Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

world; but the hope which misplaces its objects, that refers things which
belong to the present state of being to a future state; as it does the things
which should be received here, in order to prepare for glory hereafter.
This is a species of religious hope, it has to do with religious matters;
such as pardon of sin, sanctification of the soul, and the acquisition of
those graces which constitute "the mind that was in Christ:"—in a word,
that holiness without which none shall ever see the Lord. It expects none
of these in this life; and that no consciousness of having received pardon
can take place before death, if even then; nor can any person, according
to this hope, be saved from his sins till his body and soul are separated.
Hence, all its operations are in reference to death, and the separate state
immediately succeeding. This hope, or this perversion of simple hope,
paralyzes the Christian spirit, and in effect grieves the Spirit of God. No
man ever receives good from it: it serves indeed to amuse the mind, and,
in the proper sense of the word, divert the soul:—it turns it away from
seeking present blessings, because its owner has made up his mind that
none of these blessings can be received before death, and therefore he
neither seeks nor expects them. It has the form, but it is the bane, of every
good. In many, this species of hope, or this abuse of hope, is associated
with much uncertainty, and sometimes with a degree of despair, even in
reference to the things which it professes to have for its object, till at last
the man doubts the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the
body; and in fine, the joys of heaven become problematical! This is "dead
hope"—the hope that is looking for no spiritual good before death; and
generally appears to be inactive, and unconcerned even about them. It is
the inhabitant of a dead soul; of a lifeless, careless, Christless professor
of Christianity;—one who, though he have a name to live, yet is dead;
and who will find, when he comes to that bourne where his hope is
expected to act, and be realized, that it is like regiving up of the
ghost:—he gives up his ghost and his hope together. It is also the hope of
the wicked; they expect to find God's mercy when they come to die: but
the hope of the wicked, in death, perisheth. Of such persons, none can
entertain hope but themselves.