A39673:7
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.
Dedication: To All Masters, Mariners and Seamen:Dedication: To All Masters, Marriners and Seamen:
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.
To All Masters, Mariners and Seamen:
To All Masters, Marriners and Seamen:
Especially such as belong to the Borough of Clifton, Dartmouth and Hardness, in the County of Devon,
Especially such as belong to the Borrough of Clifton, Dartmouth and Hardnes, in the County of Devon,
Sirs,
I Find it Storied of Anacharsis, that when one Asked him, Whether the Living or the Dead were more? He returned this Answer, You must first tell me (saith he) in which Number I must place Sea-men; Intimating thereby, that Sea-men are, as it were, a Third sort of Persons, to be Numbered neither with the Living nor the Dead; their Lives hanging continually in suspense before them. And it was anciently accounted the most desperate Employment, and they little better than lost Men that used the Seas. Through all my Life (saith Aristotle) Three things do especially repent me: First, That ever I revealed a Secret to a Woman. Secondly, That ever I remained one day without a Will. Thirdly, That ever I went to any place by Sea, whither I might have gone by Land. Nothing (saith another) is more miserable, than to see a Virtuous and Worthy Person upon the Sea. And although Custom, and the great Improvement of the Art of Navigation, have made it less formidable now, yet are you no further from death than you are from the waters, which is but a remove of two or three inches. Now you that border so nigh upon the confines of death and eternity every moment, may well be supposed to be Men of singular Piety and Seriousness: For nothing more composes the Heart to such a frame, than the lively apprehensions of Eternity do: and none have greater external advantages for that, than