And what Hope has proved in the history of the Church collectively, it is in the life of every individual believer. By nature he is a "prisoner," but "a prisoner of hope."[42] The gospel is a "gospel of hope." Its message is called "the good hope through grace."[43] The God of the gospel is called "the God of Hope."[44] The "helmet of salvation" is the helmet of "hope."[45] The "anchor of the soul" is the anchor of "hope."[46] The believer "rejoices in hope,"[47] and "abounds in hope."[48] Christ is in him "the hope of glory."[49] Hope peoples to him the battlements of heaven with sainted ones in the spirit-land. He "sorrows not as others, who have no Hope."[50] When death comes, Hope smoothes his dying pillow, wipes the damps from his brow, and seals his eyes. "Now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in Thee."[51] Hope stands with her torch over his grave, and in the prospect of the dust returning to its dust, he says, "My flesh shall rest in hope."[52] Hope is one of three guardian graces that conduct him to the heavenly gate. Now abideth these three, "Faith, Hope, and Love," and if it be added, "the greatest of these is Love," it is because Hope and her companion finish their mission at the celestial portal! They proceed no further, they go back to the world, to the wrestlers in the earthly conflict. Faith returns to her drooping hearts, to undo heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free. Hope goes to her dungeon vaults, her beds of sickness, her chambers of bereavement and sorrow. To take Faith or Hope to heaven, would be to take the Physician to the sound man, or to offer crutches to the strong, or to help to light the meridian sun with a tiny candle; Faith is then changed to sight, and Hope to full fruition. Love alone holds on her infinite mission. Faith and Hope are her two soaring pinions. She drops them as she enters the gates of glory. The watcher puts out his beacon when the sun floods the ocean—the miner puts out his lamp when he ascends to the earth. Hope's taper light is unneeded in that world where "the sun shall no more go down, neither for brightness shall the moon withdraw itself, but where the Lord our God shall be an everlasting light, and the days of our mourning shall be ended."
VIII.
The Hill Mizar.
"All scenes alike engaging prove
To souls impress'd with sacred love!
Where'er they dwell, they dwell in Thee;
In heaven, in earth, or on the sea.
"To me remains nor place nor time;