Blanchard's Travel Excelled
When I read and hear of the modern bustling about air balloons, what multitudes assemble to behold their motion, and from what distance; and think what useful money, and still more precious time, is spent in that unprofitable contemplation, it makes me with great grief and shame to think, “Lord hast thou made men in vain?” Hast thou made them more thoughtless and improvident than the grasshopper, or more stupid and unnatural than the ostrich, that most live altogether unconcerned about either time or eternity? Have they no bodies, no families to provide for? have they no just debts to pay? no occasions of giving to him that needeth? have they no souls to be for ever saved, or to be eternally damned? Is it possible for men, who have souls, to run or ride scores of miles to behold a large and full-blown bladder mounting into the air, who nevertheless would grudge to travel one or two to behold the glory, and see the goings, of my God and my King in the sanctuary? Is it possible that such as have immortal and precious souls, should spend more time in one day, in this pitiful contemplation, than ever they spent in serious searching of their heart, or solemn prayer to their God; in taking heed to their way; in looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; to God that dwelleth in the heavens above them; or to the infinitely important eternity that is before them?
But rejoice, O my soul, that by the grace of God, I have taken my seat in that divine balloon, the everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure! and this is all my salvation, and all my desire. I am
on the very point of setting off, not for France, or its dangerous wood, but for the paradise of God, the palace of my king, in whose presence is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore. Perhaps next moment I may begin my journey, not over the straits of Dover, but over the deeps of death. Yet I shall not die, but live and praise the Lord. Because Jesus liveth, I shall live also. He hath the keys of hell and death. He did and he will swallow up death in victory. He hath redeemed me from death: 44 O death, he was thy plague! O grave, he was thy destruction! “Be not therefore, my soul, afraid, but only believe, and thou shalt soon see the glory of God. u While I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for God shall be with me; his rod and his staff shall comfort me.” u O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Though in my dying moments the winds should rise, the rains descend, and floods come and beat upon me, I shall neither fall nor sink, nor be driven out of my way. God hath said to me 44 Fear not, for I will be with thee. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt, nor shall the flame kindle upon thee. Why shouldest thou then be cast down, O my soul? Why shouldest thou be disquited within me? still trust in God, for I shall yet praise him; for he is the health of my countenance and my God.” Though I should walk in the midst of trouble, I shall have life from him. Though the waters should swell even to the brim, they shall not overflow my soul, nor come near unto me. Thou shalt hide me from trouble, and shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
Arise, O my ransomed soul, and go over, go up to mount Zion, to the Lord thy God! Arise, for the Master is come, and calleth for thee. It is the voice of my beloved who speaks and says to me, 44 Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for the winter is past, and the rain is over and gone. ““My desire is to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better.” Why tarry the wheels of his chariots? and why is he so long a coming? Stript by the grace of God of this body of sin and self, and of this frail and mortal frame, I shall mount as the eagle, shall fly and not be weary, ascend and never faint. Adieu, you subtle self, you filthy lusts, you molehill earth — I will have nothing more to do with you. Hoisted up by Jehovah’s love, attended by his hymning angels, ail inflamed by his Spirit, I sing and soar away. You malicious, murdering powers of air, shall see it, and shall gnash your teeth, and melt away. You wandering planets, you enlightening sun, you glittering stars, in whom I have often discerned the glories of God, my God — I bid you all farewell. I am on my way to far brighter worlds, where you can never be seen; where God shall be my sun, my moon, my stars, my everlasting light, my glory, and my all in all. While the ravishing music of heaven meets my
ears, and transports my heart, I see the pearly gate east wide open, to give me an abundant entrance into the kingdom of my Lord. I perch, not on the top of woodland trees, but on the Tree of Life. In the arms of my God, I enter the new Jerusalem. I am brought into the palace of my king with gladness great, and mirth on every side. Methinks all heaven is moved to meet me at my coming, and crying with sweet wonder, “Who is this? what unparalleled monument of redeeming grace is this?” Not French grandees, but an innumerable company of angels, and the general assembly of the first-born, the spirits- of just men made perfect; God, the Judge of all, Jesus, the Mediator of the new Testament, and the blessed Spirit of all grace, welcome me in the most delightful forms! Now I enter into the joy of my Lord, and sit down with Christ on his throne. I am, and shall be, ever with the Lord. I see the redeeming Godhead as it is, and am filled with all the fulness of God, and know him even as I am known. I am perfectly conformed to his image. My heart is inflamed, and my mouth rilled with his praise and honour all the day. Lord, what am I, that thou hast brought me hitherto! What can the first-rate sinner more say? Is this the manner of men, O Lord!