Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHAPTER VIII.

A DEAD CALM.-THE FLOATING WRECK OF A SHIP, CALLED SINLESS PERFECTION. THE VILLAIN PRIDE.-GOD'S

METHOD WITH GOLD IN THE CRUCIBLE.

Now the people of the place would gladly have had them prolong their stay in the Harbor, but seeing they were determined to sail, they bade them God speed. Then the grave elders of the place gave them some parting instructions as to divers uncertain winds of doctrine, that they might know how to meet them, and not be tossed to and fro by them.' They warned them also concerning faith and a good conscience, and told them of some who, having put away the good conscience, concerning faith had made shipwreck. And they said to them, The good things committed to which dwelleth in us.

set sail, and the last

3

you keep by the Holy Ghost

So the wind being fair, they

thing said to them was this,

namely, In everything by prayer and supplication

Eph. iv. 14.

2 1 Tim. i. 19.

32 Tim. i. 14.

with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. It was a sweet benediction, and the sound of it seemed to whisper in the wind long after the Harbor and the Bay were lost sight of.

And in truth the experience of this blessing came upon them; for heaven and the sea seemed one harmonious scene of loveliness and peace, and for many days they sailed with sweet content before the breeze that God sent them. The air was clear and invigorating by day, and by night the new moon and the stars shone brightly, till it seemed as if the weather had got such a habit of serenity and beauty that it could not change. So they began to relax a little in their diligence, and the discipline on board ship grew somewhat careless. But they were soon made to see that even with every other thing just as favorable as ever, they might perish, if the Lord should but a little while withhold his Spirit. For the wind, that had been so favorable, died gradually away, till at length it was a perfect dead calm.

And now the sails flapped idly against the masts, and the helm swayed from side to side with the roll of the ship, without any onward motion, and now and then the whole canvas would come thrashing and

4 Phil. iv. 6, 7.

thundering with a lazy thwack against the yards and spars, as if it had no other object or use, but just to wear itself out by flapping. The crew hung idly about, endeavoring at intervals to make work where nothing seemed necessary to be done, picking the shreds of old rope into oakum, burnishing the guns, leaning over the sides of the ship, and gazing down into the silent waters. Once or twice they got a sail overboard to bathe, but the sharks' fins appeared so clearly in the neighborhood, that they did not dare enjoy themselves, even with that expedient.

Their souls at length melted for heaviness, and such a weight and stupor seemed to pervade the air, that a lassitude of body and spirit came over them, which made it a weariness to move. And still the calm continued so long, that it seemed as if they were fastened there for ever. The sun looked down at noon, exceeding hot, for they were now in warm latitudes, and the sea was a great mirror, reflecting the heat and light, and yet they could not stir. Peter and John walked the deck and whistled, and now and then gazed long and steadfastly at the horizon, but it would not do. The boats were got out, and manned with sweeps, but it was useless. All they could do was to cast themselves on God, and groan over their condition.

Now and then a puff of wind started them a little,

and it seemed as if the breeze would come, and in one of those catspaws they encountered a very fearful sight, for the wreck of a ship came floating by, turned up upon her beam ends, her masts gone, or under water, covered with barnacles and seaweed. The long undulating swell broke upon her with a melancholy wash, and it was a sad sight to look upon; a picture of utter ruin and desolation. But what they speedily saw made it more solemn still; for as the wreck, like some dead carcass of a whale, floated by, and the roll of the sea lifted her stem out of water, Peter, looking narrowly, thought he could plainly read her name, and could make out the words SINLESS PERFECTION, with something further that could scarce be distinguished.

Then said Peter to John, after they had both gazed for some time in silence at the sight, I think, verily, I know that vessel, and by whom she was built and chartered; for if I am not greatly mistaken, it was one Highminded, of the Country of Self-Delusion. The timber of the ship was good, for the builder had a great deal of knowledge of the King's forests; but being himself three quarters owner, he gave her in command of one Captain Heady, with a mate for his chief officer, whose name was SelfEsteem. Then a crew was shipped, among whom were Ignorance, Presumption, Fitful, Censorious,

and False Zeal. They also had on board, as part of their cargo, a quantity of spirits called Self-exaltation, which was given out by the Captain in daily rations; and it is my firm belief, if the truth could be told, that the vessel having fallen into danger, the crew gave themselves up to drinking, and every one of them perished in their own corruption."

Well, said John, it is a gloomy, mournful spectacle. He that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. It is a terrible sight in these seas; let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Who knows but that this vessel may have sailed just where we are sailing now, with a prospect every whit as fair, to all seeming, for reaching the Celestial Country?

8/

7

Then answered Peter, The word of God declares that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. And I knew a most experienced weather-beaten old navigator, who used to exclaim, If I say I am perfect, that also shall prove me perverse. But this pretence to a sinless perfection hath various kinds and causes; some taking it up as a cloak of licentiousness, and sporting themselves with their own deceiving," others dreaming to have gone into an interior life so deep as to have got

9

5 2 Pet. ii. 12.
8 1 John i. 8.

6 Luke xiv. 11.
• Job ix. 20.

7 1 Cor. x. 12.

10 2 Pet. ii. 13.

« PreviousContinue »