Meditation LXII
Meditation LXII.
ON TAKING IN LARGE PROVISIONS.
Portland Roads, Dec. 15, 1758.
Surely the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind, than are the people of the light. For those on land provide what they need for the winter; and those at sea take in large stores of all necessities, when they are to make a long voyage. Now, my soul, what have you laid up for eternity—this solemn, this crucial voyage, which you must make? Your voyage has already begun, and if you are not adequately prepared, you must suffer irreparable loss forever—as there is no 'oil' to be bought (this the foolish virgins shall find) in the other world—no 'grace' to be found, nor pardon to be expected (this all impenitent sinners shall experience) on the other side of the grave.
Death cuts down the tree as it stands—which falls as it grows—and as it falls must lie forever. Why then, O blinded Papists—your prayers and masses for the dead! To as good purpose apply medicines to dead bodies to bring them to life again—as use prayers for departed lost souls to bring them to heaven. It is now in this present world—that we must be prepared for eternity—where our vast and highest concerns lie.
If this ship should go out to cruise for three months in the main ocean without food or water, or any other provisions—would not all the crew be changeable with consummate folly—as all must inevitably perish with hunger? But of greater madness am I possessed—if my soul goes out into the boundless ocean of eternity without a saving interest in Christ—who is the tree of life which feeds, and river of life which waters, all the children of God.
According to the length of our voyage—must be the quantity of provisions taken aboard. And indeed nothing less than a whole God, in all his fullness and perfections; an all-sufficient Savior, in all his offices and relations; and the Holy Spirit, in all his divine influences and consolations—can be a proper provision for my soul through time and eternity.