[2.] There is besides this, temporary faith ; that is, such an assent as is accompanied with a slight and insufficient touch upon the heart, called a taste, Heb. vi. 4, so that they do not only believe the truths of the gospel, but are tickled with some delight, and do in some measure find their hearts drawn off from worldly lusts and practices ; but the impression is not deep enough, nor the joy rooted enough to counterbalance all temptations to the contrary. They seem to have
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their hearts loosened from the world, and to prefer Christ before the creature, as long as no temptations do assault, or sensual objects stand up in any considerable strength to entice them ; but then they bewray their weakness. But that faith that is serious and hearty doth so believe the promises of the gospel as to seek happiness in them, to make it his business so to believe the mysteries of our redemption as to build all his comfort and peace upon them, so believe the com- mands of God as to frame his heart to observe them ; in short, to improve everything to the use of holy living.
Secondly, The next theological grace is hope. Here was an expec- tation of the bridegroom's coming, as well as a belief of it. All Christians profess that they expect Christ to come to judgment, and many desire and hope to be entertained at the nuptial feast as well as others, and hope to go in with him into celestial joys. Now there may be much of this in temporaries, not only a bare profession, but some real motions this way. Oh, how often are they pressed to keep on this joy and comfort ! Heb. iii. 6, ' Whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm to the end ;' and Heb. iii. 14, ' For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end ; ' and to maintain it with all serious diligence, Heb. vi. 11, that it may grow into more certainty. But to evidence this to you, let us see what Christian hope is. It seems to be described by the apostle, Kom. ii. 7, those that ' seek for life and immortality by patient continuing in well-doing ; ' or a ' looking for the mercy of God unto eternal life,' Jude 21. Or more formally, a certain earnest or desirous expectation of blessedness promised, in that way wherein it is promised. We believe there is such a blessed- ness, therefore wait with earnestness and patience till it come to pass, and exercise ourselves with all diligence for the obtaining it. True hope ever quickeneth our diligence : Acts xxiv. 10, ' And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men.' Most interpreters say, ' Hereupon do I exer- cise myself/ He had spoken of the hope of Israel, so that it was upon the account of his hope he did use that diligence. But more plainly, Acts xxvi. 6, 7, ' Unto which hope our twelve tribes, serving God diligently, hope to come.' A man that hopeth for anything will ear- nestly pursue it in the way wherein it is to be obtained, and follow his work close day and night. There is a hope that is but a devout sloth, but the true Christian is lively and active : 1 John iii. 3, ' He that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself as Christ is pure.' Ignorant people say they hope well, that he that made them shall save them, but live as if they fled from heaven and salvation ; but the true hope encour- ageth us to hold on our course with diligence and cheerfulness, not- withstanding the troubles and difficulties and temptations we meet with in the way to it ; they make it their constant work and business. Now they that are unrenewed may go far in hope, especially when they are under the initial work of the Spirit ; they may have not only the careless man's hope, which is a slight and superficial hope, which groweth upon them they know not how, without any warrant or ground ; nor a dead and cold hope, which is the fruit of opinion, a loose and fond conjecture rather than a certain expectation ; but a hope that hath some life in it ; nor the presumer's hope, which is a lazy loitering
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hope, that severeth the end from the means, but may have some lively tastes, which for a while sets them a-work in the spiritual life ; but the fault is, it is not so fixed as it should be, neither doth it beget in us that constant assiduous labour, seriousness and self-denial, but enough to keep up a blazing profession, but doth not make them so earnest for the possession of what they hope for.
Thirdly, The third theological grace is love or charity ; love to God, and love to our neighbour. There is somewhat of both here. They were well affected to the bridegroom ; they went forth to meet and carry lamps before him, for his honour as well as light ; and they went in consort and company with their fellow- virgins. So some are so well affected to the ways of God as to make profession of them to the people of God, so as to walk with them. But let me speak of love to God. Love to God is not a fellow-like familiarity, but ready subjection to his laws : ' If ye love me, keep my commandments,' John xiv. 15, and 1 John v. 3, ' For this is love, that we keep his commandments.' Now they may so far do this as to make profession of the ways of God, and walk blameless in them as to men, yet strangers to heart-mortification and a true preference of God in the soul. The knowledge of Christ may make men cleanse their external conversations, but live in secret love with some lusts, which they serve in a more cleanly manner. They love happiness more than holiness ; they love Gofl, but do little for him. Labour and love are often spoken of ; they have not that active and serious diligence that is commanded in doing the things that please God. Then, for love to the brethren, they may magnify the people of God, Acts v. 13, join with them, and do many offices of love for them ; but the heart needs to be purified before there can be that ' unfeigned love to the brethren,' 1 Peter i. 22. And it is not easy to hold on in the ways of God in all conditions. There are many sins contrary to the grace of love ; pride, envy, self-seeking, self-love, wrath. It must be such a love as floweth from holy principles, and breaketh out in real performances; and this, to be carried out in a Christian manner, will be found very hard to do.