MEDITATION XI.
MEDITATION XI.
ON THE ANCHORS OF THE SHIP.
Spithead, May 4, 1758.
Men unacquainted with navigation, would think that the cables to which the anchors are appended were fastened to some part above deck. But it is not so; they come from the very inmost part of the ship. Even so, faith, which is the anchor of the soul, is no external form, or superficial act—but the very soul, in all her faculties, going out and fastening on Christ.
And, as it is enough to the ship that she rides safe at her moorings, though her anchors are not exposed to every eye—but hidden beneath an heap of waters, and only known by their effects—that she keeps by her station, in spite of winds and waves, of tides and storms. Just so, it is enough that the anchor of the soul is fixed within the veil. And though concealed from view; it will be known by its sweet effects. The soul shall abound in fruits of righteousness, shall find a sweet tranquility within, shall be stable like Mount Zion, while the wicked shall be tossed like straw before the whirlwind.
Sometimes a ship may drift, when the anchor has been lowered. But then it is owing to the anchor losing its hold. But this is remedied by letting out cable, or dropping the anchor anew. Just so, when the soul loses its hold of Christ and heavenly things, it is no wonder that it is driven here and there, by storms and tempests, among rocks and quick-sands; nor is there any other way of bringing the soul to rest and composure—but by acting faith more strongly on Christ, and casting her anchor anew within the veil.
It would be ridiculous for the shipmaster to hoist his sails without an anchor on board. But the Christian can never steer safely through the course of life—but with his anchor fixed within the veil; then, if he is thus heavenly wise, he shall weather every storm, and make the haven, the long wished for haven, at last.
Even the ship at anchor is never altogether free from motion in the greatest calm, and, at sometimes will roll in such a manner as to make some of the ship's company sick, and others believe that the anchor has lost its hold, and that all is in danger. Even so, the saints, though secured against utter ruin, may have many changes, may be much tossed with adversities, and various afflictions, and may have fears without, and fightings within.
But, how much wiser is the mariner in a storm, than the children of wisdom themselves! The fiercer the tempest, and the greater the danger, they cast out the more anchors. But the saints, in times of greatest trouble, instead of acting the strongest faith, are apt to cry out, 'Lost, and undone!' and so cut their cables and cast loose their anchors; and thus, and that always in a night of sorrow and anguish, are tossed on the rough sea of despondency and doubt, for a time.
Faith, however, has this advantage above all the cables ever made, and all the anchors ever fabricated, that it secures in spite of fiercest storms, and keeps safe in the midst of imminent dangers, relying more or less on him who cannot fail, even when providence contradicts the promise.
Now, as no ship goes to sea without her cables and anchors, though of no use until she comes again near the land; so I should do everything in faith; for without faith it is impossible to please God, or come to anchor in the harbor of glory.