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hope. “Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” At a former period of his history, the believer may have at- tempted to lay another foundation, vainly imagining that by legal obedience, or sorrow for sin, he might obtain acceptance with God. But, savingly taught of God, he has learned that nothing of this nature can be the ground of his justification or the foundation of his hope. He now entirely depends on the pre- cious, tried corner stone, the sure foundation. Then it is that hope brightens, and heavenly prospects gladden the heart. This hope elevates the soul above what is temporal and sinful and aids in puri- fying the person even as Christ is pure. When the Christian remembers that all these bright prospects open before him only in consequence of Christ’s soul—saving work, he realizes that Christ is all in all as the foundation of his hope.

But again, Christ is the source of all the spiritual blessings which the Christian enjoys. Here he is indeed the Alpha and Omega. If his sins are for- given, this is only through the sufferings and death of Christ. If his hope is sure entering into that within the veil, it is only because Christ has ob- tained eternal redemption for him by his own blood and righteousness. If the love of sin has been erad— icated from his heart, this blessed work has only been effected by the Holy Spirit procured by Christ, and sent forth from the Father and the Son. If the Christian has spiritual comfort in affliction, and con— solation in sorrow, and strength in weakness, and

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