19. Hope is found represented on coins by an
anchor.
sure and steadfast--sure in respect to us:
steadfast, or "firm" [ALFORD], in
itself. Not such an anchor as will not keep the vessel
from tossing, or an anchor unsound or too light [THEOPHYLACT].
which entereth into that--that is the place
within the veil--two images beautifully combined: (1) The
soul is the ship: the world the sea: the
bliss beyond the world, the distant coast; the
hope resting on faith, the anchor which prevents the
vessel being tossed to and fro; the encouraging consolation
through the promise and oath of God, the cable connecting
the ship and anchor. (2) The world is the fore-court: heaven, the Holy
of Holies; Christ, the High Priest going before us, so as to enable us,
after Him, and through Him, to enter within the veil.
ESTIUS explains, As the anchor does not stay in
the waters, but enters the ground hidden beneath the waters, and
fastens itself in it, so hope, our anchor of the soul, is not satisfied
with merely coming to the vestibule, that is, is not content with
merely earthly and visible goods, but penetrates even to those which
are within the veil, namely, to the Holy of Holies, where it lays hold
on God Himself, and heavenly goods, and fastens on them. "Hope,
entering within heaven, hath made us already to be in the things
promised to us, even while we are still below, and have not yet
received them; such strength hope has, as to make those that are
earthly to become heavenly." "The soul clings, as one in fear of
shipwreck to an anchor, and sees not whither the cable of the anchor
runs--where it is fastened: but she knows that it is fastened behind
the veil which hides the future glory."
veil--Greek, "catapetasma": the second veil
which shut in the Holiest Place. The outer veil was called by a
distinct Greek term, calumma: "the second (that is, the
inner) veil."
JFB.
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