MEDITATION XVII.
MEDITATION XVII.
KNOWING A SIN TO BE COMMITTED.
Spithead, May 15, 1758.
In vain, O foolish man! in vain you hide yourself, for "there is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves." Have you chosen the gloom of night? Well—but to God night is as the day, and darkness as the light. You did premeditate the perpetration of your wickedness, and God is preparing the punishment of your crimes.
Lord! your judgments are a great deep, and your justice shall shine in the punishment of sinners, who shall confess the equity of your burning indignation. Thus, they who unweariedly blaspheme in pastime and in sport, shall eternally blaspheme in agony and pain. Thus, the unclean wretch, who burns in impure desires, and satisfies his lusts in an unlawful way, shall be delivered to the flames, where the worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. He who will not hearken to God's reproof, in the time of his patience, shall hear when God's vengeance shall be his garment, and his fury shall uphold him. Thus, the companions of sin shall be the companions of suffering, being bound in bundles to be burnt together. Thus, the adulterers, who know no shame, shall be ashamed, and covered with confusion in that day. And such as now expose their wickedness to some, with impunity, shall be exposed before the great congregation, and shall not be able to hold up their face before the spotless throne.
Then you, O sinner! shall be there, and I shall be there. Here I know your sin, and, if mercy does not now intervene—there I shall see your punishment. How shall you wish this day, this night, out of the number of the days of your years, and not added to your months! How will you wish darkness to cover it, and a cloud of oblivion to dwell upon it! How will you curse it, when ready to raise up your everlasting mourning! When you were a child, you could not commit this wickedness, and when you are a man, you should not; therefore, how shall you curse your manhood, and bewail the riper years; yes, wish that you had been an untimely birth—and never saw the sun! Your sin is marked in my mournful meditation, in your conscience which is at work secretly, and in the omniscience of your tremendous Judge. There will be no lack of proof against you in the day of your cause; the companion of your wickedness shall be present, I shall be present, conscience shall be present, when you appear before your Judge, who, being everywhere present, is the greatest witness of all. No false witness can appear in your defense at that tribunal; yes, you yourself shall never presume to plead not guilty. As sure as you have committed this sin, shall these solemn events take place! And yet, O man! you are merry in the midst of all your misery, and observe not the impending thunders that are about to break on your cursed head. Sin is that poison that makes a man go laughing to death, and dancing to destruction! Then, let my soul weep in secret places for those who cannot pity themselves, nor show compassion on their own souls—but live in a dream, die in darkness, and plunge into despair!