229 REFLECTIONS Proper for Persons at Sea, and those who live near the Sea. THE Lord is a great God, in his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it.* He shut up the sea with doors, and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.† Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth; ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as it were upon an heap, and layeth up the deep, as in a treasurehouse. Let all the earth fear the Lord; stand in awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears and hear not. Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not * Psalm xcv. + Isaiah xlii. tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? [Read often the 107th Psalm.] Consider the ocean (says a pious author) as an emblem of the present life; this hour smooth and quiet, the next stormy and tempestuous; therefore fix not your heart upon this dangerous uncertain world, but upon that which is not subject to change, that which endureth for ever and ever, where there is no more sea. Who in their senses would place their happiness in a shattered vessel, on a stormy ocean, ready to split and sink every hour amidst their greatest caution and care? Yet this is the case of the men of the world. But very different is that of the Christian, who has secured a treasure that is not subject to shipwreck or change. The Christian, in all the different scenes of life, finds himself unspeakably blest, because his hope and trust are founded on God, that rock of ages. This ocean is an emblem of eternity, not only in its countless drops, and the unnumbered sands upon its shore, but in a particular manner as it opens its bosom, and swallows up all the streams in the world. It strikes the soul with veneration, transports it with wonder, and cries aloud in the ear of reason, Ascribe ye greatness to our God. When you see a ship under sail, consider the art first of building, and then of navigating it; * Jer. v. 21, 22. all flow from him, who is the Father of Light, and Fountain of Wisdom of every kind; and that by such a vehicle not only the good things of each soil and climate are brought to us, but that the Gospel of salvation, the tidings of a Saviour, were transported hither. If it had not been for such a conveniency, how could this inestimable treasure of grace have visited this distant land of the Gentiles? O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness; and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men! When you look at the sea, cry out, Marvellous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! They that go down to the sea in ships, and occupy their business in great waters; these men see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. When you look at a troubled sea, it should put you in mind of the troubles in a sinner's breast. For thus saith the Lord, The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. When you view an angry sea, or hear a violent wind. Put thy trust in God, O my soul, and thou needest not fear the stormy wind, nor the proud waves; for the Lord JEHOVAH, who sitteth upon them, can say, Be still, and they shall obey. O Almighty God! suffer not our passions to be like this wind, nor turbulent like these billows. but thou that rulest the raging of the sea, and the noise of the waves, check, subdue, and calm the madness of the people. When you go to sea. In thee, O Lord, do I ut my trust; O bring me in safety to the haven where I would be. When you are in a storm. Consider how dreadful it is to fall into the hands of a God with whom is such terrible majesty; cry unto the Lord in your trouble, and he will deliver you out of your distress, for he maketh the storm to cease, so that the waves thereof are still. Consider also, that as none can abide the storm and day of God's wrath without having an interest in Christ, so fly to him, who calleth himself an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest.* Cry, Lord save us! we perish! When the storm rises so high, that the ship is ready to sink. O Lord, who hast sent out a mighty tempest into the sea, so that our ship is like to be broken, and we swallowed up alive; look down with an eye of pity upon us, miserable sinners; we beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish. Rebuke the winds, and restrain the horrible raging of the sea; bring us safe to the haven where we would be; so will we exalt thee in the congregation of the people, and praise thee in the seat of the elders. After a storm. O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness; and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men! When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. I cried unto the Lord in my trouble, and he delivered me out of my dis tress, for he made the storm to cease, so that the waves thereof were still. I will sacrifice unto * Isaiah xxxii. 2 thee with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart secretly, and among the faithful, and in the congregation. And grant, Lord, that I may show forth thy praise, not only with my lips, but in my life, by giving up myself to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all my days, through Jesus Christ our Lord. On a safe return from sea. Praised be God my Preserver. I will thank thee, O Lord, in "thy holy temple. I will pay my vows unto thee in the midst of thy people. I will serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life. O let thy holy Spirit evermore guide and pre serve me. THE APOSTLES' CREED, Explained in a Devotional Form. [Altered from Bishop Kenn.] I believe. My Lord and my God, with a full, free, and firm assent, I believe all the Articles of the Creed, because thou hast revealed them; I know thou art infallible truth, and canst not, thou art infinite love, and wilt not deceive me: Glory be to thee. |