own eyes, what then? And if the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness! 14 There's many a false light, on many a coast, and many a reef in the ocean without a light. And there are many men whose understanding is darkened, being alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts; 15 and such men go blindfold to perdition. You may think you are safe enough, when you are next door to ruin.

No man is safe, even with the Word of God in his possession, but only by constant watchfulness unto prayer. God has given us that Word, and Jesus Christ is its interpreter, as to all things contained in it, especially those concerning himself who only is the Author and Finisher of Faith.16

He himself is Lord also of the Sabbath, which we observe here on the Wide Ocean as sacredly as Christians anywhere upon the land. For the day is as good and the worship as heavenly for those that go down to the sea in ships and do business in the great waters, as for those that gather in meeting-houses, and cathedrals and synagogues and temples on the land. Anywhere and everywhere, God is a Spirit, and requireth us to worship him in Spirit and in truth."

14 Matt. vi. 23.
16 Heb. xii. 2.

15 Eph. iv. 18.
17 John iv. 24.

But what is the need of his telling us that he is a Spirit and that we must so worship him, if all mankind are acceptable worshippers, whether they worship images or idols or African fetiches, if they are only sincere? Any man may be as sincere in his devotions as he is in his sins;-and as safe, any way, God or no God, if sincerity be indeed his

Saviour.

Well, said Deism, and who is to be the judge? A man's own conscience must guide him, according to his light. And if he is faithful to his conscience, God will accept him, right or wrong; no matter for the manner or mistakes of his worship.

But where do you find that, answered Peter? Not in the Bible, certainly; for Christ says, In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.18 For God will judge the world, not by men's laws, or opinions, or beliefs, or sincerities, but by his own word, and a conscience towards him. No teacher or preacher, not even Paul or Isaiah, is right, or can be right, but by a conscience towards God, and towards his Word; and there can be no such thing as a sincere conscience towards God, denying that word. No help for those who do not believe in Christ, neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under

18 Matt. xv. 9.

heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.19 And the Son of Man has come into this world, for this one purpose, to seek and to save that which was lost. But none of us can be saved, except we believe in him. For there is an evil conscience in every sinful man, as well as a good conscience in every good man.

Then Captain Glib again took up the word and said, But we also, by steam navigation, are advancing according to the progressive spirit of the age. We can no longer consent to be bound down by a creed set up two thousand years ago, when everything else to-day is marching free, and the Bible itself is being reconstructed by the New Science of the Critical Nineteenth Century, in which, as all the world knows, a great many manuscripts have been discovered, such as the Lord Jesus himself could have had no knowledge of, and of course could not have consulted. But we have the advantage of that great increase of light; so that our critical conjectures are far ahead of the knowledge of the Apostles themselves. As to the Word of God we are to interpret that according to the increase of our own wisdom; and having discovered within a few years so great a quantity of Manuscripts, we are obliged to overhaul the old text, and revise our old transla

19 Acts iv. 12.

tions of the Scriptures, and interpret them according to the New Theology. The ruling of men's minds by sheer stark authority, or what is called the Word of God, can no more be maintained; it is a despotism unworthy of the freedom of the human mind.

But Captain Glib, said Peter, tell us what you would set up instead of God's own Word, instead of the Compass which he has given us, instead of Christ's own instructions in the gospels? If any thing has not God's authority, it cannot be of God, but from man only;-and so it may be, and must be, the stark and sheer authority of the Man of Sin and Son of Perdition, setting himself in the Temple of God as infallible. But God says, Forever, O Lord, thy Word is settled in heaven; and if in heaven; 20 then certainly on earth, and no other Word can be of any authority, but only God's Word. If any thing can ever be a certain quantity and rule on earth, it is that which is settled in heaven. And if any person reject that, he may think himself safe enough, when he is next door to ruin.

But to this Mr. Deism answered, Where is your boasted ruin? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of Creation; save only that the world is certainly grow

20 Psa. cix. 89.

ing better, less savage, more cultivated and social, less inhuman and more scientific, and more sagacious and successful in the pursuit of riches and happiness. And how is it that we ourselves have come safely thus far all the way over the ocean? To-morrow shall be as this day and much more abundant, and so we will fetch wine, and fill ourselves with strong drink.21

But how about the end, answered Peter? You seem to be willingly ignorant that the heavens and the earth are reserved unto fire against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men. Moreover, these present seas are certainly dangerous, and may be fatal for any not under the King's flag, and bound to the Celestial Country. And you very well know that no drunkard shall ever inherit the kingdom of God.22

Then said Deism again, Who talks about the Celestial Country, as if Heaven were a place? We shall have heaven on earth when society is reconstructed. Besides, we have an infallible, elastic lifeboat, in case of any difficulty, made by the Shipmasters firm of Save-all and Company, that can never sink, but is the true Ark of Safety, holding as many people as can ever crowd into it, which ensures us against any possibility of damage personally.

21 Is. lvi. 12.

22 1 Cor. vi. 10.