Many believers have doubts and fears about their own state, because their life is so hid that it doth not always appear to themselves. Their life is a life of faith, not of sense or sight; and it is the faith of things not seen. Herein God designs the glory of his invisible perfections, his faithfulness and truth particularly, when we trust in him for more than we see. Herein appears the excellency of faith. The apostle speaks of three precious things, the precious promises, the precious blood of Christ, and precious faith: why, it will be able to live comfortable, when all outward props are gone, even upon an unseen Jesus; "In whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice:" hence compared to an anchor, Heb. vi. 20. When the anchor is cast out, it keeps the ship in the midst of the sea stable, by taking hold of something not seen by the mariner; thus faith and hope enter within the vail.— The believer casts out his anchor, and it takes hold of things unseen, and as invisible as Christ in God, and God in Christ.
(
Ralph Erskine, SERMON CXXXII. The BEST SECURITY for the BEST LIFE: Or, A LIFE HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD.)
