July 15

"And they said, There is no hope." — Jeremiah 18:12.

THE two fatal rocks on which men split, are presumption and despair. Some have no fear, and say, "I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart;" others say, "There is no hope, but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart." Both are destructive to the best interests of the soul. Let us contemplate despair in its cause, evil, and remedy.

ITS CAUSE. To what may it be attributed?

The accusations of a troubled conscience. This was the case with Cain, Judas, and others mentioned in holy writ.

The force of depraved habits. By a constant course of impiety and guilt, the mind becomes besotted. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? no more can ye do good, that are accustomed to do evil."

Misapprehensions of the nature of the Gospel. What confused notions have some entertained of it! what strong legal prejudices, desiring to find that in themselves which is only to be found in Christ?

Barrenness under the means of grace. Many who have long sat under the sound of the Gospel, and have derived no benefit, but are as careless and indifferent as ever, are ready to say, "There is no hope."

ITS EVIL.

It dishonors GOD. It insults the Divine Being; gives the lie to the promises of his word, and the declarations of his grace, and plucks the brightest gem from his crown. It destroys the soul. Those who indulge in it cannot be saved. It subverts the Gospel. That declares there is hope, even for the vilest, and forbids us to cherish the feelings of despair.

ITS REMEDY. This is threefold,—

A belief of the statements of the Gospel. This gives a direct contradiction to it. It is refuted by the mediation of Christ, by the promises of his word, by the gift of his Spirit, by millions who have obtained mercy. Ask Manasseh, Mary Magdalene, Saul, and others, whether there is no hope?

Repentance of your past conduct. There is no hope for the impenitent, but the broken heart shall be healed.

Earnest prayer. Let us seek to have a good hope through grace, and never despair of others, however careless and unconcerned. While the lamp of life still burns, let not our hopes for them expire. God is able to plant the flower of hope in the very bosom of despair.

"My spirit sinks within me, Lord: But I will call thy grace to mind, And times of past distress record, When I have found my God was kind.

"O God! thou art my hope, my joy: Thy light and truth shall guide me still, Thy word shall my best thoughts employ, And lead me to thy heavenly hill."