Verse 19

Which (Hope) we have as an Anchor of the Soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the Vail.

Having made mention of our Hope with respect to the Promise of God, He adds an account of the use of that Hope in the course of our Faith and Obedience. And he leaves herein the metonymical signification of the word, returning to that which is proper, namely, the grace of Hope in us. But this he does not absolutely, but as it includes its object or the Promise laid hold upon by Faith. For he does not expresly mention Hope it self, but includes it in the relative Article, and so respects not its self alone but its object also, which he had mentioned before, Hope as arising from, or caused by and fixed on the Promise of God. Therefore the use of Hope as fixed on, and mixed with that Promise, securing our Interest therein, is that which he declares in this Verse. And three things are to be briefly spoken to in the opening of these words. (1) The nature of this Hope. (2) Its use and properties. (3) Its operation and effects. The first is included, the second expressed under a natural, and the third under a typical similitude.

1. The grace of Hope being not expresly mentioned but only included in the words, and that not with respect to its essence and nature, but its use and operation, here is no occasion given to insist upon it. Only whereas it is supposed as the principal subject of the Proposition, it may briefly be spoken to.

This Hope elsewhere He calls our confidence, and ascribes a [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩], a glorying or boasting to it (chap. 3:6), and a [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩], or full assurance (chap. 6:1). Therefore it is that grace whereon our assurance, or that full perswasion of Faith which gives confidence and glory, does depend. And there is nothing more adverse to it, than the common notion of Hope. For it is generally conceived as a dubious, uncertain, fluctuating expectation of that which may be, or may not be for the future. Now although such expectations of all sorts may be included in the general notion of Hope, yet are they excluded from the nature and use of that grace of Hope which is recommended to us in the Scripture. For this is a firm Trust in God for the enjoyment of the good things contained in his Promises, at the appointed season, raising in the Soul an earnest desire after them, and expectation of them. And for want of the knowledge of the nature of this grace, many live without any benefit of its exercise. Let two things concerning it be observed and they will give light into its nature and use. (1) That it springs from Faith, in that it fixeth all its expectation on the good things in the Promise, and that as promised. But it is Faith alone that receives the Promise and giveth an Interest therein. (2) That its nature and essence consists in Trust in God, which if it be not the Foundation of all its exercise, whatever may be so called is but a deceiving presumption (Psalm 33:18; 42:5; Psalm 130:5, etc.). Therefore it is the fiduciary Act of Faith on God in the Promises, as it respects the good things of it, as yet absent, future, unenjoyed.

2. The use and operation of this Hope, the Apostle expresseth by a double metaphor, the one taken from things natural, the other from things instituted and typical. Its use he sets forth by a metaphor taken from things natural; it is the Anchor of the Soul, firm and stable; and its operation by a metaphor taken from things typical, it entereth into that within the Vail.

In itself and as to its use he compares it to an anchor; it is the anchor 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 itself is invisible, is by a suitable representation proposed to the reason of the mind, and even objected to sense itself. Hence as used in the Scripture, they are eminently communicative of spiritual light and experience to the soul. And this instructive allusion is to be taken from the principal ends of the things compared, and ought not to be extended to other circumstances which belong not thereunto. Yes, a dissimilitude is allowed in them all. Therefore our hope, as before described, is compared to an anchor. (1) With respect to its use. (2) With respect to its adjuncts and properties. As the nature and use of an anchor is to hold fast the ship whereunto it does 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 to (Ephesians 4:13, 14). An anchor is cast to keep the vessel steady to its posture. There are therefore two things supposed in this allusion. (1) That the souls of believers are sometimes exposed to 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 to 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 to ruin and destruction. It falls out indeed sometimes that a storm at sea, although it terrify the passengers, and discompose the ship, yet accidentally falling in with its course for a season does speed it in its voyage. But in their own nature all storms tend to ruin and destruction. So likewise do all the ways and means whereby the state of believers with their interest in the promise are assaulted. They all tend to the ruin of their souls. It is true through the holy, wise disposal of all things by the Lord Jesus Christ, they do for the most part issue in the growth of their faith and furtherance of their salvation. But this they have not of themselves, their work and tendency is of another nature. Our Apostle gives us a description of these storms, with the use of this anchor in them, and the success thereof in the safety of the souls of believers (Romans 8:33, 36, 38, &c.). (2) The ordinary occasions of this life and our duties towards God and men therein are like the tradings of ships in their harbour. For therein also a good and sure anchor is necessary for them, the neglect of the use whereof has proved ruinous to many. And without that which spiritually answers thereunto we shall fluctuate up and down in all that we do, and be in continual hazard of ruin. In these seasons hope, as before described, is the anchor of the soul; and as that is let down through the waves and darkness of the ocean, by its cable, until it comes to fix itself in the bottom; so our hope let out as it were by the sure word of God, enters into that wherein it fastens itself and fixes the soul.

The allusion respects the properties of an anchor, which as here expressed are two, the one respecting its nature, the other its use. (1) It is [in non-Latin alphabet], sure; that will not fail; it may be safely trusted to. The substance of it is firm, the proportion of it is suited to the burden of the ship; and it is no fair promising and yet deceitful engine. (2) In its use it is [in non-Latin alphabet], firm and steadfast, which no violence of winds or storms can either break or move from its hold. Such is hope to the soul. (1) In its nature it is [in non-Latin alphabet], sure, and not a deceiving imagination. It makes not ashamed (Romans 5:5) by any failure or disappointment. Groundless presumptions are the deceitful engines, whereby the souls of multitudes are ruined every day; of no more use than if the mariners should cast out a log, or a burden of straw, to stay their vessel in a storm. But hope proceeding on and built on faith, is infallible and will not deceive. (2) In its use it is [in non-Latin alphabet], firm and invincible, against all oppositions, not indeed from itself, but from the ground which it fixes upon, namely, Christ in the promise, as the next words declare.

Secondly, the way or means whereby this spiritual anchor secures our souls is expressed in the words following, and which enters into that within the vail. And herein there is a dissimilitude in the comparates. For an anchor is cast downwards and fixes itself in the earth at the bottom of the sea; but hope ascends upwards, and fixes itself in heaven, or in that which is therein. And we must enquire, (1) what is this vail, (2) how hope enters it, (3) what is that within it, that hope enters into. (1) For the vail itself, the Apostle to that natural allusion which he insists upon, adds also one that is typical, which renders the whole context figurative, as we showed before.

The vail therefore here alluded to, was that which parted the most holy place from the Sanctuary or Body of the Temple. This our Apostle calls the second Vail, chap. 9:3. and here the Vail absolutely. For the Body of the Temple whereinto the Priests only entered to offer Incense, was separated from the People by the first Vail, as the most Holy place was from that, by the second Vail. Through the former the ordinary Priests passed every day to offer Incense; through the latter the High Priest passed, and that once a year. Now that which was denoted hereby with respect to Christ and his priesthood, were these aspectable Heavens through which he passed in his Ascension into the glorious presence of God. See our Exposition on chap. 4. ver. 14. Within the Vail therefore, is within and above these visible Heavens, the place of God's glorious residence, the Holy Tabernacle not made with hands, where the Lord Christ continues to administer for his Church. (2) This Hope enters into, or passes through. The Heavens are as a Vail to the sense and reason of man; there, their sight and their thoughts are bounded; they can neither discern nor judge of any thing that is above or within that Vail. But Faith with Hope pierces through it; no created thing can keep them at a distance from God himself. As an Anchor stays not in the Waves of the Sea, as it cannot fix itself in the Waters, but pierces through them until it come to solid Earth in the bottom; no more does or can the Hope of a Believer fix itself on any thing under these Heavens, but it pierces through all till it come within the Vail. And this it does (1) under the conduct of Faith, which goes before it, and presents to it the things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). (2) By the Rule and Line of the Word which on no occasion it will vary from.

And (3) this it does [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]; to that which is within. And what is it that is within this Vail? Not an Ark and a mercy-seat, not Tables of Stone and Cherubims, the work of men's hands; but the things signified by them; God himself on a Throne of Grace, and the Lord Christ as the High priest of the Church standing at his Right Hand. God the Father as the Author of the Promise of Grace, Christ as the Purchaser of all Mercy, the Counsel of Peace being between them both. Here Hope fixes itself to hold the Soul steadfast in all the Storms and Tempests that may befall it. Therefore that which Hope fixes on within the Vail; is (1) The Father as the Author. (2) The Lord Christ as the Purchaser. (3) The Covenant as the Conveyance of all Grace; which were all typically represented by the things within the Vail of Old. And the Apostle makes use of this Expression for two Reasons. (1) Because our Hope and Faith are not now fixed and bounded on Types, Shadows, and obscure Representations of the good things of the Promise, as things were under the Old Testament. All these things are now passed away, and we have immediately to deal with God and Christ Jesus. (2) To instruct the Hebrews in the Nature and Use of the Old Tabernacle Institutions, and from there in the true Nature of the Priesthood of Christ which he is now returning to. And we may observe from these words,

That all true Believers are exposed to Storms and Tempests in this world. This makes Anchors so necessary for them. The wise God would not have provided an Anchor for them and enjoined its use, if he had not known they would be exposed to Storms. He that dwells at peace in his House, of all things thinks least of an Anchor. But we are to look for Storms. Suppose we might pass our time of sojourning here without outward Troubles, which yet he is exceedingly unwise who promises to himself any such thing, while we are in the Flesh, and accompanied with so many occasions of Distress on every hand; yet who can escape from those inward Trials, Exercises and Troubles, from Temptations, Darkness, Sin, and the Law, wherewith we are often tossed and afflicted, and it may be for a season not comforted? For,

These Storms would prove ruinous to the Souls of Believers, were they not indefeasibly interested by Faith and Hope in the Promise of the Gospel. Every Storm almost will be too hard for Ships without Cables or Anchors. And as little security have we in a time of Trial from any thing in ourselves, if Hope hold not fast on the Promise which is the Anchor of the Soul. And this it will do if it be genuine. For,

No distance of place, no interposition of difficulties can hinder the Hope of Believers, from entering into the Presence of, and fixing itself on God in Christ. It pierces through the Clouds, passes through the Heavens, stops not at their glorious Vail, until it comes to the Eternal Fountain and Spring of all Grace and Mercy. And therefore,

The strength and assurance of the Faith and Hope of Believers is invisible to the world. They enter in within the Vail where no Eye of Reason can pursue them. There all their concerns are hid, and the secret influence which to all purposes they have from there is sometimes admired, sometimes derided by the blind and wicked world. However it is effectual to their good. For,

Hope firmly fixed on God in Christ by the Promise will hold steady and preserve the Soul in all the Storms and Trials that may befall it. It is an Anchor both sure and steadfast. Therefore,

It is our wisdom at all times, but especially in times of Trial, to be sure that our Anchor have a good hold-fast in Heaven. This alone will be our Preservation and Security; if we are fixed on that within the Vail.