A39673:1261
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.
Arg. 4. But that is not all; It brings Soul-judgments and spiritual plagues upon you: It brings Hel• along with it. And if thou be not afraid to sin, yet methinks thou shouldst be afraid to burn ⟨p. 31⟩if the love of God can work nothing upon thy brawny heart, yet methinks the Terrors of the Lord should startle and affright it. To this purpose, I beseech you, weigh these Scriptures; and methinks, unless God hath lost all his Authority with you, and Hell all its Terrors, it should startle you. The first is that dreadful Scripture, James 5. 12. But above all things, my Brethren, swear not; neither by Heaven, neither by the Earth, neither by any other oath, but let your yea, be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into [Condemnation.] O view this Text seriously. Methinks it should be like the •ingers that came forth and wrote upon the wall, that dreadful Sentence that changed the Countenance of a King, and that in the height of a frolic humour, and made his Knees smite together. Mark, [Above all things] a form of vehemency and earnestness, like that, Ephes. 6. 16. But above all, taking the shield of Faith. As Faith hath a prelation there before all the Graces, so Swearing here before all other Vices. [Swear not] (i. e.) vainly, rashly, profanely; for otherwise 'tis a lawful thing, and a part of Gods worship, as I have showed: but swear not vain Oaths, by the Creatures, Heaven, or Earth, &c. Which is to advance the creature into the room of God. A sin to which the Jews were much addicted. But, Let your yea, be yea! and nay, nay? (i. e.) accustom your selves to short and plain Affirmations and Negations, to a simple and candid expression of your minds. And the thundering Argument that backs it, is this; [lest ye fall into Condemnation] (i. e.) lest for these things the Judge of Heaven and Earth pass a Sentence of condemnation to Hell upon you. Oh Sirs Dare you touch with this hot iron? Dare you from henceforward commit that Sin, that you know will bring you under the condemnation and judgment of God? Do you know ⟨p. 32⟩what it is for a soul to be cast at Gods bar? Did you never see a poor malefactor tried at the Assizes, and observe how his face gathers paleness, how his Legs tremble, and Death displays its colours in his cheeks, when sentence is given upon him? But what's that to Gods condemnation? What is a Gallows to Hell?