MEDITATION XIII.
MEDITATION XIII.
ON THE COMPASS AND HELM.
Spithead, May 6, 1758.
Anchors and sails are both useful. But without something more, the mariner must steer an unsteady course, and traverse the ocean to little purpose, not knowing where he is, nor where he is heading. These handmaids of navigation are, the compass, the quadrant, and the helm. Without the compass, he dared never venture from the coast, because he would sail he knows not where. Without the quadrant, he must mistake his latitude. And without his helm, he might be driven where he would not. Even so all these in a spiritual sense are absolutely necessary to everyone who would have a safe passage to the other world. Therefore, seeing I am on a long and difficult voyage to eternity, much care should be taken what course I steer, since one point wrong, so to speak, instead of landing me safe in glory, will run me among the rocks of irretrievable ruin. Did not they seem to bid fair for a prosperous voyage, and for making the very harbor, who could boast to Christ himself, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out devils, and done many wonderful works?" And yet he professes to them, that he never knew them.
Now, I must direct the course of my life, and the end of my actions, by the sacred compass of divine revelation. This should be a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path; my counselor in all difficulties, and my song in the house of my pilgrimage; yes, my daily and delicious food.
Here I must observe, that if the most skillful pilot cannot, without the compass, sail from England to the Indies. In like manner, the heathen—for all the blaze of natural parts, for all their refined manners, or excellent morals, yet, lacking the word of God, the volume of inspiration—can never reach the shore of happiness—for "how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard! and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they are sent?"
Again, like the spiritual mariner, I should take my altitude, and see what length I have run, what progress I have made in my course heavenward. Now, this is known by the height of the Sun of righteousness in my sky. If he enlightens the whole inner man, shines into my heart, irradiates every power of mind, covers me with his healing beams, fills my ravished eye, engages my attention, and excites me daily to adore and bask beneath my Savior's gracious rays—surely I am well on to the meridian, well on to the land of rest.
Again, I should be attentive to order my life according to your word, and have a zeal according to knowledge. Thus shall I at last, under a full sail, in a triumphant manner, have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.