LOG-BOOK OF A VOYAGE but with good Christians it is inside work, work in the heart; life and not paint merely. JOHN. That is just what I would say; but you have said it better than I knew how. But I think we have tried to give our fellow sinners in the Yacht the sincere milk of the Word, not handling it deceitfully, nor walking with it in craftiness. But how instructive the fact is, that both the promises and warnings are so abundant in the Scriptures, that one can hardly tell which are most numerous. But this one thing is certain,—if that which is promised is true, then that which is threatened is equally true, and equally important, else our God would never have uttered it. Perhaps there are more promises needed than threatenings; for one threatening will terrify the wicked for a season indeed, but because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.20 So the promises as well as the threatenings need to be repeated for our encouragement, sanctification, and guidance, every step of the way. But when a man has once learned to love God, and tasted of the gift of the sweetness of his Word, and the greatness of a Saviour's love, and the peace and rest and joy of the soul in his promises, then those promises hold him by divine grace more constantly and sweetly than ever the 20 Eccl. viii. 8. threatenings at first were of power to terrify and drive him. God knows how to work within us, for our discipline, for the change of our souls into the likeness of his dear Son our Saviour, and when we get to that, we are safe, and never till then. Till then, we need the rod as well as the staff of our Shepherd, and the watch-dog as well as the fences of the fold. The bark of a single watch-dog will wake up and drive a whole flock for a while; but the true Shepherd always goeth before his own sheep, for they know his voice, and will follow him; and they are not so much afraid of him, as they are loving of him, and trusting in him, for he layeth down his own life for the sheep; a thing which no mere watch-dog or sentinel will do. Moreover, the true sheep will not follow the voice of a stranger; but they know who it is that feedeth them and loveth them, and careth for them. God in Christ is always loving in all his dealings with us and for us. And now let us evermore remember, that there is no safety but in heartfelt reverence of the Word, and reliance upon that. What could we do, if we laid aside the King's Chart, and trusted to the compass only? Or if we had the Chart only, without the compass, what could we do? But the compass shows us where we are upon the Chart, and the Chart shows us whither we are moving by the compass. Then we take our heavenly observations, having the Earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." But if we cut loose from these dependencies then we go astray, then we would be sure to make shipwreck of our souls. Did you ever play at flying of kites, when you were a boy? PETER. What man, that ever was a boy, did not? Why, you bring to mind in that word all the sports of childhood. My boy's kite! How I used to start it on the green, and then, when the wind was high, and the kite had gone almost out of sight into the blue firmament, we would send messengers fluttering along the string after it! JOHN.-Well, did you ever think of its being the confinement by the string, which along with the wind was the only thing that kept your kite soaring, for the moment you let it loose, down it would come, fluttering, waving, tumbling. You had to hold it in, or it would have been ruined. Just so it is with our minds, if they be cut loose from God's Word. It is the Spirit that makes them soar, if they truly rise at all; but only while they keep fast to God's Word. If they cut loose from that, then they go into all imaginable foolish, wicked, and unbelieving fancies, and then go tumbling into utter ruin. I can tell you a fine parable between the kite and our hearts, with 21 2 Cor. i. 22. their dependence on God. It was written by an old Sea Captain, who is now praising God in heaven; but he was himself as a brand plucked from the burning. Hear his lines. 'Tis not a long yarn, but a right good and wise one, and well spun. 'Tis entitled, It tugged and pulled, while thus it spoke, In vain it tried to soar away, It fluttered downward through the air; Unable its own course to guide, My heart replied, O Lord, I see How much this kite resembles me! Forgetful that by thee I stand, Impatient of thy ruling hand, How oft I've wished to break the lines Thy wisdom for my lot assigns! How oft indulged a vain desire, For something more, or something higher! And, but for grace and love divine, A fall thus dreadful had been mine. |