But will God leave his poor creatures helpless in such a case as this? Shall their leaf fall, their branches wither, their joy, their life, their heart depart? will he see their graces fainting, their hopes gasping, the new creature panting, the things that are in them ready to dye, and will he not regard it? yes, yes, There is hope of a tree if it be cut down, and the root thereof wax old in the earth, yet by the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs, like a plant, Job 14. 89. This poor declined soul, as sad as it sits at the gates of hell, may rouse up it self at last, and say to Satan that stands triumphing over him, Rejoice not over me, O mine enemy, for though I fall, yet I shall arise; though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a ⟨p. 48⟩light unto me, Mich. 7. 8. He may raise up himself upon his bed of languishing for all this, and say to God, though thou hast chastened me sore, yet hast thou not given me over unto death. He may turn about to the Saints, that have mourned for him and with a lightsome countenance say, I shall not dye but live, and declare the works of the Lord. He may say to the Promises, you are the true and faithful sayings of God, my unbelief did belly you; I said in my hast you were liars, but I eat my words, I am ashamed of my folly. Surely, O Soul, there is yet hope in thine end, thou mayst be restored, Psal. 23. 3. Thou mayst yet recover thy verdure, and thy dew be as the dew of herbs. For,
But will God leave his poor creatures helpless in such a case as this? Shall their leaf fall, their branches wither, their joy, their life, their heart depart? will he see their graces fainting, their hopes gasping, the new creature panting, the things that are in them ready to dye, and will he not regard it? yes, yes, There is hope of a tree if it be cut down, and the root thereof wax old in the earth, yet by the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs, like a plant, Iob 14. 89. This poor declined soul, as sad as it sits at the gates of hell, may rouze up it self at last, and say to Satan that stands triumphing over him, Rejoyce not over me, O mine enemy, for though I fall, yet I shall arise; though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a ⟨p. 48⟩light unto me, Mich. 7. 8. He may raise up himself upon his bed of languishing for all this, and say to God, though thou hast chastened me sore, yet hast thou not given me over unto death. He may turn about to the Saints, that have mourned for him and with a lightsome countenance say, I shall not dye but live, and declare the works of the Lord. He may say to the Promises, you are the true and faithful sayings of God, my unbelief did bely you; I said in my hast you were lyars, but I eat my words, I am ashamed of my folly. Surely, O Soul, there is yet hope in thine end, thou mayst be restored, Psal. 23. 3. Thou mayst yet recover thy verdure, and thy dew be as the dew of herbs. For,
