follows upon the scent wherever a man goes. And indeed our sins are called debts^ Matth. vi. 12. Not that we owe them to God, or ought to sin against him ; but metonymkally^ because as pecuniary debts oblige him to suffer that hath not wherewith to pay, and expose him to the danger of Serjeants and bailiffs wherever he shall be found ; so do our sins, in reference to God, who hath reckoned with many thousands of sinners upon the sea, there arrest- ed them by his winds and waves which he sent out after them and laid their bodies in the bottom of the sea, and their souls in the bot- tom of hell. Oh ! that is a dismal storm, that is sent after a man to drive soul and body to destruction ! with what heart or conrao-e can that man go down into the deeps, and expose himself amono- the raging waves and roaring winds, that knows God hath a controversy with him ; and for ought he knows, the next storm mav be sent to hurry him to the judgment-seat of the great and terrible God ? Cer- tainly, friends, it is yo«r great concern to get a pardon, and be at peace with God ; a thing so indispensable, that you cannot have less ; and so comprehensive, that you cannot desire more. If sin be pardoned, you are safe, you need fear no storms Avithin what- ever you find without: But woe to him that finds at once a raging sea, and a roaring conscience ; trouble without, and terror within • ship and hope sinking together. You are privy to all the evils and wickedness of your hearts and lives. You know what treasures of guilt you have been heaping up all your days ; and think you when distresses and extremities come upon you, conscience will be as quiet and still as it is now ? No, no, guilt will fly in your faces then and stop your mouths. O therefore humble yourselves at the feet of God for all your iniquities ; apply yourselves to the blood of sprink- ling; pray and plead with God for remission of sin ; without which you are in a woeful case to adventure yourselves at sea to those imminent perils of life.
(2.) Another mercy you are earnestly to pray for is, That the presence of God may go with you, I mean not his general presence which fills the world ; that will be with you, whether you pray for it or no ; but his gracious special presence^ wliich was that Moses so earnestly sued for in Exod. xxxiii. 15. " If thy presence (tq not " with me, carry us not hence." He and the people were now in a waste howling wilderness, but bound for Canaan, that earthly parci- dise ; yet you see he chuses rather to be in a Tcildemess with God than in a Canaan without him ; and no wonder, for this oracious presence of God, as to comfort, is all that a gracious soul hath, or desires to have in this world ; and as to security and protection from dangers, it is the only asylum, sanctuary, and"^ refuge in the day of trouble. If the presence of God be graciously with us, it will o-Jard the heart against terror in the most imminent distress, as you see Psal. xxiii. 4. " Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
348 THE seaman'*s farewell.
** shadow of death * i. e. (through the most apparent and imminent " dangers of death), yet will I fear no evil for thou art with me.'' And indeed there is no room for fear ; for with whomsoever God is in a gracious and special mauner present, these three matchless mercies are secured to that man.
First, That God's special providence shall watch over him in all dangers, Psal. xci. 1, — 4. " He shall abide under the shadow of the '' Almighty ; he shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his ** wings shalt thou trust." As the hen gathers her brood under her wings, not only to cherish, but to defend them from all danger, so God takes his people under his providential wings for their security.
Secondly, He appoints for them a guard of angels, whose office is to watch over, and minister to them in all their straits. So we read, Psal. xci. 11. " He shall give his angels charge over thee to *' keep thee in all thy ways." Many invisible services they do for us. Luther tells us the angels have two offices, — Superms canere, et iriferius vigilare ; — to sing above, and watch below. These are as a life guard to that man with whom the Lord is.
Thirdly, He readily hears their cries in a day of distress, and is with them to save and deliver them. So ver. 15. " He shall call upon " me, and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I will *' deliver him, and honour him." O what a matchless mercy is this ! how many times, when poor seamen have seen death apparently before their eyes, have they cried, mercy ! mercy ! How ordinary is it for their eyes, on such occasions, to add salt-water, where alas, there was too much before ? But now to have God with you in such an hour of straits, to hear, support, and deliver you : O you cannot estimate the worth of such a mercy ! Pray therefore, for it is a mercy indispensably necessary for you ; and say to him, as Moses, '* Lord, if thy presence may not go with us, carry us not hence."
(3.) A third mercy you are specially concerned to beg of God, is, that you may be kept from the temptations to sin you will meet with when you areabroad in the world. The whole world lies in wickedness, 1 John v. 19. Every place, every employment, every company hath its snares and temptations attending it : And you know you have cor- rupt natures, as much disposed to close with temptations as tinder is to catch fire : So that unless the preventing, restraining, and mortify- ing grace of God be with you, they will but touch and take. If there were no devil to tempt you externally ; yet such a corrupt heart meeting with a suitable temptation and occasion, is enough to over- come you ; Jam. i. 14. " Every man is tempted when he is drawn *' away of his own lusts, and enticed." Alas ! you know not what hearts you have till temptations prove them ; and what comfort can you take in the success and prosperity of your affairs, be it never so great, if you return with consciences polluted and wounded with sin.
* Quamvis in summa mortis ipsius pericula incurram. Gloss, Philol. Sacr.
THE SEAMA\^''s FAREWELL. S49
He that brings home a pack of fine clothes, infected with the plague, hath no such great bargain of it, how cheap soever he purchased them. O therefore beg earnestly of God that you may be kept from sin : pray that you be not led into temptation.