Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

And this thankfulness is to be inward, and in truth. I say this belongs to every one of us. And remember, that if we answer not his expectation, wrath will return upon us, as it is said it did upon Hezekiah as the text saith, I confess ⟨p. 413⟩we have cause to fear that the Lords expectation is not answered among us, that we have not profited by this judgement as we ought. Let us remember this, that if we have not, a worse thing will befall us. For it is a usual thing with the Lord to send diverse afflictions, to take away one to try us, and to make known his patience, and if we do not amend, then lesser wedges make way for greater, ¹as it is Levit. 26. If ye return not I will send greater judgments, I will plague you seven times more. That in Jer. 34. is worthy our observation; when the Lord had sent Nebuchadnezzar to besiege Jerusalem; upon the Covenant that they made with the Lord though it were feigned, the Lord drew him back, and set them at liberty: but afterward, because they did not keep their promise, and observe the Covenant that they had made, the Lord sent him the second time, and destroyed them utterly.

And this thankfulness is to be inward, and in truth. I say this belongs to every one of us. And remember, that if we answer not his expectation, wrath will return upon us, as it is said it did upon Hezekiah as the text saith, I confess ⟨p. 413⟩we have cause to fear that the Lords expectation is not answered among us, that we have not profited by this judgement as we ought. Let us remember this, that if we have not, a worse thing will befal us. For it is a usual thing with the Lord to send diverse afflictions, to take away one to try us, and to make known his patience, and if we do not amend, then lesser wedges make way for greater, ¹as it is Levit. 26. If ye return not I will send greater judgments, I will plague you seven times more. That in