A39673:731
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 19 › 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.
And must Sin or the Soul perish? Must my Life, yea, my Eternal Life go for it, if I spare it? O then let me not be cruel to mine own Soul, in sparing my Sin; O my Soul, this foolish pity, and cruel Indulgence will be thy ruin: If I spare it, God hath said, He will not spare me, Deut. 26. 20. It is true, the pains of Mortification are sharp, but yet it's easier than the pains of Hell. To cut off a right hand, or pluck out a right eye, is hard; but to have my Soul cut off eternally from God, is harder. Is it as easy (O my Soul!) to burn for them in Hell, as to Mortify them on Earth? Surely, it is profitable for me, that one member perish, rather than that all be cast into Hell, Mat. 5. 24. I see the Merchant willing to part with rich Wares, if embarked with them in a Storm: And those that have Gangrened Legs or Arms, willingly stretch them out to be cut off, to preserve Life: And shall I be willing to endure no difficulties for my Soul? Christ reckoned Souls worth his Blood; And is it not worth my Self-denial? Lord, let me not warm a Snake in my Bosom, that will at last sting me to the heart.
And must Sin or the Soul perish? Must my Life, yea, my Eternal Life go for it, if I spare it? O then let me not be cruel to mine own Soul, in sparing my Sin; O my Soul, this foolish pity, and cruel Indulgence will be thy ruine: If I spare it, God hath said, He will not spare me, Deut. 26. 20. It is true, the pains of Mortification are sharp, but yet it's easier than the pains of Hell. To cut off a right hand, or pluck out a right eye, is hard; but to have my Soul cut off eternally from God, is harder. Is it as easie (O my Soul!) to burn for them in Hell, as to Mortifie them on Earth? Surely, it is profitable for me, that one member perish, rather than that all be cast into Hell,