How the Heart of Man may be kept up steady in troublous times. [ 1591]
TO make a Ship ride steady in the midst of a tempe stuous Sea,* 1.1 Four things are required; First, she must be well-built, strongly, well-timberd, not weak, artificially, well-moulded, not tender-sided; Secondly, she must be down ballasted with some sad and ponderous lading; Thirdly, low-maste•• (and low-built may be added too) for high-carved, and Tant-masted Ships wil•• fetch way in a stresse; Fourthly, Sure Anchor'd, by which means though mo∣ved, she may be said to live and keep her station.* 1.2 Thus the Heart of Man, if ever we think to have it steady and fixed in the midst of troublesome times, if eve•• we labour for stable and composed spirits, that whatever Hurricano storms, or raging Tempests come down upon the World, upon the Church, upon the places where we live, or upon our selves we may be able to ride it out; We must be built upon a sure foundation,* 1.3 and that is Jesus Christ, well-timberd with san∣ctifying Graces, down-ballasted with sound Iudgment and true Christian directi∣on,* 1.4 Low-masted, to be humble and lowly, not heady and high-minded; And lastly, sure Anchored, having a sound, solid, and substantial Faith; Faith not fancy; Hope, not like that of the Hypocrite, which shall be cut off, Iob 8. 13. 14.