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

they have preferred the public advantage before their own private interest. Thus Terentius a Christian Commander in the Wars under the Emperor Valens, who was an Arian, being willed by that Emperor, for a special service done by him, to demand what he would, made his petition to the Emperor, which he presented to him in writing; that the Christians might have the liberty of a Church by themselves, to worship God apart from the Arians. The Emperor read his petition, and disliking it, tore it, and threw it away. Terentius meekly gathered up the scattered pieces, and professed to the Emperor, that, if he could not be heard in Gods cause, he would not make any suit for his own profit. How may this worthy man shame most Christians, in these days, who, if their garners may be full, their sheep multiply, their oxen be strong to labour, their sons be as plants grown up, and their daughters polished and ⟨p. 193⟩set forth with ornaments, and there be no complaining in the streets; think themselves happy, and regard not what becomes of religion, and of Christs cause and interest in the Churches, take not to heart the afflictions of Gods people; if their trading increase; one good bargain will more comfort them then all the calamities of the Church can grieve them; they can hear and speak of the breaches and ruins of Zion, as the Athenians did of news, without remorse, or regard. Brethren, it is a weighty matter to read letters, and receive intelligence in them concerning the state of the Churches. You had need to lift up your hearts to God, when you are about to read your letters from our native Country, to give you wisdom and hearts duly affected, that you may receive such intelligences, as you ought. For God looks upon every man, in such cases, with a jealous eye, observing with what workings of bowels they read or speak of the concernments of his Church. You see, in Amos 6. 6. how his wrath was incensed ⟨p. 194⟩against those who solaced themselves with their private prosperity, but were not sick, their hearts ached not, for the afflictions of Joseph. 3. They know that, if they with-draw from being helpful to the Church, God will do good to his Church without them; but he will be avenged upon them that desert or neglect his cause and people. This Argument Mordecai used to Esther, in