A39673:340
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 8 › 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.
How inexcusable then art thou, O my Soul! and how mute and confounded must thou needs stand before the bar of God, in that great day? Thou hadst a Talent of natural parts committed to thee, but which way have they been improved? I had an Understanding indeed, but it was not sanctified; a Memory, but it was like a Sieve, that let go the Corn, and retained nothing but Husks and Chaff; Wit and Invention, but alas none to do my self good. Ah! how will these rise in judgment against me, and stop my mouth! What account shall I give for them in that day?
How inexcusable then art thou, O my Soul! and how mute and confounded must thou needs stand before the bar of God, in that great day? Thou hadst a Talent of natural parts committed to thee, but which way have they been improved? I had an Understanding indeed, but it was not sanctified; a Memory, but it was like a Sieve, that let go the Corn, and retain'd nothing but Husks and Chaff; Wit and Invention, but alas none to do my self good. Ah! how will these rise in judgment against me, and stop my mouth! What account shall I give for them in that day?
Again: Are men (otherwise prudent and skilful) such sots and fools in spiritual things? Then let the poor weak Christian, whose natural parts are blunt and dull, admire the riches of God's Free grace to him. O what an astonishing consideration is this! That God should pass by Men of the profoundest Natural parts, and choose me, even poor me, whose Natural ⟨p. 33⟩