"This latter Meeting was like the Clinching of a Nail; confirming, and fastening in my Mind, those good Principles, which had sunk into me at the former."

— Ellwood, Thomas (1639-1713)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed and sold by the assigns of J. Sowle
Date
1714
Metaphor
"This latter Meeting was like the Clinching of a Nail; confirming, and fastening in my Mind, those good Principles, which had sunk into me at the former."
Metaphor in Context
This latter Meeting was like the Clinching of a Nail; confirming, and fastening in my Mind, those good Principles, which had sunk into me at the former. My Understanding began to open, and I felt some Stirrings in my Breast, tending to the Work of a New Creation in me. The general Trouble, and Confusion of Mind, which had for some Days lain heavy upon me, and pressed me down, without a distinct Discovery of the particular Cause for which it came, began now to wear off; and some Glimmerings of Light began to break forth in me; which let me see my Inward State, and Condition towards God. The Light (which before had shone in my Darkness, and the Darkness could not comprehend it) began now to shine out of Darkness, and in some Measure discovered to me what it was, that had before clouded me, and brought that Sadness and Trouble upon me. And now I saw, that although I had been, in a great degree, preserved from the common Immoralities, and gross Pollutions of the World; yet the Spirit of the World had hitherto ruled in me, and led me into Pride, Flattery, Vanity and Superfluity; [date 1659] all which was Naught. I found there were many Plants growing in me, which were not of the Heavenly Father's Planting: and that all these (of whatever sort or kind they were, or how specious soever they might appear) must be plucked up.
(pp. 54-5)
Categories
Provenance
Searching in ECCO-TCP
Citation
6 entries in ESTC (1714, 1765, 1775, 1791).

The History of the Life of Thomas Ellwood: or, an Account of His Birth, Education, &C. With Divers Observations on His Life and Manners when a Youth: ... Also Several Other Remarkable Passages and Occurrences. Written by His Own Hand. To Which Is Added, a Supplement by J. W. (London: Printed and sold by the assigns of J. Sowle, 1714). <Link to ECCO-TCP
Date of Entry
04/30/2014

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.