hatever is spoken of the joy of the Spirit, or
the peace of conscience, and whatsoever is seen by the world of abstaining
from the pleasures of the world, the natural mind cannot but judge it
foolishness, or melancholy, because they do not hear that pleasant and
sweet harmony, and concert of the word and Spirit, in the souls of God's
children. Else if they heard the sweet Psalmist of Israel piping, they
could not but find an inward stirring and impulse m themselves to dance
too.

Now the third stream is hope, "that ye may abound in hope," because this
is not the time nor place of possession. Our peace and joy here is often
interrupted, and very frequently weakened. It is not so full a table as
the Christian's desire requires. Our present enjoyments are not able to
mitigate the very pain of a Christian's appetite, or to supply his
emptiness. Therefore there must be an accession of hope to complete the
feast and to pacify the eagerness of the soul's desire, till the fulness
of joy and peace come; and if he have spare diet otherwise, yet he hath
allowance of abundance of hope, to take as much of that as he can hold,
and that is both refreshing and strengthening. Truly there is nothing men
have, or enjoy, that can please, without the addition of hope unto it. All
men's eyes are forward to futurity, and often men prejudice themselves of
their present enjoyments, by the gaping expectation of, and looking after
things to come. But the Christian's hope being a very sure anchor cast
within the vail, upon the sure ground of heaven, it keeps the soul firm
and steadfast, though he be not unmoved, yet from tossing or floating;
though it may fluctuate a little, yet his hope regulates and restrains it.
And it being an helmet, it is a strong preservative against the power and
force of temptations. It is that which guards the main part of a
Christian, and keeps resolutions after God untouched and unmaimed.

Now, my beloved, would you know the fountain and original of these sweet
and pleasant streams? It is the God of hope, and the power of the Holy
Ghost. There is no doubt of power in God, to make us happy and give us
peace. But power seems most opposite to peace, especially with enemies and
it seems whatsoever he can do, yet that his justice will restrain his
power from helping us. But there is no doubt but the God of power, as well
as hope, both can and will do it. He hath this style from his promises and
gracious workings, because he