A53678:875
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews viz, on the sixth, seventh, eight, ninth, and tenth chapters : wherein together with the explication of the text and context, the priesthood of Christ ... are declared, explained and confirmed : as also, the pleas of the Jews for the continuance and perpetuity of their legal worship, with the doctrine of the principal writers of the Socinians about these things, are examined and disproved / by J. Owen ...
London: printed for Nathaniel Ponder, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. In it self and as unto its Use He compareth it unto an Anchor; It is the 1Anchor of the Soul. For the Souls of Believers it seems have need of an Anchor. And there is much instructive efficacy in such similitudes They are the only lawful Images in things sacred. For that which in its self is invisible, is by a suitable Representation proposed unto the Reason of the mind, and even objected unto sense it self. Hence as used in the Scripture, they are eminently communicative of spiritual Light and Experience unto the Soul. And this Instructive Allusion is to be taken from the principal Ends of the things compared, and ought not to be extended unto other Circumstances which belong not thereunto. Yea a dissimilitude is allowed in them all. Wherefore our Hope, as before described, is compared unto an Anchor. (1) With respect unto its Use. (2) With respect unto ⟨p. 174⟩its Adjuncts and Properties. As the Nature and Use of an Anchor is to hold fast the Ship whereunto it doth belong, and to keep it steady. And it is principally of use at two seasons. (1) In Storms and Tempests, when the Art and Skill of the Mariners are overcome by the fierceness of the Wind and Sea that they cannot steer the Ship in its right course, nor preserve it from Rocks or Shelves. Then is an Anchor cast out, which if it have the Properties here mentioned, will hold fast and retain the Ship in safety against all outward violence. (2) When Ships are in their Harbour that they may not be tossed up and down at uncertainty, that men may attend their occasions and not be driven to and fro with every Wind, which our Apostle alludes unto, Ephes. 4. 13, 14. An Anchor is cast to keep the Vessel steady unto its posture. There are therefore two things supposed in this Allusion. (1) That the Souls of Believers are sometimes exposed unto Storms; and a stress of spiritual Dangers, Persecutions, Afflictions, Temptations, Fears, Sin, Death, and the Law, do make up these Storms that oft-times beat upon them. And they are compared here unto Storms; (1) Because of their Violence. There are Degrees in them, and some are far more urgent than other, as Storms are of various sorts; but generally all of them have one degree or other of Fierceness and Violence. (2) Because of their Tendency; they tend in their own Nature unto Ruin and Destruction.