Seven sermons on several select subjects preached

What is here meant by Staff? a Staff is for support, whether it be the Staff one walks with, to support the body; or whether it be the Staff of Bread that supports the Life of Man. Staff is for support; so here in the Text; Thy Staff comforts me. By Staff is meant metaphorically, the Staff of Gods supportation; Thy Staff comforts me. Gods Providence it is a Wing to cover the Saints; it is a Breast to feed them; and it is a Staff to uphold them. In the most calamitous times, the Church of God hath the Staff of Gods Supportation; and this is the reason that the Church is preserved, in despite of all malice and opposition. ⟨p. 25⟩This Bush burns, yet it is not consumed. Though the Lion roar, yet the Lambs of Christs fold are in safety. Though the Rulers take counsel against the Saints of the Most High, yet they are kept alive: Here is the reason, thy Staff doth comfort me. The Saints have always the Staff of Divine Protection: God secretly preserves them, and sets an invisible Guard about them. We see the Staff that smites the Godly; but we do not see the Staff that upholds them. We see their danger, but we do not see their defence. God is their Staff of support. Gods continual care of his Church, is as a Wall of Brass, against which the Gates of Hell shall never prevail. The Church of God hath God for her Guardian: The Enemies must first overcome God, before they can overcome his Church, saith Luther.

For the Use of this briefly.

This is no small comfort to Gods Church; she hath a Staff of support; God is her protection. The Saints of God ⟨p. 26⟩they have malignant Enemies to conflict with: The Powers of the Earth are against the godly. We read the Beast in the Revelations had on his head seven Horns and ten Crowns,