MEDITATION XXXVIII.
MEDITATION XXXVIII.
THE PROPHET'S DESCRIPTION OF THE WICKED.
How just, how adequate, how expressive the divine description, "The wicked are like the troubled ocean, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast forth mire and dirt!" When the tides have teemed their wrecks on the inmost shores, and in the ebb have left the smoothed sand, all looks mirthful, and one would think the bottom of the ocean is swept, and washed of all its wrecks and weeds.
But the next tide proves my conjecture false, and spreads a fresh proof of my deception on the shore. Just so it is with the wicked; when I think they might have emptied themselves of oaths, imprecations, filthy talk—completed their wickedness, brought forth all their vileness, and wearied themselves in committing sin—yet, without intermission, they proceed from evil to worse!
As there is a continual growth of weeds, and accession of other wrecks, every tide, therefore, spews out mire and dirt. In like manner, out of the evil treasure of the heart, evil things continually proceed. But the 'civilized sinner' has nothing to boast; for, though his words may not be so vile as those of abandoned wretches, yet, as they pour from the carnal mind, and the carnal mind being enmity against God, can produce nothing pleasing in his sight—so they are vile before God.
Therefore, though not so disagreeable in a sober ear, as the profane swearer, obscene talker, or unprofitable jester—yet, not coming from a sanctified heart, are accounted sin in his eye, who is purity itself, and with a pleasant countenance beholds the upright.
Sometimes the raging seas ebb, and leave their shores clean and lovely—but, all of a sudden, they return with fresh defilement, and scatter over them mire and dirt. In like manner, I have seen some people, by a temporary repentance, appear to forsake their former courses, and to lead a new life—but, all of a sudden, like a spring-tide, their wickedness breaks out with greater violence than ever, and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
As nothing less than the voice of the Almighty can calm the restless ocean, and say to the raging sea, 'Peace, be still'; so nothing less than infinite power (let not mortals presume, let not sinners despair) can convert transgressors, and make their hearts precious and holy.
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