Hope Compared to an Helmet

    HOPE COMPARED TO AN HELMET

    "And take the Helmet of Salvation," &c. Eph 6:17.

    "And for an Helmet, the Hope of Salvation," 1Th 5:8.

    AN Helmet is a piece of armour for the head, commonly called a headpiece.

    Hope, the Word is derived from XXX Havah, which signifieth to expect 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, stretching forth his spirit or his mind, putting himself out exceedingly to hope or wait for a thing.

    Hope is a divine and supernatural grace or fruit of the Holy Spirit, and may be thus described:

    First, It is 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 sense, is God, who comprehends all the good that saints dwell in the Faith and expectation of: "what wait I for? my Hope is in thee," in a large sense, it is the good of promise not in hand, or already accomplished, but to be performed hereafter: "Hope that is seen, is not Hope; for what a man seeth, why doth he yet Hope for it?" Ro 8:24. Futurity is intrinsical to Hope's object, and distinguisheth it from Faith, which gives a present being to the promise, and is elpizomenwn upozasiv, "the substance of things hoped for," Heb 11:1. 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

    I. The Helmet defends the head, that eminent part of the body, from the dint of bullet or sword.

    PARALLEL

    I. Hope of heaven defends the principal 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 preserves the soul from Satan's wounds, keeping it in a faithful and steadfast expectation of the fulfilling of them: by which means a saint is helped cheerfully 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 husbandman to cast his choice and precious seed into the earth: "He that plougheth, plougheth in hope," 1Co 9:10; he hopes for a greater increase at harvest. So a merchant ventures much treasures at sea, as far as the Indies, in Hope; for had he not good Hopes of advantageous returns, all would account him a fool so to do.

    METAPHOR

    II. The Helmet maketh a soldier fearless, and very courageous in the day of battle, for if his head and heart be well defended, he is in no great danger of his life.

    PARALLEL

    II. In like manner, Hope of heaven makes a saint very courageous for Christ, and his blessed interest. "Hope maketh not ashamed," Ro 5:5. It is 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 conscience 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 armour. How confidently and daringly did Goliath come forth against Israel, with his Helmet of brass, and other furniture, as if he had been so enclosed in his armour, that it was impossible for any one to prevail against him. This made him carry his crest so high, and to defy a whole host. Though he was mistaken in his armour, yet here is an Helmet, &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 rejoicing of his Hope. "They shall not be ashamed that wait for me." Therefore, saith David, "Though an host shall encamp against me, my heart shall not fear," &c, "My head shall be lifted above mine enemies," Isa 49:23; Ps 27:3. 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: "When these things come to pass, then lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh," Lu 21:28.

    METAPHOR

    III. An Helmet tends to the complete harnessing and setting out of a soldier, to meet his enemy, by which means he is terrible to behold, as experience shows; for how fierce doth an army of soldiers look, when armed cap-a-pie? And especially the head-piece tends to do it. Many have been struck with great trembling, by beholding an army of soldiers with Helmets on.

    PARALLEL

    III. A well-grounded hope of salvation, and of victory against the enemy, tends to the complete harnessing, or fitting 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 armour. "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong-holds," &c. 2Co 10:4. Israel being completely furnished with armour 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 the fame of them, and trembled not? De 2:2. "The people heard, and were afraid; 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," Ex 15:14-16; Ps 48:5-6. And thus will it be again, when God brings forth the sons of Zion against the sons of Greece, every way completely armed, with shield and Helmet, as an "Army with banners," Ec 9:13.

    METAPHOR

    IV. An Helmet, as well as other pieces of armour, must not be put off, or laid aside, until the battle be over. There are some instruments and engines used in war, that are made use of but now and then; but the shield, breast-plate, and Helmet, &c., are necessary continually, when arms are employed.

    PARALLEL

    IV. So Hope, the Helmet of salvation, must be taken by every true Christian, and never laid aside, until the field be won, and all the enemies subdued. Hence saith the apostle, "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," 1Pe 1:13. "Now abideth faith, Hope, and charity," 1Co 13:13. "We desire every one of you to show the same diligence, to the full assurance of Hope, unto the end," Heb 6:11-12.

    METAPHOR

    V. A soldier, that hath his complete armour on, (as the having on the helmet doth import, because it is usually the last piece of armour defensive that is put on) is ready for service, when the captain commands 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.

    PARALLEL

    V. So a soldier of Jesus Christ, having the whole Christian armour 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 enjoyment of God and Christ for ever.

    METAPHOR

    I. An Helmet which men use in war hath been, may be pierced through, to the loss of the life of the soldier that hath it on.

    DISPARITY

    I. 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.

    METAPHOR

    II. An Helmet used in war amongst men, though it may preserve the head from danger, yet it cannot preserve the breast, but that may be wounded by sword or dart.

    PARALLEL

    II. But a well-grounded Hope, the Helmet of salvation, doth wonderfully preserve the conscience, as well as the judgment, 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.

    METAPHOR

    III. Men may have Helmets on, and yet notwithstanding lose the day, be overcome, and fly before their enemies, with shame and disgrace.

    PARALLEL

    III. But he that engageth in this spiritual armour, of which the Helmet is a part, "Having on the whole armour of God," Eph 6., doth not only make a Christian to withstand the enemy, but also to stand against any assault. "Hope of salvation maketh not ashamed," Ro 5:5.

    INFERENCES.

    I. From hence you may perceive, how exceeding useful Hope is to all true Christians, in their spiritual warfare with the enemies of the soul.

    II. It shows that a Christian's life is a life of Hope or expectation: the promises of God are not presently accomplished; he seems to stay long, ere he makes good what he hath engaged to give to them.

    III. And though he stay long before he performs his promises to us, yet they shall be accomplished at last, in the best time, to the eternal joy of our hearts. "Hope deferred 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.

    IV. That though God stay long before he performs his word and promises, yet it is our duty to wait patiently till it be fulfilled. "Wait for it, because it shall surely come," &c.

    V. That Hope pacifies and quiets the soul of a believer, till the promises be accomplished and fulfilled.

    It may also serve to caution every Christian to take heed he does not take a counterfeit Helmet. There is a Hope that will prove like a spider's web. Though 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.