A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

2. There is the [Greek or Hebrew] of this Hope. The full assurance of it. Hope hath its degrees as Faith hath also. There is a weak, or a little Faith, and a strong or great ¹Faith. So there is an imperfect and a more perfect Hope. This full assurance is not of the Nature or Essence of it, but an especial degree of it in its improvement. A weak imperfect Hope will give but weak and imperfect Relief under Trouble. But that which riseth up unto the full assurance, will complete our Relief. Wherefore as Hope it self is necessary, so is this degree of it especially where Trials do abound. Yet neither is Hope in this degree absolute, or absolutely perfect. Our minds in this world are not capable of such a degree of assurance in spiritual things, as to free us from Assaults to the contrary, and impressions of Fear sometimes from those Assaults. But there is such a degree attainable as is always victorious, which will give the Soul peace at all times, and sometimes fill it with joy. This therefore is the assurance of Hope here intended. Such a fixed, constant, prevailing Persuasion proceeding from Faith in the Promises, concerning the good things promised, our Interest in them, and certain enjoyment of them, as will support us and carry us comfortably through all the difficulties and troubles we have to conflict withal. And without this it is not possible that we should carry on our Profession to the Glory of God and the Gospel in the times of Affliction and Persecution. For although the least degree of sincere hope will preserve from utter Apostasy, yet unless it be confirmed and fortified, and so wrought up unto this full assurance, it cannot be, but that great and sore Trials, Temptations and Persecutions will at one time or other take such impressions on our minds, as to cause a manifold failing in the Duties of Profession, either as to matter or manner; as it hath fallen out with not a few sincere Believers in all Ages.

2. There is the 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 of this Hope. The full assurance of it. Hope hath its degrees as Faith hath also. There is a weak, or a little Faith, and a strong or great ¹Faith. So there is an imperfect and a more perfect Hope. This full assurance is not of the Nature or Essence of it, but an especial degree of it in its improvement. A weak imperfect Hope will give but weak and imperfect Relief under Trouble. But that which riseth up unto the full assurance, will compleat our Relief. Wherefore as Hope it self is necessary, so is this degree of it especially where Trials do abound. Yet neither is Hope in this degree absolute, or absolutely perfect. Our minds in this world are not capable of such a degree of assurance in spiritual things, as to free us from Assaults to the contrary, and impressions of Fear sometimes from those Assaults. But there is such a degree attainable as is always victorious, which will give the Soul peace at all times, and sometimes fill it with joy. This therefore is the assurance of Hope here intended. Such a fixed, constant, prevailing Perswasion proceeding from Faith in the Promises, concerning the good things promised, our Interest in them, and certain enjoyment of them, as will support us and carry us comfortably through all the difficulties and troubles we have to conflict withall. And without this it is not possible that we should carry on our Profession to the Glory of God and the Gospel in the times of Affliction and Persecution. For although the least degree of sincere hope will preserve from utter Apostasie, yet unless it be confirmed and fortified, and so wrought up unto this full assurance, it cannot be, but that great and sore Trials, Temptations and Persecutions will at one time or other take such impressions on our minds, as to cause a manifold failing in the Duties of Profession, either as to matter or manner; as it hath fallen out with not a few sincere Believers in all Ages.