N01010:120
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.
Conscience, Nay, foolish Youth, how can that thing be done, From Conscience it is in vain to run; No secret place can you find out or spy, To hide your selves from me, such is my Eye, I see i'th' dark as well as in the Light, No doors nor walls, will keep thee from my sight. ⟨p. 13⟩Where e'er thou art, or goest, am I not near, Thy Soul with horrid guilt to scare and fear? Could Cain or Judas, get out of my reach, When once between us there was the like breach? Did I not follow them unto the end, And made them know what 'twas for to offend My glorious Prince, and me his true Vice-Roy? Vengeance doth follow them who us annoy. My Counsel then I prithee take with speed, For that's the way alone for to be freed From Vengeance here, and Wrath also to come, When thou dost dye, and at the day of Doom.
Conscience, Nay, foolish Youth, how can that thing be done, From Conscience it is in vain to run; No secret place can you find out or spy, To hide your selves from me, such is my Eye, I see i'th' dark as well as in the Light, No doors nor walls, will keep thee from my sight. ⟨p. 13⟩Where e'er thou art, or goest, am I not near, Thy Soul with horrid guilt to scare and fear? Could Cain or Judas, get out of my reach, When once between us there was the like breach? Did I not follow them unto the end, And made them know what 'twas for to offend My glorious Prince, and me his true Vice-Roy? Vengeance doth follow them who us annoy. My Counsel then I prithee take with speed, For thats the way alone for to be freed From Vengeance here, and Wrath also to come, When thou dost dye, and at the day of Doom.
Youth. What! can't I •ly from thee▪ nor thee subdue? Then I entreat thee, Conscience, don't pursue, Nor follow me so close; forbear a while, Don't yet my Beauty, nor my pleasure spoil. This is my Spring and flower of my Age; Oh! pity me, and cease thy bitter rage: Don't crop the tender Bud, it is too green: Oh! let me have those days others have seen, Forbear thy hand till my wild Oats are sown; hey must be ripe also, before they're mown; Thou hast forborne with some for a long time, That which I ask of thee is but the Prime, Of those good days which God bestows on me, Oh, that it might but once obtained be! Tis time enough for to adhere to thee, After I've spent my time in Gallantry, n earth's sweet joy and such transcendent pleasures, which Young Men do esteem the chiefest Treasures.