CHAPTER 18
Tempests Executioners of GOD's Threatenings.
OBSERVATION.
THE waves of the sea are- sometimes raised by GOD'S commission, to
be executioners of his threatenings upon sinners.
When JONAH fled from the presence of the LORD to Tarshish,
the text says, " The LORD sent out a great wind
into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest, so that the ship was like to
be broken." (Jonah 1: 4.) These were GOD's
bailiffs, to arrest the run-away Prophet. And (Psalm cxlviii.
8) the stormy winds are said to " fulfil
his word;" not only his " command," in,rising
when GOD bids them, but his word of " threatening" also. And hence
it is called " a destroying wind," (Jer. li. 1,) and " a stormy
wind in GOD's fury." (Ezek. 13: 13.)
APPLICATION.
If these be the executioners of the
LORD'S threatenings, how sad then is their condition
that put to sea under the guilt of their sins! If GOD should commission the
Winds to go after and arrest thee for all you owest him, where art you then? How dare you put forth under
a divine
threat, before all be cleared between GOD and thee? Sins in Scripture
are called debts. (Matt. 6: 12.) They are debts to GOD; not that we owe them
to him, or ought to sin, but because they render the sinner obnoxious to GOD's
judgments. All sinners must undergo the curse, either in their own person,
according to the letter of the law, (Gen. 2: 17; Gal. 3: 1O,) or their Surety,
according to the tacit intent of the law manifested to be the mind of the
Lawgiver. (Gen. 3: 15; Gal. 3: 13, 14.)
Now, he that by faith has interest
in his Surety, has his discharge sealed in the blood of CHRIST: But if you
be an impenitent sinner, thy debt remains upon thine own score: " And be sure thy sin will find thee
out," wherever you goest; (Numb. xxxii. 9,3;)
that is, Gon's revenging hand for sin will be upon
thee: You may lose the sight of thy sins, but they lose not the sight of thee;
they follow after, as the hound does the fleeting game upon the scent, till
they have fetched thee up: And then consider, "how fearful a thing it
is to fall into the hands of the living GOD." How soon may a storm arrest,
and bring thee before the bar of GOD!
REFLECTION.
O MY soul, what a case art you in,
if this be so!' Are not all thy sins yet upon thine own score? Have you not made light of CHRIST, and that
precious blood of his, and hitherto persisted in thy rebellion against him?
And what can the issue of this be, but ruin? There is abundant mercy indeed
for returning sinners;. but
the Gospel speaks of none for impenitent sinners. And though many who are
going on in their sins are overtaken by grace, yet there is no grace promised
to such as go on in sin. If GOD, should arrest me by the next storm, and call
me to of account for all that I owe him, I must then he in the prison of hell
to all eternity; for I can never, pay the debt Nay, all the angels in heaven
cannot satisfy for it: Being CHRISTless, I am under
all the curses in the book of GOD. LORD, pity and spare me a little' longer!
O discover thy CHRIST unto
me, and give me faith in his blood, and then you art fully satisfied,
and I discharged, at once. O require not the debt at my hand, for then you
wilt never be satisfied, nor I acquitted. What profit, LORD, is there in my
blood! O my soul, make haste to CHRIST, thy city of refuge; you knows not
how soon the avenger of blood may overtake thee.
CHAPTER 19.
Merchandise to be thrown overboard in a
Storm.
OBSERVATION.
IN storms the richest commodities are
cast overboard; they stand not upon it, when life and all is in hazard. Jonah
1: 5, the mariners cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea,
to lighten it. How highly soever men prize such
commodities, yet reason tells them, it were better those should perish, than
life. SATAN himself could say, " Skin for skin, and all that a man has
will he give for his life."
APPLICATION.
AND surely, it is every way as highly
reasonable, that men should cast out and cut off their dearest lusts, rather
than their immortal souls sink and perish in the storm of GOD's
wrath. Life indeed is a precious treasure, and highly valued by men: "
A living dog is better than a dead lion." And we find men willing
to part with their estates, limbs, or any outward comfort, for the preservation
of it. The woman in the Gospel spent all she had on the Physicians for her
health, a degree below life.
Some indeed much over-value their lives,
and part with CHRIST and peace of conscience for it; but he that thus saves
it shall lose it. Now, if life be so much worth, what then is the soul worth?
Life is more worth than all the world, but my soul
is more worth than ten thousand lives. Nature teacheth
you to value the first so high, and grace should teach you to value the second
much higher.. Now here is the case Either
you must part with your sins, or with your souls; if these be not cast out,
both must sink together. GOD says to you in this case, as to AHAB, when he
spared BENHADAD, " Because you has let go a
man, which GOD has appointed to destruction, therefore thy life shall go for
his life." (1 Kings 20: 42.) Guilt will raise a storm of wrath, as JONAH did, if not
cast out.
REFLECTION.
AND must sin or the soul perish? Must
my life, yea my eternal life go for it, if I spare it? O then let me not be
cruel to mine own soul, in sparing my. sin, O my soul, this foolish indulgence will be thy ruin: If
I spare it GOD has said, " he will not spare me." (Dent. 26: 2O.)
It is true, the pains of mortification are sharp,
but yet easier than the pains of hell: To cut off a right hand, or pluck out
a right eye, is hard; but to have my soul cut off eternally from GOD, is harder.
Is it as easy, O my soul, to burn for them in hell, as to mortify them on
earth? Surely.it is " profitable for
me, that one member perish, rather than that all be cast into hell."
I see the merchant willing to part
with rich wares, if embarked with them in a storm: And those that have gangrened
legs or arms, willingly stretch them out to be cut
off, to preserve life: And shall I be willing to endure no difficulties for
my soul? CHRIST reckoned souls worth his blood; and is it not worth my self
denial? LORD, let me not warm a snake in. my bosom, that will at last sting me to the heart.
CHAPTER 20:
The Sea not to be appeased.
OBSERVATION.
WHEN the sea works and is tempestuous,
it is not in the' power of any creature to appease it. When the Egyptians
would express an impossibility, they did it by the
picture of a man treading upon the waves. It is storied of CANUTE, an ancient
Danish King, that when a mighty storm of flattery arose upon him, he appeased
it by showing that he could not appease the sea: One of his courtiers told
him, as be rode near the seaside,’ that he was Lord of the’sea, as well as land.'‘ Well,' said the' King,’ we shall
see that by and by:' And so went to the water-side, and with a loud voice
cried,’ O ye sea and waves, come no farther, touch not my feet.' But the sea
came up, notwithstanding that charge, and confuted the flattery. But JESUS
CHRIST has the command of them indeed: It is said of him, " that he rebuked
them:" (Matt. viii. 26:) And he quiets them
with. a word, " Peace, be still," (Mark
4: 38,)
as one would hush a child, and it. obeyed him.
APPLICATION.
CONSCIENCE, when awakened by the terrors
of the LORD, is like a raging tempestuous sea; so it works, so it roars; and
it is not in the power of all the creatures to quiet it. Spiritual terrors,
as well as spiritual consolations, are not
known till felt. When the arrows of the Almighty are shot into
the spirit, and the terrors of GOD set themselves in array against the soul;
when the venom of those arrows drinks up the spirits, and those armies of
terrors charge violently upon it, (as Job 6: 4,) what creature then is able
to stand before them! Even Gon's own children have
felt such terrors as have " distracted"
them. (Psalm lxxxi. 51.) Conscience is the seat
of guilt. It is like a burning-glass, it contracts
the beams of the threatenings, twists them together,
and reflects them on the soul, until it smoke, scorch, and flame. If the wrath
of a King be like the roaring of a lion, then what is the Almighty's wrath!
which is °' burning wrath," (Job xix. 11,) "
tearing wrath," (Psalm 1: 22,) and "abiding wrath." (Job 3:
16.)
In this case no creature can relieve,’1
all are physicians of no value;" some under these terrors have thought
hell more tolerable, and by a violent hand have thrust themselves out of
the world into it, to avoid these gnawings Yet JESUS CHRIST can quickly calm these waves also,
and hush them with a word; yea, he is the Physician, and no other. It is the
sprinkling of his blood which allays those heats within: That blood of sprinkling
speaks peace, when all other have practiced upon the soul to no purpose; and
the reason is, because he is a person in whom GOD and man, justice and mercy
meet, and kiss each other. And hence faith fetches in peace to the soul.
REFLECTION.
CAN none appease a troubled conscience
but CHRIST? Then learn, O my soul, daily more and more to savour
that glorious name, even JESUS, that delivers not only from, the wrath to
come, but that which is felt here also. If the foretaste of hell be so intolerable,
if a few drops let fall on the conscience in this life, be so scalding and
insufferable, what is it to have all the vials poured out to eternity, when
there shall be nothing to divert or allay it.
Here men have somewhat to abate those
terrors, some -hopes of mercy, at least a possibility; but there is none.
O my soul! how art you loaded with guilt! And what wouldest
you be, should GOD rouse that sleepy lion in thy bosom! My condition is not
at all the better, because my conscience is quiet: The day is coming, when
it must awake, and will lighten and thunder terribly within me, if I get not
CHRIST first. O LORD, who knows the power of thy wrath? O let me not carry
this guilt out of the world with me, to maintain those everlasting flames!
Let me
give no sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine
eye-lids, till I feel the comfort of that blood of sprinkling, which
CHAPTER 21:
On the Plenty of Fish in the Sea.
OBSERVATION.
THE Providence of GOD in furnishing
us with_ such plenty of fish, is not slightly to be passed over. We have not
only several sorts of fish in our own seas, which are caught in their seasons;
but from several parts, especially the western parts of England, many sail
of ships are sent yearly to the American parts of the world: Whence every
year is brought home, not only enough to supply our own nation, but many thousand
pounds worth also yearly returned from Spain, and other countries; by which
trade many thousand families subsist.
APPLICATION
BUT what return do we make to Heaven
for these mercies? What notice is taken of the good hand of Providence, which
thus supplies and feeds us with the blessings of the sea; I fear there are
but few that own it, and are careful to make return accordingly. Men do not
consider, that "their works are in the hand of GOD.", (Eccles. 9:
1.) And even those that have the most immediate dependence upon Providence,
as merchants and seamen, yet are very prone to undertake designs in the confidence
of their own wisdom and industry; not looking higher for the blessing. They
often " sacrifice to their own -net, and burn incense to their drag,
because by them their portion is fat, and their meat Plenteous;" (Hab.
i 16;) viz. They attribute what is due to GOD, unto
the creature. Now this is a sin highly provoking to the LORD: For look, in
what degree the heart
alone speaketh peace
cleaves to any other, in the same degree it departs from the living God.
And how do you think the blessed GOD
will take it, to see himself thus debased, and the creature exalted into his
place; to see you carry yourselves to the creature as to a GOD, and to the
blessed GOD as to a creature? Surely, it is a great and common evil, and such
as will blast all, if not timely discovered and lamented. If we make flesh
our arm, it is just with God to wither and dry up the arm. Do we not, my brethren,
look upon second causes, as if they had the main stroke in our business? And
pass by GOD, as if he came in by the bye? But certainly, all endeavors will
be unsanctified, if not successless, in which GOD
is not eyed.
It is in vain for you to rise up early,
and sit up late, and eat the bread of sorrows; for so he giveth
his beloved sleep;" (Psalm cxxvii. 2;) that is, It is to no purpose for men to beat their
brains, tire their spirits, and rack their consciences for an estate. The
true way of acquiring and enjoying the creature, is by submitting quietly
to the will of GOD, in a prudent and diligent, yet moderate use of lawful
means; nothing can thrive with us till then.
REFLECTION.
WHY then should I disquiet myself in
vain, and rob myself of my peace, by these unbelieving cares and distractions?
This has been my sin! I have acted as if my condition had been at my own disposal:
I have eyed creatures and means too much, and GOD too little. How have my
hands hanged down with discouragement, when second causes have disappeared,
or wrought cross to my designs, ready to transfer the fault on this thing
or that! And again, how apt am I to be vainly lifted up, when I see myself
furnished with outward provision! Oh, what a GODprovoking wickedness is this! How oft has Providence checked
my presumption, and dashed many hopeful projects? Yet have I not owned it,
as I ought, and submitted to it. It is a wonder this has not closed the hand
of Providence
against me, and pulled down a curse upon all: Ah, LORD, let me now learn to
" acquaint myself with Thee; then shall I decree
a thing, and it shall be established." (Job 22:
28.)
CHAPTER 22:
The Mariners' Skill in Fishing.
OBSERVATION.
THERE is skill in fishing: They that
go to sea on a fishing voyage, use to go provided with their craft, (as they
fitly call it,) without which they can do nothing. They have their lines,
hooks of several sizes, and their bait: They carefully observe their seasons;
when the fish falls in, then they ply their business day and night.
APPLICATION.
BUT how much more skilful and industrious
is SATAN to ensnare and destroy Souls! The Devil makes a voyage as well as
you; he has his baits for you, as you for the fish; he has his devices and
wiles to catch souls; he is a serpent, an old serpent; too crafty for man
in his perfection, much more in his degenerate state, his understanding being
hurt by the fall, and all his faculties poisoned and perverted.
Divines observe four steps or degrees of SATAN's tempting power. 1. He can find out the constitution-evils
of men; he knows to what sin their natures are more especially inclinable.
2. He can propound suitable objects to those lusts; he can exactly hit every
man's humor: As AGRIITINA mixed her poison in that meat her husband loved
best. 3. He can cast motions into the mind, to close with those tempting objects;
as it is said of JUDAS, " The Devil put it into his heart." (John
13: 2.) 4. He can solicit, irritate, and provoke the heart, and, by those
restless solicitations, weary it; and hereby he often draws men to commit
such things as startled them in the first motion.
All this he can do, if he find the
work stick and meet with difficulties; yet does he not act to the utmost of
his skill and power, at all times and with all persons; neither indeed need
he so to do, the very propounding of an object is enough to some without any
further solicitation.
And beside all this, his policy much appears in
the,choice of place, time, and instruments to tempt by: And
thus are poor souls caught, as " fishes in an evil net." (Eccles.
9: l2.) The carnal man is led by sense, as the beast, and SATAN handles and
fits him accordingly. He uses all sorts of motives, not only internal, but
external and sensitive also; as the sparkling of the wine, when it gives its
colors in the glass: The harlot's beauty, whose eye-lids are snares, hiding
always the hook, and concealing the issue from them. He promises them gain
and profit, pleasure and delight, and all that is tempting, with assurance
of secrecy. By these he fastens the fatal hook in their jaws, and thus they
are led captive at his will.
REFLECTION.
AND is SATAN SO subtle and industrious
to entice souls to sin? Does he thus cast out his golden baits, and allure
souls with pleasure to their ruin? Then how does it behoove thee, O my soul,
to be jealous and wary! How strict a guard should I set upon every sense!
Ah, let me not so much regard how sin comes towards me in the temptation,
as how it goes off at the last. The day in which SonoM was destroyed, began with a pleasant sun-shine, but
ended with fire and brimstone.
I may promise myself much content in
the satisfaction of my lusts: But O, how certainly will it end in my ruin!
AHAB, doubtless, promised himself much content in the vineyard of NABOTH,
but his blood paid for it in the portion of JEZRREL. The harlot's bed was
perfumed to entice the simple young man: (Prov.
7: 17:) But those chambers of delight proved the chambers of death, and her
house the way to hell. With what aniling face doth
sin come on towards me in the temptations! How does it tickle the fancy and
please the deceived heart? But what a dreadful upshot has it? The delight
is quickly gone, but the guilt thereof remains to amaze and terrify the soul
with ghastly forms, and dreadful representations of the wrath of GOD.
As sin has its delights attending it
to enter and fasten it, so it has its horrors and stings to torment and wound
And as certainly as 1:see those go before it to make way, so certainly shall
I find these follow after, and tread upon its heels. No sooner is the conscience
awakened, but all those delights vanish as a night-vision, or as a dream when
one awakes; and then I shall cry,’ Here is the hook, but where is the bait?
Here is the guilt and horror, but where the delight that was promised? And
I, whither shall I now go? Ah, my deceitful lusts! You have enticed and left
me in the midst of all miseries.
CHAPTER 23:
On the Dearth of Trade to foreign Countries.
OBSERVATION.
THERE are many sad complaints abroad
that trade fails, nothing turns to account. And though all countries be open
and free-for traffic, yet there seems to be a dearth, a secret curse upon
trading. You run from country to country, and come losers home. Men can hardly
render a reason of it; few hit the right cause of this judgment.
APPLICATION.
THAT success in trade is from the blessing
of GOD, I suppose few are so atheistical, as to deny or question. The Devil himself acknowledges
it: " You has blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased
in the land." (Job 1: 1O.) It is not in the power of man to get riches,
" You shall remember the Lord thy Gon, for it is he that giveth thee
power to get wealth." (Deut. viii. 18.) It is his blessing that makes
good men rich, and his permission that makes wicked men rich. The maxim came
from hell:’ Every man is the contriver of his own condition.' Certainly,
"The good of man is not in his own hand." (Job 21: 16.) " Promotion
cometh not from the east or west. (Psalm lxxvi.
6. 7.)
This being acknowledged, it is evident, that in
all disappointment, and want -of success in our callings, we ought not to
stick in second causes, but to look higher, even to the hand of Gon:
For, whose it is to give blessing, his also it is to withhold it. And this
is as clear in Scriptnre as the other. It is the
LORD that taketh away the fishes of the sea. (Hos.
4: 3; Zeph. 1: 3.) It is he that " curseth our blessings." (Mal. 2: O.)
This GOD does as a punishment for sin, and the
abuse of mercies: And therefore in such cases, we ought not to rest in general
complaints of one another, but search what those sins are that provoke the
LORD to inflict such judgments.
And here I must request your patience
to bear a plain and close word of conviction. My brethren, I am persuaded
these are the sins, among many other,' that provoke the LORD to blast all
your employments;
1. Our undertaking designs without
prayer. Alas, how few of us begin with Gon! Interest him in our dealings, and ask counsel and direction
at his mouth. Prayer is that which sanctifies all employments. The very Heathen
could say, A Jove principium,-They must begin with GOD. O that we had more
prayers and fewer oaths!
2. Injustice and fraud in our dealings.
A sin to which merchants are prone. This is that which will blast all our
enjoyments.
3. An over earnest endeavor after the
world: Men make this their business; they will be rich: And hence it is, they
are not only unmerciful to themselves, in wearing and wasting their own spirits,
with carking cares, but to such as they employ; neither regarding the souls
nor bodies of men Scarce affording them the liberty of the Lord's day; (as
has been too common in our Newfoundland employments;) or if they have it,
yet they are so worn out with incessant labors, that that precious time is
spent either in sleep or - idleness.’ It is no wonder GOD gives you more rest
than you would have, since that day of rest has been no better improved. This
over-doing has not been the least cause of our undoing.
Lastly, Our abuse of prosperity, when GOD gave
it; making Gon's mercies the food and fuel of our lusts. When we had
an affluence of outward blessings, this made us kick against GOD: Yea,- grow
proud of our strength and, riches. How-.few of us, in the days of our prosperity,
behave ourselves as good JEHOSHAPHAT did? " He had silver and gold in
abundance, and his heart was lifted in the way of GOD's
commandments; (2 Chron. 17: 5, 6;) not in pride
and insolence.
REFLECTION.
ARE these the sins that blast our blessings,
and wither our mercies? O then let me cease to wonder it is no better, and
rather admire' that it is no worse with me; that my neglect in prayer, injustice
in dealings, earthly-mindedness, and abuse of former mercies, have not provoked
GOD to.strip me naked of all my enjoyments. Let
me humbly accept from the LORD the punishment of my iniquities, and lay my
hand upon my mouth. And O that these disappointments might convince me of
the creature's vanity, and cause me to drive on another trade for heaven;
then shall I adore thy wisdom in rending from me those idolized enjoyments.
Ah LORD, when I had them, my heart was a perpetual drudge to them. How did
I then forget GOD, neglect duty, and not mind my eternal concern! If these
had not perished, in all probability I had perished. My GOD, let my soul prosper,
and then a small portion of these things. shell afford me more comfort than
ever I had in their greatest abundance. " A little that a righteous
man has, is better than the riches of many wicked."
CHAPTER 24:
On the Fishes of Prey.
OBSERVA17ON.
THERE are fishes of prey in the sea,
as well as birds and beasts of prey on the land. Our seamen tell us, how the
devouring whales, sharks, and other fishes, follow smaller fish, and devour
multitudes of them. It is frequent with us, in our own seas, to find several
smaller fishes in the bellies of the greater ones; yea, I have often beard
seamen say, that the poor little fry, when pursued, are so sensible of the
danger, that they have sometimes seen multitudes of "them cast themselves
upon the shore, and perish there, to avoid the danger of being devoured.
APPLICATION.
THUS cruel, merciless, and oppressive
are wicked men, whose "tender mercies are cruelty." (Prov.
22: 1O.) We see the like cruelty in our extortioners,
and over-reaching sharks ashore, who grind the faces of the poor, and regard
not the cries of thefatherless and widows, but fill their houses with the gain
of oppression. These are, by the HOLY GHOST, compared to the fishes of the
sea. (Hab. 1: 13, 14.) This is a crying sin, yea,
it sends up a loud cry to heaven for vengeance: " If you afflict the
widow and the fatherless,
and they cry unto me, I will surely hear their
cry." (Exodl 22: 23.) Nay, GOD will not only hear their cry, but
avenge
their quarrel. That is a remarkable text, "
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter, because the LORD
is the avenger’ of all such." (1 Thess 4: 6.)
This word, *, Avenger, is but once more used in the New Testament,.Rom.
13: 4. And there it is applied to the civil Magistrate, who is to see execution
done upon offenders. But this is a sin that sometimes may be out of the reach
of man's justice, and therefore GOD himself will be their avenger. You may
overpower the poor in this world, and it may be they cannot contend with you
at man's bar; therefore GOD will bring it before his bar.
It is a sin so provoking to GOD, that
he will not let it escape without severe, punishment sooner or later. The
Prophet HABAKKUK, (Chap. 1: ver. 13,) wondered how
the holy GOD could forbear such till the general day of reckoning, and that
he did not take exemplary vengeance on them in this life. " You art of
purer eyes than to behold evil, and can not look upon iniquity: Wherefore
then lookest you upon them that deal treacherously,
and boldest thy tongue when the wicked devours the man that is more righteous
than he?" And, " Enter not into the fields of the fatherless, (Prov.
23: 1O, 11)) that is, of the poor and helpless. But why is it more dangerous
violently to invade their right, than another's? The reason is added, "
For their Redeemer is mighty, and he shall plead their cause with thee."
It may be they are not able to retain a counsel to plead their cause here;
therefore GOD will plead their cause for them.
REFLECTION.
TURN in upon thyself (O my soul) and
consider, have you not been guilty of this crying sin? Have I not (when a
servant) over-reached and defrauded others, and filled my master's house with
violence and deceit? And so brought myself under that dreadful threatening,
Zeph. 1: 9. Or since I came to trade and deal upon
mine own account, have not the balances of deceit been in my hand? I have
(it may be) kept many,in my service and employment;
have not I used their labors without reward, and so am under that woe? (Jer.
22: 13.) Or not given them wages proportionable to their work? (Isa.
lviii. 3.) Or by bad payment, and unjust deductions
defrauded them of a part of their due? (Mal. 3: 5.) Or at least delayed payment,
out of a covetous disposition to gain by it; whilst their necessities in
the mean time cried aloud for it; and so sinned against GOD's
express commands? (Deuteron. 24: 14, 15; Levit.
xix. 3O.) O my soul, examine thyself upon these particulars: Rest not quiet,
until this guilt be removed by the application of the blood of sprinkling.
has not the LORD said, " that they shall have judgment without mercy,
that have showed no mercy?" (James 2: 13.) And is it not a "fearful
thing to fall into the hands of the living GOD,", who has said, He will
take vengeance for these things?
CHAPTER 25
On Sailing in a Storm.
OBSERVATION.
IN storms at sea, the wise navigator
will not spread much sail; that is the way to lose masts and all; they use
then to furl up the sails, and he a hull, when not able to bear a knot of
sail; or else to he a try, or scud before the wind and seas.. It is no time
then to hoist up the top-gallant, and show their bravery.
APPLICATION.
WHEN the judgments of GOD are abroad
in the earth, it is no time then to make mirth. It is a provoking evil: And
commonly GOD severely punishes it. Of all persons, such speed worst in the
common calamity: " Woe to them that are at ease in Sion,
that are not grieved for the afflictions of JOSEPH!" (Amos 6: 1; as verse
4.) It may be (as one observes upon the text) they did not laugh at him, but
they did not condole, with him. And what shall be their punishment? "
Therefore now shall they go captive, with the first that go captive:"
(See verse 7.) GOD will begin with them first. That is a terrible text, (Isa.
22: 12,) which should make the heart of such as are guilty in this kind to
tremble: - In that day did the LORD of hosts call to mourning, and to girding
with sackcloth; and behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen, killing sheep,
drinking wine." Well, what is the issue of this? " Surely, this
iniquity shall not be purged from you, till you die." O dreadful word!
Surely (my brethren) sympathy is a debt we owe to CIpRIST
mystical. Whatever-our constitution, or condition be, yet when GOD calls for
mourning, we must hear and obey that call. DAVID was a King, an expert musician,
a man of a cheerful constitution; yet who more sensible of the evil of those
times,’ than he? Rivers of water ran down his eyes at the consideration of
them. MELANCTHON was so affected with the miseries of the Church in his days,
that he seemed to take little or no notice of the death of his child, whom
he entirely loved.
REFLECTION.
BLUSH then, O my soul! for thy levity
and insensibility under GOD's angry dispensations.
How many of the precious sons and daughters of Sion, he in tears abroad, while I have been " nourishing
my heart, as in a day of slaughter! The voice of GOD has cried to the city,
and men of upderstanding have heard its voice."
(Micah 6: 9.) But I,have been deaf to that cry.
How loath (my GOD) have I been to urge my sensual heart to acts of sorrow
and mourn. ing: You have bid me weep with them that
weep, but my vain heart cannot comply with such commands. Ah LORD! If I mourn
not with Sion, neither shall I rejoice with her.
O! were mine eyes opened, and my heart
sensible and tender, I might see cause enough to melt into tears, and to he
weeping at the feet of CHRIST. LORD, what stupidity is this! Shall I laugh
when you art angry, and thy children weeping and trembling? Then I must justly
fear, lest’C when they shall sing for, joy of heart,
I shall howl for vexation of spirit." (Isa. lxv. 13, 14.) Surely, O my
soul! such laughter will be turned into mourning, either here or hereafter.
CHAPTER 26
On a Leak in a Vessel.
OBSERVATION.
THE smallest leak, if not timely discovered
and stopped, is enough to sink a ship of the greatest burden: Therefore seamen
are wont frequently to try what water is in the hold; and if they find it
fresh, and increasing upon them, they ply the pump, and presently set the
carpenters to search for it and stop it; and till it be found, they cannot
be quiet.
REFLECTION.
WHAT such a leak is to a ship, that
is the smallest sin neglected to the soul; it is enough to ruin it eternally.
For as the greatest sin, discovered, lamented and forsaken by a believer,
cannot ruin him; so the least sin indulged, covered and connived at, will
certainly prove the destruction of the sinner. No sin, though never so small,
is tolerated by the pure and perfect law of GOD, the " command is exceeding
broad;" (Psalm cxix. 99;) not as if it gave
men a latitude to walk as they please, but broad, that is, extending itself
to all our words, thoughts, actions, and affections. Laying a law upon them
all; conniving at no evil in any man.
And as the word gives no allowance
for the least sin, so it is the very nature of sincerity and uprightness,
to set the heart against every way of wickedness; and especially against that
sin, which was its darling in the days of his vanity. True _ hatred (as the
philosopher observes) is of the whole kind: He that hates sin, as sin, (and
so does every upright soul,) hates all sins as well as some.
Again, the soul that has had a saving sight of
JESUS CHRIST, a true discovery of the evil of sin, in the glass both of the
Law and Gospel, can account no sin small. He knows the demerit of the smallest
sin is GOD's eternal wrath, and that not the least sin can be remitted,
without the application of the blood of CHRIST, which blood is of infinite
value.
REFLECTION.
AND is the smallest sin not only damning
in its own nature, but the ruin of that soul that covers it? Then let my spirit,
accomplish a diligent search. Look to it, O my soul! that no sin be indulged
by thee. Set these considerations as so many flaming swords in the way of
thy carnal delights: Let me never say of any sin, as LOT did of ZOAR, a It
is a little one, spare it." And shall I spare that which cost the blood
of JESUS CHRIST? The LORD would not spare him, "when he made his soul
an offering for sin." Neither will he spare me, if I defend and hide
it: If my heart were right, that lust, whatever it be, that is so favored
by me, would especially be abhorred and hated. Whatever my convictions and
reformations have been, yet if there be but one sin retained and delighted
in, this keeps the Devil's interest still in my soul: And though, for a time,
he seem to depart, yet at last he will return with seven worse spirits, and
this sin will open to him, and deliver up my soul. LORD, let me make a thorough
work of it Let me cut it off, and pluck it out, though it be as a right hand
or eye. Shall I come so near the kingdom of GOD, and make such a fair offer for CHRIST, and yet stick at
a small matter, and lose all for want of one thing? LORD, let me shed the
blood of the dearest sin, for His sake that shed his dearest blood for me.
CHAPTER 27
On the Variation of the Wind.
OBSERVATION.
THOUGH in most parts of the world the
winds are variable, and sometimes blow from every point of the compass, by
reason whereof sailing is slow and dangerous; yet upon the equinoctial, seamen
meet with a trade-wind, blowing for the most part one way; and there they
sail jocund before it, and scarce need to lower a top-sail, for some hundreds
of leagues.
APPLICATION.
ALTHOUGH the people of GOD meet with
many-seeming rubs in their way to heaven, which are like contrary winds to
a ship; yet are they, from the day of their conversion to the day of their
complete salvation, never out of a tradewind's
way to heaven: " We know that all things work together for good, to
them that love GOD." (Rom. viii. 21.) This is a most precious scripture,
pregnant with consolation to all believers in all conditions. Let us look
a little nearer to it.
" We know." Mark the certainty
and evidence of the proposition, which is not built upon a guess, but upon
knowledge. " We know it," and that partly by divine revelation,
GOD has told us so; and partly by our own experience, we find it so. "
That all things." Not only things that he in a natural and direct tendency
to our good, as ordinances, promises, blessings;’but even such things as have no natural fitness
to such an end, as afflictions, temptations. All these help onward: They "
Work together." Not all of them directly, and of their own nature, but
by being over-ruled to such an issue by the gracious hand of GOD: Nor yet
do they work out such good to us, singly and apart, but as adjuvant causes
or helps working in subordination to the supreme cause of our happiness.
Afflictions seem to work against us; but being
once put into the rank andorder of causes, they
work together with such blessed instruments, as the word and prayer,
to an happy issue. And though the face of these things, that thus agree and
work together, look contrary ways; yet there be, as it were, secret chains
and connections of Providence between them, to unite them in their issue. There may be
many Instruments employed about one work, and yet not communicate counsels,
or hold intelligence with each other. JOSEPH'S brethren, the Midianites,
POTIPHAR, knew not one another's mind, nor aimed at one end, much less the
end that GOD brought about by them: One acts out of revenge, another for gain,
a third out of policy; yet all meet together at last,' in that issue GOD had
designed to bring about by them, even JOSEPH'S advancement. Even so it is
here, Christian, there be more instruments at work for thine
eternal good, than you art aware of.
REFLECTION.
CHEER up then, O my soul, and lean
upon this pillow of comfort in all distresses. Here is a promise for me, that,
like the philosopher's stone, turns all into gold it toucheth.
This promise is my security, however things go in the world, " My GOD
will do me no hurt." (Jer.,~xxv. 6.) Nay, he
will do me good by every dispensation. " O that I had but an heart to
make all things work for his glory, that thus causes every thing for my good."
My GOD, dost you turn every thing to my advantage? O let me return all to
thy praise; and if by every thing you workout my eternal good, then let me
in every thing give thanks.
But ah! how foolish and ignorant have
I been! Even as a beast before thee. How has my heart beenn
disquieted at thy dispensations, when they have crossed my will! Not considering
that my GOD faithfully pursues my good, even in those things that cross, as
well as in' that which pleases me.
What a blessed condition are all thy
people in! All things friendly and beneficial to them, friends helpful, enemies
helpful, every thing conspiring and conducing to their happiness. With others
it is not so; nothing works for their good, nay, every thing works against
it: Their very mercies are snares, and their prosperity destroys them. (Prow.
1: 32.) Even the blessed Gospel itself is a savour of death to them: When evil befals
them, it is " an only, evil;" (Ezek. 7: 5;) that is, not turned
into good to them; and as their evils are not turned into good, so all their
good is turned into evil. As this promise has an influence upon all the enjoyments
of the wicked, O my soul,, bless the LORD, who has cast thy lot into such
a pleasant place, and given thee such a glorious heritage.
CHAPTER 28:
Onfair Weather.
OBSERVATION.
IN fair weather, when there is sea-room
enough, every common person can guide the ship, the pilot may then he down
and take his rest; but in great storms and stress of weather, or when near
the dangerous shore, then the most skilful pilot is put to it: Then he shows
the utmost of his art, and yet sometimes all is too little. They are at their
wit's end, know not what to do more, but are forced to commit all to the
mercy of GOD and the seas.
APPLICATION
In the storms of affliction there are
the most evident and full discoveries of the wisdom and power of our GOD;
which are indeed continually active for his people in all conditions. "
He that keepeth Israel, neither slumbereth nor sleepeth."
(Psalm cxxi. 4.) His people's dangers are without
intermission, therefore his preservations are so too. But, when they come
into the straits of deadly dangers, which threaten like rocks on every side;
the wisdom of their GOD rides triumphantly and visibly upon the waves of that
stO - my sea. -And this infinite wisdom is then
especially discovered in these particulars.
1. In leaving them still somewhat,
in the room of those comforts that they are deprived of; so that they see
God does exchange their comforts, and that for the
better; and this supports them. So (John 14: 1, 2, 3) CHRIST'S bodily presence
is removed, but the SPIRIT was sent in the room of it, which was better.
2. In doubling their strength, as he
doubles their burdens. 1t is observed, that believers have many times very
strong and sweet consolations, a little -before their greatest trials: And
this is so ordinary, that when they have had extraordinary consolations from
GOD, they have then looked for some eminent trial. The LORD appeared to ABRAHAM,
and sealed the covenant to him, and then put him upon that great trial of
his faith. So PAUL had first his revelations, then his buffetings.
3. In coming so opportunely in the
time of their distress, with relief and comfort. " Then the SPIRIT of
glory and of GOD resteth on them." (1 Pet.
4: 14.) As that martyr cried out to his friend AUSTIN, at the very stake,’
He is come, He is come!'
4. In appointing and ordering the several
kinds of afflictions, and allotting to every one, that very affliction, and
no other, which is most suitable to his condition: Which afflictions, like
so many potions of physic, are prepared for that very malignant humor that
predominates in them. PETER'S sin was self-confidence, GOD permits him to
fall by denying CHRIST: Which doubtless was sanctified to his good, in that
particular. HEZEKIA's sin was vainglory; therefore
spoilers are-sent to take away his treasures.
5. In the duration of their troubles';
they shall not he always upon them. Our GOD is a God of judgment. (Isa.
30: 18.) He knows the due time of removing it, and is therein punctual to
a (lay. (Rev. 2: 1O.)
REFLECTION.
IF the wisdom of GOD do thus triumph
in the distresses of his people, then why should I fear in the day of evil?
Why does my heart faint at the foresight of approaching trouble? Fear none
of those things that you shall suffer, O my soul! If thy GOD will thus be
with thee in the fire and water, you can not perish. Though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death, yet let me fear no evil, whilst my God
is with me. Creatures cannot do what they please, his wisdom limits and over-rules
them all, to gracious ends. If my God cast me into the furnace, to melt and
try me, yet I shall not be consumed there; for he will sit by the furnace
himself all the while, observing when it has done its work, and then will
presently withdraw the fire. O my soul, bless and adore this GOD of wisdom!
Who himself will see the ordering of all thine afflictions, and not trust it in the hands of men or
angels.
CHAPTER 29
On the Depth of the Ocean.
OBSERVATION.
THE ocean is so deep that no, eye can
discover what lies in the bottom thereof. W e use to say proverbially of a
thing that is irrecoverably lost,’ It is as good it were cast into the sea.'
What lies there, lies obscure from all eyes, but the eye of GOD.
APPLICATION.
THUS are the judgments of GOD, and
the ways of his Providence, profound and unsearchable: " Thy righteousness
is like the great mountains, and thy judgments are a great deep;" (Psalm
xxxvi. 16;) that is, his providences are secret, obscure, and unfathomable;
but even then and in those providences his righteousness stands up like the
great mountains, visible and apparent to every eye. These wheels of Providence are dreadful for their height. (Ezek. 1: 18.) There be
deep mysteries of Providence, as well as of faith. It may be said of some of them, as
of ST. PAUL'S Epistles, that they " are hard to be understood." Darkness and clouds
are round, about the throne of Gon: No man can say
what will be the particular event of some of his dispensations. LUTHER seemed
to hear GOD say to him, when he was importunate to know his mind in some particular
providence,’ I am a GOD not to be traced.' Some providences,
like Hebrew letters, must be read backward. (Psalm xcii.
7.) Some providences pose men of the greatest parts and graces. " His way is in the sea, his paths in the great waters,
and his foot-steps are not known." (Psalm lxxvii.
19.) Who can trace foot-steps in the bottom of the sea? There be some of GOD's works that are such secrets as that they may not be
inquired into; they are to be believed and adored, but not pried into. (Rom.
11: 33.)’
Others that may be inquired after, but. yet are so
profound that few can understand them. When we come to heaven, then all those
mysteries, as well in the works, as in the word of GOD, will he open to our
view.
REFLECTION.
THEN why is my heart disquieted, because
it cannot sometimes discern the way of the LORD, and the connection of his
providential dispensations?’ Why art you so perplexed, O my soul, at the confusions
and disorders that are in the world? I know that goodness and wisdom sit at
the stern: And though the vessel of the Church be tossed and distressed in
storms of trouble, yet it shall not perish. Is -it not enough for me, that
GOD has condescended so far for my satisfaction, as to show me plainly the
general issue of all these mysterious, providences, unless I be able to take
the height of every particular? Shall I presume to call the God of heaven
to account? Must He render a reason of his ways, and give an account of his
matters to such a worm as I am? Be silent, O my soul, before the LORD; subscribe
to his wisdom, and submit to his will, whatsoever he does. However it be,
yet GOD is good to ISRAEL; the event will manifest it to be all over a design of love.
I know not how to reconcile them to each other, or many of them to the promise;
yet are they all harmonious between themselves, and
the certain means of accomplishing the promises. O what a favor is this,
that in the midst of the greatest confusions in the world, GOD, has
given such abundant security to his people, that it shall be well with them!
CHAPTER 30
On the Multitudes of Men devoured by the Sea.
OBSERVATION.
WHAT multitudes of men has the sea
devoured! Thousands have made their graves in it. What numbers of men have
been ingulfed together in sea-fights, or storms,
or inundations, whereby whole towns have been swallowed up! Certainly the
dead which are there are innumerable.
APPLICATION.
BUT though the sea has received so
many thousand bodies of men into its devouring throat, yet is it not the absolute
lord or proprietor of them, but rather a steward entrusted with them, till*
the LORD require an account of them; and then it must deliver up all it has
received.,, And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before GOD And the
books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life;
and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which
were in it:' (Rev. 20: 11, 12.)
The doctrine of the resurrection of
the body, is a doctrine full of consolation to believers, and most clearly
asserted in Scripture. And it is well for us this point is so plainly revealed;
because, as it is a most comfortable truth to the people of GOD, so there
is scarce any truth that lies under more prejudice as to sense or reason,
and is more difficult to receive than this is. And indeed, if men set up
reason as the only judge of supernatural things,
it, is incredible to think that a body should be restored that has been burnt
to ashes, and those ashes scattered in the wind, as history tells us was frequently
done in DIOCLETIAN'S reign! Or when drowned in the sea, and there devoured
by several fishes, and those again devoured by others. But this is not to
be objected to the Almighty power of GOD, that gave them their first being.
Difficulties and impossibilities are for men, but not for Him.- Why should
it be thought a thing incredible' with you, that GOD should raise the dead?
REFLECTION.
AND must I rise again, wherever my
body fall at death? Then, LORD, how am I concerned to know CHRIST while I
live! By virtue thereof only, my resurrection can be made comfortable to me.
Let my. body he where it will, in earth or sea: Let my bones be scattered,
and flesh devoured by worms or fish, I know you can and wilt reunite my
scattered parts; and in this body I must stand before thine
awful tribunal, to receive according to what I have done therein. You that
commandedst me to stand forth amongst the noblest rank of
creatures, when I had no being, and sawest my substance,
being yet imperfect, can as easily reduce me to that being again.
What though reason vote this impossible,
and sense incredible? Though all these difficulties grow upon my faith, yet
I know my body is not lost for ever. The sound of thy trumpet shall awaken
me; and thy mighty power, to which all things are possible, shall bring me
before thy
bar. O LORD, I know that I- shall stand in that
great assembly, when multitudes, even all the sons and daughters of ADAM,
shall appear together. O! If I die CHRISTLESS, it were good for me that there
were no resurrection: For then those eyes that have been windows of lusts,
must behold CHRIST the Judge, not as a Redeemer, but as a Revenger. That tongue that has vented so much of the filthiness
of my heart, will then be struck speechless before Him; and this flesh, which
I so pampered, condemned to everlasting flames. O my Gon, let me make sure work for such a day. If I now am really
united with thy RoN, I shall awake with singing
out of the dust: And then, as you saidst to JACOB,
say to me, when I go down into the sea or grave, " Fear not to go down
into the deep; for I will surely bring thee up again." (Gen. xlvi. 3,
4.)
CHAPTER 31.
The Danger of Splitting upon the Rocks.
OBSERVA'ITON.
THOUGH seamen meet with violent storms,
yet if they have sea-room enough, they are not much dismayed; but if they
find themselves near the shore, they look upon their condition as very dangerous.
The sight of the shore is to them: (as SOLOMON speaks of the morning in another
case) like the shadow of death, if not able to weather it. For one ship swallowed
up in the ocean, many perish upon the coast.
APPLICATION.
" THE greatest difficulties that many meet with
in all their lives, is when they have almost finished their course. Heaven
indeed is a glorious place, the spacious mansion of the great King; but it
has a strait and narrow entrance. O the difficulty of arriving there! What
earnest contention and striving, even to an agony, as that word imports,
Luke 13: l4. Multitudes put forth, and by profession are bound for this fair
haven; but of the multitudes that put out, how few' arrive there! A man may
set out by a glorious profession, with much resolution, and continue long
therein; he may offer very fair for it, and not be far from the kingdom of Gon, and yet not be able to enter at the last.
Yea, and many of those who are sincere
in their profession, and do arrive at last, yet come to heaven (as I may
say) by the gates of hell;' and put in, as a poor weather-beaten vessel comes
into the harbor, more like a wreck than a ship, nor mast nor sail left. The
righteous
themselves are scarcely saved, that is, they are
saved with much difficulty They have not all " an abundant entrance,"
as the Apostle speaks. (? Pet. 1: 11.)
Some "persons (as one notes) are
afar off:" (Eph. 2: 23.) That is, touched with no care of religion. Some come near,
but never enter; as semi-converts. Others enter, but with great difficulty;
they are saved as by fire; make an hard shift. But
then there be some that go with full sail before the wind, and have "an
abundant entrance;" they go triumphing out of the world. When we come
into the narrow channel, at the, very point of entrance into life, the soul
is then in the most serious frame; all things look with a new face. Conscience
scans our evidence most critically; then also SATAN falls upon us, and makes
his sorest assaults. It is the last encounter; if they escape him now, they
are gone out of his reach for ever: And if he cannot hinder their_ salvation,,
yet if he can but cloud their evening, he reaches another end by it, even
to confirm and prejudice the wicked, and weaken the hands of others that are
looking towards religion.
REFLECTION.
IF this be so,. how inevitable is my
perdition, may the careless soul say? If they strive so much, and go so far,
yet perish at last; and if the righteous themselves are scarcely saved, then
where shall such a creature as I appear? O LORD, if they that have made religion
their business, and have been many years pursuing a work of mortification,
have gone mourning after the LORD JESUS; yea, if some of them have such hard
work at last, what will become of such a sensual, careless wretch as I have
been?
Again, do true Christians find it so
strait an entrance Then, though I have well-grounded hopes of safe arrival
at last; yet let me look to it, that I do not increase the difficulty. They
are the things that are now done or omitted, that put conscience into such
an agony then; for then it comes to review the life with the most serious
eye. O, let me not stick my death-bed full of thorns, against I come to he
down upon it! O that-I may turn to the wall in that hour, as HEZEHIAH did,
and say, " Remember now, O LORD, how I have walked before thee in truth,
and with a perfect heart!" (2 Kings 20: 2, 3.)
CHAPTER 32.
The Joey of Mariners on descrying Land.
OBSERVATION.
WHAT joy is there among seamen, when
at last, after a tedious and dangerous voyage, they descry land, and see the
desired haven! Then they turn out of their cabins and come upon open deck
with much joy. Now they can reflect with comfort upon the many dangers they
have past Olim hec meminisse
juvalrit, It is sweet to recount them.
APPLICATION.
BUT O, what transcendant
joy will over-run the hearts of saints, when after so many conflicts, temptations,
and afflictions, they arrive in glory, and are harbored in heaven, where
they shall rest for ever? The Scripture says, " They shall sing the song
of MOSES, and of the Lamb." (Rev. 15: 3.) The song of MOSES was a triumphant
song, composed for the celebration of that glorious deliverance at the Red Sea. We are now fluctuating upon a troublesome and tempestuous
sea; our hearts sometimes ready to sink and die within us, at the apprehension
of so many and great dangers and difficulties. Many a hard storm we ride out,
and many straits and troubles we here encounter with; but at last we arrive
at the desired and long-expected haven, and then heaven resounds with joyful
acclamations. And how can it be otherwise, when as soon as ever we set foot
upon that glorious shore, CHRIST himself meets and receives us, wit}, a "
Come, ye blessed of my Father?" (Matt. xxv, 34.)
O joyful voice! O much desired word! What tribulation would not a man undergo
for this word's sake!
O what a day will this be!'
If (says a worthy Divine) DIAGORAS died away with an excess of joy, whilst
he embraced his three sons that were crowned as victors in the Olympic games
in one day: And good old S IMEON, when he saw CHRIST but in a body subject
to the infirmities of our natures, cried out, " Now let thy servant depart
in peace:" What unspeakable joy will it be to the saints, to behold CHRIST
in his glory, and see their relations also, _ (to whose conversion, perhaps,
they have been instrumental,) all crowned in one day with everlasting diadems!
And if the stars did (as IGNATIUS says) make a choir, as it were, about that
star that appeared at CHRIST'S incarnation, and there be such joy in heaven
at the conversion of a sinner: No wonder then, " the morning stars sing
together, and the sons of GOD shout for joy, when the general assembly meet
in heaven." O how will the arches of heaven ring and echo, when the high
praises of GOD shall be in the mouth of such a congregation! Then shall the
saints be joyful in glory, and sing aloud upon their beds of everlasting rest.'
REFLECTION.
AND is there such a day approaching
for the sons of GOD indeed? And have I authority to call myself one of the
number? O then let me not droop at present difficulties, nor hang down my
hands when I meet with hardships in the way. O my soul, what a joyful day
will this be! At present we are tossed upon an ocean of troubles, fears, and
temptations; but these will make heaven the sweeter.
Cheer up then, O my soul, "thy
salvation is now nearer than when you first believedst." (Rom. 13:
11.) And it will not now belong ere I receive "
the end of my faith;" and then it will be sweet to reflect even
upon these hardships in the way. Yet a few days more, and then comes that
blessed day you have so long waited and panted for. Oppose the glory of that
day, O my soul, to thy present sufferings; anti you shall see how it will
shrink them all up to nothing. Oppose the inheritance you shall receive in
that day, to thy losses for CHRIST now; and see how joyfully it will make
thee bear them. Oppose the honor that will be put upon thee in that day, to
thy present reproaches; and see how easy it will make thee. What condition
can I be in, wherein the believing thoughts of this blessed day cannot relieve
me?
Am I poor? Here is that which answers
poverty " Hearken, my beloved brethren, has not GOD chosen the poor of
this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom?" (.Tames 3: 5.)
Am I tempted? Here is relief against that: Now is come salvation and strength;
for the accuser of our brethren is cast down." (Rev. 12: 1O.) Am I deserted?
Here is a remedy for that too: 11 And there shall be no night there,"
(Rev. 22: 5.)
Come then, my soul, let us enter upon our inheritance
by degrees, and begin the life of heaven upon earth.
CONCLUSION.
I HAVE now done, and am looking to
heaven for a blessing upon these weak labors: What use you will make of them,.I
know not; but this I know, that the day is coming, when GOD will reckon with
you for this, and all other helps and means afforded to you: And if it be
not improved by you, be sure it will be produced as a witness against you.
Sirs, I beg you in the name of CHRIST, before whom both you and I must shortly
appear, that you receive not these things in vain. Did I know what other lawful
means to use, that might reach your hearts, they should not be in vain to
you; but I cannot do GOD's part of the work, nor yours. Only I request you all,
both masters, common men, and all others, into whose hands this shall come,
that you will lay to heart what you read; pray unto Him " that has the
keys of the house of DAVID, that opens and no man shutteth,"
to open your hearts to give entertainment to these truths. Alas! if you apply
it not to yourselves, I have labored to no purpose, the pen of the Scribe
is in vain: But GOD may make such an application of them, in one stream or
other, as may make your hearts to tremble. O Sirs, when death and eternity
look you in the face, conscience may reflect upon these things to your horror
and amazement, and make you cry out, " How have I hated knowledge, and
my heart despised reproof! And have not obeyed the voice of my teacher, nor
inclined my ears to them that instructed me!" (Prov.
5: 12, 13.) And O what a dreadful shriek will such souls give, when the LORD
opens their eyes, to see that misery that they are here warned of! But if
the LORD shall bless these things to your conversion, then we may say to you,
as MOSES said to ZEBULUN, the mariner's tribe, " Rejoice, ZEBULUN, in
thy going out." (Dent. xxxiii. 1t.) The LORDD will be with you which
way soever you turn yourselves; and you are safe
in the midst of all dangers. O you that art the Father of spirits, that formedst,
and can easily reform the heart, open you the blind eye, unstop the deaf ear,
let the word take hold upon the heart: If you wilt but say the word, these
weak labors shall prosper, to bring home many lost souls unto thee. Amen.
