all their
adversaries, within or without. These humble fearers may expect a safe
and noble outgate; when more strong-like and more confident adventurers
shall (being left to themselves, because trusting in themselves),
shamefully fall, and be triumphed over by the enemy, to the grief of the
godly, and for a snare to others.

The best way then, to keep the faith of Christ, which many are now
seeking to shake and to loose us from, is to be exercising the faith of
Christ. The serious and upright practising of the gospel is the only
best mean to keep thee firm in the profession of the gospel, when the
gospel with thee is not a few fine notions in the brain; but is heavenly
and necessary truth sunk into the heart, and living and acting there; it
will keep thee, and thou wilt own it more firmly and steadfastly in a
day of trial. Thy walking in Christ, and working and living, by him
living in thee, will so root thee in the gospel truth, that enemies will
pull in vain, when seeking to overthrow thee. The gospel of the grace of
God received and entertained in thy soul in love, and constant suitable
improvement, will fortify thee, and secure itself in thee, so that
vehement blasts shall but contribute to its more fixed abode, and more
fruitful actings in thee. Live up then to the gospel, and so be sure of
it, and be safe in it. I mean, let Christ live in thee as thy all, and
cast all thy care and cumber on him; lay all thy difficulties before
him; lean all thy weight upon him; draw all thy necessities out of him:
and undertake all thy duties in him; be strong in him, and in the power
of his might; let him be thy counsellor, conductor, leader, teacher,
captain, commander, light, life, strength, and all, so shall thou stand
and have cause to glory, even in thine infirmities, for thou shalt find
the power of Christ resting upon thee, and thou shalt have cause to say,
therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,
in persecution, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak,
then am I strong. Remember that great word, Phil. iv. 13, "I can do all
things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."

It hath been the usual and ordinary question of believers, How shall we
make use of Christ for sanctification? To this great and important
question, I, (though the meanest and most unfit for such a work, of all
that God hath sent to feed his flock) have adventured or endeavoured at
least, to give such as truly