Upon the first account, a dedication would be needless to you : for I am persuaded, you do not only in your judgment approve the design I here manage, viz. The reformation of the profane and looser sort of our seamen ; but are also heartily willing to improve your interest to the uttermost for the promotion of it. I cannot look upon you as persons acted by that low and common spirit that the most of your profession are acted by, who little regard, if they be good servants to them, whether God have any servce from them or not ; and if they pay them the wages due for their work, never think of the wages they are to receive for their sin. You are judged to be persons of another spirit, who do not only mind, but advance Christ's interest above your own, and negotiate for his glory, as well as for your own gain : and yet herein you consult your own interest as well as God''s : Suhoidinata non ptignaiit. Your interest is never more prosperously managed, or abundantly secured, than when it is carried on in a due subordination to God's. Their reformation will apparently tend to your advantage. Those sins of theirs, against which I have here engaged, are the Jonahs in your ships ; it is sin that sinks them, and drives them against the rocks. " One sinner " destroyeth much good," Eccl. viii. 11. How much more a lewd crew of them conspiring to provoke God ! the death of their lusts, is the more probable means to give life to your trade. And as these counsels prosper in their hearts, so v/iil your business thrive in your hands. Piety and prosperity are married together in that pro- mise, Psal. i. 3. Onesimus was never so profitable a servant to Phi- xemon, as when he became his brother in a spiritual, as m'cU as his servant in a civil capacity, Phil. ver. 11. and 16. compared. And yet if your interest were forced to step back, to give way to Christ's, I hope you would (notwithstanding) rejoice therein. So that my pre- sent business is, not so much to persuade you, whose hearts I hope, God hath already persuaded to so good a work ; as to make your fame and respects, which are great among them, an innocent bait to tempt them to their duty. And if either your names or interest may be useful to such an end, I presume I may use them freely, and welcome; for, sure I am, they can never be put to a better use.
Well then, I will make bold to send this small adventure in your ships; and if the return of it be but the conversion of one soul to God, I shall reckon that I have made a better voyage than you, let your returns be never so rich.
How these things will affect them I know not. I do suppose it will produce different effects upon them, according to the different tempers of their spirits, and according as God shall command or sus- pend the blessing. Possibly some will storm at the close and cutting rebukes of the v/ord, (lor most men's lusts are a great deal more sen- sible and tender than their consciences) and will fondly imagine that this necessary plainness tends to their reproach. But if none but the
A SOBER CONSIDERATION, &C. 295
ffuiltv can be supposed to be angry at them, they will thereby reproach themselves a great deal more than ever I intended to do.
I confess it is a bitter pill and compounded of many operatiye and strong ingredients, which do acute it ; but not a jot more than is ne- cessary. I shall beg the assistance of your prayers to God for them, and of your grave admonitions and exhortations to them for God ; which will much help its operation, and facilitate my design, to do their souls a piece of everlasting service ; with which design I can truly say, I even travail in pain for them. Your assistance therefore in this good work, will pat the highest obligation upon
Yowr most affectionate
SOBER CONSIDERATION •
ML N the former treatise I have endeavoured to spiritualize earthly objects, and elevate your thoughts to more sublime and excellent contemplations ; that earthly things may rather be a step, than a stop to heavenly. You have therein my best advice to guide you in your course to that port of your eternal rest and happiness.
In this I have given warning of some dangerous recks and quick- sands that he upon your left hand ; upon which millions of souls have perished, and others are wilfully running to their own perdition. Such are the horrid sins of di'unlcenness, uncleanness, profane sxvearing, violation of promises, engagements made to God, and atheistical slighting and contempt of death and eternity. All which I have here given warning of, and held forth a light to discover where your danger is. If after this you obstinately prosecute your lusts, and will not be reclaimed ; you perish without apology, I have freed mine own soul.
Let none interpret this necessary plainness as a reproach to seamen, as if I represented them to the world worse than they are. If, upon that account, any of them be offended, methinks these three or four considerations should remove that offence.
First, That if this close and plain dealing be necessary, in order to your cure, and you will be offended thereat, it is better you should be offended than God. Ministers are often put upon lamentable straits, they sail betwixt Scylla and Charybdis ; the wrath of God
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upon one side, if we do not speak plain and home, as the necessity of the case requires ; and man"'s wrath if we do : what shall we do in this strait ? Either God or you, it seems, must be offended ; and if it cannot be avoided, I shall rather hazard your anger than God"'s, and think it far more tolerable.
Secondly, If you did but see the necessity and end of this manner of dealing with your souls, you would not be offended. But put it into a more sensible case, and you will see and acknowledge it presently. If I should see an high-built wall giving way, and ready to fall upon you, would you be angry with me, if by plucking you out of the danger, I should pluck your arm out of joint; certainly you would not. Why, this is the case here : See Isa. xxx. 13. " Therefore this " iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a " high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly, at an instant."
Thirdly, What a madness is it to abide in a condition over which all woes and curses hang, and yet not be able to endure to hear of it ? Why, what will it profit you to have your misery hid from your eyes, and kept from your ears a little while .'* You must see this wrath, and hear louder voUies of woes from your own consciences, if you remain in this condition. You cannot tjear that from us, which your con- science will one of these days preach themselves to you, and that in a more dreadful dialect than I have used here.