N01010:128
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.
His hearts not taken with it, but otherwise The Beauty of vain ones he doth despise. Though very fair, yet if de•••'d with sin, They like unto Sepulchres are within, Loathsome and vile i'th' sight of God are they, And soon their seeming Beauty will decay: It fades and withers, and away doth pass, Just like unto the flower of the grass. The curled Looks, yea, and the spotted Face, God •'re a while will bring into disgrace. Those Ladies which excel all others too Must feed the Worms within a day or two, Death and the grave will spoil their beauty quite, And none in them shall never more delight. As for thy Age, in youthful days we see, Youth minds nought else save cursed vanity, Soon may thy Spring also meet with a blast, And all thy glory not an hour last. The Flower in the Spring which is so gay, Soon doth it fade and wither quite away. Nothing on earth canst thou find out or 'spy, That will content thee long, or satisfy That Soul of thine, if still you search about Till you do find the rarest Science out. ⟨p. 23⟩For if on Learning once you place your mind, Much vanity in that also you'll find. For Humane Knowledge and Philosophy, Can't bring thy Soul into sweet Unity With God above, and Jesus Christ his Son, In whom, poor Youth, is happiness alone, Dote not on Honour then, nor yet on Treasure, Nor Beauty, Learning, Youth, nor Pleasure; All is but Vanity that's here below, Truth and Experience both the same do show. Come, look to Heaven, seek thou for higher joys, Let Swine take husks, and Fools these empty toys. Come, taste of Christ, poor Soul, and then you will Of joys Celestial receive your fill▪ If thou dost drink but of the Chrystal Springs, These outward joys thou 'lt see are trifling things. If Heavens sweetness once thou hadst but caught, Thou wouldst account Earth's best enjoyments naught Honour & riches too Christ has great store And at's Right hand pleasures for evermore. Dost think that he who makes Mans life so sweet, Whilst he with grievous troubles here doth meet, And in believing hath such sweetness placed, Though his own Image greatly is defaced, Can't give to him much greater Consolation; When all the sour's vanished of Temptation? If with the bitter, Saints such sweetness gain, What shall they have when they in Glory reign?
His hearts not taken with't, but otherwise The Beauty of vain ones he doth despise. Thouh very fair, yet if de'd with sin, They like unto Sepulchres are within, Loathsome and vile i'th' sight of God are they, And soon their seeming Beauty will decay: It fades and withers, and away doth pass, Just like unto the flower of the grass. The curled Looks, yea, and the spotted Face, God 're a while will bring into disgrace. Those Ladies which excel all others too Must feed the Worms within a day or two, Death and the grave will spoil their beauty quite, And none in them shall never more delight. As for thy Age, in youthful dayes we see, Youth minds nought else save cursed vanity, Soon may thy Spring also meet with a blast, And all thy glory not an hour last. The Flower in the Spring which is so gay, Soon doth it fade and wither quite away. Nothing on earth canst thou find out or 'spy, That will content thee long, or satisfie That Soul of thine, if still you search about Till you do find the rarest Science out.