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dertake a profeſſion in whole hearts there is no ſincerity and truth; many then cleave to the cauſe and work of God by flattery, which his ſoul cannot endure; therefore he brings a winnowing fan, and lets them up before the wind, that he may know who is chaff and who is corn. Pſal.exxv. 4.5. 'He doth good to theſe that are upright in heart,' but 'as for ſuch as turn aſide to crooked ways, the Lord ſhall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity.' Therefore for diſcovery of ſuch, he feels ſad ſtorms on the back of reformation.
Another reaſon of the Lord's bringing ſad ſtorms and tempeſts on his people, on the back of glorious manifeſtations of himſelf is, that he may prove and take a trial of the integrity, faith and patience of his ſaints: and in trying of them to purchase glory to himſelf, and a name to them. Pet. 1. 7. 'That the trial of your faith (being much more precious than gold that pariſheth, though it be tried with fire), might be found unto praiſe, and honour and glory at the appearing of Jeſus Chriſt.'
There is alſo a reaſon, concerning adverſaries, which we ſhall not now meddle with.
But we come to the ſecond point, how it is, or in what ſeveral ſorts of ways it is, that the Lord is pleaſed thus to diſpenſe, I mean to ſend ſtorms and trials on his ſervants and people, immediately on the back of ſome glorious appearance and notable works of kindneſs and mercy amongſt them. There might be a great many ways named, how the Lord is pleaſed to do thus: we ſhall name only four generals.
1ſt Way. Firſt, He does it ſometimes by interrupting of his work. This he did it in that place cited before, Ezra iv. After the foundation of the Lord's houſe is laid, a company of malignant men, enemies to the poor people of God, and his work, who are exceeding ill ſatisfied that the work of God ſhould proſper, they come by all means to interrupt the work of God; and when they could not prevail by flattery, they go to the
