MEDITATION XLIX.
MEDITATION XLIX.
SORROW FOR SIN A SIGN OF GRACE.
Spithead, July 13, 1758.
Surely I am not so zealous for the God of heaven as I ought to be. Had I this day received an insult, or had any spit in my face—would I not carry the affront to bed with me—to sleep and wake with me, yes, disturb me of my sleep? Where is, then, my zeal for God, that I can quietly go to rest, and with an easy mind, when I see and know sinners avowedly wound the glory of God, spit in the face of Divine majesty; daringly break all his commandments, think his precepts are a jest, trample on his reproof, laugh at his threatenings, brave his thunders, and defy his wrath? While their practice is so vile—should my spirit be so unconcerned? Should the loyal subject be quiet and still when he knows a plot of rebellion is forming against his king, by whom he is maintained, yes, and beloved?
Then, what shall I say of these obdurate sinners? I complain against them to you; I hate their conduct, I lament their sinful infatuation and deplore their case. The day is conscious of their crimes, the night attests their debauches. I deplore and protest against all their oaths and profanity, their obscenity and vileness, and all their other abominations. They fly from you in the day of your grace; and shall be punished with everlasting destruction away from you, and the glory of your power—in the day of judgment. May your honor never be less valued by me; nor I less grieved for the wounding thereof, that so many value it so little. May sin never become less odious to me by being committed before me; and let my sorrow for sin in others testify my innocence, and that I have no delight therein, while my soul shall mourn in secret places for those who hate holiness and love hell.
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