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

2. This ground-work being thus laid, build and exercise this hope upon it, in its suitable operations, and works.

1. In its purging work: For, he that hath this hope purgeth himself, 1 Joh. 3. 3. Then we work with God, when we improve Gods means to Gods end. Gods end, in afflicting his Church, is, not to destroy it, but to purge it. So he saith, in Isa. 1. 25, 26. I will turn mine hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first, and thy Councillors as at the beginning; afterward thou shalt be called the City of righteousness, ⟨p. 216⟩the faithful City. There he compares the afflictions of his Church and people to the fire whereinto Gold and Silver is cast, which loseth nothing thereby, but its dross and tin; but the metal it self is thereby made more pure and fit for honourable uses, and services. In the 27th. Chapter, the 8. and 9. verses, the same is expressed under two other metaphors: 1. Of an Husband-man, or Vine-dresser. In measure, and in the branches, wilt thou debate with it; as the Husband-man or Vinecoome, doth not stock up the roots, to destroy the fruit trees and Vines, but only lop them, and prune them, by taking away their luxuriant and superfluous branches, that so they may become more fruitful.

1. In its purging work: For, he that hath this hope purgeth himself, 1 Ioh. 3. 3. Then we work with God, when we improve Gods means to Gods end. Gods end, in afflicting his Church, is, not to destroy it, but to purge it. So he saith, in Isa. 1. 25, 26. I will turn mine hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy drosse, and take away all thy tinne. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first, and thy Councellors as at the beginning; afterward thou shalt be called the City of righteousnesse,