The Ship and Its Passengers

‘”’’Look, as 171 a ship so7ne sleep, a7id so7ne walk co7itrary to the ships 77totion, so in the world; so7ne 77ie7i are neglige7it, others keep bustling a7td stirri7ig, a7id seek to 7’esist the desigjis of God; but the ship goes on, a7id the world goes onP Yes, a passenger may walk to the north along the deck, but the ship keeps on due south; he may sleep, but the vessel speeds over the waves; he may denounce its motion, but it holds on its way. So the heathen may rage, and the people imagine a vain thing, but the counsel of the Lord standeth fast for ever. Men are free to will and to act, but omnipotent wisdom rules over them despite their free agency. Not as if they were logs and stones does God govern men, but as rational, intelligent, free agents he permits them to do their own will, and works his own purposes notwithstanding. This is a great marvel. Men are as free as if there were no predestination, and predestination is accomplished as surely as if there were no free agents in the universe. We are full of wonder at this, but it is true.

The figure before us is not perfect, but it has many merits; and, at any rate, it sets out the one idea that the rebellions and wilfulnesses of mankind do not thwart the eternal purposes of the Most High. The royal vessel pursues its way whether men delight in its glorious progress, or rail against it. “The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice.”