A39673:548
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 14 › 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.
Hence may the unsanctified Soul draw matter of fear and trouble, even from its unsanctified troubles. And thus it may reflect upon it self; O my Soul, what good hast thou gotten by all, or any of thy afflictions? God's Rod hath been dumb to thee, or thou deaf to it. I have not learned one holy Instruction from it: My troubles have left me the same, or worse than they found me; my Heart was proud, earthly, and vain before, and so it remains still: They have not purged out, but only given vent to the pride, murmur, and atheism of my heart. I have been in my afflictions, as that wicked Ahaz was in his, 2 Chron. 28. 22. Who in the midst of his distress, yet trespassed more and more against the Lord. When I have been in storms at Sea, or troubles at home, my Soul within me hath been as a raging Sea, casting up mire and dirt. Surely this Rod is not the Rod of God's Children. I have proved but dross in the Furnace, and I fear the Lord will put me away as dross, as he threatens to do by the wicked, Psal. 119. 119.
Hence may the unsanctified Soul draw matter of fear and trouble, even from its unsanctified troubles. And thus it may reflect upon it self; O my Soul, what good hast thou gotten by all, or any of thy afflictions? God's Rod hath been dumb to thee, or thou deaf to it. I have not learned one holy Instruction from it: My troubles have left me the same, or worse than they found me; my Heart was proud, earthly, and vain before, and so it remains still: They have not purged out, but onely given vent to the pride, murmur, and atheism of my heart. I have been in my afflictions, as that wicked Ahaz was in his, 2 Chron. 28. 22. Who in the midst of his distress, yet trespassed more and more against the Lord. When I have been in storms at Sea, or troubles at home, my Soul within me hath been as a raging Sea, casting up mire and dirt. Surely this Rod is not the Rod of God's Children. I have proved but dross in the Furnace, and I fear the Lord will put me away as dross, as he threatens to do by the wicked,