beyond sin, others again rising so high as to have come to an atmosphere where the elements of sin can be handled without any defilement, just as you can bathe your body in the sea, and yet not have the salt-water enter the pores of the skin. But these last are clouds carried about with a tempest, as the others are wells without water. "1 But they all of them, if they be not turned from their error, after a while fall to speaking great swelling words of vanity, like those we met in the country of Self-Conceit, and deceive and captivate many unstable souls by promising them liberty. Now of a truth the Christian is called unto liberty, but only where the Spirit of the Lord is, 13 and not for an occasion to the flesh.1* 12 Ah, my brother, said John, some men's ideas of liberty, as well as of perfection, are all contrary to the gospel. But we know for certain that the work of overcoming sin, and destroying the Old Man, is going on all through life; and God's discipline is needed, even with his best children, to keep down their indwelling corruptions; and if they think they have none, it is nearly all the same as giving up the whole ship to their control. Some men's sins, returned Peter, walk the deck, and are very bold and shameless; others slink away 112 Pet. ii. 17. 12 2 Pet. ii. 18, 19. 14 Gal. v. 13. in by-places, and keep out of sight in corners, till opportunity comes. Some men's sins get passage with the cargo by deceit, and are just merely stowaways out of sight until half way on the voyage; just as poor emigrants, or fugitives from debt and justice, will hide in holes till the vessel is out at sea, that they may escape the bailiff, and not have to pay their fare, nor be thrown overboard. Yes, added John, and some Captains have been known to put their vicious hands under the hatches, thinking that because they were out of sight they could do no mischief, when they were such villains and murderers, that by the King's law they ought to have been hanged, or put ashore on some desert island. There was one fellow, Pride, aboard as fine a ship, to all appearance, as ever was launched, who got up a mutiny, and corrupted several of the crew, but as he was a near kinsman of the Captain, he was too tender of him to execute the law, and only put him in the hold with bread and water. But the villain, some how or other, got hold of an auger and axe, and bored a hole in the ship's bottom so big, that she foundered; and yet, before she went down, the hatches having been taken off to try and get at the leak, Pride and his fellows got out, and escaped by swimming. They got ashore unhurt, on a shallow soft marsh, and found themselves in the Country of -་་ ་ Flattery, where they set up for gentlemen, and are living still. 15 Well, said Peter, a man's pride shall bring him low, but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. Such villains have been playing their tricks ever since the time of Joshua, when they came to that great Captain-General with crusts of mouldy bread and old shoes, as if they had travelled a great way, and entered into a league with him. And then they were very well content to live with the people as hewers of wood and drawers of water, if only they might live." But all the Canaanites and Jebusites that were spared proved to be as thorns in the side, and were always making mischief. Now if the children of God think to spare their sins, and make hewers of wood and drawers of water of them, they will have mischief and misery. Some of such servants will be petted and cosseted, and he that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child, shall have him become his son at the length. 18 Now while they were thus talking, it seemed as if the signs of the sky had become more encouraging, and there were some clouds in the horizon that gave promise of the possibility of wind. Then said they one to another, Who knows but that the Lord will be 15 Prov. xxix. 23. 16 Josh. ix. 5. 19 gracious unto us this day, and grant us his blessing? 1 So they besought God in prayer, with greater faith and earnestness than they had for a long time put to this work; and again they got out the king's lifeboats, so light and strong and buoyant, and almost self-propelling, and manned them with the sweeps of prevailing prayer. And they all worked with a will, according to the direction, Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. God's working for us only makes us more earnest and fervent in working for ourselves and others. So, hoping for the breeze, they worked just as diligently as if they feared it never would come, and they would have to work on without it. Now this was the very essence of a living faith, not presumptuous, but doing all things to the glory of God, in entire submission to his word and will. They were just like the Prophet Elijah at the top of Mount Carmel, looking over the sea, and waiting and praying for the promised wind and rain. So now the rain came, and the wind that brought the water-laden clouds, swooped down upon the sea like a living animating inspiration. About sunset they saw at a distance a dark shadow as it were winging the air with flashing drops, and then rippling the surface of the 19 Joel ii. 14. T ocean, though it had been so long time far and wide as smooth as glass, and the ship as stationary. Now they knew their prayers were answered, and the breeze was coming. So the boats were hoisted back upon the deck. And oh with what eagerness they stood and watched the progress of the gale, till the ship began to feel it, and as soon as she caught it what a change! The very ocean seemed glad of it, and the foam kissed the sides of the ship as she danced along, and the sails that before were almost dropping to pieces, now bellied out upon the taut cordage, and all hands were active with a cheerful courage and life, so that it seemed as if she had just started from the harbor. And indeed it was a most lovely, animating sight, this activity, after such sleep, and gloom, and drooping. The freshness of the wind, before which they now seemed to be flying from death to life; the sparkle and foam of the waves, racing as if they too had a glad intelligence; the splendor of the evening sky, where they seemed about to sail into heaven; the invigorating elasticity suddenly diffused through the air, as if it were a new creation; what a blissful change in all things! Every sense felt its influence; their heaviness of spirits was all gone, a burden was lifted from the soul, and they were filled with such rejoicing of heart, that they could not help breaking |