When I have seen you preparing for a storm, and reefing your sails to guard against it; how have I wished that you and I were as careful to avoid that storm of GOD’s wrath, which will certainly, without repentance, quickly overtake us? When I have observed you catch at every fair gale, how have I secretly cried, O that we were as careful to know the things that belong to our peace, before they are for ever hid from our eyes! And when I have taken notice, how steadily you eyed your compass in order to steer aright, how have I wished, that we as steadily eyed the word of GOD, which alone can preserve us from “making shipwreck of faith, and a good conscience?” In short, there is scarce any thing you do, which has not been a lesson of instruction to me; and, therefore, it would be ungrateful in me, did I not take this opportunity of exhorting you in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, to be as wise in the things which concern your soul, as I have observed you to be in the affairs belonging to your ship.
I am sensible, that the sea is reckoned but an ill school to learn CHRIST in: and to see a devout sailor, is esteemed as uncommon a thing, as to see a _Saul_ amongst the prophets. But whence this wondering? Whence this looking upon a godly sailor, as a man to be wondered at, as a speckled bird in the creation? I am sure, for the little time I have come in and out amongst you, and as far as I can judge from the little experience I have had of things, I scarce know any way of life, that is capable of greater improvements than yours.
The continual danger you are in of being overwhelmed by the great waters; the many opportunities you have of beholding GOD’s wonders in the deep; the happy retirement you enjoy from worldly temptations; and the daily occasions that are offered you, to endure hardships, are such noble means of promoting the spiritual life, that were your hearts bent towards GOD, you would account it your happiness, that his providence has called you, to “go down to the sea in ships, and to occupy your business in the great waters.”
The royal Psalmist knew this, and, therefore, in the words of the text, calls more especially on men of your employ, to “praise the LORD for his goodness, and declare the wonders he doth for the children of men.”
And O that you would be wise in time, and hearken to his voice to-day, “whilst it is called to-day!” For ye yourselves know how little is to be done on a sick bed. GOD has, in an especial manner, of late, invited you to repentance: two of your crew he has taken off by death, and most of you he has mercifully visited with a grievous sickness. The terrors of the LORD have been upon you, and when burnt with a scorching fever, some of you have cried out, “What shall we do to be saved?” Remember then the resolutions you made, when you thought GOD was about to take away your souls; and see that according to your promises, you shew forth your thankfulness, not only with your lips, but in your lives. For though GOD may bear long, he will not forbear always; and if these signal mercies and judgments do not lead you to repentance, assure yourselves there will at last come a fiery tempest, from the presence of the LORD, which will sweep away you, and all other adversaries of GOD.
I am positive, neither you nor the soldiers have wanted, nor will want any manner of encouragement to piety and holiness of living, from those two persons who have here the government over you; for they have been such helps to me in my ministry, and have so readily concurred in every thing for your good, that they may justly demand a public acknowledgment of thanks both from you and me.
Permit me, my honoured friends, in the name of both classes of your people, to return you hearty thanks for the care and tenderness you have expressed for the welfare of their better parts.
As for the private favours you have shewn to my person, I hope so deep a sense of them is imprinted on my heart, that I shall plead them before GOD in prayer, as long as I live.
But I have still stronger obligations to intercede in your behalf. For GOD, ever adored be his free grace in CHRIST JESUS! has set his seal to my ministry in your hearts. Some distant pangs of the new-birth I have observed to come upon you; and GOD forbid that I should sin against the LORD, by ceasing to pray, that the good work begun in your souls, may be carried on till the day of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
The time of our departure from each other is now at hand, and you are going out into a world of temptations. But though absent in body, let us be present with each other in spirit; and GOD, I trust, will enable you to be singularly good, to be ready to be accounted fools for CHRIST’s sake; and then we shall meet never to part again in the kingdom of our Father which is in heaven.