[2.] There is rational and probable hope, but yet not so firm and certain ; it is likely it will be so, but we have no absolute certainty : 2 Cor. ix. 10, ' He that plougheth, plougheth in hope ; and he that thresheth, is partaker of his hope.' This is necessary for the carrying on of all human actions, that a man should have probable hope of success, for without it there is no labour or rational attempt.
[3.] There is a firm and certain hope, when we have assurance of the things hoped for. So in the commerce between us and God, he giveth us assurance in his promises by his word and oath, that our consolation might be the more strong, when we fly for refuge to the hope that is set before us, Heb. vi. 17, 18. There is a blessed and glorious estate reserved to be enjoyed in the heavens ; this is set before us, propounded as a prize in the view of the world. Now when we take hold of this, gain a right and title to it, God would have our consolation the more strong, by the assurance he hath given us in the covenant made with us in Christ. Well, then, Christian hope is not a conjecture or probability, but an assurance. Many times all kind of probability is contrary to God's assurance : Rom. iv. 18, ' Abraham believed in hope, against hope/ Credidit in spe gratice, contra spem naturae. God's assurance prevailed above natural difficulties ; there rational and human hope and divine hope are opposed.
[4.] This assurance admits of degrees, for it may be full or not full : Heb. vi. 11, ' And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope to the end.' The full assur- ance is that which removeth all doubts and fears ; and this it may do at some time, and not at another; it may be interrupted, or continue to the end. Now we must give all diligence that it may do so. By slothfulness and negligence it will be lost. Presumption and carnal hope costs a man nothing to keep it, it groweth upon us we know not how ; but this certain hope is not kept lively and upon the wing without great zeal and diligence in the spiritual life. Oh ! but it con- cerneth us much so to do. This hope is necessary for us —
(1.) To quicken and enliven our duties. Hope of reward is one of
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the bands of a man, the weight that inclinethus to all actions ; much more doth this great reward which the Christian faith propounds : Acts xxvi. 6, 7, ' And now I stand, and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers : unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come ; for which hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews ; ' and Acts xxiv. 15, 16, ' And have hope towards God, which they them- selves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men.' I run not as one that is uncertain, 1 Cor. ix. 26, not by guess, but sure grounds : Phil. iii. 14, ' I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' It is great and sure ; here is excellency and certaint}'. A man that hopeth for anything will be engaged in the thorough pursuit of it.
(2.) It sharpeneth our affections after heavenly things ; when we look for them, we will also long for them : Kom. viii. 23, ' And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies.' Hope stirreth up serious thoughts of heaven and blessedness to come, and hearty groans after it, and so hits both mind and heart a-work. It sets the mind a-work. A man cannot hope for a thing, but he will be thinking of it ; as the scripture speaketh of the labourer, that he lifts up his soul to the hire which he expects. Thoughts will be sent as spies into the land of promise, to bring us tidings thence. And it sets the heart a-longing and groan- ing that we were at home : Rom. viii. 19, ' For the earnest expectation of the creature,' cnrofcapaSoKia KTiaeeo?, stretcheth out the head, to see if it can sp}7 it a-coming ; as when Sisera's mother expected him, she looked through the lattice. There will be strong desires as well as serious thoughts ; not glances and hasty wishes, such as worldly per- sons may have in their serious moods and sober fits ; these vanish and leave the heart never the better ; but earnest longings, such as settle into a heavenly frame ; that taste which they have already maketh them groan for what is behind.
(3.) It sets the heart at rest, and allayeth our disquiets, and fears, and cares, and sorrows, that so we may go on cheerfully in God's ser- vice. It is the pleasure of God that the heirs of promise should for a while shine as lights in a corrupt world, and be exercised with all kind of temptations, that his power may be manifested in their weak- ness. Now, that we may ride out the storm, he gave us hope ; not only veniam sperandi, leave to hope for his mercy, but virtutem sper- andi, the grace of hope, strength so to do. And what is the use of it, but to calm the heart under all distempers ? Therefore it is compared to a helmet and an anchor. To a helmet : 1 Thes. v. 8, ' Take to you the helmet of salvation, which is hope.' A helmet is to cover the head ; this maketh a believer hold up head in all his straits and troubles. The policy of the devil is to weaken or darken the hopes of eternal life, and then he knoweth he shall the sooner overcome us ; therefore the life of a Christian should be to keep on his helmet, to keep his hopes of heaven lively and fresh, and then he will not be de-