N01010:108
War with the devil, or, The young man's conflict with the powers of darkness,…
War with the devil, or, The young man's conflict with the powers of darkness, in a dialogue discovering the corruption and vanity of youth, the horrible nature of sin, and deplorable condition of fallen man, also, a description of the power and rule of conscience, and the nature of true conversion. : To which is added, an appendix, containing a dialogue between an old apostate and a young professor, worthy the perusal of all, but chiefly intended for the instruction of the younger sort. / By B.K. author of Zion in distress, or The groans of the Protestant church.War with the devil, or, The young man's conflict with the powers of darkness, in a dialogue discovering the corruption and vanity of youth, the horrible nature of sin, and deplorable condition of fallen man, also, a description of the power and rule of conscience, and the nature of true conversion. : To which is added, an appendix, containing a dialogue between an old apostate and a young professor, worthy the perusal of all, but chiefly intended for the instruction of the younger sort. / By B.K. author of Sion in distress, or The groans of the Protestant church.
New York: printed by William Bradford, 1707
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Youth in his Unconverted state.Youth in his Ʋnconverted state.
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.
Youth. Who e'er thou art, I'll make you by and by Confess you have accused me wrongfully. From Murder I am clear in thought and deed, Thus to be charged, doth cause my heart to bleed; Pray let me crave your Name, if you are free, If you provoke me, worse 'twill quickly be; You seek occasion, and are quarrelsome, And therefore 'tis I do suppose, you're come, But if your Name you don't declare to me, I am resolved to be revenged on thee.
Youth. Who e'er thou art, I'll make you by and by Confess you have accus'd me wrongfully. From Murder I am clear in thought and deed, Thus to be charg'd, doth cause my heart to bleed; Pray let me crave your Name, if you are free, If you provoke me, worse 'twill quickly be; You seek occasion, and are quarrelsom, And therefore 'tis I do suppose, you're come, But if your Name you don't declare to me, I am resolv'd to be reveng'd on thee.
Conscience. What violence (alas!) can you do more, Than that which you have done to me before? Forbear your threats, be still and hold your hand And quickly you shall know and understand My Name, my power, and place of Residence, Which may to you prove of great consequence, I am a Servant to a Mighty King, Who Rules and Reigns, and Governs every thin• Who keeps one Court above, and here below Another he doth keep, as you shall know; O'er this inferior Court placed am I To act and do as his great Deputy. I truly judge, according to my light, Yea, do impartially to each Man right. Those I condemn who vile and guilty are, And justify the holy and Sincere. ⟨p. 5⟩• ordered am to watch continually, O'er all your Actions with a wary Eye, And I have found how you of late time Committed many a bold and horrid Crime, Of Murder, Treason, and like Villainy Against the Crown and gracious Dignity Of that great Prince from whence you have your breath, Who's King & Ruler over all the Earth. I am his Judge, Attorney-General, And have Commission also, you to call Unto the Bar, and make you to confess Your horrid Crimes and fearful guiltiness; A black Indictment I have drawn in truth, Against thy self, thou miserable Youth Thy pride I shall abate, thy Pleasure mar, And bring thee to confess, with tears, at bar, Thy sport and Games, and youthful Lust to be Nought else but sin and cursed Vanity. And for to put you also out of doubt, My Name is Conscience which you bear about, No other then th' accusing faculty, Of that dear Soul which in thy breast doth lie: I by that Rule, Mens thought and way compare, By which their Inward parts enlightened are; And as they do accord, or disagree, I do accuse, or clear immediately, According to your light you do not live, But violate that Rule which God doth give To you to square your life and actions by; From hence comes in your woe and misery.