[2.] Because it is the great end why the scriptures Avere written, to beget and raise this hope in us : Kom. xv. 4, 'For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.' It is the business and design of these holy books.
[3.] Because the keeping up of this hope with zeal and industry is
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the distinguishing character between the temporary and the sincere convert. The one loseth his taste and comfort, and so casteth off the profession of godhness, or neglecteth the powerful practice of it ; the other is diligent, serious, patient, mortified, heavenly, and holy, because ' he holdeth fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end,' Heb. iii. 6. And his end sweetens his work, for this grace doth quicken the whole spiritual life : Titus ii. 12, 13, ' Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberlj', righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great Grod and our Saviour Jesus Christ.'
[4.] Because we have nothing else to support us and fortify us against the difficulties that fall out between our first right to eternal life and our full possession of it. In our journey to heaven there are many sufferings and trials which must be undergone, and hope is our strength and support. He that sets his face heavenward will find difficulties that attend his service, temptations that assault his con- stancy, and troubles and calamities to which his religion exposeth him. Now it is hope carrieth us through, and therefore it is compared to an anchor : Heb. vi. 19, ' Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil ; ' and to an helmet : Eph. vi. 17, ' And take the helmet of salvation,' com- pared with 1 Thes. v. 8, ' And for an helmet the hope of salvation.' As we would not go to sea without an anchor, and to war without an helmet, so we must not think of carrying on the spiritual life without hope ; nothing else will compose the mind, and keep it stable in the floods of temptation, or cause us to hold up our heads in our daily conflicts and encounters. Without this anchor our souls are in danger of spiritual shipwreck ; without this helmet our heads are exposed to deadly blows from sin, Satan, and worldly discouragements.
[5.] We shall need it not only while we live, but we shall have most need of it when we come to die. They that are destitute of the hope of glory then are in a dangerous, woful, and most lamentable case: Job xxvii. 8, ' For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul ? ' They may be full of pre- sumption and blind confidence while they live, but what hope have they when they come to die ? All their worldly advantages will afford them no solid comfort. They live in a presumptuous dream that all shall be well ; but then they die stupid and senseless, or else despairing, and their hopes fail them when they have most need of them.
2. The encouragements of it.
[1.] God's gracious covenant and promises. God would not invite and raise an hope to disappoint it, for surely God will not disappoint the creature that dependeth upon his word ; and therefore we are allowed to challenge God upon his word : Ps. cxix. 49, ' Kemember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.' It contains a double argument ; the promise was of God's making, and the hope of his operation ; the grant of the new covenant, and his influence by the Spirit. We have a strong tie upon God ; as he giveth us the promise, which is a ground of hope, we may humbly put the bond in suit ; and when his Spirit hath caused the hope, it is not with a purpose to defeat it.
144 SKRMONS UPON 1 CORINTHIANS XV. 19.
[2.] Consider what a foundation God haili laid for his promises: 2 Tim. ii. 19, 'The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them tliat are his ; ' 2 Cor. i. 20, ' For all the promises of God in him are Yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God hy us.'
[3.] Ohserve what God hath given you by way of earnest. Hope is not built upon promises alone, but also upon assurances and earnest ; the })romises are contained in the word of God, but the earnest is given into our hearts : 2 Cor. i. 22, * Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts ; ' 2 Cor. v. 5, ' Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, who hath also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit ;' Eph. i. 13, 14, ' In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, wiiich is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased pos- session, unto the praise of his glory.' Though God be truth itself, and promiseth nothing but what he meaneth to peiform, yet he will give earnest of his promises, and a pledge of his afiection to us. An earnest is a part of the sum which is promised, so is the earnest of the Spirit a part of the promised felicity. God would not altogether weary us, and burden us with expectation, but giveth us somewhat in hand. Surely he that giveth us earnest will give us the whole sum. The earnest of the Spirit consisteth in light, life, grace, joy ; one drachm of these is more precious than all the world, and yet these are but an earnest. Now, having such a confirmation in the midst of our doubts and fears, let us with more confidence look to receive the whole in due season.