XV. ALL SIN, ALL SUFFER.

THE mariners that guided the ship in the tempest, Acts xxvii. 30-32, had a design for their own safety with the ruin of the rest; intending (under pretence of casting out an anchor) to escape in a boat by themselves. But the soldiers prevented their purpose, and cut off the cord of the boat, and let it fall into the sea. One and all: all sink, or all save. Herein their martial law did a piece of exemplary justice.

Do any intend willingly (without special cause) to leave the land, so to avoid that misery which their sins, with others, have drawn upon it; might I advise them, bettermourn in, than move out of sad Zion. Hang out the scarlet lace at the casement [Jos. chap. ii.] (eyes made red with sorrow for sin), but slide not down out of the window without better warrant. But if they be disposed to depart, and leave their native soil, let them take heed their fly-boat 137meets not with such soldiers as will send them back, with shame and sorrow, into the ship again.