§. 8. Of the use of Hope.§. 8. Of the vse of Hope.

§. 8. Of the use of Hope.

§. 8. Of the vse of Hope.

The use of it is to keep us from fainting, that we be not confounded through any assaults of our enemies: for^y Hope maketh not ashamed, but maketh bold and confident:^z David implieth that he had fainted, but for his hope, and thereupon exhorteth others to Hope in the Lord. In this respect,^* the Apostle useth another metaphor, and resembleth Hope to an Anchor. ⁴When Mariners have a good sound Anchor fast tied to the ship with a strong Cable, and fast fixed on firm ground, they dare sleep quietly therein, though storms and tempests arise: for the Anchor will keep the ship safe and sure, so as it cannot be carried away of winds, nor beaten against rocks, nor swallowed of gulfs. Thus doth Hope after an holy manner make us secure, and that though afflictions and temptations like storms, be raised against us. ^aThough I should walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, saith David; whereby he manifesteth his holy security, which also he doth by many other like speeches in his Psalms.

THe vse of it is to keepe vs from fainting, that we be not confounded through any assaults of our enemies: for^y Hope maketh not ashamed, but maketh bold and confident:^z Dauid implieth that he had fainted, but for his hope, and thereupon exhorteth others to Hope in the Lord. In this respect,