But then here ariseth a great doubt, how far every man is bound to hope for salvation ? For those that have no assurance of their own sincerity, and cannot unquestionably make out their propriety and interest, how can they hope for salvation ?
Ansicer, To solve this doubt, we must consider a little the several states of men as they stand concerned in everlasting life. Some have but a bare possibility ; others have a probability ; a third are gotten so far as a conditional certainty; others have an actual certainty, or firm persuasion of their own right and interest.
(1.) To some the hope of heaven is but a bare possibility, as to the careless christian who is yet entangled in his lusts ; but God con-
204 SERMONS UPON ROMANS VIII. [SeR. XXXI.
tinueth to them the offer of salvation by Christ ; they may be saved if they will acce;)t this offer ; it is brought home to their doors, and left to their choice. It is impossible indeed in the state iu which they are, but their hearts may be changed by the Lord's grace : Mark x. 27, ' With men it is impossible, but not with God ; for with God all things are possible ; ' he can make the filthy heart to become clean and holy, the sensual heart to become spiritual and heavenly ; there are many bars in the way, but grace can break through and remove them. This possibility checketh scruples, and aggravateth their evil choice; for they 'forsake their own mercies,' Jonah ii. 8; by their vain course of life they deprive themselves of happiness which might be theirs. It is their own by offer, for God did not exclude them ; but not their own by choice, for tliey excluded themselves, judge themselves ' unworthy of eternal life,' Acts xiii. 46. Thii; possibility is an encouragement to use the means : Acts viii. 22, ' Pray, if per- haps,' or, if it be possible, ' the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.'
(2.) Others have a probability, or a probable hope of eternal life ; as when men begin to be seriou.s, or in some measure to mind the things of God, but are conscious to some notorious defect in their duty, or have not sucli a soundness of heart as may warrant their claim to everlasting blessedness ; as we read of ' almost christians,' Acts xxvi. 28 ; and ' not far from the kingdom of heaven,' Mark x. 24. And such are all those which have only the grace of the second or third ground ; they receive the word with joy, but know not what trials may do; they have good sentiments of religion, but they are much choked and obstructed by voluptuous living, or ' the cares of the world,' Luke viii. 14. Yea, some such thing may befall weak believers ; they dare not quit their hopes of heaven for all the world, but cannot actually lay claim to it, ancl say it is theirs. Now probabilities must encourage us till we get a greater certainty ; for we must not despise the day of small things ; and it is better to be a seeker than a wanderer.
(3.) A conditional certainty, which is more than possible or probable. That is, when we adhere to God's covenant, and set ourselves in good earnest to perform the conditions required in the promises of the gospel, expecting this way the blessings offered. As for instance, the hope is described by Paul, Acts xxiv. 15, 16. 'And have hope to- wards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust ; and herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence to- wards God and towards men.' Tliere is such a dependence upon the promise as breedeth an hope, and tliis hope puts upon strict and exact walking ; such a conditional certainty is described in Kom. ii. 7, ' Who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory, honour, immor- tality, and eternal life.' I am sure to find salvation and eternal life, if I self- deny ingly and patiently continue this way, and by the grace of God I am resolved so to continue. Now there is much of hope in this ; partly because this is the ho])e which is the immediate effect of I'egeneratiou, — the hope that is the fruit of experience, and belongeth to the seasoned and tried christian who hath approved himself;
■ VeR. 24.] SERMONS UPON ROMANS viir. 205
liearsay is another thing, Rom. v. 4. And partly because this snitoth with God's covenant, or the conditional offer of eternal life, according to the terms of the gospel, where the benefits are offered to invite us to walk in the way of life. Now here is faith believing, hope expect- ing, and resolution to take God's way ; even to deny ourselves, sacrifice our interests, and heartily to exercise ourselves unto godliness. And partly because much of the life of Christianity lieth much in this conditional hope and certainty, it being absolutely necessary to all acts of grace. And partly that we may have much comfort by it, for we are making out our claim. I do not doubt, or considerably doubt,