CHAP. XXV. Hope and Fear. I. Of Hope.
1. THe Nature of this Affection.* 1.1
Philosophers call it Extentionem appetitus naturalis.
It is an earnest and strong inclination and expectation of some great good apprehended as possible to be obtained, though not with∣out difficulty.* 1.2
It is a great Question, Whether it be more difficult to trust in God for spiritual or temporal blessings? The promises for temporal things are not so expresse, and they are not fulfilled in the letter. On the other side, there are more natural pre∣judices against pardon of sinne then daily bread. We do not so easily believe Gods supply of temporal blessings, because bodily wants are more urgent. He that will not trust in Christ for provision for his body, will not trust in him for salvation of his soul.
First, The object about which it deals is some great and sutable good, especially salvation, Gal. 5. 5. Col. 1. 3.
The good is thus qualified:
- 1. It is Futurum, Hope is of good things to come. Joy is in a good present, fear is of evils to come.
- 2. Possibile, else we never expect it, herein it differs from despair.
- 3. Difficile, because it ever looks on the good it waits for, as not to be obtained by its own strength.
Secondly, The act of what the soul doth in reference to this object, an expecta∣tion, this the Scripture expresseth by waiting, patient abiding.
All hope is either Humane, the expectation which the rational creature hath from some second cause, this the Scripture cals A vain hope, A Spiders-web, A lie. Divine, the expectation of the will to receive good from the hand of God. The ground of such a hope must be the Word of God, by which alone his power and truth stand ingaged to us, and to hope for any thing but from them, is vain. So we must either have a general or particular promise * 1.3 of the thing hoped for, or else it is idle to expect it. Therefore David repeateth it more then once, that he hoped in Gods Word, Psal. 130. 5. & Psal. 119. 49, 81. So Abraham had Gods promise for a son in his old-age before he expected one.
The measure of Hope.
It must be strong and firm without wavering, so as to hold out even against hope, all likelihood.
The continuance of it. It must hold out against all delaying and procra∣stination,