A58039:16
A token for mariners
A token for mariners containing many famous and wonderful instances of God's providence in sea dangers and deliverances, in mercifully preserving the lives of his poor creatures, when, in humane probability, at the point of perishing by shipwreck, famine, or other accidents. much enlarged, with the addition of many new relations, one whereof happening this present year, and never before printed. Mostly attested by the persons themselves. Also The seaman's preacher, being a sermon on the right improvement of such mercies. And prayers for seamen on all occasions.A token for mariners containing many famous and wonderful instances of God's providence in sea dangers and deliverances, in mercifully preserving the lives of his poor creatures, when, in humane probability, at the point of perishing by shipwrack, famine, or other accidents. much enlarg'd, with the addition of many new relations, one whereof happening this present year, and never before printed. Mostly attested by the persons themselves. Also The seaman's preacher, being a sermon on the right improvement of such mercies. And prayers for seamen on all occasions.
London: printed by Hugh Newman, 1698
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But though they look out of the Ship, as Noah did out of his Ark, upon the waters ⟨p. 3⟩and send forth the Dove of Prayer, that winged Messenger, to Heaven, yet she brings no Olive branch, no Answer; the waters assuage not, the winds calm not, they are like the Prophets Servant, when he bid him 1 Kings 18. 43. go up now; and look to-wards the Sea, and he went up and looked and said, there is nothing; and this strikes them into doleful and dismal Lamentations; out of which Lamentations, at last Springs up a tragical and sorrowful Motion. The Motion is, that which the Mariners, in Jonahs Vessel, put in execution, Come let us cast Lots, &c. only with this difference, they cast Lots to find out the delinquent; and these, which of them should dye first, to be a Sacrifice for ravenous Hunger to feed upon: Concluding, as he in that case, John. 11. 50. It is expedient for us that one man should dye for the People, and that the whole Ships Company perish not. Life being sweet, Skin for Skin, and all a man hath will he give for his life, they at last bring it, through many a sad debate, to a result, they cast the Lott, the disposing of which is of the Lord; one of the Company is arrested by the Lott; here is the Condemned Prisoner: O but where is the Executioner to be found to act his office upon a poor Innocent? is it not ⟨p. 4⟩death to them now, to think who shall act this bloody part in the Tragedy? But before they fall upon their involuntary Execution, Major Gibbons calls them to Prayer, considering, that in the Mount, the Lord is often seen, and that many times our extremity proves Gods opportunity; he also asks the poor man if he was willing to dye; but O what a hard Question is that to Answer! He replies, if it might preserve the rest of the lives, he could be the more willing; to which he hath this Answer: All events are in the hands of God, we must not dispute them, to Prayer they go: and, O sure these Prayers must melt hearts of Adamant! and Behold, while they are at it, God sends a visible commentary upon that Scripture: Isaiah 58. 9. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall Answer; thou shalt Cry, and he shall say here I am: For while they were calling, God was Answering; there leaps a mighty Fish into the Boat; and as it is said of the Whale: