This experience we have been considering is that of Christ's people only. But there is an experience sadder still: that of those who are living "without God," and therefore "without hope;"--the billows heaving, and yet they knowing not of them;--"deep calling to deep," yet they ignorant alike of their guilt and danger! There is nothing more sad or touching in the midst of a storm,--when the vessel is reeling on the waves, and little expectation of safety is left,--than to see, amidst the settled gloom of despair, the little child playing on the deck, all unaware of what is impending;--or, at a time of heart-rending bereavement, when every face of the household is muffled in sadness and suffused with tears, to hear the joyous laugh and playful prattle of unconscious infancy. Ah! of how many is this the position with regard to eternity;--living heedless of their danger--the waves of destruction ready to close over them! Sadder far, surely, is _their_ case, than all the troubles and trials of God's most afflicted people. _Their_ waves and billows are crested with hope--"songs in the night" come floating along the darkened surges; but the future to the others has _no_ ray of hope, _no_ midnight star, _no_ divine song! There is a time coming when, in a more awful sense, the cry will be heard, "Deep calleth unto deep: all Thy waves and Thy billows have gone over me!" But there will be no after-strain--no joyous anthem of anticipated deliverance--"Yet the Lord will command His loving-kindness!" In vain will the cry ascend, "My heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." But, blessed be God, that cry may ascend _now_--that Rock may be fled to as a shelter _now_. Sinner! these waves swept over the Rock of Ages, that they might not sweep over you! Sheltered in these crevices, you will be eternally safe. Not one blast of the storm, not one drop of the rain-shower of vengeance, can overtake you. When the billows of wrath--the deluge of fire--shall roll over this earth, safe in these everlasting clefts, you may utter the challenge, "_Who shall separate me from the love of Christ?_" X. Lessons. "When darkness long has veil'd my mind, And smiling day once more appears, Then, my Redeemer, then I find, The folly of my doubts and fears: Straight I upbraid my wandering heart, And blush that I should ever be Thus prone to act so base a part Or harbour one hard thought of Thee!" "Here deep calls to deep. Yet in the midst of those deeps faith is not drowned. You see it lifts its head above water."--_Bishop Hall._