A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they may feel after him, and find him. When we have all outward Blessings, the Soul of Man is not filled up; there is something wanting to our Peace and Quiet: Solomon made Experiments, but had no satisfaction. Thus you see there is no such Reward so suitable to what is declared of God, of Christ, of the Nature of Man, of Grace, as this blessed Hope.

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they may feel after him, and find him. When we have all outward Blessings, the Soul of Man is not filled up; there is something wanting to our Peace and Quiet: Solomon made Experiments, but had no satisfaction. Thus you see there is no such Reward so sutable to what is declared of God, of Christ, of the Nature of Man, of Grace, as this blessed Hope.

2. Apply it. Besides the Truth of the Promises, look to the clearing up of your own Interest and Title. It is a poor comfortless Meditation to think of a blessed Hope, and the certainty of it, unless we have an Interest in these things; this will be but like the gaze of an hungry Man upon a Feast. The Reprobates hereafter are lookers on; and David speaks of a Table spread for him in the presence of his Enemies, Psal. 23.5. Hope hath never a more lively Influence, than when it is founded in Property, and a sense of our own Interest. Job 19.25. I know that my Redeemer liveth. And 2 Cor. 5.1. We know, that if our earthly House of this Tabernacle ⟨p. 114⟩were dissolved, we have a Building of God, an House not made with Hands, eternal in the Heavens. 2 Tim. 4.8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judg shall give me at that Day. There is not only an Heaven, but for me. Thus are the Saints wont to profess their Interest and assured Hope. But is Hope only the fruit of Assurance? I answer, It is the fruit of Faith, as well as of Assurance or Experience: but certainly it is very comfortable, when we can discern our own Interest, and in some sort necessary. Before we can hope for our selves, our Qualification is to be supposed, for that is our Evidence. Therefore I shall, 1st. Press you to get this Assurance. 2dly. Show what kind of Application is absolutely required, that you may thus look for the blessed Hope.