the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."[1] This holy hope is "an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail."[2] Hence it buoys up the Christian under all the trials, troubles and afflictions of life. It will sustain him when "flesh and heart faileth."[3] It will lead him with sweet serenity and peace over Jordan's river, and convey him safely to Canaan's happy land. This heavenly guide will as infallibly lead the regenerate soul into the beatifick presence of the King of saints and angels, as did the miraculous star in the east, which unerringly guided the wise men to the consecrated spot, where their astonished and adoring eyes beheld "God, manifest in the flesh."[4]The hope now referred to can have no place where there is an absence of a true living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of
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[ser.i.
the god of hope.
17
