Chapter 12: Sailors Risk All for Little Gain — Who Would Take No Pains for Their Soul

Vvhat Dangers run they for a little gains, Vvho, for their Souls, would ne'r take half the pains!

OBSERVATION.

How exceeding solicitous and adventurous are Sea-men for a small portion of the World? How prodigal of strength and life for it? They will run to the ends of the Earth, engage in a Thousand dangers, upon the hopes and probability of getting a small Estate. Per mare per terras, per mille pericula currunt. Hopes of gain makes them willing to adventure their liberty, indeed, their life; and encourages them to endure Heat, Cold, and Hunger, and a Thousand streights and difficulties, to which they are frequently exposed.

APPLICATION.

How hot and eager are Mens affections after the World? And how remiss and cold towards things eternal? They are careful, and troubled about many things, but seldom mind the great and necessary matters, Luke 10. 40. They can rise early, go to bed late, eat the bread of carefulness: But when did they so deny themselves for their poor Souls? Their heads are full of designs and projects to get or advance an Estate: Vve will go into such a City, continue there a year, and Buy and Sell, and get gain, Jam. 4. 13. This is the [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], the Master-design, which engrosseth all their time, studies and contrivances. The Will has past a Decree for it, the Heart and Affections are fully let out to it, They will be rich, 1 Timothy 6:9. This Decree of the Will, the Spirit of God takes deep notice of it; and indeed it is the clearest and fullest discovery of a Man's portion and condition: For, look what is highest in the estimation, first and last in the thoughts, and upon which we spend our time and strength with delight; certainly, that is our Treasure, Matthew 6:20, 21. The Heads and Hearts of Saints are full of solicitous cares and fears about their Spiritual Condition: The great design they drive on, to which all other things are but [[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉],] things on the by, is to make sure their Calling and Election. This is the [Pondus,] the weight and byass of their Spirit: if their hearts stray and wander after any other thing, this reduces them again.

REFLECTION.

Lord, this has been my manner from my Youth, may the Carnal minded Man say; I have been laboring for the Meat that perishes; disquieting my self in vain, full of designs and projects for the World, and unwearied in my endeavours to compass an earthly treasure; yet therein I have either been checkt and disappointed by Providence; or if I have obtained, yet I am no sooner come to enjoy that Content and Comfort I promised my self in it, but I am ready to leave it all, to be stript out of it by Death, and in that day all my thoughts perish. But in the mean time What have I done for my Soul? When did I ever break a Night's sleep, or deny and pinch my self for it? Ah fool that I am! to nourish and pamper a vile Body, which must shortly lie under the Clods, and become a loathsome Carkass; and, in the mean time, neglect and undo my poor Soul, which partakes of the Nature of Angels, and must live for ever. I have kept others Vineyards, but mine own Vineyard I have not kept: I have been a perpetual drudge and slave to the World; in a worse condition has my Soul been, than others that are Condemned to the Mines. Lord change my Treasure, and change my Heart: O let it suffice that I have been thus long laboring on the fire, for very vanity. Now gather up my heart and affections in your self, and let my great design now be, to secure a special interest in your Blessed Self, that I may once say, To me to live is Christ.

THE POEM.

The Face of Man imprest and stampt on Gold,

Vvith Crown and Royal Scepters we behold.

No wonder that an humane Face it gains,

Since Head, Heart, Soul, and Body it obtains.

Nor is it strange a Scepter it should have,

That to its Yoke the World does so enslave.

Charm'd with its chinking Note, away they go

Like Eagles to the Carcass, ride and row.

Through worlds of hazards foolish creatures run

That into its embraces they may come.

Poor Indians in the Mines my heart condoles,

But seldom turns aside to pity Souls,

Which are the slaves indeed, that toyl and spend

Themselves upon its service. Surely, Friend,

They are but Sextons to prepare and make

Your Grave within those Mines, from where they do take

And dig their Ore. Ah! many Souls, I fear,

Whose Bodies live, yet lie entombed there.

Is Gold so tempting to you? Lo, Christ stands,

Vvith length of days, and riches in his hands.

Gold in the fire tried he freely proffers;

But few regard or take those Golden Offers.