Meditation LXXXIX.
Meditation LXXXIX.
A DAILY CATECHISM FOR SEAMEN.
March 25, 1758.
1. How do I like the company of the wicked, and the converse of ungodly men?
2. Is their swearing as disagreeable to me as when I came first aboard; or am I more reconciled to their blasphemous talk?
3. Is my abhorrence of sin the greater, the more I see of sin? As man's fears increase with the increase of his foes, so should my hatred of sin with the increase of my danger.
4. The more that I am beset with snares and sin, am I the more watchful against sins and snares?
5. Have I forgotten to look into myself in the midst of this hurry and confusion? Reflection is a duty which no situation can loose me from.
6. Does the reaction of sin reiterate my grief and abhorrence of it? Or, like a lion's keeper—do I venture to sport with the destroyer, from which at first I started?
7. Do I resist the first appearance of sin? For sin, as well as strife, is like the letting out of waters, which at first appears a little spout—but as it passes along pushes on every side, until it spreads into an impetuous torrent, which nothing can resist, and therefore should be left off, and never meddled with.
8. Does the impiety of the company, or any other hindrance, prevent the performance of secret prayer, on reading the scriptures, as formerly?
9. Is the Sabbath still strictly observed by me, by my keeping not only from bad actions; but idle words and vain thoughts?
10. Am I careful to purge myself from all the sins which I have heard through the day, by reflecting on their vileness, protesting against them in my own bosom, dipping by faith in the blood of sprinkling; and praying that I may be pardoned for what I have been guilty in a greater or less degree?
11. Am I studious to draw the more near to God, the more that all things would drive me from God? and to beg of him, that according to my days and demands for aid, so my strength from him may be?
12. Am I ready to drop a word against vice, or in favor of true religion, without regarding ridicule, not knowing where a blessing may come; or that at least they may know that there has been, if not a prophet, yet a reprover among them?
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