Thirdly, That Hope that accompanies Salvation, that comprehends Salvation, that borders upon Salvation, is grounded upon the firmest foundations, to wit, the Promises of God, as hath1 been fully showed before; and it is built upon the Free-grace of God, 1 Pet. 1. 13. It is built upon the infinite and glorious power of God, Rom. 4. 21. It is built upon the truth and faithfulness of God, 2 Tim. 2. 13. These precious and glorious Foundations do bear up the hopes of the Saints, as the three Pillars bore up the hangings in the Tabernacle. A Believers hope is founded upon the Love of Christ, the Blood of Christ, the Righteousness of Christ, the Satisfaction of Christ, and the Intercession of Christ, &c. But the hopes of Hypocrites, and wicked men, are always built upon weak, slender, and sandy foundations; sometimes they build their hopes upon their outward ⟨p. 530⟩profession, upon their Lamps, though2 they are empty Lamps; and sometimes upon their duties and services, as3 the Jews, Scribes, and Pharisees did; and sometimes upon their outward privileges, crying out, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord; and sometimes they build their hopes upon others good opinion of them; and sometimes upon flashes of joy; and sometimes upon enlargements in duties; and sometimes upon the heat and vigour of their spirits in Religious services, &c. And all these are but sandy foundations, and they that build their hope upon them will certainly fall, and great will be their fall. The hopes of the Saints are built upon the surest and the strongest foundations. It was a good saying of one of the Ancients, I 4consider (saith he) three things, in which all my hope consisteth, to wit, 1. Gods love in my Adoption. 2. The truth of his Promise. And 3. his power of performance. Therefore let my foolish cogitation murmur as long as it list, saying, Who art thou? or, what is that glory? or, by what merits dost thou hope to attain it? For I can answer with sure confidence, I know5 ⟨p. 531⟩on whom I have believed; And I am certain, First, That in his love he adopted me. Secondly, That he is true in his promise. And thirdly, That he is able to perform it: This is the threefold cord which is not easily broken.
Thirdly, That Hope that accompanies Salvation, that comprehends Salvation, that borders upon Salvation, is grounded upon the firmest foundations, to wit, the Promises of God, as hath1 been fully shewed before; and it is built upon the Free-grace of God, 1 Pet. 1. 13. It is built upon the infinite and glorious power of God, Rom. 4. 21. It is built upon the truth and faithfulness of God, 2 Tim. 2. 13. These precious and glorious Foundations do bear up the hopes of the Saints, as the three Pillars bore up the hangings in the Tabernacle. A Believers hope is founded upon the Love of Christ, the Blood of Christ, the Righteousness of Christ, the Satisfaction of Christ, and the Intercession of Christ, &c. But the hopes of Hypocrites, and wicked men, are always built upon weak, slender, and sandy foundations; sometimes they build their hopes upon their outward ⟨p. 530⟩profession, upon their Lamps, though2 they are empty Lamps; and sometimes upon their duties and services, as3 the Jews, Scribes, and Pharisees did; and sometimes upon their outward priviledges, crying out, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord; and sometimes they build their hopes upon others good opinion of them; and sometimes upon flashes of joy; and sometimes upon enlargements in duties; and sometimes upon the heat and vigor of their spirits in Religious services, &c. And all these are but sandy foundations, and they that build their hope upon them will certainly fall, and great will be their fall. The hopes of the Saints are built upon the surest and the strongest foundations. It was a good saying of one of the Ancients, I 4consider (saith he) three things, in which all my hope consisteth, to wit, 1. Gods love in my Adoption. 2. The truth of his Promise. And 3. his power of performance. Therefore let my foolish cogitation murmur as long as it list, saying, Who art thou? or, what is that glory? or, by what merits dost thou hope to attain it? For I can answer with sure confidence, I know5 ⟨p. 531⟩
- 1Psal. 40. 4. Prov. 10. 28.
- 2Matth. 25. 3.
- 3Isai 58 1, 2, 3. Matth. 6. Every false principle in Religion is a Reed of Egypt that will certainly deceive souls at last; therefore take heed of leaning upon any of those Reeds.
- 4Bernard, S•rm. 3. de fragm. Sept. Miser.
- 52 Tim. 1. 12.
