A39673:1250
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 2: II. 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.
But to be short, we find the Spirit of God in Scripture comparing the Tongue to a Tree, Prov. 15. 4. A wholesome Tongue is a Tree of Life. And words is the fruit of the Tree, Isa. 57. 12. I create the fruit of the Lips. Some of these Trees bear precious fruits, and it is a lovely sight to behold them laden with them in their seasons, Prov. 25. 11. A word fitly spoken, is like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver. Such a Tongue is a Tree of Life. Others of these Trees bear evil Fruit, Grapes of Sodom, and Clusters of Gomorrah. I shall only insist upon two sorts of these fruits, viz. (1.) Withered sapless fruit; I mean, idle and unprofitable words. (2.) Rotten and corrupt fruit; I mean, profane Oaths, and profanations of the sacred Name of God. No fruit in the world so apt to corrupt and taint, as the fruits of the Lips. When it is so, the Scripture calls it [Greek or Hebrew], corrupt •r rotten communication, Ephes. 4. 29. To prevent this, the Spirit of God prescribes an excellent way to season our words, and keep them sweet and sound, that they may neither wither nor become idle and sapless, nor putrefy and become rotten, as profane words are, Col. 4. 6. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer every ⟨p. 24⟩man. Oh if the salt of Grace were once cast into the fountain, the Heart, the streams must needs become more savoury and pleasant, as the waters of Marah when they were healed. My present work is to attempt the cure of this double evil, of idle words, and profane Oaths, whereof thousands among you are deeply guilty. I shall begin with the first, viz.
But to be short, we find the Spirit of God in Scripture comparing the Tongue to a Tree, Prov. 15. 4. A wholesome Tongue is a Tree of Life. And words is the fruit of the Tree,