A39673:1226
Navigation spiritualizedNavigation spiritualiz'd
Navigation spiritualized: or, A new compass for seamen consisting of XXXII points of pleasant observations, profitable applications, and serious reflections: all concluded with so many spiritual poems. Whereunto is now added, I. A sober consideration of the sin of drunkenness. II. The harlots face in the Scripture-glass. III. The art of preserving the fruit of the lips. IV. The resurrection of buried mercies and promises. V. The sea-mans catechism. Being an essay toward their much desired reformation from the horrible and detestable [sic] sins of drunkenness, swearing, uncleanness, forgetfulness of mercies, violation of promises, and atheistical contempt of death. Fit to be seriously recommended to their profane relations, whether sea-men or others, by all such as unfeignedly desire their eternal welfare. By John Flavel, minister of the Gospel.Navigation spiritualiz'd: or, A new compass for seamen consisting of XXXII points of pleasant observations, profitable applications, and serious reflections: all concluded with so many spiritual poems. Whereunto is now added, I. A sober consideration of the sin of drunkenness. II. The harlots face in the Scripture-glass. III. The art of preserving the fruit of the lips. IV. The resurrection of buried mercies and promises. V. The sea-mans catechism. Being an essay toward their much desir'd reformation from the horrible and destable [sic] sins of drunkenness, swearing, uncleanness, forgetfulness of mercies, violation of promises, and atheistical contempt of death. Fit to be seriously recommmended to their profane relations, whether sea-men or others, by all such as unfeignedly desire their eternal welfare. By John Flavel, minister of the Gospel.
London: printed for M. Fabian, 1698
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A Sober Consideration Of the SIN of DRUNKENNESS. › Caution 1: I. CAUTION.
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.
Reader, If thou be one that is guilty of this sin, for the Lords sake, bethink thy self speedily and weigh, with the reason of a man, what I shall now say, in order to thy Conviction, Humiliation and Reformation. I need not spend many words, to open the nature of this sin to you: we all grant, that there is a lawful use of Wine and strong Drink,1 to support Nature, not to clog it; to cure Infirmities, not to cause them. Drink no longer water, but use a little Wine, for thy stomachs sake, and thine often infirmities, saith Paul to Timothy, 1 Tim. 5. 23. mark; drink not water, but wine, sed modice (i. e.) medice; pro remedio, non pro delicius, saith Ambrose: that is, use it modestly, viz. Medicinally, not for pleasure, but for Remedy. Yea, God allows it, not noly for bare necessity, but for cheerfulness and alacrity, that the body may be more fit and expedite for duty, Prov. ⟨p. 10⟩31. 7. But further no man proceeds, without the violation of Sobriety. When men sit till Wine have inflamed them, and reason be disturbed (for Drunkenness is the privation of reason, caused by immoderate drinking) then do they come under the guilt of this horrid and abominable Sin. To the Satisfaction and refreshment of nature, you may drink; for it is a part of the Curse, to drink, and not be satisfied: but take heed you go no further, For Wine is a [mocker] strong Drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise, Prov. 20. 1. The Throat is a slippery place; how easily may a sin slip through it into the Soul? these sensual Pleasures have a kind of enchanting power upon the Soul; and by custom gain upon it, till they have enslaved it, and brought it under their power. Now this is the sin against which God hath delivered so many Precepts, and denounced so many Woes, in his Word: Ephes. 5. 18. Be not drunken with wine wherein is excess, Rom. 13. 18. Not in rioting and drunkenness. not in chambering and wantonness,