MEDITATION LIII.
MEDITATION LIII.
OUR SORROW FOR SIN TOO CONTRACTED.
July 22, 1758.
Now to my grief I am among sinners; and it pains my heart that those with whom I am concerned in one vessel and in one interest—should so sin against God. Though there were no wickedness committed in this ship, yet how does it prevail through the whole British fleets with which I am connected; but though I were out of the navy, yet I am still concerned with Britain; though out of Britain, I am still in the world, and therefore concerned with the whole inhabitants thereof. Now I see my sorrow for sin is not so universal as it ought to be. For while I lament great sins, gross abominations, and detestable crimes—I am apt to overlook mental corruptions and natural depravity—which is the spring of all.
Again, it is too contracted, in that I confine my grief to the wretches who are daily in my view; for though the crew here were all saints, yet how, through the whole fleet, have officers and men all corrupted their way! or though the whole fleet were innocent, yet how through Britain, by her armies, and men of all ranks, is the divine law broken with impunity! But though Britain were righteous, yet what wickedness against the majesty of Heaven is committed through the world!
O contracted sorrow for sin! to grieve for nothing but what I see; as if the glory of God were not alike dear to him in all places; or as if he were not offended at sin on every shore, in every land, and in every heart! Though what I see and hear deserves my heartfelt tears, yet I should continue the flood of tears, because iniquity overflows the universe, because the whole world lies in iniquity, and the earth groans under the sinful inhabitants thereof.
Though the enemies of God may not be always in my sight as now some of them are, yet they are always in the sight of the God of Heaven—sinning against him who is everywhere present! My sorrow therefore should continually be before me, and the shame of my face ever cover me; and my unremitting request should be, and shall be—that the knowledge of the Lord may cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea.
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