He has received the adoption and the king's robe, but not yet his
part in the kingdom; but now, hope of a share in that will make him
fight the king's battles, and also tread the king's paths. Yea, and
though he should meet with many things that have a tendency to deter
him from so doing, yet thoughts of the interest promised in the
kingdom, and hopes to enjoy it, will make him cut his way through
those difficulties, and so save him from the ruin that those
obstructions would bring upon him, and will, in conclusion, usher
him into a personal possession and enjoyment of that inheritance.
Hope has a thick skin, and will endure many a blow; it will put on
patience as a vestment, it will wade through a sea of blood, it will
endure all things if it be of the right kind, for the joy that is
set before it. Hence patience is called "patience of hope," because
it is hope that makes the soul exercise patience and long-suffering
under the cross, until the time conies to enjoy the crown.
Learn of Abraham not to faint, stumble, or doubt, at the sight of
your own weakness; for if you do, hope will stay below, and creak in
the wheels as it goes, because it will want the oil of faith.
HOPE.
Hope is the grace that relieves the soul when dark and weary.
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