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1ſt Reaſon. Becauſe, as I told you, it is ordinary with God in his diſpenfations to his people, to knit the two together, with great manifeſtations of his mercy, to bring troubles, tempeſts, and trials, as ye will find frequently in the word.
2nd Reaſon. A ſecond reaſon wherefore we would look for a ſtorm, is, becauſe we are guilty of theſe fins, that bring out ſtorms on the church, and people of God. We have told you what ſtorms came on Iſrael in the wilderneſs, aſter their coming out of Egypt; and we have told you their ſin that brought them on; unſtedfaſtneſs in the Lords covenant, murmuring againſt God, tempting of God, diffidence and unbelief; deſpiſing and loathing of the precious manna, their rebelling againſt God, their corrupting of the worſhip and ordinances of God, &c. See if we be not guilty of all theſe ſins: have we not been unſtedfaſt in the covenant Is not the obligation thereof in great meaſure forgotten? and who has remembered to perform his vow unto the Lord, almoſt in any thing, either in the national, or ſolemn league and covenant? Are we not guilty of luſting, and not ſatisfied with the things that God hath given us, but the heart is carried away with the luſt of the eyes, the luſt of the fleſh and pride of life? Are we not guilty of repining againſt God? Are we not guilty of deſpiſing and lothing the precious manna of the goſpel? Are we not guilty of corrupting of the ordinances of God, and ſpoiling of many of his precious truths? And are there not many ſpeaking of making a captain to return again to Egypt, and to involve themſelves in the bondage of all theſe corruptions which have been formerly caſt out, and engaged againſt in the covenant; and if for theſe things God brought ſtorms on them, how ſhall we avoid them.
3d Reaſon. A third thing that ſays there is a ſtorm coming, is, becauſe theſe amongſt whom he doth eminently manifeſt himſelf, he doth alſo eminently try them that he may bring forth their faith and patience. We
