A39673:476
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 12 › 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.
Lord, this hath been my manner from my Youth, may the Carnal minded Man say; I have been labouring for the Meat that perisheth; disquieting my self in vain, full of designs and projects for the World, and unwearied in my endeavours to compass an earthly treasure; yet therein I have either been checked and disappointed by Providence; or if I have obtained, yet I am no sooner come to enjoy that Content and Comfort I promised my self in it, but I am ready to leave it all, to be stripped out of it by Death, and in that day all my thoughts perish. But in the mean time What have I done for my Soul? When did I ever break a Night's sleep, or deny and pinch my self for it? Ah fool that I am! to nourish and pamper a vile Body, which must shortly lie under the Clods, and become a loathsome Carcass; and, in the mean time, neglect and undo my poor Soul, which partakes of the Nature of Angels, and must live for ever. I have kept others Vineyards, but mine own Vineyard I have not kept: I have been a perpetual drudge and slave to the World; in a worse condition hath my Soul been, than others that are Condemned to the Mines. Lord change my Treasure, and change my Heart: O let it suffice that I have been thus long labouring on the fire, for very vanity. Now gather up my heart and affections in thy self, and let my great design now be, to secure a special interest in thy Blessed Self, that I may once say, To me to live is Christ.
Lord, this hath been my manner from my Youth, may the Carnal minded Man say; I have been labouring for the Meat that perisheth; disquieting my self in vain, full of designs and projects for the World, and unwearied in my endeavours to compass an earthly treasure; yet therein I have either been checkt and disappointed by Providence; or if I have obtained, yet I am no sooner come to enjoy that Content and Comfort I promised my self in it, but I am ready to leave it all, to be stript out of it by Death, and in that day all my thoughts perish. But in the mean time What have I done for my Soul? When did I ever break a Night's sleep, or deny and pinch my self for it? Ah fool that I am! to nourish and pamper a vile Body, which must shortly lie under the Clods, and become a loathsome Carkass; and, in the mean time, neglect and undo my poor Soul, which partakes of the Nature of Angels, and must live for ever. I have kept others Vineyards, but mine own Vineyard I have not kept: I have been a perpetual drudge and slave to the World; in a worse condition hath my Soul been, than others that are Condemned to the Mines. Lord change my Treasure, and change my Heart: O let it suffice that I have been thus long labouring on the fire, for very vanity. Now gather up my heart and affections in thy self, and let my great design now be, to secure a special interest in thy Blessed Self, that I may once say, To me to live is Christ.