A39673:35
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.
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.
1: How nigh they border upon the Confines of Death and Eternity every moment. There is but a step, but an inch or two between them and their Graves continually. The next Gust may over-set them; the next Wave may swallow them up. In one place lies lurking dangerous Rocks, in another perilous Sands, and every-where stormy Winds, ready to destroy them. Well may the Sea-men cry out,1 Ego crastinum non habui: I have not had a Morrow in my hands these many Years. Should not they then be extraordinary serious and heavenly continually? Certainly (as the Reverend Author of this New Compass well observes) nothing more composeth the heart to such a frame, than the lively apprehensions of Eternity do; and none have greater external advantages for that, than Sea-men have.
- 1Terror ubique tremor, timor un•eque & undique terrari. Ovi.
2. Consider (Sea-men) what extraordinary help you have by the Book of the Creatures;1 the whole Creation is God's Voice, it is God's excellent Hand-writing, or the Sacred Scriptures of the Most High, to teach us much of God, and what reasons we have to bewail our Rebellion against God, and to make conscience of obeying God only, naturally and continually. The Heavens, the Earth, the Waters, are the three great Leaves of this Book of God, and all the Creatures are so many Lines in those Leaves. All that learn not to fear and serve God by the help of this Book, will be left inexcusable, Rom. 1. 20. How inexcusable then will ignorant and ungodly Sea-men be? Sea-men should, in this respect, be the best Scholars in the Lord's School, seeing they do more, than others, see the Works of the Lord, and his Wonders in the great Deep, Psal. 107. 24.