By REV. D. J. MACASKILL, M.A., North Uist.
THE Apostle Paul had appealed to the highest civil court in the Roman Empire, and therefore it was necessary for him to journey to Rome. He had made three missionary journeys, so it was nothing new for him to travel. He claimed all his rights as a Roman citizen who had been born free. Others had to buy their citizenship, but he had not. He looked forward eagerly to visit the young church of God in the Metropolis, which included the saints of Caesar’s household. All roads led to Rome as the centre of European civilisation and government. The far-seeing Apostle knew that if the Gospel got a firm foothold in the capital it would be carried throughout the known world in all directions, even as far west as Spain and Britain. Egypt was the granary of Rome. So the centurion who was in charge of Paul found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy with a cargo of wheat. The blessed Apostle was useful to his Master even on board ship and among strange company. He was not ashamed to say “the grace” before them all. When all had lost their courage, both soldiers and sailors, he was the most manly of all the souls on board. The Roman soldiers were not cowards, and the sailors may have weathered many a storm, but now they abandoned hope.
Neither sun nor stars were visible, and they had lost their course, so they did not know where they were. This is an experience of many on their voyage to the shores of eternity. The whole human race is on a voyage from which they will not return. We might say that the devil is the master of the ship as long as the soul is unchanged. The crew that he has to assist him is an ungodly crew, the lusts of the flesh and the lust of the eye and the pride of life. They are sure to make shipwreck of the immortal soul sooner or later unless God the Holy Ghost will intervene. The course that is followed is the course of this world.
There is a correct course given us in the Scriptures, but men are careless about it. There is also a compass given, which is the Word of God; that tells the youngest child when he goes wrong. When Christ as the glorious Captain of salvation comes into the soul, what a transformation takes place. He now takes the wheel from the devil, the former master, and steers Himself, directly contrary to the former evil course, against both wind and tide. The crew that He takes with Him are a heavenly crew, the graces of the Spirit, “love and joy and peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” The Apostle Peter gives us a list of them in his Second Epistle, chapter i.
What happens to the old crew now? They are put in irons as mutineers, and are to be hanged when the vessel reaches port. They will struggle and strive to get their old place back again, but their power is broken for ever. It is said of them, “Lest my people forget, do not destroy them.” At sea there is great danger to everyone unless a proper watch is kept. We are commanded to watch unto prayer, to pray without ceasing. There are many hidden dangers and submerged rocks to be avoided. We read of some who made shipwreck of the faith and a good conscience. Demas forsook Paul and the gospel, having loved this present world. Judas made shipwreck for eternity.
The Lord’s people will often be afraid that the billows will go over their heads, and that they will never see the haven which they desired to see, but the more the winds rage, the more will they enjoy eternal rest after the storms of this life are over for ever. They have their anchor within the vale, sure and steadfast, whereas the wicked will be drowned in destruction as was Pharaoh. Jonah went down to the roots of the mountains. The waters went over him, but he was not drowned. He cried as it were out of the belly of hell, “I will look again to thy holy temple.” Many a time the Christian will reel and stagger like one drunk. At their wit’s end they be. They cry to the Lord and He them saves from their distress (Ps. cvii). Every day draws us nearer to the eternal shore, but how shall we get safely ashore ought to be the great question for us as rational and immortal beings.
When a ship is holed, all hands are ordered to the pumps. There are many holes in the soul of man, through which corruption can come in. It was through the eye that Satan entered the heart of man at first. John Bunyan tells us of Eye Gate and Ear Gate and Mouth Gate. Gluttons and drunkards let sin in by Mouth Gate. The Psalmist prayed with regard to his eyes and mouth and feet, that they would be kept. “Keep thou my heart and eye from viewing vanity, and in thy good and holy way be pleased to quicken me.” “Set thou a watch before my mouth, keep of my lips the door.” Peter wept bitterly by the grace of holy repentance.
The Lord’s people go from strength to strength until they appear in Zion. The means of grace in private and in public are the ports at which they call until they reach the heavenly harbour. Paul’s ship had a cargo of grain which they had to throw overboard to save their lives. The soul taught from above has to throw over the side many an evil way in order to be saved. The only cargo they wanted once was what would satisfy their carnal appetite, the dance and vain song and card-playing, but now they seek a heavenly cargo, wines on the lees well-refined, honey from the rock, the finest of the wheat. Instead of novel reading, it is the Word of God they desire.
By the telescope of faith they see Heaven and hell and the Day of Judgment, but the unbeliever cannot see these things, nor believe that they exist, until he finds himself in the eternal world. In experience, the Christian mounts to Heaven at times, and goes down to the depths again. “Their soul within them melts with trouble and with pain.” Some of Paul’s fellow travellers swam ashore. We took nothing into the world and can carry nothing out of it. Some went ashore on broken pieces of the ship. The earthly house of this tabernacle must be broken in pieces, but if we had one promise from the Holy Ghost, we could rest our never-dying souls on it (Ps. xciii).