The Believers Hope of Blessedness, is a Well-grounded Hope. They have sufficient Reason for their Hope: 1 Pet. 3.15. Be ready always to give an Answer to every man that asks you, a Reason of the Hope tha• is in you. Pagans thought that Christians were no better than Mad-men, fo• that they willingly Exposed themselves to great Sufferings in this world; only because they hoped for Happiness in another World. But they had good Reason for what they did. They shall not b• ⟨p. 191⟩disappointed of the Blessedness which they Hope for. Therefore tis called a Good Hope, 2 Thes. 2.16. GOD even our Father has given us Everlasting Consolation, and Good Hope through Grace. It is a Good Hope, not only because the Object of it is the greatest Good; but it shall be made Good. Believers shall certainly Enjoy the Good which they have Hoped for. Hence tis said to be an Hope which makes not ashamed, Rom. 5.5. This was David's Consolation: Psal. 119.6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy Commandments. Let the faithful Servants of God hope for Happiness in another World as much as they will, they shall not be ashamed on the account of a disappointed Hope. Herein is the difference between the Hope of true Believers and of Other men. Some that have not true Faith, yet hope for Happiness in another World; but tis not Well-grounded: Their Hope is a Vain Presumption, and not the Grace of Hope. An Hypocrite who has only an External Religion, may have a Confident Hope, but tis a False ⟨p. 192⟩Hope. The House of his Hope is built on a False Bottom, which will shake under him, and end in a ruinous Fall. Death will put an End to all his hopes for ever. Job 27.8. What is the hope of the Hypocrite, when God shall take away his Soul▪ But the True Believer has Hope in hi• Death, Prov. 14.32. When his Body dieth, his Hope doth not die: But then h• Obtains a great part of the Blessedness which he has Hoped for. The Anchor of his Hope is sure and steadfast. Yea as sure as the Promise of God; Nay, a• the Oath of God, than which 'tis impossible that any thing should be more sure.
The Believers Hope of Blessedness, is a Well-grounded Hope. They have sufficient Reason for their Hope: 1 Pet. 3.15. Be ready always to give an Answer to every man that asks you, a Reason of the Hope tha• is in you. Pagans thought that Christi•ans were no better than Mad-men, fo• that they willingly Exposed themselve• to great Sufferings in this world; onl• because they hoped for Happiness in ano•ther World. But they had good Reaso• for what they did. They shall not b• ⟨p. 191⟩disappointed of the Blessedness which they Hope for. Therefore tis called a Good Hope, 2 Thes. 2.16. GOD even our Father has given us Everlasting Consolation, and Good Hope through Grace. It is a Good Hope, not only because the Object of it is the greatest Good; but it shall be made Good. Believers shall certainly Enjoy the Good which they have Hoped for. Hence tis said to be an Hope which makes not ashamed, Rom. 5.5. This was David's Consolation: Psal. 119.6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy Commandments. Let the faithful Servants of God hope for Happiness in another World as much as they will, they shall not be ashamed on the account of a disappointed Hope. Herein is the difference between the Hope of true Believers and of Other men. Some that have not true Faith, yet hope for Happiness in another World; but tis not Well-grounded: Their Hope is a Vain Presumption, and not the Grace of Hope. An Hypocrite who has only an External Religion, may have a Confident Hope, but tis a False ⟨p. 192⟩Hope. The House of his Hope is built on a False Bottom, which will shake under him, and end in a ruinous Fall. Death will put an End to all his hopes for ever. Job 27.8. What is the hope of the Hypocrite, when God shall take away his Soul▪ But the True Believer has Hope in hi Death,
