Spiritual Per fec"ion: 3. The regulating of the of e&byits Pattern ; 'Even ad he is pure. s. Chriflian Hope is a firm expeaation of future Happinefs : 'Tis diftinguifh'd from.Worldly Hopes, by the excellency of the Objea, and the liability of its Foundation. The Obje& is, an eternal fateof Glory and Joy, whereinwe fhall be conform'd to the Sonof God. World. ly Hopes are terminated on empty va- nifhing things, gilded over with the thin appearance of Good. The foundation of Divine Hope are the unchangable Truthof God, and his Almighty Power, that always feconds his Word. God cannot lye, and confequently neither de- ceive our Faith,nor difappoint ourHopes; and he can do all things. The Apoftle declares the ground of his Confidence ; I know in whom I have believed ; and I am perfwaded, that he is able to keep that, which I have committed to him, aping that day. All the Perffns in the Deity are ingaged for our affurance and com- fort. Sometimes 'tis faid, That our hope Pet. i. 21. may be in God : and, Our Lord yefe Ohrifl our hope : and, That we may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghofi. Worldly Hopes are always un- certain in this fphere of mutability : There is fo much of impotence, or de- ceit, 253
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