While pondering on the condition of the two strange vessels we had left on the Proving Shoals, and wondering much at their sad delusions, we descried a fine-looking ship with all sails spread, rapidly approaching us.
When overtaken and we had exchanged signals, we found to our delight that this swift boat was the well-known Mentor, commanded by Captain Faithful, one of the King’s most devoted pilots.
“Very glad to have fallen in with you,” said Captain Faithful, “and I hope it has fared well with you during your voyage hitherto.”
After thanking him for his kind wishes, we recounted our varied experiences: our many wanderings among the islands in the vain search for happiness, our happy deliverance while passing through the Strait-of-the-Cross, the Port of Peace, the new equipment, the counsels of Wisdom, and the many other incidents of our voyage since we started on our new career.
“Well,” said Captain Faithful, “you have indeed much reason to be thankful to our good King for the gracious way in which you have been led; and should ever say with the Psalmist, ‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.’”
“Aye, truly,” said Mr. Heart, “we never cease to give praise to our gracious King for leading us in the right way, and delivering us from the strange delusions by which so many of our fellow voyagers appear to be led astray and shipwrecked.
“But what may those two vessels be, which we have just left aground on the Shoals down yonder? Perhaps you may chance to know them.”
Faithful. “Oh yes, I know them well, and often have I visited them there, to try and persuade them to abandon their delusive notions and seek the only true way of deliverance prepared by our blessed Prince. But being wise in their own conceits (and you know what is said of such) they hold to their delusions and will not heed what any of the King’s messengers say to them.
“The first boat you came up to is the Formalist, commanded by Captain Self-righteous, and the second is the Ritualist, commanded by Captain Ceremonial. The Captains are first cousins, and both are from the same town of Vain-conceit, in the land of Mortality.
“Being ‘heady and high-minded’ they greatly disliked going round the Rocky Point of Repentance, and through the narrow channel that leadeth to the Cross. In the pride and blindness of their hearts, they have deemed the Prince’s own appointed channel too humiliating and self-denying. So they and their false teachers, blind leaders of the blind, aided by Abaddon the pirate, disguised as one of the King’s pilots, have sought out many devious ways of their own finding, by which in their presumptuous folly they expect to reach the Celestial Shores: even without going by the King’s appointed course—the only way, as you know, by which any mariner can ever hope to reach those happy shores.
“But there they are, stranded on those shoals, where they have been for many a day. And the most extraordinary part of their delusion is that they fancy they are moving steadily onwards all the while, by means of the peculiar efforts they are making, although they are fast aground most of the time, except when the current bears them downwards.
“And there they will remain, unless they change their tactics, until in one of the awful storms that frequently sweep over those testing shoals, they will be carried down (accelerated by the force of the strong current) into the great whirlpool below, and lost forever.
“It is of these our righteous Prince says, ‘Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven,’ and again, ‘This people draweth nigh unto Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’
“Now if you will just look for a moment through your telescope across those great shoals, you will see many other vessels of the same class stranded there. Yonder you may see the ‘Foolish Virgins,’ the ‘Man-Not-Having-a-Wedding-Garment,’ the ‘Stoney-Ground-Hearer,’ the ‘Sandy-Foundation’; and further down the stream the ‘Scribe’ and ‘Pharisee,’ the ‘Clouds-Without-Water,’ the ‘Wandering Stars,’ the ‘Spots in Your Feasts,’ and many others of the same sort.
“Sometimes, I regret to say, many true followers of our Prince may be seen keeping company with such as the Ritualist, and joining with them in the observance of their antiquated ceremonies; being deluded and fascinated by those showy performances, the decorated vestments, the rich ornaments, the high music, the apparent zeal and self-denial, the ‘voluntary humility,’ and many other such sensuous attractions.
“Thus they often drift far out of their proper course and suffer loss; but through the abounding mercy and goodness of our gracious Prince, they are rescued in the end, and taken out of the scene, and finally saved; for you must know that our Prince never loses even one of His true followers.
“At the same time,” continued Captain Faithful, “it is one of the most distressing sights on all this broad ocean to see such hosts of self-deluded voyagers, whose sole trust is in their self-righteous performances, stranded upon those shoals and shifting quicksand, every moment in danger of being swept away by the fury of the storms and the rapid current into the maelstrom below; while, in their superstitious blindness and delusion, they know not—or do not realize—their danger.
“But now turn your glass in the opposite direction towards the way in which you are to proceed on your voyage, and you will see another sort of vessel.”
“Ah,” said Mr. Thoughts, who had quickly turned his glass in that direction, “I see a somewhat weather-beaten vessel with torn sails and rigging sadly out of trim, making very slow progress and taking short tacks as if laboring in distress: what may that vessel be?”
Faithful. “Well, that is the Never-Sure, under the command of poor Captain Weak-faith.”
Thoughts. “Indeed, but has he come by the Way-of-the-Cross?”
Faithful. “Oh yes, for he is certainly a true believer, and when passing through that channel and in the Port of Peace, there was not a happier crew to be found anywhere, or a boat in better trim. But soon afterward, as they were happily sailing on their way, they fell among the pirates, by whom they were shamefully handled and robbed. The pirates were led in the attack by the Doubting Demon; and the wily Captain Lucifer, getting on board, did them much mischief, maltreating their officers, seriously injuring their compass and other instruments, and causing them to lose their ship’s papers, their precious passports. Ever since then they have been in great perplexity and doubt and are never sure of anything. They are not even sure that they ever came through the strait at all, or were cleansed there; and their officers often question one another on the subject in sad confusion, as it seems to them more like a dream than a reality. Besides, there is much discord among the officers and crew, in consequence of this doubt and confusion, and they are perpetually wrangling with one another. I have often tried to help them out of their difficulties, but it is hard to cure them of the injuries inflicted by the robbers: as most of their officers have been frequently sick and laid up, and sometimes quite unfit for duty. Now steer in that direction and join yourself to the Never-Sure, hear what they have to say for themselves, and see if you can be of service to poor Weak-faith and his unfortunate crew; while I go yonder to the aid of another vessel, that appears to be putting up signals of distress.”
We then put on more sail and hastened on to overtake the Never-Sure, and in a very short time we were near enough to hail them.
But as we drew near, they tried to avoid us, and we could see by the commotion on board that they appeared to be afraid of us, suspecting doubtless that we were pirates.
After the exchange of many signals we were, however, permitted to draw up alongside, and we then inquired for the Captain.
One of the officers replied that he and the first mate were below and had been confined to their cabins for some time through ill-health. We also ascertained that the owner, Mr. Faint-heart, was likewise ill, and had been in a low condition for a long while; and further, that their pilot, Mr. Sore-conscience, had unfortunately become somewhat deranged, and was at times so wild and violent as to keep them in a great state of fear and alarm and this, he added, had happened to him ever since he had been ill-treated by the pirates, who had boarded them.
The second officer then told us that in consequence of these troubles he had been compelled to assume the command.
Just then, on hearing this parley, the owner and the Captain, Mr. Weak-faith, struggled on deck, both looking very weak and faint.
“We are glad to learn,” said our Mr. Thoughts, “that you, like ourselves, are on the way to the Celestial Shores.”
“Well yes, we hope so,” said Mr. Sad-feelings, the second officer then in command. “We certainly set out with that intention, but I am afraid we have wandered out of the right way—if indeed we were ever in it—and may therefore never get there.”
“But you came by the Way-of-the-Cross,” said Mr. Thoughts, “and found deliverance there, did you not?”
“Ah, that is a sore point with us,” said Sad-feelings. “Some of our officers think (but are not sure) that we did come that way, but others think we did not, and that we have only been dreaming about it.”
“But I sometimes think,” joined in Mr. Faint-heart, “that we did come by that channel (though I would not presume to be certain of it) for I do seem, at times, to remember something of the high tower of Mercy at the Rocky point, and the two grand lighthouses of Grace and Truth, at the entrance of the Strait, as well as the joy we experienced at the Cross. But still, how can we be sure of anything, when our worthy pilot, Mr. Sore-conscience—on whose judgment we have always relied so much—questions, doubts, and finds fault with everything.”
“I cannot but doubt and question,” broke in Mr. Sore-conscience with much severity, “when I see the navigation of our boat so mismanaged by those who have forcibly taken the command—when, moreover, I see our second mate, Mr. Sad-feelings—who is as changeable as the wind—assuming the direction of everything, while he is being looked up to by nearly all on board; even by our poor sick Captain, as well as by the Owner himself. And then, with no better assistants than our restless first mate, Mr. Anxious-thought, and Mr. Fickle-emotions, the boatswain, tacking about in such an uncertain and hesitating manner—showing that neither of them have any confidence in what they are doing, which is more than enough to try the temper of anyone—I cannot but think that we may never have got into the right way, nor have been properly equipped for this important voyage. Their behavior is surely unlike what might be expected from heaven-bound mariners; and all our past experience too is entirely against us, for it has been nothing but failure hitherto. Then again, look at our steering compass suddenly flying round from one point to another, and quite unreliable. Surely such a changeable instrument could not have been a gift from the King, as we have been told! Besides, what does the sickness and debility of our Captain, and indeed of everyone on board, mean, if we have been, as you say, renewed and strengthened for this voyage. Moreover, where are the precious records you speak of—our credentials, in fact—which were always to be to us an indisputable assurance of our deliverance and acceptance by the King?”
Here the accusing pilot was interrupted by Mr. Faint-heart—who was much affected by this last remark—saying, “Those important records, I am sorry to say, cannot at present be found for in the fright and confusion occasioned by the visit of those dreadful pirates, they were hurriedly stowed away; and unfortunately no one knows where they were put.”
“Just so,” said Sore-conscience. “They are lost, and so we have nothing to show who or what we are, or whither we are bound. How then can we be sure of having been directed into the right course, or of ever reaching that Celestial land, where all the good and pious find a haven of rest? Those who are in the right way show it by their right behavior. For is it not written in our Directory, ‘Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God’?”
Thoughts. “All very true no doubt, but these facts looked at from another point of view do bear another application. Now it is certainly evident, from all that you have said, that you take no pleasure in evil, but on the contrary hate it; that you always desire to do that which is right and good, and are not like those to whom ‘wickedness is sweet in their mouths, and who hide it under their tongues’; that you are rather like the man in the seventh of Romans, who ‘delights in the law of God after the inward man,’ (a sure sign of his being a true believer) but who at the same time lamentingly says, ‘For that which I do, I allow not; for what I would, that do I not, but what I hate, that I do,’ and ‘When I would do good, evil is present with me.’”
Faint-heart. “That exactly describes our condition.”
Thoughts. “Well, then let me ask, Do you believe that Prince Emmanuel has prepared a way of deliverance for all who believe?”
Weak-faith. “Certainly we do believe that great fact generally, but we are not sure that our belief or faith is of the right kind; indeed we fear it is not, and it is that for one thing that gives us so much anxiety.”
Thoughts. “But mark this, you are not asked to believe or trust in your own faith (which would be trusting in yourselves, in whom there is no good thing) but to believe and trust in the declared word of the blessed Prince Himself. Now hear what He says: ‘He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.’ To have the right kind of faith, is to have confidence in the right person; that is, not in ourselves, nor anyone like ourselves, but in the adorable person of the Son of God.
“All who take Him at His word, and thus simply believe or trust in Him, have at once, as He says, ‘Everlasting life:’ and it is their happy privilege ever after to know they have this life; as the beloved Apostle says, ‘These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life.’”
Weak-faith. “That is all very beautiful, and no doubt true, and I wish we could realize it as you do. But is it not presumption to be so sure of these things; especially when we remember the many admonitions we have in the Word to ‘take heed lest we fall and become castaways’?”
Thoughts. “But it is not presumption to believe what God Himself says: indeed, not to believe His Word is to commit the dreadful sin of making God a liar! as it is written, ‘He that believeth not God, hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.’ Now what is this record of God? Is it not that all who believe have eternal life? ‘And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.’
“We may, it is true, through negligence, wander out of our course on this broad ocean, and bring upon ourselves much sorrow and loss of communion with our King, which we should ever strive to avoid; but the words you quote do not imply that a true believer could finally be castaway and lost forever. That is impossible, for God Himself says so: ‘Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to the hope set before us.’ Thus you see our consolation—our assurance of eternal safety—does not rest on our own thoughts, feelings or emotions, which are as changeable as the wind, but on the solid rock of God’s own word, confirmed to us even by an oath.”
Weak-faith. “True, no doubt, and very beautiful again; it cheers one to hear such words, but may not those who have once believed, ‘fall from grace’ and be lost after all?”
Thoughts. “Those words, so often misapplied, do not teach that doctrine, but give us quite another line of thought. Those who have ‘fallen from grace,’ are those to whom Christ has become of no effect, because they have fallen or gone back from the way of salvation by grace in Christ, to seek for justification by the law (as some of the Galatians did by going back to Judaism); that was, to work out their salvation by trying to keep the law, instead of solely depending upon the grace and righteousness of God in Christ: as we are told elsewhere, ‘For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.’”
Weak-faith. “Well, but in the book to the Hebrews, are we not told that it is possible for those who have been once enlightened to fall away, and never be renewed again?”
Thoughts. “Very solemn words indeed, but often sadly misinterpreted, in the way you now present them. Many, alas! who have been enlightened, who have tasted—only tasted—of the heavenly gift, and of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come; and who, as mere professors in the assemblies of the saints (where the Holy Spirit abides) may have been thus made partakers of His Presence, yet may nevertheless fall away, and never be again renewed unto repentance. Repentance, bear in mind, not salvation, for such were never truly saved. Like the stony-ground hearers who hear the word and straightway with joy receive it, but endure only for a while, because they have no root in themselves; and when tribulation or persecution arise, they are offended and fall away. These are the voyagers who in momentary alarm for their safety have gone as far as the Rocky point of Repentance, (as the Watcher there told us) have held on there for a brief season, and then, through fear of man and unbelief, have let go their hold, and have gone down again into the world’s great stream, whence it would be impossible ever to bring them back. But they never reached the wondrous Cross, where full deliverance and eternal life are given to all who find their way there; for if they had, they never would have thus finally fallen away.
“Hear what our blessed Lord says: ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand.’
“These assuring and comforting words of the Lord forever settle everything as to Salvation and eternal life; and though heaven and earth shall pass away not one of His words shall pass away. Let me also remind you that the life of all true believers is ‘Hid with Christ in God,’ and well indeed it is that this precious treasure is not entrusted to their own care and keeping, and thus be liable at any moment to be lost; but is securely treasured up in heaven, even in the safe keeping of the ever faithful Prince Himself.
“Moreover their names are written in the ‘Book of Life.’ Can they ever be blotted out from that Book of Heaven? Never, it is utterly impossible, seeing that the One who inscribed them there never changes, whose decree altereth not. And though unfortunately you have lost for a while your precious rolls, and the comfortable assurance they gave you, remember they were recorded in heaven on the very day you came to the Cross and were saved, for it is graciously written that you and all true believers are ‘Kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.’”
Weak-faith. “Most beautiful again and most consoling indeed, if we could only be sure that we were among the happy number of those whom you describe, but how are we to know it?”
Thoughts. “By taking God at His word and simply trusting in Him; for His word—and not your own poor thoughts and feelings—settles everything, and never can change.”
Weak-faith. “Still are we not told to ‘work out our own salvation with fear and trembling,’ to fight our way to heaven, and that it is only those who ‘overcome’ that ‘shall inherit eternal life?’”
Thoughts. “Very true words, and needful too when rightly understood, but which are also often sadly misapplied in the manner you have now used them. They are never addressed to unbelievers, but ‘To all the Saints in Christ Jesus,’ who have already obtained salvation. These saints, or believers, are therefore admonished to work it out practically, into their daily walk and conversation; because ‘It is God which worketh in you both to will, and to do of His good pleasure.’ In other words, show outside in your lives, what God is working within you. You see, they are not told to work for their salvation, but to work it out (because they already possess it) into every detail of their daily life; and thus be ‘lights in the world.’ Then again, it is surely not sinners or the unconverted that are told to fight the good fight of faith, and to overcome. Unbelievers are ‘dead in trespasses and sins’; how then could the dead fight such spiritual battles? Moreover, who is he that overcometh, or gains the victory over the ‘rulers of the darkness of this world and the wicked spirits in high places,’ but he that by faith takes hold of the arm of Omnipotence, whose ‘strength is made perfect in weakness:’ as it is written, ‘For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith, Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God.’ Thus you see that these words again are exclusively and appropriately addressed, not to impenitent sinners, but to those who by coming in by the way of the Cross have been eternally saved, born again, and made the children of God; and who are therefore exhorted again and again in the Word, to ‘walk worthy of the high vocation wherewith they are called’; to advance steadily in their career, to grow in grace and in the exhibition of all the virtues, so as to please and glorify the gracious King, and thus bear a holy testimony to the truth, and to the righteousness and goodness of all our holy King’s ways.”
Faint-heart. “These precious words of truth do greatly cheer us, and I for one begin to see that we have been sadly mistaken, ever since we were injured by the pirates, in looking at ourselves so much, instead of looking above to our chief Captain: and remembering all that He has accomplished for us, and what He ever is to us, as our Saviour, guide, and protector.”
Thoughts. “Truly, our eyes should ever be lifted up to Him for everything; in all our progress as voyagers over this dangerous ocean.”
By this time it was becoming evident that the light of truth was beginning to brighten the countenance of all on board the Never-sure; and they at once began to trim their sails, and attend to their steering, so as to improve their hitherto uncertain sailing. And we had the pleasure of seeing them now making some little progress on their way.
Still, as their movements were yet somewhat slow, and land appearing in sight ahead, we prepared to hasten on. Before parting company however, our Pilot, Mr. Conscience, kindly admonished them by saying, “Earnestly pray that the Holy Presence, whom you have so much grieved by your dishonorable doubts and fears, may restore your confidence, re-adjust your faith-compass, and enable you to fling all your doubts and misgivings to the winds; so that you may henceforth sail steadily onward in your heavenly course. Ever bear in mind these three things:
“First. That the certainty of your eternal salvation wholly depends upon the accomplished work of the blessed Prince Emmanuel. And to think of adding one thought, feeling, or action to that work is to discredit it, and thereby dishonor the Prince. You have only to accept it by faith, as an absolute gift.
“Second. That the assurance of it depends entirely upon the unalterable word of Jehovah Himself (and not on your own feelings or emotions) who hath said, ‘Whosoever believeth in Him shall never perish, but have everlasting life.’
“Third. That your enjoyment of it now, whilst on your voyage to the haven of rest on the other side, will depend in great measure on your correct behavior as becometh saints, and on not grieving the Holy One, who is ever with you.
“Spread all your sails to catch the faintest breath of heaven, have your helm firmly in hand, your eyes fixed on Him, the pole of attraction to which your compass ever pointeth, and steer right across this strong current, on your appointed course; strictly charge the watch to be ever on the lookout, and let your lights be always brightly burning. Forget not to take your daily sights from the Sun of Righteousness, and be especially attentive in listening to the gentlest whisper of the Holy Presence, and be always guided thereby. For many, by neglecting these important matters, have drifted sadly out of their true course, and then have found themselves enveloped in bewildering darkness, the sun hidden by dark clouds from their sight, and they have thus been deprived of the enjoyment of that happy assurance as to their safety, with which they started. Lift now your drooping heads, look up to the heavens above, and try with confidence to sing:
“‘Our life is hid with Jesus,
Safe in the heavens above;
Who gave His life to save us;
How can we doubt His love?
His Word that never faileth,
Seals our security;
He that on Him believeth,
Shall endless glory see.’”
Then bidding them farewell, with the hope of soon meeting again on the Celestial Shore, we proceeded on our way.