154. Rom. Spiritual Ferfeiion. ceit, in all the means ufed to obtain Hu. mane Defires, that the fuccefs is doubt- ful : Fear mixes with the Delires, and often Defpair with Fear. Young Men are f:ufh with Hopes, and of bolder Ex. peEations than ancient Men, who from Experience of many unforefeen and ine- vitable Difficulties , that have travers'd their Hopes, are inclin'd to Fear. But Experience incourages and fortifies the Hopes of Chriflians, which are attended with Patience and Joy. If we hope, we with patience n'ait for it. Notwithfland- ing the difcance of time, and intervening difficulties, before the accomplifhment of what we expeaed, no undifcernable Ac- cidents can blaft their affurance. The interval of a thoufand Years did not weaken Abraham's Hope of the promi- fed Meffiah. Comfort is mix'd with the patience of Hope. The Apoftle faith, That we through patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope. The final 'fecurity of the Bleffednefs promifed, is very joyful in an affliaed Condition. This Hope is the Charaaer by which a fncere Chrif}ian is denominated and di- flinguilh'd fromHeathens, who arewith- out God, without Chrif, andwithout hope: For God is the Object of it, as our love raign Good ; and Chril} is the Means; whereby we obtain and enjoy him. This Grace
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