At this the poor
creature is very thankful, praises God, and fawns upon him, shows as
if he did it heartily, and calls to others to thank him too. He
therefore riseth, as one would think, to be a new creature indeed.
But by that he hath put on his clothes, is come down from his bed,
and ventured into the yard or shop, and there sees how all things
are gone to sixes and sevens, he begins to have second thoughts, and
says to his folks, What have you all been doing? How are all things
out of order! I am I cannot tell how much behindhand; one may see if
a man be but a little laid aside, that you have neither wisdom nor
prudence to order things. And now, instead of seeking to spend the
rest of his time for God, he doubleth his diligence after this
world. Alas, he saith, all must not be lost; we must have provident
care. And thus, quite forgetting the sorrows of death, the pains of
hell, the promises and vows which he made to God to be better,
because judgment was not speedily executed, therefore the heart of
this poor creature is fully set in him to do evil.
These things proving ineffectual, God takes hold of his axe again,
sends death to a wife, to a child, to his cattle. I will blast him,
cross him, disappoint him, cast him down; and will set myself
against him in all that he putteth his hand unto.
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