen this,the word reacheth, 
and that alone. Soas the ſummary drift of all 
berein,isthe ſame which Chriſt expreſled clſe- 
where in other words, to exhort them to feare 
that God, whoſe ſword, and powerfull word is 
able thus alone to wound z and not to feare thoſe 


who can only wound & kil the body,and but reach 
Q2 to 


108 A Childe of Light 
to the ſenſuall ſeul that is drencht in it, but can- 
not wound or killthe Spirit, which God alone 
can do,and no meere creature whatſoever, And 
therefore in all our thoughts and fears of Satans 
power of knowing our f1ns, or troubling,or diſ. 
quiering our ſpirits (as alſo throughout this dif. 
courſc)we are to ſet ſuch bounds,as that this in- 
communicable roialry of God,and ef his word, 
may be reſerved unentrencht upon;namely,thet 
he alone knows, and can immediately wound the ſþ1i- 
rit and conſcience; Both which,at once this place 
held out unto us, which made me the largelier 
to infiſt upon the opening of it. 

. 2. But yet although Satan cannot immediately 
Though bes Ywound the conſcience, and make imprefftons of 
Sal wand Gods wrath uponit: (for as no creature can ſhed 
the conſcience; abroad Gods love,and cauſe the creature totaſt 
yet, the ſweerneſle of it, ſo nor the bitterneſle of his 

wrath, but God is his owne reporter of both.) 
decnrke I 1 Whenthe holy Ghoſt hath laſhr and 
i tho» woils Whipt the conſcience,G& made it tender once, & 
the Sp. bath fercht offthe $kin

~508 words

comforted of God : 
So this Princeof darkneſſeis the more powerfull 
to terrific weake conſciences that are cnſnared 
with the cords of their own fins, by reaſonofthe 
terrors which he hath received from the Lord. 
And therefore in Scripture, as a power # fix is 
attributed to him,ſo the power of death, as Heb. 
2.14. Where, by death is meant not ſo much 
that bodily, as that eternall death, towhich, as 
the proper puniſhment of fio,the guilt of it doth 
binde us over. V/ hich power of his is not that 
of the Judge in ſcatencing to death, or caſting 
mcento hel), which isa ſpecial lower of Chriſts 

Q 3 Crowne ; 


ome all che 
threacnings a= 
gainſt hypo» 
crites, &c. 


Plal.7.1 3. 


A Childe of Light 


Crowne; who Rev.1.18.hath the keyes of bell & 
death at his girdle ; and of Gods, who1s there- 
fore only to be feared, becauſe hee onely cay coft 
body and ſonle imo hell. Nor is itas if he were the 
main tormentor, and executioner of mens ſouls, 
after thatgreat day, ſccing that they are to bee 
unnney by that fire which in common, was 
prepared for the devils themſelves. And whois it 
that doth torment them 2 it is therefore princi- 
pally meant 1. ofthat power and adyantage hee 
obtained over ſinners, when hee had ſeduced 
them; ſo,as to come boldly as a pleader againſt 
them, enabled with authority to urge Gods 
righteous law and word,and tocall upon,and to 
provoke his juſtice to condemne poore finners, 
and adjudge them unto death : untill Chriſt that 
righteous advocate diſpoiled him of thoſe his 
leas & power,by that ſatisfation of his,which 
fore,the law had put into his hands; & ſo He 
deſtroyed him that had the power of death ; enerva- 
ting all his pleas and terrours. And 2.the mea- 
ning is , that as he hath this power in Gods 
courtover the ſentence of death upon peore fin- 
ners,ſo alſo in our conſciences, to urge the law 
upon us,8& to plead all that the Law ſayes againſt 
them that are wnder the Law, and to put us into 
the fearesof thatdeath threatned therein: and to 
encreaſc inus the tears of that death, by preſen- 
ting to us the terrours of the Law, unto which, 
in reſpeR of naturall conſcience, men of them- 
{clvesare ſubjed all their life lone. Andunto this 


latter power,haththar powey of death there,cſpe- 
clall 


Fn 


walking in Darkneſle. 


ciall reference, for thoſe words, aud deliver them 
whothrough feare of death were ſubjef# to bondage 
all their - long, follow in the next ver.15.And 
becauſet 7 of God, whilſt in this life, 
as they know but iz part, ſo they love but in part ; 
and ſo far as love remaines imperſe&,ſo far feare 
whichhath torment, keeps poſſeſſion. 1 Joh. 4.18. 
For it « perfe4 love (onely) that caſts out (all) 
feare. Hence therefore, ſo far as flaviſh feare re. 
maines,ſo {ar they may be ſubjeRro be terrified 
by him,that hath power of death, and thatover 
all thoſe that are in any degree ſubjeR to the 
feare of it whileſt in this life. 

And

~214 words

faſter,and cauſe them to {wel 
above their naturall channels; thatas a man pof- 
ſcſt hath the ſtrength of ren-men in him; asthar 
man, 


4. He can ex 
cite the paſli- 
cns of teare, 
an41 trembling 


of ſprrix. 


112 


A Ghilde of Light 


_ objes as ſhall movet 
al 


man, Lake 849. So ſball the afteRions have,” 
that are blowne up by him. As we may feein 
David,what a ſtrong minde do we finde In him, 
ſo needleſly to numberthepeople f. 2 Sam. 24. 
againſt all reaſon,as well as religion, andtheper- 
ſwaſon,yea oppofition, not of 1eab only, bur 6+ 
thers alſo ot his Counſcllors,the Captarne of the 
hoſt; a man would wonder,thata man ſo holy$& 
wiſe ſhould be ſo tranſported rodo anadt ſo fose 
l;ſb,(as himſcife ſaw atterwards,7 have done ve 
ry fooliſhly,fayes he,v.1 0.) yea, and ſo grofſely 
infull, as that itwas abeminable in the eyes of 
Toab, 1 Chron.21.6. (onethat ſcemeth by his 0. 
ther cariages to have had but nature in him, JBut 
the devill was in it. So ver. 1.S«tas proveted Da- 
vid to number the people, by raiſing up ſuch an af« 
feion and inclinationin him. T ©like appears 
in the affetionof love, which how ſtr6gly hath 
Satan drawn forth in ſome,cven to ada the p0; 
wards ſuch as before,and alſo after his faſcinari: 
on was overpaſt,they have loathed and hared a- 
bove all others,is evident in ſtories by many its 
ſtances

~275 words

that 

are ſo guilty,as weall arczand the _ alſo im» 
pleaded bethat which we are already ſufpitious 
of 2 What a man already feares, he eafily be- 
leeves, as whataman hopes,quod mernawunt, faci- 
lecredunt. We ce, that there falls out often in 
opinions a prec6ceit which exceedingly ſwayes 
the minde;a giving of mindethat ſuch a thing is 
ſo or ſo:andinſucha caſe Satay can ſtrike in,ex. 
ccedingly to ſtrengthen ſuch a conceir. This I 
take to be implycd inthat phraſe. 2 Theſ. 2. 1. 
Wherethe Apoſtle _ warning they ſhould 
not be troubled neither [by ſpirit \nor by word, to 
thinke the day of judgement was at hand - By ſþi- 
rit he means a pretence and opinion of ſome re- 
velation, concerning ſomething which a mans 
owne private conceit and imagination inclined 
him ſo tothinke; thus r 7obyn 4.1. Spirit is alſo 
taken. And thus oftentimes when Satan per- 
ceives the minde inclined to thinke ſo or ſo, hee 
adces weight unto the ballance : and ſo a man is 
given up tothe efficacy of deluſion, As wee ſee 
in thoſe falſe Prophets which the Apoſtlethere 
ſpeakes of, when he ſayes, Beleeve not every þi- 
rit becauſe many falſeProphets are gone out into the 
world, Thus likewiſe thoſe falſe Prophets in 
Aicah became confident of the truth of their 
prophecies : that walk in the ſpirit,and in falſhood 
layexthe Prophet, Mic.2.11.They tookup ſuch 
conceits,& the devill he joyned therewith, and 
confirmed them in them, Now as Satan by ſuch 
falſe revelations confirmes Enthuſiaſts in their 


Opinions 


walking in Darkneſle. - 


opinions and conceits: ſo he joynes with the jea< 
louſtes of beleevers, and purs weight into the 
ballance,ſtrongly ſwaying them to judge amiſle 
of their cſtates. | 

And 5. it that Hce,(as was ſaid) backeth his 


falſe concluſtons thence deduced, withzerrowrs, 


&c. this becomes an argumentto ſenſe; and 
ſuch argumetrs do exceedingly cary onthe judg- 
ment in our opinion of things, A conceirt that 
comesinwithjoy,we are apt to concludeis