Difference between revisions of "Meditation LXXXIII."

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Meditation LXXXIII.

ON A SEA-BATTLE, FOUGHT AUGUST l7.*

August 22, 1759.

• The battle referred to, lasted five hours. Three of the enemy's ships were taken, and two burned. The Portland, on board of which the author was, engaged the French Admiral for nearly an hour before she received assistance. Her loss was very considerable; yet during the first hour's fighting, not one was even wounded.

Sin is the source of all human miseries, making men, who should like brethren live together—devour one another like the wild beasts of the field. The ocean, which is the boundary of kingdoms, is made the seat of war; hence the briny wave is tinged with human blood; and dangers, unknown to the land, surround us, for we may be blown up in a moment; or in the twinkling of an eye go down to the chambers of the deep! Besides, what can be a more terrible scene than so many great guns thundering mutual destruction, darkening all with smoke, and spewing out fire and death? The loss of officers, the groans of the wounded, cause no intermission until the vanquished sink, or surrender to the conquerors.

Now, if the wrath of men, who themselves are crushed before the moth, is so fierce, and if it is terrible to meet an enemy, though formed of the clay; how much more so to meet the omnipotent God, the Lord Almighty—in his burning wrath! How dreadful, indescribable, and tremendous, beyond conception, must be the thunders of his incensed right hand! When the hour of God's patience is past, his thunderings shall begin—but who shall be able to stand before them through eternity? Compared with his bolts, the canon-balls of our ships are but the falling drops of morning-dew! For who knows the power of his wrath? Who can comprehend the terror of his vengeance?

But, again, some men, when they see they neither can escape nor overcome—but must perish unless they surrender—they yield themselves as prisoners, and live. But sinners are obstinate to the very last, though they can never flee out of God's omnipotent hand. Yes, the rebellion of their heart remains, though the Lord God of retribution punishes them through eternity.

Again, what a lively representation of our uncertain departure is here! One who is now well—is in a moment gone—taken away from the midst of his companions into the eternal and unchanging world—unconscious of the stroke that finishes him, until felt! When the engagement began, many might hope to share the honor of the victory, and to divide the spoil, who, by a sudden death, are disappointed of all. Just so, many in the prime of life, when projecting great schemes—are cut off by a fever, or a fall, and must leave their affairs in extreme confusion.

How great is the folly of man! Though nothing concerns him so much as death; yet with nothing does he concern himself so little! Here a few hours close battle cools the rage of the keenest warrior, and decides the contest. How melancholy, then, must their condition be, who, on seas of wrath, must bear the thunderbolts of Jehovah's right hand for an eternity, without intermission, and without any possibility of an escape! On such a day as this, an enemy's powder and shot may fall short; but the storehouses of God's vengeance are infinite! The perpetual frown of him who is angry with sinners every day—will protract their agony and torment with their existence.

Meditation LXXXIV.

Back to Meditations 61 to 90