N01010:133
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. Well, say no more, if this be so, I must Go unto Truth again, or I shall burst; My heart will break, I clearly do discern, I therefore now must yield, and also learn ⟨p. 27⟩What's my state, my Nature, Oh! that I did know, Come, Truth, I pray, will you this favour show. As to explain this thing to me more clear, For Conscience doth my Soul with horror scare, Is he i'th' right, Oh Truth, or is he wrong? I find Convictions in me very strong. What is my state? declare it unto me, And set my troubled Soul at Liberty.
Youth. Well, say no more, if this be so, I must Go unto Truth again, or I shall burst; My heart will break, I clearly do discern, I therefore now must yield, and also learn ⟨p. 27⟩What's my state, my Nature, Oh! that I did k•ow, Come, Truth, I pray, will you this favour show. As to explain this thing to me more clear, For Conscience doth my Soul with horrour scare, Is he i'th' right, Oh Truth, or is he wrong? I find Convictions in me very strong. What is my state? declare it unto me, And set my troubled Soul at Liberty.
Truth. What Conscience speaks (O Young Man) is most right And vain it is with him longer to fight Conscience against thee doth his witness bear, And dreadful danger also doth declare, Those he condemns by light received from me, Th' Eternal God condemns assuredly; And God is greater than thy heart, Oh Soul! Who can enough thy grievous state condole If Conscience doth its Testimony give, That you in sin and cursed ways do live, And that thou art an unconverted Wretch: If 'tis from hence, between you there's a breach, And this be so, as it you can't deny, What would you do, if you this night should die? If in this state this life you do depart, Undone for evermore (Young Man) thou art, As sure as is the mighty God in Heaven, Against thy Soul the Sentence will be given. Conscience his power did from God receive, And if you don't obey, and him believe, But do reject his Motions, 'tis all one, As if Christ Jesus you did tread upon;