A39673:36
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.
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.
- 1Mundi creatio est Scriptur a Dei, Clemens. Universus mundus est D•us explicatus.Mundi creatio est Scriptur a Dei, Clemens. Vniversus mundus est D•us explicatus.
3. Consider how often you are nearer Heaven than any People in the World. They mount up to heaven, Psal. 107. 26. It has been said of an ungodly Minister, that contradicted his Preaching in his Life and Conversation, That it was pity he should ever come out of the Pulpit, because he was there as near Heaven as ever he would be. Shall it be said of you, upon the same account, That 'tis pi•y you should come down from the high-towering Waves of the Sea? Should not Sea-men, that in stormy Weather have their feet (as it were) upon the Battlements of Heaven, look down upon all earthly Happiness in this World but as base, waterish, and worthless? The great Cities of Campania seem but small Cottages to them that stand on the Alps. Should not Sea-men, that so oft mount up to