Waggons Not Moved by Wind nor Ships Drawn by Horses

“The wise use right means, such as will bring them io their desired etid. We do not use to draw ships in the sea with horses, nor draw waggons with the wind. We imist 7iot use cojttrary means nor 17isuffi,cient ?nea7zs. We cannot go to the bottom of a well that is thirty foot deep with a line that is but ten foot.” Why, then, do men try to win heaven by their own merits? This short line will never reach so far. Why do they endeavour to save souls by noise and carnal excitement instead of crying for the Spirit of God y What is this but refusing to spread the sail for the heavenly breeze, and relying upon the tramp of horses, and the strength of flesh and blood? How is it that so many look to obtain blessing through ceremonies of man’s invention? This is an endeavour to move a mountain by dancing before it.

If the means must be adequate to the end, then nothing short of the merits of Jesus can cause a sinner to enter heaven, and nothing but the power of the Holy Ghost can make men new creatures in Christ Jesus. If the means must be adapted to the end, then we must have mercy to comfort misery, love to rescue lost sinners, divine goodness for despairing hearts, and power from on high for souls dead in trespasses and sin.

Next time we hear a man try to convert people by fine language, we shall remember Manton’s saying, that waggons are not moved by wind.