---

I. AN ASSURED HOPE IS A TRUE AND SCRIPTURAL THING. It cannot be wrong to feel confidently in a matter where God speaks unconditionally — to believe decidedly when God promises decidedly — to have a sure persuasion of pardon and peace when we rest on the word and oath of Him that never changes. It is an utter mistake to suppose that the believer who feels assur ance is resting on anything he sees in himself.

II. A BELIEVER MAY NEVER ARRIVE AT THIS ASSURED HOPE, WHICH PAUL EXPRESSES, AND YET BE SAVED. "A letter," says an old writer, "may be written, which is not sealed; so grace may be written in the heart, yet the Spirit may not set the seal of assurance to it." A child may be born heir to a great fortune, and yet never be aware of his riches; may live childish, die childish, and never know the greatness of his possessions.

III. WHY AN ASSURED HOPE IS EXCEEDINGLY TO BE DESIRED.

1. Because of the present comfort and peace it affords.

2. Because it tends to make a Christian an active working Christian.

3. Because it tends to make a Christian a decided Christian.

4. Be cause it tends to make the holiest Christians.

IV. SOME PROBABLE CAUSES WHY AN ASSURED HOPE IS SO SELDOM ATTAINED.

1. A defective view of the doctrine of justification.

2. Slothfulness about growth in grace.

3. An inconsistent walk in life.

(Bp. Ryle.)

---

---

KJV: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

WEB: For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.