[3.] The keeping up of this hope with zeal and industry is the dis-
454 SERMONS uroN PSALM cxxxi. [Ser. V.
tinguisliing character between tlie temporary and the sincere convert. The one loseth his taste and comfort, and so casteth off the profession of godhness, or neglects the powerful practice of it ; the other is diligent and serious, patient and mortified, heavenly and holy, because he keepeth up that rejoicing of his hope, and his end sweeleneth 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 soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world ; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.'
[4.] We have nothing else to fortify us against the diflSculties which intervene and fall out betwixt our first right to eternal life and our full possession of it. In our journey to heaven there are many suffer- ings 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 constancy, and troubles and calamities to which his religion exposeth him. It is hope carrieth us through, and therefore is compared to an anchor: Heb. vi. 19, ' Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul.' To an helmet : 1 Thes. iv. 8 ; Eph. vi. 17, ' Take the helmet of salvation,' &c. As we would not go to sea without an anchor, nor 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 the head in our 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 have need of it, not only while we live, but 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, if he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul ? ' They may be full of presumption 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.
[6.] Think often of the happiness of the blessed, who are now en- joying what we expect, and are in possession of that supreme good which we hope for. They are entered into the joy of their Lord, and have neither miseries to fear nor blessings to desire beyond what they do enjoy. They possess all that they love. And though the time of our advancement to these privileges be not yet come, yet we should look and long for it. We are of the same family : Eph. iii. 15, ' Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.' It is but one household ; some live in the upper room, some in the lower ; some in heaven, some on earth. We are of the same society and community : Heb. xii. 23, 'To the general assembly and church of the first-born,' &c. We are said to be already come into this fellowship ; only they have gotten the start of us, and are made perfect before us, that we should follow after. We are reconciled to the same God by the same
VeR. 3.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXXXI, 455
Christ, Col. i. 20, and expect our portion from the bounty of the same Father. If he hath been so good to that part of the family which is now in heaven, will he not be as good to the other part also ? Therefore they that are working out their salvation with fear and trembling may encourage themselves, and look uijonthis felicity as prepared for them, though not enjoyed by them ; it will one day be their portion as well as of those others who have passed the pikes, and are now triumphing with God.
[7.] Observe what God giveth you by way of earnest. Hope is not built upon promises alone, but also upon assurances and earnests. The promises are contained in the word of God, but the earnest is given into our hearts : 2 Cor. i. 22, * Who hath sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts ; ' 2 Cor. v. 5, ' Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit ; ' Eph. i. 13, 14, ' In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance.' Though God be truth itself, and promiseth nothing but what he meaneth to perform, yet he will give earnest of his promises and a pledge of his affection to us. As 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 give us somewhat in hand. Surely he that giveth us earnest w'ill 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. This, with much more that might be said (if it were proper in this place), should excite us to hope for glory.