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they be prosperous or unsuccessful.-There is also a religious hope, which is no less delusive, and even more certainly fatal; because the mistake is not discovered till it is too late to make a wiser choice. A warranted hope of happiness in the favour of our God is, however, secure from disappointment: and ensures present support and everlasting felicity.The apostle exhorts us to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason "of the hope that is in us." But while almost all we meet avow a hope of being saved, there are very few, that are able to give a solid reason for this hope and if it be unreasonable it must be presumptuous. The sinner who warrantably hopes for everlasting felicity, and for various blessings in this present world, could assign such reasons as follow, for the hope that is in him; if he possessed the gift of utterance, and could orderly arrange his thoughts. The scriptures.' he would say, 'have 'been proved to be the word of God, and I am sa'tisfied on that head. They reveal the just and holy God, as merciful and gracious, forgiving 'sin and saving sinners, through his beloved Son, 'whom he hath set forth to be a propitiatory sacrifice, 6 and who "is able to save to the uttermost all 'them that come to God by him, seeing he ever 'liveth to make intercession for them." This di'vine Saviour invites all that will come to him, and adds, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no 'wise cast out." I know myself to be a vile sin'ner, and I repent in dust and ashes. I am con'scious that I renounce all other pleas, own the

1 ' 1 Pet. iii. 15, 16.

'justice of God in my condemnation, and sue only 'for mercy through Emmanuel's blood; "My 'soul longeth for God's salvation, and I hope in 'his word;" I desire to be made willing to part ' with all for Christ; and I pray for true faith, and 'stronger faith. I perceive something of the 'nature and glory of God's way of saving sinners, ' and I approve of it as worthy of him and suitable 'to men; and I long to see and admire the displays of his glory more and more. I trust I have experienced in some degree that change of heart, 'that new creation, which the scriptures describe as accompanying salvation. My desires, conflicts, fears, sorrows, comforts, and state of mind coin'cide with what I read in the word of God con

cerning his believing people in former ages. I 'trust I do feel some measure of contrition, reverence, and love of God, love of Christ and his 'people, and other affections, to which I once was wholly a stranger; and it is my grief and burden, 'that I feel them no more, and am harassed by so many things contrary to the best desires of my

' heart. I long to serve the Lord with fervent zeal: "I delight in the law of God after the in'ward man: but I feel another law,-warring

against this law of my mind. I cannot do the things that I would:" and were it not for the mercy and grace of the Lord Jesus, this would 'make me most completely wretched. But I trust I do believe in him, and am interested in the promises made by him: thus I wait for increas'ing sanctification; and at length expect perfect 'holiness and happiness according to that everlasting covenant, which God hath "confirmed

' with an oath, that we might have a strong con'solation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on 'the hope set before us.""

In

Thus the believer can "give a reason for his "hope." In general the word of God encourages the sinner to hope for mercy and grace: and in particular the work of the Holy Spirit on the believer's heart "seals him to the day of redemp"tion," and gives him a special warrant to expect the performance of all the promises of God to his soul. It is the earnest, the first fruits, the pledge of glory; it is renovation to the divine image; and, while the believer feels filial affections towards his reconciled Father," the Spirit of adoption wit"nesseth with his spirit. that he is a child, and "an heir, of God through Jesus Christ." proportion as a ..an has a right judgment in these matters, and consciously experiences these influences of the Holy Spirit, and has grace in lively exercise; his hope rises to full assurance: but misapprehension, weakness of faith, sloth, temptation, and quenching or grieving the Spirit, darken his evidence and weaken his confidence. This "good hope through grace is obtained" and preserved by holy diligence." But presumption of any kind may be acquired and maintained by the slothful. The former prevails most upon strict scriptural examination, and is cleared up by an increase of spiritual knowledge: but the latter cannot endure close investigation; and would be destroyed by discoveries of the divine holiness, the excellency of the commandment, the evil of

'Heb. vi. 16-20.

2 Heb. vi. 11. 2 Pet. i. 10.

sin, and the real nature and tendency of the gospel. Genuine hope has many variations; it rises and sinks, like the mercury in the barometer: now it prevails and triumphs, and now it is shaken; and the possessor, not doubting either the power, truth, or love of Christ, is led to question whether he be a true believer, when he has been drawn into unsuitable tempers and conduct. But presumption is unfeeling it resembles more the case of death, than that of health; and therefore is generally invariable.

The true hope is living and active.

"Every

man, that hath this hope in him, purifieth him"self as the Lord is pure." In proportion as it abounds, a man feels himself animated for every duty; and it is connected with the exercise of all other graces. "Hope maketh not ashamed, be"cause the love of God is shed abroad in the heart "by the Holy Ghost." But the hypocrite's hope is solitary and inactive instead of stimulating him to exertion, it soothes him into indolence and selfindulgence, and he cannot be excited to diligence unless affrighted with the dread of hell. His confidence is a vain expectation of safety and happiness, by a presumptuous reliance on the promises, without a cordial obedience to the gospel, and acceptance of its salvation.

The living hope of a Christian "is the anchor of "the soul, both sure and stedfast." The anchor is intended to retain the vessel in its station, notwithstanding tides, currents, and tempests; and it is useful generally to prevent it from driving, and running foul of other ships, on the strand, and on rocks or quicksands. In like manner we have a

station to fill up: the fluctuating tides of fashion, opinion, and false doctrines; the temptations of Satan and his agents, the frowns of the world, and trials of various kinds; tend to drive us from it, to hurry us into some ruinous conduct, or within the reach of some tremendous whirlpool. But the hope of eternal happiness, and of all things needful for life and godliness, according to the express promises of God; with the cheering earnest and anticipation of these inestimable benefits, and the fear of coming short of them, keep us stedfast in our place, and to our duty. Thus we are animated to renounce present advantages, to endure hardships, to resist temptations, to face persecutors, and "to cleave to the Lord with full purpose of "heart:" even as the soldier, the mariner, and the merchant are emboldened and excited to patience and perseverance, by the hope of the desired compensation of their peculiar dangers and fatigues: for despair of success would in all these cases damp men's ardour and enervate their endeavours.— This hope is peculiarly necessary in scasons of urgent danger or severe persecution, that the Christian may be rendered" stedfast, unmovable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord; "knowing that his labour is not in vain in the "Lord." The sacred writers therefore exhort believers to "hope unto the end ;" and bestow much pains to exhibit the variety, excellency, and glory of the promised blessings, in the most striking and affecting manner. Rejoice," says our Lord, " and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward "in heaven." "Our light affliction, which is but "for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceed

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