The last visitation

After he called one, and asked him whether the preacher (being acquainted with his course of preaching) did use his accustomed divisions. He told one, Satan had borne him in hand, and had deluded him: to whom the other answered, I hope that God will restore you as before, to glorify him here. No. No. Yea, if you were weaker, I would hope notwithstanding. I desire nothing more. God be thanked, you have laboured carefully for his glory. I would labour after another fashion. In the night he prayed and repeated his belief. And after resting a while, ⟨p. 51⟩he called those that watched with him, Bear witness, I said not, I believe, but in general, and as desiring that I might believe. One coming to visit him, asked him, How is it with you? My mind was grievously puZZled with sundry distractions this night, but now I feel my burden more light, I thank God. He was put in mind of that place, Isa. 54.8, 11, 12, &c. Oh thou afflicted and tossed with tempests, and not comforted; behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and thy foundations with Sapphires; And I will make thy windows of Agates, and thy gates of Carbuncles: and all thy borders of pleasant stones, &c. For a little while I hid my self from thee, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee. He lifted up his eyes: thereupon being asked what the Lord did say to his ⟨p. 52⟩soul, that had long refused comfort? Take heed, be not to• bold, look to the foundation. And then prayed. Lord grant m• the comfort of thy deliverance, and forgive me my foolishness, that I may praise thy name. Then he complained of his idle speeches. Upon the Sabbath day one came to him, willing him to put his hand to a note of certain debts. This is not a day for that. We will go to Sermon. God speed you. Now you cannot go to Church to serve the Lord, I pray him to come to you. Amen. He hardly suffered any to stay with him. At evening one did read something to him in Master Downams warfare, and asked him, do you think it to be true? Yes. Therefore you must not trust your sense: What not such as mine are? But I will not now ⟨p. 53⟩dispute. When they were helping him up and putting on his clothes; upon some occasion one said to him to this effect: A child will not much grieve at the laying aside of an old coat, when he hath anew made, When you shall put on that, there shall be no longer nakedness, the resurrection will amend all.