Discourses, or, Sermons on several Scriptures

The other Prerogative of a Christian's Hope, is, that though it be thus fully assured, yet the Accomplishment of it shall always have the sweet Relish of Surprise and Wonder; for the Happiness will be far greater than the Hope, and the Inheritance larger than the Expectation; whereas Earthly Hopes, if they grow to any degree of Confidence of Success, upon Frustration they turn into Impatience and Rage: Or if perhaps they do succeed, the Sweetness of the Accomplishment was long before sucked out and devoured by our greedy Expectation; the Game is torn and eaten, before the Hunts-man can come in. And upon both these Accounts, the pious and obedient Christian is blessed in Hope: It is a blessed Hope that shall certainly be accomplished; ⟨p. 53⟩and a blessed Hope, the accomplishing of which shall infinitely exceed our Expectations, and fill us, not with Shame, but Eternal Admiration and Wonder.

The other Prerogative of a Christian's Hope, is, that though it be thus fully assured, yet the Accomplishment of it shall always have the sweet Relish of Surprise and Wonder; for the Happiness will be far greater than the Hope, and the Inheritance larger than the Expectation; whereas Earthly Hopes, if they grow to any degree of Confidence of Success, upon Frustration they turn into Impatience and Rage: Or if perhaps they do succeed, the Sweetness of the Accomplishment was long before suck'd out and devoured by our greedy Expectation; the Game is torn and eaten, before the Hunts-man can come in. And upon both these Accounts, the pious and obedient Christian is blessed in Hope: It is a blessed Hope that shall certainly be accomplished; ⟨p. 53⟩and a blessed Hope, the accomplishing of which shall infinitely exceed our Expectations, and fill us, not with Shame, but Eternal Admiration and Wonder.

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