§ 14. (3.) Another affection to be exercised in heavenly contemplation, is hope. This helps to support the soul under sufferings, animates it to the greatest difficulties, gives it firmness in the most shaking trials, enlivens it in duties, and is the very spring that sets all the wheels a-going. Who would believe or strive for heaven, if it were not for the hope that he hath to obtain it? Who would pray, but for the hope to prevail with God? If your hope dies, your duties die, your endeavors die, your joys die, and your souls die. And if your hope be not in exercise, but asleep, it is next to dead. Therefore, Christian Reader, when thou art winding up thy affections to heaven, forget not to give one lift to thy hope. Think thus, and reason thus with thy own heart; "Why should I not confidently and comfortably hope, when my soul is in the hands of so compassionate a Savior? And when the kingdom is at the disposal of so bountiful a God? Did he ever discover the least backwardness to my good, or inclination to my ruin? hath he not sworn, that _he delights not in the death of him that dieth, but, rather that he should repent and live_? Have not all his dealings witnessed the same? Did he not mind me of my danger, when I never feared it, because he would have me escape it? Did he not mind me of my happiness, when I had no thoughts of it, because he would have me enjoy it? How often hath he drawn me to himself, and his Christ, when I have drawn backward? How hath his Spirit incessantly solicited my heart? And would he have done all this, if he had been willing that I should perish? Should I not hope, If an honest man had promised me something in his power? And shall I not hope, when I have the covenant and oath of God? It is true, the glory is out of sight; we have not beheld the mansions of the saints; but is not the promise of God more certain than our sight? _We_ must not be _saved_ by sight, but _by hope, and hope that is seen is not hope; for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it._[366] I have been ashamed of my hope in the arm of flesh, but _hope_ in the promise of God _maketh not ashamed_.[367] In my greatest sufferings I will say, _The Lord is my portion, therefore will I hope in him; the Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. For the Lord will not cast off for ever. But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion, according to the multitude of his mercies._[368] Though I languish and die, yet will I hope; for _the righteous hath hope in his death_.[369] Though I must lie down in the dust and darkness, yet there _my flesh shall rest in hope_.[370] And when my flesh hath nothing to rejoice in, yet will I _hold fast the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end_;[371] for _the hope of the righteous shall be gladness_.[372] Indeed, If I was to satisfy Divine justice, then there had been no hope; but Christ _hath brought in a better hope, by the which we draw nigh unto God_.[373] Or, if I had to do with a feeble creature, there were small hope; for how could he raise this body from the dust, and lift me above the sun? But what is this to the Almighty Power, which made the heavens and the earth out of nothing? Cannot that power which raised Christ from the dead, raise me? and that, which hath glorified the head, glorify also the members? _Doubtless, by the blood of his covenant, God will send forth his prisoners out of the pit, wherein is no water_; therefore will I _turn to the stronghold_, as _a prisoner of hope_."[374]
[Footnote 366] Romans vii, 24, 25.
[Footnote 367] Romans v, 5.
[Footnote 368] Lamentations iii, 24-26, 31, 32.
[Footnote 369] Proverbs xiv, 32.
[Footnote 370] Psalm xvi, 9.
[Footnote 371] Hebrews iii, 6.
[Footnote 372] Proverbs x, 28.
[Footnote 373] Hebrews vii, 19.
[Footnote 374] Zechariah ix, 11, 12.