Page:Awful memorial of the state of Francis Spira (1).pdf/19

[19] Scripture, yet I verily believe, that the ſouls the elect go presently to the kingdom of glory, not that they ſleep in the body, as ſome do ." Very well, ſaid one ſtanding by, why the Scriptures then ſay, I Sam. v. 9. that G down to hell, and raiseth up? Seeing it be meant of the ſtate of the ſoul after, which, as thou ſayest, either goeth to without change, or to hell without redemption; it muſt be underſtood of the ſtate of ſoul in this life, like that wherein thou art present. And oftentimes we ſee, that G men to fall into the jaws of despair, and raiseth them up again. And therefore despair not, but hope; it ſhall be even thus with in his good time.

This is the work, quoth Spira; this is the ! For, I tell you, when I at Venice did abjure my profession, and ſo, as it were, an indenture, the Spirit of G often admoniſhed me. And when at Citadella, I did, it were, ſet my ſeal; the Spirit of G often to me, "Do not write!-Do not ſeal!” Yet resisted I the Holy Ghost, and did both.- And at that very present I did evidently feel wound in my very will. So, altho' I can ſay, would believe, yet I cannot ſay, I will believe. G hath dnied me the power of will; and it me in this my ſtate, as one that is faſt in, and his friends coming to ſee him, do pity ſtate, and perſuade him to ſhake off his fetters, come out of his bonds, which, G knows, would fain do, but cannot. This is my very would I do it, but cannot. O now I cannot!- Then violently grasping his hands together, and himself up, Behold! ſaid he; I am ſtrong,
 * you persuade me to believe; how fain