A39673:1361
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 5: V. 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.
Ans. First, Certainly you are more absurd in pleading and pretending your impotence against your duty: for you do think you have a power to come to Christ, else how do you quiet your Conscience with Promises and solves of Conversion hereafter? Secondly, Though it be true, that no saving Act can be done without the concurrence of special Grace; yet this is as true, that thy inability to do what is above thy power, doth not excuse thee from doing what is in thy power to do. Canst thou not forbear, at least, many external acts of sin? And canst thou not perform, at least, the external acts of duty? Oh, if thou canst not come to Christ, yet, as the blind man, lie in the way of Christ; do what thou canst do, and confess and bewail thine impotency that thou canst do no more. Canst thou not take thy Soul aside in secret, and thus bemoan it; My poor Soul, what wilt thou do? Oh what will become of thee, thou art Christless, Covenantless, Hopeless, and, which is most sad, senseless and bowelless. O! thou canst not bear the infinite Wrath of the Eternal God, whose Almighty Power will be set on work to torment such as thou art, and yet thou takest no course to prevent it. Thou seest the busy diligence of all others, and how the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence by them; and art not thou as deeply engaged ⟨p. 78⟩to look to thy own happiness, as any in the world? Will Hell be more tolerable to thee than others? Oh what a composition of stupidity and sloth art thou? Thou livest after such a rate, as if there were neither Fire in Hell to torment thee, nor Glory in Heaven to reward thee. If God and Christ, Heaven and Hell, were but dreams and fables, thou couldst not be less affected with them. Ah, my Soul! my Soul! my precious Soul! Is it easy to perish? Wilt thou die as a fool dieth? Oh that men would but do thus, if they can do no more!
Ans. First, Certainly you are more absurd in pleading and pretending your impotence against your duty: for you do think you have a power to come to Christ, else how do you quiet your Conscience with Promises and solves of Conversion hereafter? Secondly, Though it be true, that no saving Act can be done without the concurrence of special Grace; yet this is as true, that thy inability to do what is above thy power, doth not excuse thee from doing what is in thy power to do. Canst thou not forbear, at least, many external acts of sin? And canst thou not perform, at least, the external acts of duty? Oh, if thou canst not come to Christ, yet, as the blind man, lie in the way of Christ; do what thou canst do, and confess and bewail thine impotency that thou canst do no more. Canst thou not take thy Soul aside in secret, and thus bemoan it; My poor Soul, what wilt thou do? Oh what will become of thee, thou art Christless, Covenantless, Hopeless, and, which is most sad, sensless and bowelless. O! thou canst not bear the infinite Wrath of the Eternal God, whose Almighty Power will be set on work to torment such as thou art, and yet thou takest no course to prevent it. Thou seest the busie diligence of all others, and how the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence by them; and art not thou as deeply engaged