A39673:1306
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 4: IV. 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.
Consid. 4. It's a sin that cuts off Mercy from you in future straits: if you thus requite the Lord for former mercies, never expect the like in future distresses. God is not weary of his blessings, to cast them away upon such Souls that are but graves to them. Mark what a reply God made to the Israelites, when they cried unto him for help, being invaded by the Amorites, Judg. 10. 11, 12, 13. Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the Children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and ye cried unto me, and I delivered you out of their hands; yet ye have forsaken me, and served other Gods; wherefore I will deliver you no more. O sad word! It is (as if the Lord had said) I have tried what mercy and deliverance will do with you, and I see you are never the better for it; deliverance is but seed sown upon the Rocks: I will cast away no more favours upon you; now look to your selves, shift for your selves for time to come, wade through your troubles as well as you can. O brethren, there is nothing more quickly works the ruin of a People, than the abuse of mercy. O methinks this Text should strike terror into your hearts. How often hath God delivered you? Remember thy eminent deliverance at such a time, in such a Country, out of such a deep distress: God was gracious to thy cry then; thou hast forgotten and abused this mercy; what now, if God should say, as in the Text▪ Therefore I will deliver thee no more. Ah poor Soul! What wouldest ⟨p. 62⟩thou do then, or to whom wilt thou turn? It may be thou wilt cry to the Creatures for help and pity; but alas, to what purpose? they will give as cold and as comfortless an answer, as Samuel gave unto Saul, 1 Sam. 28. 15, 16. And Samuel said to Saul, Wherefore hast •hou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by Prophets, nor by Dreams; therefore have I called thee &c. Then said Samuel, Wherefore then doest thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and become thine enemy? O! thou wilt be a poor shiftless creature, if once by abusing mercy thou make it thy Enemy.