138 An Expof tion upon felves, that they are the fonnes of God, truly and indeed,not in name and pro - fellion onely : and this !aft experience is efpecially meant here,ás appeareth by the 5. verte of this Chapter. T a M. What is the fruit of this Chriflian experience? S t L. Hope, which is a Cure expeaa- ti on, whereby beleeving Chriftians doe certainely looke to enjoy the good things promifed, efpecially the bleffed- neffe of eternal! life. Tr M. How is it meant, that experi- ene-e b; ingeth forth hope, feeing there is no pa- tience nor experience, except firfl there be an hope of glory ? How it it, that hope doth beget experience,and yet experience cloth bring f ortb hope ? Hom can hope be both the mother and daughter o-experience? S t L. The cafe frandeth thus : hope ofglory caufeth, that aftliaions are tiff- fered patiently : in this patience, Gods Children have tryalland experience,not onely of the great might ofGod ftreng- thening them; but allo ofhis great love in conforming them unto his own Son: this trial! breedeth a better,and a larger meafure of Hope. TIM. By what meant doe the faithfull attain this greater Hope? S i L. By this Chriftian confidera- tion,thatfeeing God was prefent with them under their croffes, therefore they will hope he will likewifedo it ftill,and in the endmake them happy. For as an hone! poore man, who upon confi- dence he bath in force rich man, bar - roweth of himmoney in his need, and being pleafed, often and cheerfully he gathereth new hope of like favour in the like necetfity ;fo Gods Children being kept and bleffed with patience in Come great affli &ion, upon this trials conceive good hope, that God will ftrengthen and deliver them. Like unto this is the faying of the Prophet, Pfal.q, io. Let him that knoweth the Lord truft in him ; and teacheth the fame in- ftruaion with this Text, namely, that fuch as by trials in their affliaionsknow the goocneffeand power of God, have fe by this experience to gather much, milt and-hope in God for the time to come, Chap.5 Tr M. What are wetolearneofthis? S i L. Fir!, the marvellous good - neffè ofGod, in railing up the hearts of his Children, unto a more ftrong hope by afiaions, whereby Satan feeketh by all nteansto drive them to defpaire. Se- condly, Chriftians are bound to make this good ufe of their experience, there- by to gaine much heart and more con- fidence in Gods goodneffe for hereafter. Example we have in Paul, God bath de- livered me( faith he) and he will deliver me,a.Tini. 4.17,a8. AlfoofChrift,who by the long experience of his Fathers helpe, gathered good hope even in the very agony of death, Paying My God, my God, Match. 27. 46. Thirdly, the Kingly Prophet David, as appeareth in Pfalm.s3.6,ande Sani. i7.35,36. for we our felves make bold to ta-uft them, whom we have alwayes found friendly and faithfuls unto us. T i m. But is it not pre(umption to Beare our felves thus bold towards God? S r L. No fuch thing: it is prefump- don to leane upon our owne ftrength and wifdome, merits and workes; but to reft fiedfaftly upon God his mercy and truth, it is the duty of Chriftian hope :and alfo,it is an honour which is due to God ; for even by our ftedfaft hoping in him, he is acknowledged to be a God confiant in his truth and mer- cies. Therefore it is a grievous Panne in fuch, as by their long experience of Gods kindneffein blelGng and proteét- ing them, doe not grow in hope of his goodnefle and power for hereafter, but waxe rather more faint and diftruftfull. This is a token ofa very weak, if not of a wicked heart. DiALOGuEV. Verfe 5. And hope maketh not afhamed, becanfe the love of God is fbed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghofi, which is given us. T iMOTHEus. VVHat dot!) this text contarne ? S I L. Two things ; fief,- a property or effea of hope that it doth not
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