MEDITATION XLI.
MEDITATION XLI.
COASTING ALONG ANOTHER KING'S DOMINIONS.
Under sail, July 1, 1758.
The peasant may never travel far—he may live and die in his own king's dominions. But a fair wind may soon fetch 'him who plows the flowing ocean', where his sovereign cannot claim an inch of land. He may soon find himself distant from all shores, in an unmeasurable world of waters, which owns no superior but Him who formed the sea and the dry land.
I may offend my prince, and yet fly out of his reach, and bid defiance to his rage. But, if I sin against God, where shall I fly for help—or how shall I escape? Britain and India are alike before him, height and depth are in his hand; and distance, which only bears relation to creatures, bears none to the Creator who is everywhere present, and fills all in all. I may sooner hide from myself—than keep concealed from Omniscience.
Would a king or an emperor travel around the globe—many times he would find himself in kingdoms where he could claim no interest. But, if I belong to God, I can claim his providence and protection in every dominion, and in every land. How well pleased would a young prince be, to travel home through the extensive dominions of his royal father! Could he quarrel at hard usage, the homely fare, and the poor lodgings he must put up with by the way?
Would it not quiet and content him under all, to call to mind that he is traveling home to the palace of his royal father, where he should be welcomed by the loud acclamations of a splendid court, and embraced by the king himself? After this manner, while on his journey, would he address himself: "Though I pass as a stranger in these remote parts of my father's possessions, and unobserved, because it is not as yet proper in the eyes of the king that I should be clothed in princely attire; yet, how am I delighted that all these kingdoms are under his government, tremble at his frown, and own his sovereignty.
And though I now seem poorer than many of his subjects in these provinces, who have small estates in hand, yet I am so happy in the nobleness of my descent, in the dignity of my relations, in the prospect of my future greatness, and approaching glory—that I would not change states with any of them. For, on the day appointed for my coronation, by the mighty sovereign, to whom I am so nearly related, I shall, in the sight of assembled thousands, receive a scepter, and a crown."
Even so, the saints are in all respects the happy ones, for the universe belongs to him who cares for them. Distant climates, therefore, need not look strange to them, for, if they live near God they can never be far from home.
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