Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

² What the Lord then may give to be ministered unto you, do ye with earnest attention, that is, with hunger, receive; and when I shall have spoken it, you will doubtless with sound taste approve what is placed before you out of the Lord's store. The Lord Jesus knew whereby the soul of man, that is, the rational mind, made after the image of God, could be satisfied: only, that is, by Himself. This He knew, and knew that it was as yet without that fullness. He knew that He was manifest, and He knew that He was hidden.

He knew what in Him was exhibited, what concealed. He knew all this. “How great,” says the Psalm, “is the multitude of Your sweetness, O Lord, which You have hidden to them that fear You; which You have wrought for them that hope in You!” “Your sweetness” both great and manifold “have You hidden to them that fear You.” If you hide it to them that fear You, to whom dost Thou open it? “You have wrought it for them that hope in You.” A twofold question has arisen, but either is solved by the other.

If any one inquires after the other, what is this, “You have hidden it to them that fear You; wrought it for them that hope in You”? Are they that fear, and they that hope, different? Do not the very same who fear God, hope in God? Who hopes on Him who does not fear Him? Who in a godly sort fears Him, and has not hope in Him? Let this then first be solved. Somewhat would I say concerning those who hope and those who fear.