2. The cognation and kin that is between taitli and hope. Tlie one is the evidence of things not seen, Heb. xi. 1 ; the other is the earnest desire and expectation of things not seen ; the one is an assent, the other an appetition. Faith differeth from hope —
[1.] In the order of nature. Faith goeth before, as the cause is be- fore the effect ; first there is a firm persuasion of good things to come, and then a certain expectation of them in the way which God hath ap- pointed. Faith assents to the truth of the promise, and hope looketh for the accomplishment of it.
[2.] In the object there is some difference. First, In the latitude of the object. The object of faith is larger ; faith is of tilings past, present, and to come ; as by faith we believe the creation of the world, Heb. xi. 4 ; the present existence of God, Heb. xi. 6 ; and the truth of heavenly joys, Heb. xi. 1 ; hope is only of things to come. So again, we believe some things that we hope not for, as the tor- ments of the damned ; for hope is an exjjectation of good to come, and the pains of hell are matter of fear, not of hope. Secondly, In the formal consideration of the object. Faith looketh to the word promising, verhum rei, hope to the thing promised, 7-em verhi. Faith considereth the veracity or truth of God in making the promise ; hope the benignity and goodness of God in making so great a promise as eternal life and salvation by Christ. Faith respects the person giving, his fidelity ; hope, the persons receiving, their benefit. Faith per- suadeth us there is salvation ; hope, that we shall, or at least may, obtain it.
[3.] There is a difference in the subject. Faith, as it is an assent, is in the mind ; hope is in the affections, as reflecting upon the goodness of the thing promised ; so that though there be some difference be- tween faith and hope, yet they are much of a like nature.
3. It informeth us of the excellency of hope. Faith saveth, Eph. ii. 8 ; and hope saveth, as in the text ; which is to be regarded, be- cause our thoughts run so much upon faith that we overlook hope ; and we do so altogether regard our present reconciliation with God through the merits of Christ, that we forget our eternal fruition of him
VeR. 24.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. 203
in glory, and what is necessary thereunto, as if the whole drift of the new covenant were only to comfort us against the guilt of sin. Now a christian should mind both, not only his peace with God, but his going off from the world ; and must believe, not only to the pardon of sins, but also to eternal life : 1 Tim. i. 16, ' For this cause I ob- tained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long- suffering, for a pattern to them that should aftei-wards believe on him to everlasting life.' There is the final and ultimate object of faith, which must be first thought of; for all things are influenced by the last end. When we are invited to Christ, we are invited by this motive, — that sinners shall not only be pardoned, but glorified. There- fore a true and well-grounded hope of eternal life is a more weighty point than we usually think of ; and a great part of religion lieth in drawing off the heart from things visible and temporal to those that are in- visible and eternal. The great effects of faith, which are love to God and victory over the world, are more easily produced when faith hath the assistance of hope, or this lively expectation of the world to come. Therefore we must not only consider the death of Christ as it hath procured for us the pardon of sin, or the j^romise of pardon ; but as he died for us, that we might live for ever with him, 1 Thes. v. 9 ; that so the soul may more directly and expressly be carried to God and heaven.
It informeth us that none can be saved without hope of salvation. A christian, as soon as he is made a christian, hath not the good things promised by Christ ; but as soon as he is made a christian he expecteth them ; as an heir is rich in hope, though he hath little in possession. Take any notion of applying grace. As soon as we are justified, we are ' made heirs according to the hope of eternal life/ Tit. iii. 7 ; as soon as we are converted and regenerated we are ' begotten to a lively hope,' 1 Peter i. 3 ; and as soon as we are united to Christ : Col. i. 27, ' Christ in you the hope of glory.' And without hope how can a man act as a christian ? Since the whole business of the world is done by hope, certainly the whole spiritual life is quickened by this grace : Tit. ii. 12, 13, ' For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, teaching us that, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, godly, in the present world ; looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious ap])earing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;' and Phil. iii. 20, 21, 'For our conversation is in heaven, from whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.'