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

Use 1. For Instruction. 1. Here we may see the difference between believers and others, in their dejected condition. 1. Believers have the spirit of faith in them, whereby the soul, though it be over-borne by passion and Temptation, for a time, yet it will work it self into freedom again, as oil will be uppermost. The spirit, as a spring, will be cleansing it self more and more, from that mud that is in it. But the heart of unbelievers is like a standing pool, where that which is cast into it rests. They are like the Sea, where trouble and unquietness are in their proper place, Isa. 57. 20. True rest and peace are for ever separated from sin in any soul, till the breach between God and the soul be made up by faith in Christ. 2. Believers have an interest in God, and he in them, through Jesus Christ. Hence they are kept, as in a Garrison, ⟨p. 13⟩by his mighty power, through faith, unto salvation, 1 Pet. 1. 5. through the intercession of Christ, Luke 22. 3. by the spirit of Christ dwelling with them, and who shall be in them and abide with them for ever: So that they shall not be left comfortless. Joh. 14. 16, 17, 18. Hereupon Paul triumphed, in Rom. 8. 35, &c. Where he puts the question about persons, and answers about things, neither shall separate them from the love, which either Christ bears to them, or they to Christ. Sin cannot separate them from Christs love to them, because he hath more than conquered it, by his own power. Tribulation cannot separate believers from the love they bear to Christ, because they shall more then conquer it, by the power of Christ. It is not our hold of God and Christ, but Gods and Christs hold of us that keeps us to him. The root bears us up, not we the root. Rom. 11. 18. This Asaph acknowledged unto God, when his feet were almost gone, his steps had well nigh slipped; saying, Nevertheless I am continually ⟨p. 14⟩