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The second step in the development of the supernatural life, after the enlightenment of the intelligence, is the movement of the will. The soul first knows and understands the great object of attainment exposed to it, and then aspires towards it, desires it, and is moved to attain it. This movement of the faculties is different from the first one contained in faith, and requires a different impulse from God, a new habit or facility or potentiality in the soul. This habit is the supernatural virtue of Hope. Hope is not a positive assurance of attaining, it is a desire joined with confidence and expectation, encouraging the soul to make the necessary effort; it presupposes that there are difficulties to be surmounted, and it prevents the soul from being cast down by them. Hope is involved with Faith and Charity; they are three methods by which the soul apprehends God, or three views that it takes of the one great object, or a triple form of its one service. So the Apostle speaks of faith as "the substance of things hoped for" (Heb. xi. 1). Hope belongs only to the present life. It does not exist in the blessed, for they are in the state of possession and not of anticipation; they no longer desire God or expect Him, for they enjoy Him and have nothing more to look forward to. Always exercise this virtue as part of the consequence of faith, and as a homage that God requires of you. Take care not to waste your desires on any other object, but seek better things, "forgetting the things that are behind, and stretching forth to those that are before" (Phil. iii. 13).
