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

The like controversy God hath with his Churches and people, at this day, for their trusting too much in the arm of flesh, in the Parliament, in the Army, or in the Protector; and thereupon became carnally secure and wanton, and slight, when they had such props to stay upon, and answerably dejected and almost discouraged, when they failed them. The Lord awaken and humble his people for it, and cause their eyes, for the future, to be towards him alone. 2. That his people may see him in his glory, and glorify him alone for their deliverances, he brings ⟨p. 222⟩them unto a seemingly for lorn condition, and helpless, to the eye of sense. So in Isa. 33. 9, 10. The earth mourneth and languisheth; Lebanon is ashamed, and withered; Sharon is like a Wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel. All things fail: Now will I rise, Now will I be exalted; saith the Lord; Now will I lift up my self. Mans extremity is Gods opportunity. 3. That, Gods faithfulness in his promise may be glorified. For so he hath promised in Deut. 32. 36. The Lord shall judg his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, &c. And, in Ps. 12. 5. For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord, I will set in salvation, he shall have breathing. You see how low they are brought, they are poor and needy, and oppressed, so, as they dare not make complaints openly, but sigh and groan secretly. This is the time when God promiseth to rise up, and to give salvation to them. And, to show that this is Gods ⟨p. 223⟩constant way, in performing his promise, the Psalmist addeth his probatum est to it, in the next verse; the sayings of Jehovah, that is, his promises, and, in particular, those that are of this import and concernment, are pure sayings, as silver tried in a subliming furnace of earth, fined seven times; that is, the Saints have, by constant experience, found the truth and faithfulness of God in performing them. 4. That thus God may raise and heighten the esteem of his favours in the hearts of his people, when they are beyond, and above their expectation. This effect followed the return of the people of God from their Captivity in Babylon,