Metaphor. | Parallel.
AN Anchor is a good Stay and Security to a Ship in a Storm. What would the Mariner do, had he not an Anchor to cast out of the Ship, when he is in danger of Rocks and Sands? | SO Hope in God, through Christ, is a most excellent Stay for the Soul of a Believer, in a Day of Trouble and Persecution.1 They suffered joyfully the spoiling of their Goods, knowing in themselves, they had in Heaven a better and enduring Substance. We are saved by Hope, &c. It stays the Soul, as an Anchor does the Ship.
II. An Anchor takes hold of something which is out of sight. | II. So Hope, the Anchor of the Soul, takes hold of something which is not seen with carnal Eyes, which is within the Veil, &c.
⟨p. 26⟩III. An Anchor, when it takes hold of a Rock, or firm Ground, fastens and stays a Ship more steadily, preserving it from suffering Shipwreck. | III. So Hope, the Anchor of the Soul, taking hold of Christ, who is called a Rock, stays the Soul in a perilous Time most firm and steadily, so that it is safe from spiritual Shipwreck.
IV. An Anchor would be of no use without the Cable to which it is fastened. | IV. So Hope without Faith is of no use, nor can avail the Soul any thing in time of Need; those two Graces always co-operate, and work together for the help and succour of a Believer.
V. An Anchor, that it may be of advantage to a Ship, requires Skill rightly to cast it. | V. Hope, the Anchor of the Soul, must be rightly cast, or else it will not profit a Saint any thing in the Day of Trouble. It must be cast within the Veil, 2whither the Fore-runner is for us entered, even Jesus, &c.
Metaphor. | Disparity.
AN Anchor is cast down into the Sea, River, &c. | Hope, the Anchor of the Soul, is cast upward; the Saint's Hope is in Heaven.
II. An Anchor may let go its hold, or be broke, and so become useless to a Ship, by which means the Ship may be lost. |
II. Hope, the Anchor of the Soul, is both sure and steadfast; hence it is said, Hope maketh not ashamed. If their Hope was not firm, or were there any danger of its being lost or broke, the Saints of God were in a sad Condition, and they might turn away with their Faces ashamed. If their Hope should fail them, they would have no Refuge left. If Hope holds, all holds; but it Hope be gone, all is gone.
Metaphor. | Parallel.
AN Anchor is a good Stay and Security to a Ship in a Storm. What would the Mariner do, had he not an Anchor to cast out of the Ship, when he is in danger of Rocks and Sands? | SO Hope in God, through Christ, is a most excellent Stay for the Soul of a Believer, in a Day of Trouble and Persecution.1 They suffered joyfully the spoiling of their Goods, knowing in themselves, they had in Heaven a better and enduring Substance. We are saved by Hope, &c. It stays the Soul, as an Anchor does the Ship.
II. An Anchor takes hold of something which is out of sight. | II. So Hope, the Anchor of the Soul, takes hold of something which is not seen with carnal Eyes, which is within the Vail, &c.
⟨p. 26⟩III. An Anchor, when it takes hold of a Rock, or firm Ground, fastens and stays a Ship more steadily, preserving it from suffering Shipwrack. | III. So Hope, the Anchor of the Soul, taking hold of Christ, who is called a Rock, stays the Soul in a perilous Time most firm and steadily, so that it is safe from spiritual Shipwrack.
IV. An Anchor would be of no use without the Cable to which it is fastened. | IV. So Hope without Faith is of no use, nor can avail the Soul any thing in time of Need; those two Graces always co-operate, and work together for the help and succour of a Believer.
V. An Anchor, that it may be of advantage to a Ship, requires Skill rightly to cast it. | V. Hope, the Anchor of the Soul, must be rightly cast, or else it will not profit a Saint any thing in the Day of Trouble. It must be cast within the Vail, 2whither the Fore-runner is for us entred, even Jesus, &c.
Metaphor. | Disparity.
AN Anchor is cast down into the Sea, River, &c. | HOpe, the Anchor of the Soul, is cast upward; the Saint's Hope is in Heaven.
II. An Anchor may let go its hold, or be broke, and so become useless to a Ship, by which means the Ship may be lost. |
II. Hope, the Anchor of the Soul, is both sure and stedfast; hence it is said, Hope maketh not ashamed. If their Hope was not firm, or were there any danger of its being lost or broke, the Saints of God were in a sad Condition, and they might turn away with their Faces ashamed. If their Hope should fail them, they would have no Refuge left. If Hope holds, all holds; but it Hope be gone, all is gone.
- 1Heb. 10.34
- 2Heb. 6.
