HOPE IN THE LO&DßEDB&IP7ION. 423 There are none of them, whatever their present con- dition be, but may fall into like depths with those of the Psalmist. There is nothing absolutely in the covenant, nor in any promise, to secure them from it. What be- falls any one believer, may befall them all. They may fall into depths of sin ; that some of them have done so, we have testimonies and instances beyond expectation. It is good, then, that all of them should be prepared for the duty which all may stand in need of, and for a right discharge of it. Besides, the duty mentioned is not con- fined to the condition before described, but is proper in all circumstances ; therefore are all the Israel of God exhorted to it. The duly is hoping in Jehovah, with such a hope car trust as has an expectation of relief joined with it. This duty implies the renunciation ofhope of deliverance either from sin or trouble in any other way : Hope in Je- hovah. This is frequently expressed, where the per- formance of this duty is mentioned ; see I-Ios. 14 : 3 ; Jer. 3 : 22, 23. And we have declared the nature of it, in the exposition of the first and second verses. It also implies expectation from him ; and this also bath been insisted on in the observations from the verses immedi- ately preceding, wherein also the whole nature of this duty was explained, and directions were given for the performance of it. 2. The encouragement to this duty, for " with the Lord is plenteous redemption." Observe what it is that he professes as the great en- couragement to the duty mentioned, namely, redemp- tion, the redemption that is with God ; the same with the forgiveness before mentioned ; mercy, pardon, be-
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