It was among the prophecies of the dying patriarch Jacob, (Genesis 49:13) that Zebulun should dwell in "the haven of the sea, and be an haven for ships" And how distant soever this allusion may appear to some concerning the days of Christ, and the eventual dispersion of the gospel to the Gentile islands of the sea, yet from subsequent prophecies to the same amount, when illustrated by each other, I confess that I am inclined to believe that some great maritime power, such as our own, may be fairly referred to in the several prophecies to this amount. I beg the reader before he goes farther to consult Numbers 24:24; Matthew 4:13-16; Ezekiel 27:1-36; Eze 28:1-26; Daniel 4:13; Dan 11:30. No doubt, The Tyrus spoken of is mystical as well as other places mentioned in those prophecies. The limits to be observed in this Poor Man's Concordance will not allow me to enlarge.
I cannot however dismiss the subject without first observing that, however partial we may be to our own country as to fancy the great maritime power alluded to means our British Zion, the present æra is highly unfavourable to the character of faithful worshippers. Whoever takes a fair and impartial statement between the purity of our faith and practice, and the period after the Reformation, will be struck with astonishment in the sad change. I was much pleased with the perusal of a paper which lately fell into my hands, entitled the Bill of Lading for a Ship. From the beautiful simplicity of style, as well as the evident marks of grace in which it is written, I take for granted that it was first in use in that glorious period, when the pure doctrines of the gospel were as much known and valued as they are now forgotten or despised. I mean from about the year 1560. I shall venture to believe the reader, if he hath never seen a Bill of Lading for a Ship, will thank me for inserting it under this article. It is in my esteem a precious fragment of the devotion of our Navy, as well as our fathers at that time in this kingdom engaged in commerce.
"Shipped by he grace of God, in good order, and well conditioned, in and upon the good Ship called the...whereof is master, under God, for this present voyage, A. B. and now riding at anchor in the river Thames, and by God's grace bound for...such and such goods. And which said goods are to be delivered in the like good order, at the said port (the act of God, the king's enemies, fire, and all and every other dangers and accidents of the seas, rivers, and navigation, of whatever nature and kind soever, excepted.) And so God send the good ship to her desired port in safety. Amen."