MEDITATION LII.
MEDITATION LII.
COMPARISONS.
July 20, 1758.
To make my situation more pleasant, in this meditation, let me run a comparison between the sea-life, and the Christian life—which is properly called a warfare.
1. Then, we embark all in one common cause. In like manner, have all Christians one interest.
2. We leave our own country, our friends, and our native land. In like manner, must every Christian leave his father's house, and his old friends.
3. Sometimes we enter into his majesty's service against the opinion and inclination of our nearest friends. In like manner, sometimes, in becoming disciples of Jesus, we must deny our nearest relationships, and dearest friends.
4. We do not entangle ourselves with the affairs of the land, as we belong to the sea. In like manner, must the saint not entangle himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a spiritual soldier.
5. We are all maintained by the King. In like manner, are all Christians are maintained by the throne of Heaven.
6. We come here neither uncalled or unwelcome. In like manner, none that come to Jesus, shall ever be cast out.
7. Some are drafted and pressed into the service of their king and country. In like manner, nothing less than almighty power can make the sinner submit to Jesus.
8. We undergo a great change of life when we forsake the land, and dwell on the ocean. But they share in a greater change, who are taken from darkness into light, from the power of Satan, to the living God.
9. Our way of walking must be changed, else we shall have many a fall on the deck. In like manner, Christians must not walk as other men, else, they shall not keep on the path of life.
10. Our food must be changed, and adapted to our way of life. In like manner, must Christians live as well as walk by faith, and feed on heavenly food.
11. Our provisions must be of such a nature as to keep for a long time free of putrefaction, and in every climate. In like manner, must the saint feed on Jesus, the bread of life, who can nourish in every condition below.
12. We must forego our easy life, and expect to be dashed by the briny wave, and beaten by the storm. In like manner, Christians must not expect to lounge about in the lap of pleasure—in a world where they are to have tribulation and pain.
13. We must keep continual watch for the safety of the ship, and the crew dare never all sleep at once. In like manner, must the Christian watch continually, watch unto all prayer, and be ever on his guard.
14. Our very dialect distinguishes us from the inhabitants on land. In like manner, should the Christian be known as different from the men of the world—by his innocent, useful, edifying, and godly discourse, managed always with discretion.
15. We have a discipline peculiar to ourselves, and pretty severe. In like manner, has the Christian church from her Lord a government and discipline which none can alter or abrogate.
16. We must not expect to leave the tempestuous element until the war is finished, and peace proclaimed. In like manner, the Christian needs not expect to be disengaged from trouble and turmoil until the spiritual war is ended, and eternal peace brought in.
17. We must always be ready to engage the enemy, as we don't know where and when he shall attack. In like manner, the Christian, being in the midst of his enemies, must always be ready for the battle.
18. We are provided with armor and ammunition for the day of battle at the king's cost. In like manner, is every saint with the whole armor of God.
19. Sometimes a battle at sea is made more dreadful because of the darkness of the night. In like manner, sometimes, in the darkness of desertion, the saint is surrounded with all his cruel foes.
20. We must fight before we get the victory. In like manner, must the Christian conquer before he obtain the crown.
21. We are provided with medical men to give assistance to the wounded and diseased. In like manner, have the saints a tender-hearted Physician, who binds up the broken heart, cures the painful wound, and pours in the healing balm.
22. We have a steward who gives us our provisions daily, and not all at once. Yet we have no uneasiness, knowing that he has plenty, and will not let us starve. In like manner, the saints, either in respect of spiritual provision, or daily bread, need never be disquieted for futurity, since Jesus is appointed of the Father, a steward to all the children of God, since all the fullness of the Godhead is treasured up in him for their supply. And since, to their unspeakable profit, all their provision, of one or other kind, is not given to them at once—but kept in his hand.
23. We have people among us of all nations, English, Scots, Irish, Dutch, Swedes, Danes, French, Spaniards, Germans, Swiss, Italians, Russians, Indians, etc.—of all dispositions, of all employments, and of all ages. In like manner, the true church is composed of all nations, people, and languages, and of young and old.
24. We are appareled in a different manner from the men on land. In like manner, Christians are covered, both with the justifying righteousness of Christ, and with the righteousness of saints.
25. Officers, men, and boys, are allowed the same quantity of provisions in the same time. In like manner, the fullness of the covenant, the fatness of God's house—is alike free to all the members of Christ.
26. We have several officers here, without whom we could not be governed. In like manner, in the church, there are officers for the government of the whole body.
27. We are in the midst of dangers, and yet are preserved. In like manner, the church, like a lily among thorns, grows and is not choked. The church is like a bush burning—but not consumed; sometimes persecuted by men—but never forsaken by God.
28. In a voyage, we are cut off from all the world, and have no communication with any. In like manner, the church and the people of God shall dwell alone, not mingle with the people, nor be reckoned among the nations.
29. Every loss we sustain in an engagement is borne by government. But when we conquer, we divide the spoil, and share the prize-money among us. In like manner, God supports his people in their spiritual warfare, makes up every loss, enriches them with the spoils of their enemies, and at last puts palms in their hands, and crowns on their heads.
30. When the war is ended, and peace restored, we retire with all our acquisitions, to receive the congratulations of our friends, and enjoy ourselves in peace and tranquility as long as we shall live. In like manner, at death we trample on our last enemy, leave the field with triumph, go to the blessed society of saints and angels, receive a crown of immortal glory—and are happy beyond expression, beyond conception, in the enjoyment of God and the Lamb for evermore!
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