Chapter 16: None Dare Go to Sea Without a Compass — The Word of God Guides Our Course

To Sea without a Compass none dare go; Our Course without the Vvord is even so.

OBSERVATION.

OF how great use and necessity is the Compass to Sea-men? Though they can coast a little way by the Shoar, yet they dare not venture far into the Ocean without it. Its their Guide, and directs and shapes their Course for them: And if by the violence of Wind and Weather they be driven beside their due Course, yet by the help of this, they are reduced and brought to Rights again. It is wonderful to consider, how by the help of this Guide they can run in a direct Line many hundred Leagues, and at last fall right with the smallest Island; which is in the Ocean, comparatively, but as the head of a small Pin upon a Table.

APPLICATION.

What the Compass, and all other Mathematical Instruments are to the Navigator, that and much more is the Word of God to us in our course to Heaven. This is our Compass to steer our course by, and it is truly touched; he that orders his conversation by it, shall safely arrive in Heaven at las[•]. Galatians 6:16. As many as walk according to this rule, Peace be on them, and mercy.

This Word is as necessary to us in our way to Glory, as a Lamp or Lanthorn is in a dark night, Psalm 119:105. This is a light shining in a dark place, till the day dawn, and the day-star arise in our hearts, 2 Peter 1:19. If any that profess to know it, and own it as a Rule, miss Heaven at last; let them not blame the Word for misguiding them, but their own negligent and deceitful hearts, that shuffle in and out, and shape not their course and conversation according to its prescriptions.

What blame can you lay upon the Compass, if you steer not exactly by it? How many are there, that neglecting this Rule, will coast it to Heaven by their own Reason? No wonder such fall short and perish in the way. This is a faithful Guide, and brings all that follow it to a blessed end, You shalt guide me with your counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory, Psalm 73:24. The whole hundredth and nineteenth Psalm is spent in commendation of its transcendent excellency and usefulness. Luther profest, that he prized it so highly, that he would not take the whole World in exchange for one Leaf of it. Lay but this Rule before you, and walk accurately by it, and you cannot be out of your way to Heaven, Psalm 119:30. I have chosen the way of truth, (or the true way;) your Iudgments have I laid before me. Some indeed have opened their detracting blasphemous mouths against it; as Iulian, that cursed Apostate, who feared not to say, There was as good matter in Phocillides as in Solomon, in Pindarus his Odes, as in David's Psalms.

And the Papists generally slight it, making it a lame imperfect Rule; indeed, making their own Trad[•]tions the Touchstone of Doctrines, and Foundation of Faith. Montanus tells us, that although the Apostle would have Sermons and Service celebrated in a known Tongue, yet the Church, for very good cause, has otherwise order'd it. Gilford called it, The Mother of Heresies. Boner's Chaplain judged it worthy to be burnt as a strange Doctrine. They set up their Inventions above it, and frequently come in with a Non obstante against Christ's Institutions. And thus do they make it void, or, as the word [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] signifies, Matth. 15. 6. unlord it, and take away its authority as a Rule. But those that have thus slighted it, and followed the by-paths to which their corrupt Hearts have led them, they take not hold of the paths of Life, and are now in the depths of Hell. All other Lights, to which men pretend, in the neglect of this, are but false fires, that will lead Men into the Pits and Bogs of Destruction at last.

REFLECTION.

And is your Word a Compass, to direct my course to Glory. O where am I then like to arrive at last, that in all my course have neglected it, and steered according to the counsel of my own heart! Lord, I have not made your Word the Man of my counsel, but consulted with flesh and blood; I have not enquired at this Oracle, nor studied it, and made it the guide of my way; but walked after the sight of my eyes, and the lust of my heart. Whither Lord, can I come at last, but to Hell, after this rate and reckoning? Some have slighted your Word professedly, and I have slighted it practically. I have a poor Soul embarqued for Eternity, it is now floating on a dangerous Ocean, Rocks and Sands on every side, and I go a drift before every Wind of Temptation, and know not where I am. Ah Lord, convince me of the danger of this condition. O convince me of my Ignorance in your Word, and the fatal consequence and issue thereof. Lord, let me now resolve to study, prize, and obey it; hide it in my heart, that I may not sin against it. Open my understanding, that I may understand the Scriptures: Open my heart to entertain it in love. O you that hast been so gracious to give a perfect Rule, give me also a perfect heart to walk by that Rule to glory!

THE POEM.

This Vvorld's a Sea, wherein a numerous Fleet

Of Ships are under sail. Here you shall meet

Of every Rate and Size; Frigats, Galleons,

The nimble Ketches, and small Pickeroons:

Some bound to this Port, some where Vvinds and Vveather

Vvill drive them, they are bound they know not whither.

Some steer away for Heaven, some for Hell;

To which some steer, themselves can hardly tell.

The Winds do shape their course, which though it blow

From any Point, before it they must go.

They are directed by the Vvind and Tide,

That have no Compass to direct and guide:

For want of this, must run themselves a-ground,

Brave Ships are cast away, poor Souls are drown'd.

Your Vvord our Compass is, to guide our way

To Glory; it reduces such as stray.

Lord, let your Vvord dwell richly in my heart,

And make me skilful in this heavenly Are,

O let me understand and be so wise,

To know upon what Point my Country lies.

And having se[•] my Course directly there,

Great God preserve me in the foulest Weather.

By Reason some will coast it: but I fear

Such Coasters never will drop Anchor there.

Your Word is truly toucht, and still directs

A proper Course, which my base heart neglects.

Lord, touch mine Iron heart, and make it stand

Pointing to you, its Loadstone. To that Land

Of Rest above, let every Tempest drive

My Soul, where it would rather be than live.