A39673:169
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 New Compass for Sea-Men: OR, Navigation Spiritualiz'd. › Chapter 3
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.
CHAP. III.
Within these smooth-faced Seas strange Creatures crawl; But in Man's Heart, far stranger than them all.
Within these smooth-fac'd Seas strange Creatures crawl; But in Man's Heart, far stranger than them all.
OBSERVATION.
IT was an unadvised saying of Plato, Mare nil memorabile producit: The Sea produceth nothing memorable. But surely there is much of the Wisdom, ⟨p. 12⟩Power, and Goodness of God manifested in those Inhabitants of the Watery Region: Notwithstanding the Seas azure and smiling face, Strange Creatures are bred in its Womb. O Lord (saith David) how manifold are thy works? In wisdom hast thou made them all; the Earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide Sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great Beasts, Psalm 104. 24, 25. And we read, Lam. 4. 3. of Sea-Monsters, which draw out their Breasts to their young. Pliny and Purchas tell incredible stories about them. About the Tropic of Capricorn, our Sea-men meet with flying Fishes, that have Wings like a Rear-mouse, but of a Silver-colour; they fly in flocks like Stares. There are Creatures of very strange Forms and Properties; some resembling a Cow, called by the Spaniards, Manates, by some supposed to be the Sea monster spoken of by Jeremiah. In the Rivers of Guiana, Purchas saith, there are Fishes that have four Eyes, bearing two above and two beneath the Water when they swim: Some resembling a Toad, and very poisonous. How strange both in shape and property is the Sword-fish and Thrasher, that fight with the Whale? Even our own Seas produce Creatures of strange shapes, but the commonness takes off the wonder.