Difference between revisions of "Meditation CVIII."
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Latest revision as of 12:36, 7 January 2020
Meditation CVIII.
SAILING IN THE TORRID ZONE.
April 11, 1761
What extremes are found on this little ball that is hung upon nothing! Here nations tremble among mountains of ice, and deluges of snow. There kingdoms pant under a scorching sun, and breathe in a sultry air; while other nations (though perhaps not better pleased with their situation than the former) have but a moderate degree of either. It fares the same way with the rational world as it does with the terrestrial globe; here some live in dire poverty; there others live in luxury and wealth; while others have the desirable sufficiency, and yet, like the inhabitants of the temperate zone, are scarcely content with their situation, or thankful for the mercies of their lot. The inhabitants of one country think that another country abounds with the plenty of the universe; but he who tries all, finds a deficiency in each.
But whatever difference there be among men with respect to the bounds of their habitation, surely the whole world dwells either under Sinai's tremendous thunderings, or Zion's peaceful voice. The situation of the one is terrible—but of the other triumphant. And what is awfully surprising, is, that though the thunders are both loud and long, yet, being asleep in sin, they hear them not, and so bless their state, until the terrors of death, rouse every organ with the deepest anguish, to be attentive to the everlasting thunderings of an avenging God. But the still small voice, being accompanied with divine power, speaks into the very hearts of those, who, by believing on the mediator of the new covenant, have come to the heavenly Mount Zion.
A warm sun, and a bright day, are big words among the northern nations, who have often a cloudy sky, a short noon, and a long cold night. So affluence and plenty are words of a big meaning to those whom poverty follows, and from whom pity flies. But it is better to struggle with losses and crosses—if by such the graces of the soul be kept alive—than to lie on a bed of down, fall asleep in carnal security, and never more awake. It is dangerous to swim in warm seas, where sharks swim, or along shores where alligators devour; and doubly so to wallow in wealth and ease, where lusts and Satan destroy.
The European beauty would not exchange her fair face with a swarthy complexion, for all the treasures of the south; and should the Christian who is all-glorious within, choose a condition that may cast a blemish on his better part, like Jeshurun, who, when he waxed fat, kicked; and in his greatness forgot him that made him great?
More venomous creatures crawl in those countries which never felt a cold day, than in such as annually feel a pinching winter. So, generally speaking, more corruptions (pride, lust, carnal security, anger, etc.) abound among such as are finely clothed; and fare sumptuously every day, than among those that sit down to one meal, and know but little how to provide the next.
But again, are the distant beams (for even under the meridian line the sun is millions of miles removed from us) of a world of fire, so excessively hot and scorching? Then what must the wrath of the Almighty be? Though all the sky were full of scorching suns, they could convey no idea of God's terrible indignation. Who, then, can describe his terrors, or the fierceness of his wrath? Immensity can only measure its extent, and eternity its duration; well then may it awe a finite worm into silence!
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