MEDITATION LV,
MEDITATION LV,
SHIP DAMAGED AND BEGINNING TO SINK
Under sail from Cherbourg.
How sweet is life—for which a man will part with his all! When these two ships, which my anxious eyes beheld, ran into one another—from the smaller vessel which seemed in greatest danger, how did everyone fly, and never look behind! One comes out half naked, but finds no cold; another, in getting into the other ship, catches a bruise or a wound, but feels no pain until afterwards. I see, then, that man needs no admonition to preserve his temporal life, or avoid bodily danger. But how do they sleep on in sin—until awaked in everlasting agonies!
"Fly from the wrath to come," is the divine admonition to all; but a raging and a roaring tempest, a sinking vessel, and a swelling wave, are more prevalent with men to attempt their escape—than all the terrors of the Lord, and the prospect of future wrath and eternal torment. But some may be discouraged to escape from the wrath to come, because they have so long followed the ways of sin. Yet this, instead of deterring them, should determine them to make greater efforts to escape. Tell the affrighted crew, that because they are in danger, they must dwell in danger sedately, and let themselves drown without disturbance, since it seems to be their fate. Such an advice would seem the language of a madman—which advice they never will accept.
They will make the more haste the greater their danger, and the greater speed to deliver themselves the nearer they seem to destruction. Yes, they will attempt to make their escape, though they should perish in the attempt. They will rather attempt to escape—than sit still and perish. O that men, the worst of men, would follow their example! For if they abide in their sins—they must perish; and though they fail in their attempts to escape—they can but perish.
Again, a man fast asleep could not have been concerned in all the confusion these men were in, but would have sunk like a stone in the mighty waters. But all who are awake see danger, and endeavor to accomplish their escape. So those that are in a natural state are spiritually asleep—and see no danger until they plunge into the flames of hell! But the one who is awake to eternity, sees his danger, and flies from the wrath to come! There is as great difference between a man in a renewed and unrenewed state—as between a man fast asleep and fully awake.
Moreover, we see that these men minded nothing but the saving of their life. They left all behind them, even their most precious things, and made their escape. So, when a soul seeks to be found in Christ, not having his own righteousness, he counts all things but loss and rubbish, even the things he had counted gain before—for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord. He sets his eye on the unseen world, and secures his eternal interest there.
Looking on the present world as a shattered vessel that cannot long carry him safely, but must sink him at last—he sees that it is his highest wisdom to escape the leaky vessel, into the safe ark of the covenant, which keeps above the swelling floods of destruction. And finally, he sets his affections on heavenly things, and anticipates a little of that joy and serenity, which shall take place in the world to come, when storms and tempests cease!
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