While some saints enjoy a clear assurance of their salvation, and stretching toward heaven behold the land that is very far off, as seamen from their outlook descry the mountain-tops, when their bark is ploughing a waste of waters, and yet a long way from land, there are other Christians who pass their days in a state of despondency. The sun seldom breaks out to cheer them. Their hope has a hard fight with their fears.
It is little they know of rejoicing in the Lord, and joy in the God of their salvation. By help of God’s word, their compass, they succeed, no doubt, in steering their way to heaven, but it is over a troubled sea, and under a cloudy sky; nor are they ever happy enough to be delivered from doubt and fear, till fears are lost in light, and they find themselves safe in glory.—GUTHRIE.
