A39673:697
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 18 › 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.
O my Soul, what a case art thou in, if this be so? Are not all thy sins yet upon thine own score? Hast not thou mane light of Christ, and that precious Blood of his, and hitherto persisted in thy Rebellion against him? And what can the issue of this be at last, but ruin? There is abundant mercy indeed for returning sinners; but the Gospel speaks of none for persisting and impenitent sinners. And though many who are going on in their sins are overtaken by Grace, yet there is no Grace promised to such as go on in sin. O, if God should arrest me by the next Storm, and call me to an account for all that I owe him, I must then lie in the Prison of Hell to all Eternity; for I can never pay the debt; nay, all the Angels in Heaven cannot satisfy for it. Being Christless, I am under all the Curses in the Book of God; a Child of Hagar. Lord, pity and spare me a little longer! O discover thy Christ unto me, and give me Faith in his Blood, and then thou art fully satisfied at once, and I discharged for ever. O require not the debt at my hand, for then thou wilt never be satisfied, nor I acquitted. What profit, Lord, is there in my Blood! O my soul, make hast to this Christ, thy Refuge-City; thou knowest not how soon the avenger of Blood may overtake thee.
O my Soul, what a case art thou in, if this be so? Are not all thy sins yet upon thine own score? Hast not thou mane light of Christ, and that precious Blood of his, and hitherto persisted in thy Rebellion against him? And what can the issue of this be at last, but ruine? There is abundant mercy indeed for returning sinners; but the Gospel speaks of none for persisting and impenitent sinners. And though many who are going on in their sins are overtaken by Grace, yet there is no Grace promised to such as go on in sin. O, if God should arrest me by the next Storm, and call me to an account for all that I owe him, I must then lie in the Prison of Hell to all Eternity; for I can never pay the debt; nay, all the Angels in Heaven cannot satisfie for it. Being Christless, I am under all the Curses in the Book of God; a Child of Hagar. Lord, pity and spare me a little longer! O discover thy Christ unto me, and give me Faith in his Blood, and then thou art fully satisfied at once, and I discharged for ever. O require not the debt at my hand, for then thou wilt never be satisfied, nor I acquitted. What profit, Lord, is there in my Blood! O my soul, make hast to this Christ, thy Refuge-City; thou knowest not how soon the avenger of Blood may overtake thee.