7 The vessel might return, and it might not, in season to give the people another opportunity for the voyage; but it was entirely unsafe to rely upon that, and the King's messengers were continually repeating what the Holy Spirit had said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. And the King himself had said concerning some who had made the experiment of waiting for another opportunity, and had lost the voyage and their own souls for ever, Be ye also ready, for at such a day as ye think not, the Son of man cometh. Much was also said from one of the King's own parables, concerning those who came knocking after the door was shut, and could not get in; and this word also would be often sounding in their ears, And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came." But all this made very little impression, and things went on much as before; one to his farm, another to his merchandise. Again and again the same things took place, although every effort was made to convince the people of their guilt and danger, and there was no want of allurements, and powerful motives working, to induce them to enlist under the King's flag. Indeed, the offers held out were ravishing beyond description, and every one knew that they were true, and it was often said that eye had not seen, nor ear 7 Heb. iii. 15. 8 Matt. xxiv. 44, 9 Matt. xxv. 10. heard, neither had any heart conceived the glory of the things which God had prepared for those who love him.10 And though none that ever set out on the voyage returned from the Celestial Country, to bring back any news, yet it was said and well known, that they were in a region where there was no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor any more pain," and that there they were arrayed in white robes, with crowns upon their heads, and palms in their hands, and that they were before the throne of God, serving him day and night in his temple, and that He that sitteth upon the throne was dwelling among them, and that they should hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither should the sun light on them, nor any heat, for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne should feed them, and should lead them to living fountains of waters, and God should wipe away all tears from their eyes." It was said and well known that there they saw the King's face, and that the King's name was in their foreheads.13 Also the freedom of the Holy City was theirs, with its streets of gold and its tree of life, and its pure river of the waters of life," and there they went in and out continually, with an innumerable 10 1 Cor. ii. 9. 11 Rev. xxi. 4. 12 Rev. vii. 9, 15, 17. company of angels, and the happy fellowship of the spirits of the just made perfect.15 The King's messongers used to talk much of these things, and moreover the Earnest of the Spirit was given to those who would obey the King, to bring all these things glowing to their hearts, and to make them anxious for the voyage, and willing to leave all and depart. On one occasion, Moses and Elias had even been seen in glory with the King, but no sailor ever came back from the Celestial Country to tell about it. 16 All the conditions of the voyage were very well known, and all who went had to come, themselves, to the King, commit everything to him, and take the oath of obedience and love as his seamen, for all had to work their own passage. One of the King's names was Immanuel, GOD WITH US," and one of the rules for all his sailor-pilgrims was this, Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do, of his good pleasure. The King was also called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS," and one of the descriptions of himself was in these words, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.2 It was well known that no man could come to the Father, but by him, and that all heavenly seamanship was to be learned from him, 19 15 Heb. xii. 22, 23. 16 Matt. xvii. 3. 17 Matt. i. 23. and that he had his Father's promise to give the Holy Spirit to all who asked him. He also gave assurance that whatsoever thing they asked of the Father in his name, he would give it to them." He had said likewise, If a man will love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. And many other precious promises he gave, and everything had been made sure in his own most precious blood, which he shed upon the cross for the forgiveness and eternal life of as many as would put their trust in him. And he used to add to all his promises, HIM THAT WISE CAST OUT. 23 COMETH UNTO ME, I WILL IN NO 21 John xvi. 23. 22 John xiv. 23. 23 John vi. 37. CHAPTER II. HOW TO COME TO CHRIST. Now it happened on an occasion when I was on a visit to those parts from which the King's ship was then just about to sail, that two of the inhabitants were much wrought upon by all these things, and were resolved to make the voyage together. I have also since then learned some history of the things they met with, which for the good of others I am determined to relate. They did not come to this good resolution both at the same time, for one was considerably in advance of the other, and was a good while in persuading the other to take the same stand. And doubtless he never could have prevailed upon him to do so against the ridicule of his ungodly friends and acquaintance, if it had not been for God's good Providence in bringing the man upon a bed of sickness, so that he was chastened with pain, and brought near to the gates of death, and greatly terri |