Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

As as a Mariner at Sea that casts an Anchor, that holds ¹the Ship, he sees not the Anchor, that falls to the bottom, yet he knows the Cable will hold it safe, the Ship may toss the length of it, but no further. So the Anchor that the soul hath in the promises of God, it is fixed; now though a man see him not stand by and strengthen him in ⟨p. 334⟩the trial, yet he hath the Word of truth for it. And these promises, though it be a long time ere they speak, yet at such times as these then they speak. Before then, they are sealed up, and it is not known perfectly what treasure is in them, whether they be empty, or any thing worth; but when there comes a day of trial, now is the the time; the Lord hath made such promises for such a day.

As as a Mariner at Sea that casts an Anchor, that holds ¹the Ship, he sees not the Anchor, that falls to the bottom, yet he knows the Cable will hold it safe, the Ship may tosse the length of it, but no further. So the Anchor that the soul hath in the promises of God, it is fixed; now though a man see him not stand by and strengthen him in ⟨p. 334⟩the tryal, yet he hath the Word of truth for it. And these promises, though it be a long time ere they speak, yet at such times as these then they speak. Before then, they are sealed up, and it is not known perfectly what treasure is in them, whether they be empty, or any thing worth; but when there comes a day of tryal, now is the the time; the Lord hath made such promises for such a day.

1. 1Simile.

And here I must give you a caveat concerning this means. If you will be strong in the Lord make not haste, that is the phrase that is used, he that believeth maketh not haste: That is, he gives the Lord liberty, he lets him move round in his sphere, he is not ready to snatch deliverance out of his hand, but let the Lord take his own leisure; for then he will do things best. And this is an item that must be understood. The Lord notwithstanding those promises that are plentifully made for the safety and preservation of his, yet many times he defers the fulfilling of them to the last cast. Many times he will use all that liberty that he hath left himself: for indeed therefore it is left, he may use it when it seems good in his eyes: I mean a liberty in regard of the means how he will help, and of the time when he will help us; but further we know he hath left himself no liberty, but hath bound himself, and it is impossible he should deceive us, if we rest and rely on him for this, and cast our selves in the arms of God. Nay we make no question, as long as we have the promise of God and keep our hearts, and our faith close cleaving to that, we are sure the Lord in his own time will remember us, and come to us to deliver us.