The saints anchor-hold, in all storms and tempests preached in sundry sermons, and published…

How you have abused those things wherein or whereby God afflicteth you. Eli, and David were too indulgent to their children, and were punished in them and by them. Israel abused the corn and wine, the wool and flax, the silver and gold that God had given them. Therefore God took them away, Hos. 2. 8, 9. God caused the land to keep the Sabbaths, while the Jews were in Captivity, for their not sanctifying the Sabbaths, in their own land. And for their lightly esteeming the Word preached unto them, the Lord brought a famine of the Word upon them, Amos 8. 11. There is now much sickness and mortality among us, did you not mis-spend your time, and strength, in the days of your health? sundry are restrained from the public Ordinances; Is it not, because they have disregarded them, or been unfruitful and unprofitable under them? 3. Search, if you have not been faulty towards others, in ⟨p. 146⟩the things you now suffer your selves. They that spoiled and dealt treacherously with others, shall be spoiled and dealt treacherously with themselves, Isa 33. 1. He that leadeth into Captivity, shall go into Captivity; he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword, Rev. 13. 10. He shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy, Jam. 2. 13. Do others wrong you, in your names, in your estates, in any of their dealings with you? Consider, how you have wronged others. Are others helpless and hard-hearted towards you, in your afflictions? If upon search you find, that you have been so to others, give God the glory of his righteousness, saying, with Adonibesek, as I have done, so hath God requited me, Judg. 1. 7. 4. If you have not profited by afflictions formerly upon you; you may justly suspect that he reneweth, and, it may be, increaseth your afflictions, for that cause. For so the Lord threatened his people of old, If ye will not for all this (viz. former lesser punishments ⟨p. 147⟩inflicted on you) hearken unto me, then will I punish you seven times more for your sins,