Troposchēmalogia: Tropes and figures; or, A treatise of the metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes, &c. contained in the Bible of the Old and New Testament To which is prefixed, divers arguments to prove the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures wherein also 'tis largely evinced, that by the great whore, mystery Babylon is meant the Papal hierarchy, or present state and church of Rome. Philologia sacra, the second part. Wherein the schemes, or figures in Scripture, are reduced under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Together with a treatise of types, parables, &c. with an improvement of them parallel-wise. By B. K

Hope compared to an Helmet.

Ephes. 6.17. And take the Helmet of Salvation, &c.

1 Thess. 5.8. And for an Helmet, the Hope of Salvation.

AN Helmet is a Piece of Armor for the Head, commonly called a Head-Piece.

[Hope] the Word is derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Havah, which signifieth to ex∣pect, or wait; and it notes a very vehement Intention both of Body and Mind, in waiting, expecting, or hoping; when a Man waits (as it were) stretch∣ing forth his Spirit or his Mind, putting himself out exceedingly to hope or wait for a thing.

Hope is a Divine and Super-natural Grace or Fruit of the holy Spirit, and may be thus described:

First; 'Tis a patient and well-grounded Expectation of whatsoever God hath promised. God is the Author of it, called the Hope of Israel, and the God of Hope. The Believer is the Subject of this Hope. The Object, in a strict sence, is God, who comprehends all the Good that Saints dwell in the Faith and expectation of:* 1.1 What wait I for? my Hope is in thee: In a large sence, it is the Good of the Promise not in hand,* 1.2 or already accomplish'd, but to be performed hereafter: Hope that is seen, is not Hope; for what a Man seeth, why doth he yet hope for it? Futurity is intrinsecal to Hope's Object, and distinguisheth it from Faith, which gives a present Being to the Promise,* 1.3 and is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Substance of things hoped for. The Good of the Promise hath a kind of Substance by Faith in the Soul; it is in Heaven (as it were) in an Interview; it brings the Christian and Heaven together, as if he were there already.

Why Hope is compared to an Helmet, will appear in the following Parallel.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
THe Helmet defends the Head, that eminent part of the Body, from the Dint of Bullet or Sword.	HOpe of Heaven defends the princi∣pal Parts and Faculties of the Soul, from the dangerous Assaults of Sin and Satan, particularly the Judgment, which most Expositors understand is intended by the Head. What avails that Faith which Men have, without a well-grounded Hope of future Life? Devils have a kind of Faith, they believe, but have no Hope. Faith eyes the Promises; and Hope pre∣serves the Soul from Satan's Wounds, keeping it in a faithful and stedfast expectation of the fulfilling of them: By which means a Saint is help'd chearfully to suffer the Loss of all other things, and that in Judgment, hoping it will be made up again to him in another World: Like as Hope causeth the Husband-man to cast his choice and precious Seed into the Earth: He that ploweth, ploweth in Hope;* 1.4 he hopes for a greater Increase at Harvest. So a Merchant ventures much Treasure to Sea, as far as the Indies, in Hope; for had he not good Hopes of advantagious Returns, all would account him a Fool so to do.
II. The Helmet maketh a Soul∣dier fearless, and very couragious in the Day of Battel; for if his Head and Heart be well defended, he is in no great danger of his Life.	II. In like manner, Hope of Heaven makes a Saint very couragious for Christ, and his blessed Interest.* 1.5 Hope maketh not ashamed. 'Tis the Hope of Heaven, that causeth Saints to endure Afflictions and Persecutions with Patience, and not to fear the Faces of their Enemies: for if the Judgment, Will, Affection, and Consci∣ence of a Believer be preserved from the mortal Wounds of the Adversary, he is safe, and out of Danger, which is all done by this part of the Christian's Armor. How confidently and daringly did Goliah come forth against Israel, with his Helmet of Brass, and other Furniture, as if he had been so enclosed in his Armor, that it was impossible any one should prevail against him. This made him carry his Crest so high,

and to defy a whole Host. Tho he was mistaken in his Armor,* 1.6 yet here is an Hel∣met, &c. that whosoever wears it shall never be put to shame for his holy Boasting. God himself allows him so to do, and will bear him out in the rejoycing of his Hope.* 1.7 They shall not be ashamed that wait for me. Therefore saith David, Tho an Host should encamp against me, my Heart shall not fear, &c. My Head shall be lifted above mine Enemies. Two things make the Head hang down, Fear and Shame; now Hope easeth the Christian's Heart of both these, and so forbids him to give any sign of a desponding Mind, by a dejected Countenance, in the worst of Times:* 1.8 When these things come to pass, then lift up your Heads, for your Redemption draweth nigh.

III. An Helmet tends to the compleat harnessing and setting out of a Souldier, to meet his Enemy, by which means he is terrible to behold, as Experience shews; for how fierce doth an Army of Soul∣diers look, when armed Cap-a-pe? And especially the Head-piece tends to do it. Many have been struck with great trembling, by beholding an Army of Souldiers with Hel∣mets on.	III. A well-grounded Hope of Sal∣vation, and of Victory against the Enemy, tends to the compleat harnessing, or fit∣ting out of every true Christian, to meet and encounter with the Adversary, by which means also they are said to be as terrible as an Army with Banners, which Mr. Ainsworth applies to this Armor.* 1.9 The Weapons of our Warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of Strong-Holds, &c. Israel being compleatly furnished with Armor of Proof, who were a People saved by the Lord, the Shield of their Hope, and who was the Sword of their Excellency, God hereby put the Fear and Dread of them upon all the Nations under the whole Heavens; who heard of the Fame of them, and trembled not? Deut. 2.2. The People heard, and were afraid;* 1.10 Sorrow took hold on the Inhabitants of Palestina. The Dukes of Edom were amazed; the mighty Men of Moab, Trembling took hold upon them. — All the Inhabitants of Canaan melted away, and Dread fell upon them. And thus will it be again, when God brings forth the Sons of Zion against the Sons of Greece, every way compleatly armed, with Shield and Helmet, as an Army with Banners.* 1.11
IV. An Helmet, as well as other Pieces of Armor, must not be put off, or laid aside, until the Battel be over. There are some Instru∣ments and Engines used in War, that are made use of but now and then; but the Shield, Breast-plate, and Helmet, &c. are necessary con∣tinually, when Arms are employed.	IV. So Hope, the Helmet of Salvation, must be taken by every true Christian, and never laid aside, until the Field is won, and all the Enemies subdued. Hence saith the Apostle,* 1.12 Gird up the Loins of your Minds, be sober, and hope to the End, for the Grace that shall be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ.* 1.13 Now abi∣deth Faith, Hope, and Charity. We desire every one of you to shew the same diligence, to the full assurance of Hope, unto the end.
V. A Souldier, that hath his compleat Armor on, (as the having on the Helmet doth import, because it is usually the last Piece of Armor defensive that is put on) is ready for Service, when his Captain com∣mands him forth; and from hence he is animated, and becomes very diligent, and doth great Execution oftentimes upon the Enemy; yea, and more is expected from him, than from one that is unarmed.	V. So a Souldier of Jesus Christ, ha∣ving the whole Christian Armor on, is ready for any Service or Suffering for his Captain, and waits but for the Word of Command, and he adventures forth, as Abraham did, not knowing whither he went. Hope of Salvation particularly maketh a Man very active; it is called a lively Hope; more is expected from him, than from one that is hopeless. Alas! he goes on without any Heart, that hath no grounded Hope of Heaven, and the blessed Enjoiment of God and Christ for ever.

Metaphor.	Disparity.
AN Helmet which Men use in War, hath been, may be pierced through, to the loss of the Life of the Souldier that hath it on.	BUt this spiritual Helmet, called the Hope of Salvation, which hath God, and all Good both here and hereafter, for its Object, against this there can be no Assault made, nor Force of Weapon used, to the endangering of the Life of the Soul.
II. An Helmet used in War a∣mongst Men, tho it may preserve the Head from Danger, yet it can∣not preserve the Breast, but that may be wounded by Sword or Dart.	II. But a well-grounded Hope, the Hel∣met of Salvation, doth wonderfully pre∣serve the Conscience, as well as the Judg∣ment, from being corrupted by the Wounds of Error, and rotten Principles, carried on by the cunning Craftiness of Men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
III. Men may have Helmets on, and yet notwithstanding lose the Day, be overcome, and flie before their Enemies, with Shame and Disgrace.	III. But he that engageth in this spiritual Armor, of which the Helmet is a part,* 1.14 (having on the whole Armor of God) doth not only make a Christian to withstand the Enemy, but also to stand against any Assault.* 1.15 Hope of Salvation maketh not ashamed.

Inferences.

FRom hence you may perceive, how exceeding useful Hope is to all true Christi∣ans, in their spiritual Warfare with the Enemies of the Soul.

2. It shews that a Christian's Life is a Life of Hope or Expectation: The Promi∣ses of God are not presently accomplished; he seems to stay long, ere he makes good what he hath engaged to give to them.

3. And tho he stays long before he performs his Promise to us, yet they shall be ac∣complished at last, in the best time, to the eternal Joy of their Hearts. Hope defer∣red makes the Heart sick, but when it comes, it is a Tree of Life. The Vision is for an appointed Time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie, &c.

4. That tho God stays long before he performs his Word and Promise, yet it is our Duty to wait patiently till it is fulfilled. Wait for it, because it shall surely come, &c.

5. That Hope pacifies and quiets the Soul of a Believer, till the Promises are ac∣complished and fulfilled.

It may also serve to caution every Christian to take heed he does not take a coun∣terfeit Helmet. There is a Hope that will prove like a Spider's Web. Tho a true and lively Hope maketh not ashamed, yet some Men will one day be ashamed of their Hope, &c.

See Hope the Anchor of the Soul.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 39.7.
• * 1.2

  Rom. 8.24
• * 1.3

  Heb. 11, 1.
• * 1.4

  1 Cor. 9.10.
• * 1.5

  Rom. 5.5.
• * 1.6

  Isa. 49.23.
• * 1.7

  Psal. 27.3.
• * 1.8

  Luk. 21.28
• * 1.9

  2 Cor. 10.4.
• * 1.10

  Exod. 15.14, 15, 16. Psal 48 5, 6.
• * 1.11

  Zech. 9, 13
• * 1.12

  1 Pet. 1.13
• * 1.13

  1 Cor. 13. ult. Heb. 6.11, 12.
• * 1.14

  Ephes. 6.
• * 1.15

  Rom. 5.5.