A39673:1309
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.
Now I am confident, there be many among you, that in your former distresses have solemnly engaged your Souls thus to God; that if he would deliver you out of those dangers, and spare your lives, you would walk more strictly, and live more holy lives than ever you did. You have, it may be, engaged your Souls to the Lord against those sins, as Drunkenness, Lying, Swearing, Uncleanness, or whatsoever evil it was that your Conscience then smote you for: the vows of God (I say) are upon many of you. But have you performed those vows that your lips have uttered? Have you dealt truly with God? or have you mocked him, and lied unto him with your lips, and omitted those very duties you promised to perform, and returned to the self-same evils you promised to forsake. I only put the question, let your Consciences answer it. But if it be so indeed, that thou art a person that makest light of thy engagements to God, as indeed Seamen's Vows, and Sick mens Promises are, for the most part, deceitful and slippery things, being extorted from them by fear of Death, and not from any deep resentment of the necessity and weight of those Duties to which they bind their Souls: I say, if this sin lie upon any of your Souls, I advise you to go to God speedily, and bewail it; humble your self greatly before him, admire his patience in forbearing ⟨p. 64⟩you, and pay unto him what your lips have promised. And to move you thereunto, let these Considerations, among many other, be laid to heart.
Now I am confident, there be many among you, that in your former distresses have solemnly engaged your Souls thus to God; that if he would deliver you out of those dangers, and spare your lives, you would walk more strictly, and live more holy lives than ever you did. You have, it may be, engaged your Souls to the Lord against those sins, as Drunkenness, Lying, Swearing, Uncleanness, or whatsoever evil it was that your Conscience then smote you for: the vows of God (I say) are upon many of you. But have you performed those vows that your lips have uttered? Have you dealt truly with God? or have you mocked him, and lyed unto him with your lips, and omitted those very duties you promised to perform, and return'd to the self-same evils you promised to forsake. I only put the question, let your Consciences answer it. But if it be so indeed, that thou art a person that makest light of thy engagements to God, as indeed Seamens Vows, and Sick mens Promises are, for the most part, deceitful and slippery things, being extorted from them by fear of Death, and not from any deep resentment of the necessity and weight of those Duties to which they bind their Souls: I say, if this sin lie upon any of your Souls, I advise you to go to God speedily, and bewail it; humble your self greatly before him, admire his patience in forbearing