Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

A Ninth benefit is Support. If thou be a branch ingrafted in Christ, the root beareth thee. The believer leans on Christ; as a weak woman in a journey, leaning upon her beloved husband, Cant. viii. 5. He ⟨p. 206⟩stays himself upon him, as a feeble old man stays himself on his staff, Isa. l. 10. He rolls himself on him, as one rolls a burden he is not able to walk under, off his own back, upon another who is able to bear it, Psal. xxii 8. Marg. There are many weights to hang upon, and press down the branches in Christ the true Vine. But ye know, whatever weights hang on branches, the stock bears all; it bears the branch and the weight that is upon it too.

1st, Christ supports believers in him, under a weight of outward troubles. That is a large promise, Isa. xliii. 2. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. See how David was supported under a heavy load, 1 Sam. xxx. 6. His city Ziklag was burnt, his wives were taken captives, his men spoke of stoning him; nothing was left him but his God and his faith; but by his faith he encouraged himself in his God. The Lord comes and lays his cross on his people's shoulders; it presseth them down; they are like to sink under it, and therefore cry, "Master, save us, we perish:" but he supports them under their burden; he bears them up, and they bear their cross. Thus the Christian having a weight of outward troubles upon him, goes lightly under his burden, having withal the everlasting arms underneath him. The Christian has a spring of comfort, which he cannot lose; and therefore never wants something to support him. If one have all his riches in money, robbers may take these away; and then what has he more? But though the landed man be robbed of his money, yet his lands remain for his support. They that build their comfort on worldly goods, may quickly be comfortless: but they that are united to Christ, shall find comfort when all the streams of worldly enjoyments are dried up,