MEDITATION XIV.
MEDITATION XIV.
PROVISIONS AND STORES.
The ship must not only be well supplied with everything necessary for navigation—but with food for the seamen on their voyage. If they have not stored both bread and water, they shall soon be in a starving condition, reduced to eat one another, or die, and never see the country for which they set out. In like manner, if we do not live on a crucified Jesus, if he is not the food of our souls, and in us the hope of glory. And if we cannot make a spiritual meal, a spiritual feast on the promises, we shall be consumed of famine, and perish in our passage.
Again, as this day's allowance will not support us tomorrow, so it is not by past grace received that we must pursue our Christian journey; for we must be strong only in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and daily receive out of his fullness.
Further, the provision which we carry to sea must be stored in another manner than what is used at land, otherwise it will corrupt, and become altogether useless. Even so, a form of godliness, and counterfeit graces, a mere notional faith, and a family-piety—will not support us in our passage to eternity.
Besides, in a scarcity of provisions, the vermin and rats will attempt to gnaw the flesh of the poor sailors. Even so, when grace is languid or withheld, what lusts prey on the vitals of the soul! O, then, for a full meal on the bread of life, that I may be safe from sin and Satan, earth and hell!
Our provisions, when long at sea, are apt to breed maggots, worms, and insects. Yet, if wholesome when put aboard, will support us until we accomplish our voyage. So, it is no wonder though, amidst so many snares, so many temptations, and in such a variety of circumstances and occurrences, the graces necessary to the Christian life, be more or less languid at times, and sometimes appear so much disposed to putrefaction, that spiritual death is dreaded to be at hand. But, if true grace be first implanted, the Christian shall not perish along the way—but have the bread and water of life bestowed upon him, until he comes to the banquet above.
Moreover, if a supply of provisions, suitable to the length of the voyage, or of the time designed to be at sea, is neglected—a scarcity will ensue, that will ruin the ship. So, how sad to sail through life, with nothing but vanity and wind to feed on! The soul must starve all his life-long, and die at last of spiritual famine, the most terrible of all deaths. A ship, indeed, short of provisions, may meet another at sea, and obtain a liberal supply. But this is not the case with a graceless soul; no other can help, none can spare of his own stores to supply others.
No private person, yes, nothing less than majesty, could afford so many people as are in the navy, this ample provision. So, neither from saints nor angels is the poor sinner to expect righteousness or grace; all are beggars or bankrupts themselves, and so can give no ransom for their brother's soul. But how rich the King of heaven—who gives both grace and glory to his angels and saints—and yet remains an overflowing ocean of goodness!
In a long voyage, it may be sometimes necessary to put the whole ship's company on short allowance of food. So, the saints, in their way heavenward, may find themselves for a time deprived of public ordinances, which should nourish the soul (it is our sin, without urgent causes—to deprive ourselves of the means of grace) yes, may find the communications of grace more sparingly bestowed, or, to their sense, for a season withheld. But still grace in the soul, and the soul itself, shall by faith be kept alive, until they land in glory, where they shall feast on the plentitude of all divine goodness.
Again, we must not only have the ship thoroughly equipped—but we must have spare anchors, spare sails, and spare masts; else in a storm, when we may be driven from our anchors, or at sea, when our sails may be blown to pieces—we must remain at the mercy of wind and wave, and perish in our distress. In like manner, it is proper that every Christian lay up in his mind the promises, the word on which God has caused him to hope; that in the day of darkness and tempest, when likely to sink in the mighty waves, he may have recourse to them, as holding forth an unchangeable love, and call to mind his past experience of divine goodness. Thus shall he weather out the storm, and have a safe passage to the land of promise.