A fifth property of that Hope that accompanies Salvation, is this, It will work the Soul to a quiet and patient1 waiting upon God for mercy, though God should delay the giving in of mercy. Rom. 8. 25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Psal. 130. 5, 6. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord, more then they that watch for the morning: I say, more then they that watch for the morning: Hope will make a man wait, yea, wait long for a mercy, as it did ⟨p. 538⟩Abraham, Rom. 4. 18, 19, 20, 21. Though the vision stay, yet hope will2 wait for it; yet a little, little while, says hope, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. The longer I wait for a mercy, the greater, better, and sweeter, at last, the mercy will prove, says Hope. It is not mercy, if it be not worth a waiting for, says Hope; and if it be mercy, thou canst not wait too long for it, says Hope. The men of Bethulia resolved to wait upon God but five days longer, but Deliverance stayed seven days, and yet came at last: So says Hope,3 though Deliverance stay, though this and that mercy stays (as it were in the birth) yet it will come at last, therefore wait. Hope is not hasty in prefixing the time when God shall show mercy, neither will it limit God to the way or manner of showing mercy, but leave both the time and the manner to him that is wise and faithful. Says Hope, Christ knows his4 own time, and his own time is best; though he stays long, yet he will certainly come, and he will not stay a moment beyond the time he hath prefixed; ⟨p. 539⟩and therefore, says Hope, be not weary, O Soul, but still wait patiently upon the Lord. 1 Thes. 1. 3. Remembering without ceasing, your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope. Hope is the Mother of Patience, and the Nurse of Patience; Hope breeds Patience, and Hope feeds Patience: If it were not for hope, the5 heart would die, and if it were not for hope, patience would die. Look as Faith gives life and strength to Hope, so doth Hope give life and strength to Patience: Therefore Patience is called Patience of Hope. Hope maintains Patience, as the Fuel maintains the Fire.
A fift property of that Hope that accompanies Salvation, is this, It will work the Soul to a quiet and patient1 waiting upon God for mercy, though God should delay the giving in of mercy. Rom. 8. 25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Psal. 130. 5, 6. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord, more then they that watch for the morning: I say, more then they that watch for the morning: Hope will make a man wait, yea, wait long for a mercy, as it did ⟨p. 538⟩Abraham, Rom. 4. 18, 19, 20, 21. Though the vision stay, yet hope will2 wait for it; yet a little, little while, sayes hope, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. The longer I wait for a mercy, the greater, better, and sweeter, at last, the mercy will prove, sayes Hope. It is not mercy, if it be not worth a waiting for, sayes Hope; and if it be mercy, thou canst not wait too long for it, sayes Hope. The men of Bethulia resolved to wait upon God but five dayes longer, but Deliverance stayed seven dayes, and yet came at last: So sayes Hope,3 though Deliverance stay, though this and that mercy stayes (as it were in the birth) yet it will come at last, therefore wait. Hope is not hasty in prefixing the time when God shall shew mercy, neither will it limit God to the way or manner of shewing mercy, but leave both the time and the manner to him that is wise and faithful. Sayes Hope, Christ knows his4 own time, and his own time is best; though he stayes long, yet he will certainly come, and he will not stay a moment beyond the time he hath prefixt; ⟨p. 539⟩and therefore, sayes Hope, be not weary, O Soul, but still wait patiently upon the Lord. 1 Thes. 1. 3. Remembring without ceasing, your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope. Hope is the Mother of Patience, and the Nurse of Patience; Hope breeds Patience, and Hope feeds Patience: If it were not for hope, the
- 1Patience is nothing else but Hope spun out. If you would lengthen Patience, be sure to strengthen Hope.Patience is nothing else but Hope spun out. If you would lengthen Patience, be sure to strenthen Hope.
- 2Hab. 2. 1, 2, 3. Heb. 10. 36, 37. Hopes Motto is (Quod defertur non aufertur,) For bear•nce is no acquittance.
- 3Pittacus, one of the seven Sages, used to say, A wise man must recover that by patience, which force cannot command.
- 4The Lord shows much mercy in timing our mercies for us.The Lord shews much mercy in timing our mercies for us.
- 5Spes est mestorum. Drusius.
