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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.
Devil. What pity is't thy Sun should set so soon, Or should be clouded thus before 'tis noon; No sooner risen in thy Horizon, And sweetly shine, but presently is gone? Shall Winter come before the spring is past, And all his fruit be spoiled with one sad blast? Shall that brave flower which doth seem so gay, So quickly fade and wither quite away? What pity 'tis that one so young as thee Should thus be brought into Captivity. ⟨p. 31⟩Hark not to Conscience, for I dare maintain, 'Tis better for to hug thy Sins again. Thy Conscience (Youth) thou hast too lately found, Doth but amaze and give thy Soul a wound. Consider well, advise, and thou shalt see, My ways are best, come hearken unto me, I'll give thee honour, pleasure, wealth and things Which prized are by Noble Men and Kings; Let not this make-bate with an angry frown, Throw all thy Glory and thy pleasure down, Let not strange thoughts distress thy troubled mind, What satisfaction canst thou have or find, But that which floweth from this World alone? 'Tis I must raise thee to the sublime throne, The Hell thou fearest may be but a story, And Heaven also but a feigned Glory, If this don't startle thee, then speedily I will stir up an other enemy· Old Man, rouse up, I charge you to awake And swiftly too, your life lies at the stake. And Mistress Heart, stir up your wilful Will. Is this a season for him to sit still? If unto Truth and Conscience he gives place, Our Interest will, you'll see, go down a pace; Judgment is gone already, and doth yield, And Courage too, I fear, will quit the field, Some sins are slain, and in their Blood do lie, And others into holes are forced to fly As for Affection he doth hold his own, Though Conscience doth upon him sadly frown. Remembrance will unto him trai•rous prove, If I his thoughts from Sermons can remove, ⟨p. 32⟩I'll make his mind run after things below, And raise up trouble which he did not know, And he'll forget what he did lately hear, And cease will then his former thoughts and fear. If I can please his sensual appetite, There is no fear of any sudden flight; His Breast is tender and apt to entertain The sparks of Lust which long he can't restrain, I'll blow them up and kindle them a-new, And to Conviction soon he'll bid adieu.
Devil. What pity is't thy Sun should set so soon, Or should be clouded thus before 'tis noon; No sooner risen in thy Horrizon, And sweetly shine, but presently is gone? Shall Winter come before the spring is past, And all his fruit be spoil'd with one sad blast? Shall that brave flower which doth seem so gay, So quickly fade and wither quite away? What pity 'tis that one so young as thee Should thus be brought into Captivity.