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Latest revision as of 01:56, 6 January 2020
MEDITATION XLVIII.
INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE EVIL SPEECH OF THE WICKED.
Spithead, July 12, 1758.
Surely, if ever I was among the saints I have been to blame—who had nothing to utter in commendation of true religion, nothing to say in honor of God. Or if I dropped a word or two, that I dwelt not longer on the theme. But if ever providence permits me to breathe again in the fragrant air of converse with the godly, I think I shall be more open hearted than ever I have been.
Forgive me, God; forgive me, saints; forgive me, sinners. Who knows what good a good word might have done some of you? Forgive me, my own conscience; and as I cannot excuse myself for time past, for opportunities lost, let me be more watchful in all time coming.
I am instructed to this by the open profanity of the wicked. They are not ashamed to speak and talk in a strain which we would think the fiends of hell could not go beyond. They expose their secret sins in a manner which makes us blush. How soon they reveal their wickedness to one another, and let it be known to what society they belong—by their horrible vile speech!
And shall you, O saint—and I, when we shall meet, not let it be known that we are heirs of the same promise, soldiers under the same banner, combatants in the same cause, servants of the same Lord, disciples of the same master, and expectants of the same glory? It is true—piety is a secret thing; its duties are to be performed in the closet, not in the street, and He who sees in secret will at the last day reward us openly. Again, we who bear the Christian name often choose to be silent too often on serious matters, lest at any time, by gross out breaking of sin, we become a scandal to religion; or those who have not the root of the matter in them scandalize us for our religion.
But as these wicked ones are under no restraint in their profanity, shall we, who make such a high profession, be altogether silent on serious subjects? They avow their god, who is the devil—the god of this world. And shall we not avow the Lord for our God?
They are of their father the devil, and do his works; and shall we not walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever? Is not our Master more honorable, our service more noble, our encouragement more powerful, our reward more certain, our associates more worthy, and our delights and pleasures more permanent and divine—than all the wicked can boast of?
Why then not talk to one another of the excellencies of our great Lord, his kindness to his servants, what befalls us in our pilgrimage, the surprising providences of our life, and the outlettings of his love to our souls? "Come and hear, all you who fear God—and I will tell you what he has done for my soul," said the psalmist.
And have we nothing to tell, no words with which we may comfort one another? Yes, we should speak in commendation of true religion to all; for whoever mocks—still wisdom is justified of her children; and whoever scoffs—we ought to do our duty. Then, in my present situation, all my communings must be with my own heart. I may make my prayer to the God of my life, express my trouble to him, and pour out my complaint before him, pleading, that as the years are full of evil, and the days of grief, so he may comfort me.
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