TO these may be added as a further means to uphold and cherish Hope,1 a serious and frequent meditation of the end of our Hope,2 namely, that rich and glorious inheritance which Christ hath purchased for his Saints, and God hath promised unto them. Much might be said to amplify this point, but I will refer it to the private meditation of the Reader: and let it the rather be meditated of, because we see the hopes of worldly men to be sustained with matters which are no way comparable hereunto. Observe what their hope is in earthly things, which are very uncertain:o The husbandman waiteth for the fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the former and the latter rain. As the Husband-man, so the Soldier, the Mariner, the Merchant, who not? Their hopes make them unter much, and send themselves forth to great dangers, & yet oft they fail of their hopes. Shall Christians of all others cast away their Hope, the end whereof is more excellent then all things in Sea and Land, which also they are sure to receive, if they faint not? aCast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
TO these may be added as a further meanes to vphold and cherish Hope,1 a serious and frequent meditation of the end of our Hope,2 namely, that rich and glorious inheritance which Christ hath purchased for his Saints, and God hath promised vnto them. Much might be saide to amplifie this point, but I will referre it to the priuate meditation of the Reader: and let it the rather be meditated of, because we see the hopes of worldly men to be sustained with matters which are no way comparable herevnto. Obserue what their hope is in earthly things, which are very vncertaine:o The husbandman waiteth for the fruite of the earth, and hath long patience for it, vntill hee receiue the former and the latter raine. As the Husband-man, so the Souldier, the Marriner, the Merchant, who not? Their hopes make them vnter much, and send themselues forth to great dangers, & yet oft they faile of their hopes. Shall Christians of all others cast away their Hope, the end whereof is more excellent then all things in Sea and Land, which also they are sure to receiue, if they faint not? aCast not away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
- 1Oft meditate of the end of Hope.
- 2Si vis sustinere laborem, attend mercedem. Aug. in Psal. 36Si vis sustinere laborem, attende mercedem. Aug. in Psal. 36
- oJam. 5. 7.Iam. 5. 7.
- aHeb. 10. 35.
