Certain select cases resolved specially tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…

Here again the Soul lies down, until the Lord discovers to the Soul that he will do these things for some that have no grace, or never had grace, for these promises were made to such.

Here againe the Soul lies downe, untill the Lord discovers to the Soul that he will doe these things for some that have no grace, or never had grace, for these promises were made to such.

Here upon the Soul thinks thus; These promises are made for some that are filthy, for why should God pour clean water upon them, for some that be hard-hearted, for why should he promise to take away the stony heart from them, &c. and if unto some such, and I being such a ⟨p. 30⟩one, why may not the Lord possibly intend and include me, seeing he hath not by his promise excluded nor shut me out? Indeed I dare not say he will, but yet how do I, or men, or Angels know, but yet I may be one? Hereupon Hope is raised to life again; seeing God hath undertaken the work for the vilest, it is possible he may do it for me, now when I am vile and can do nothing for my self. And thus you may see the first end and use of absolute promises, to be as it were, twigs to uphold the sinking Spirits of hopeless, helpless, distressed Souls.

Here upon the Soul thinkes thus; These promises are made for some that are filthy, for why should God poure cleane water upon them, for some that be hard-hearted, for why should hee promise to take away the stony heart from them, &c. and if unto some such, and I being such a ⟨p. 30⟩one, why may not the Lord possibly intend and include me, seeing hee hath not by his promise excluded nor shut me out? Indeed I dare not say he will, but yet how do I, or men, or Angells know, but yet I may be one? Hereupon Hope is raised to life againe; seeing God hath undertaken the worke for the vilest, it is possible he may doe it for me, now when I am vile and can doe nothing for my selfe. And thus you may see the first end and use of absolute promises, to be as it were, twigges to uphold the sinking Spirits of hopelesse, helplesse, distressed Souls.