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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 6 › REFLECTION.
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.
REFLECTION.
Ah Lord! such an heart have I had before thee; thus obstinate, thus rebellious, so uncontrollable by Conscience. Many a time hath Conscience thus whispered in mine ear; many a time hath it stood in my ⟨p. 24⟩way, as the Angel did in Balaam's, or the Cherubims that kept the way of the Tree of Life, with flaming swords turning every way. Thus hath it stood to oppose me in the way of my Lusts. How often hath it calmly debated the Case with me alone? And how sweetly hath it expostulated with me? How clearly hath it convinced of sin, danger, duty, with strong demonstration? How terrible hath it menaced my soul, and set the point of the threatening at my very breast? And yet my head-strong affections will not be remanded by it. I have obeyed the voice of every lust and temptation. Tit. 3. 3. But Conscience hath lost its Authority with me▪ Ah Lord! what a sad condition am I in, both in respect of sin and misery? My sin receives dreadful aggravations; for rebellion and presumption are hereby added to it. I have violated the strongest bonds that ever were laid upon a Creature. If my Conscience had not thus convinced and warned, the sin had not been so great and crimsoncoloured, Jam. 4. 17. Ah! this is to sin with an high hand, Numb. 15. 30. to come near to the great and unpardonable transgression, Psal. 19. 13. O how dreadful a way of sinning is this, with opened eyes! And as my sin is thus out of measure sinful so my punishment will be out of measure dreadful, if I persist in this rebellion. Lord, thou hast said, Such shall be beaten with many stripes,