The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1845-02-06
From the Gospel Herald.
RElgcs OF TIE CHRISTIANS HOPE.
81 THOMAS RIcH sRDs.

aAnd he ready always 10 Cire an answer to !
every one that asseth You reason Of the hope
that is in YOU, with meekncss and fear"
u-... ! Peter iii. Is.
Hope, as il is used in scripture, signi-
fes the expectation of something to be
ENJOYED, obtained. which is desirable.
Most commonly the term is used to ex-
press the expectation of that felicity which
is reserved for the righteous in state Of
Immortality beyond the grave. II was
| this hope Of reward. and eternal felicity
in heaven, which animated the saints Of
aprsRt Zig, times .., 70 E. endure the difficulties
thence, and to consider themselves pill
grims, and sojourncrs here, travelling to a
better country. Heb. ri. ID TO Ia. This
hope of reward, the joy sci before him,
was one of the motives which influenced
the Saviour TO endure the sufferings OF
death, and the ignominy of the cross.
Heb. xii. 3. II is what now animates the
christian in the discharge of duty, and
cheers and sustains him while passing
through the dark vale and shadow ofdeath.
Ii is surely like an anchor to the soul
both sure and steadfast, and which enter
eth into that within the vale; wither the
forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus. "
But according to the quotation from pe,
ter, we ought " always to be ready to give
an answer to every one that asketh US the
reason of the hope that is in us, will
: meekness and fear" Now to be able e
give a reason Of our hope, we must hays
: one that is reasonable; predicated on tn
promise of the gospel. All the reason ~
I have to expect heaven and happiness, i
: because God has promised it 10 Us on Ger
u tain conditions. If we have performed
e and are living in the performance of Ties
i conditions, we have the strongest reason
+ TO indulge IN a well grounded hope Of FL
e ture felicity, because it is based on tn
e immutable promise of Jehovah, CONFIRM
i ed by his oath. Heb. vi. II, Is. Ii W
e are fiattering ourselves with the hope {
d heaven without performing these coad
!. .tions, we are deceiving ourselves, and ca
|. give no good reason for our hope. Th
Re conditions on which God has promise
y 1.-The joys of heaven to us, are, the doia
Ibis commandments. "Biessed are the
le that do his commandments, that they ma
have right to the tree Of life, and may el
). ter in through the gates into the city
y Rev. xxi. II. Holiness ct heart is r
e,,auired, which is consequence CT don
0 the commandments.
lie "Follow peace with all men. and h
illness, without which no man shall S
e, the Lord" Heb. xii. Ii. Blessed a
d. the pure in heart, for they shall see God
ID Math. v. 8. Now to become pure
ur heart, it is necessary for us to keep t
commandments. BY so doing Ccd W
all purify cur souls by his spirit: Sect
re that We have purified your souls in ODE
ch ling the truth through the Spirit unto u
gh feigned love Of the brethren. Pet
10 %. Therefore that We may be abie
y give reason of our hores Of heaven,
.ar must do what the Lord has required OF
H. for on no other condition has he prem
he ell everlasting happiness. We must
all gin at the first commandment, believe
lie. 1.-The Lord Jesus Christ. repen. OF our 81
hit ,obtain forgiveness, and continue faith
nat until death, TO ensure to us the crown
Nv life. "Be thou faithful until death,
m | will rive thee a crown of liie." Rev.
The 10. The reward OF eternal life is prom
he ed only to those who continue patler
- in well doing" Rom. ii. Z. Some |
fife haps may ground their hopes OF hea
but on the mercy of God, and some VIZ