N01010:147
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.
Then to repent, it will be much too late, Such is the danger of a lapsed state. Young M•n, take heed you don't this work delay, And put it o•• unto another day. ⟨p. 36⟩Your own Experience may discover this, M•n's Life a bubble and a vapour is Alas! thy days on Earth will be but few, They fly away like to the morning dew, Like as the cloud and shadow swiftly flies, Or, dew doth pass as soon as th' Sun doth rise: So fly thy days, thy golden months and years, Much like the blossom that most gay appears; And on a sudden fades and does decay; So Youth oft times doth wither quite away▪ Thy Age thou dost unto the Spring compare, And to the Flowers which appear so rare. From hence, O Young Man, learn Instruction now, Don't thy Experience daily teach thee how, The Flower withers and hangs down its head, Which curiously of late so flourished; The Meadow's clad in glorious array, But's soon cut down, and turned all to Hay. Like Jonah's Gourd, which sprang up in a night, And perished as soon as it was light. Or like a Post which quickly passeth by, Or Weaver's Shuttle, which he maketh fly, Or as a Ship when she is under sail, Doth run most swift when she has a full gale. So are thy days, they in like manner fly, How many little Graves mayst thou espy? Come measure now thy days, and see their length, Number them not by years, by health nor strength; All these uncertain rules you must refuse, Though that's the way which most of men do use▪ […] to live till they old aged are, 'C•us• their p•og••••o•s long lived were. ⟨p. 37⟩That Rule from Truth you see doth greatly vary, And which Experience showeth is contrary. You hear the things which you should reckon by, Things swift in motion's gone most speedily. Thy Life's uncertain, (Youth) 'tis but a blast, Thy Sand is little, long it will not last, Thy house, though new, yet it is very old, Gone to decay, and turning to the mould, You're born to dye, and dead also you were, Before you lived or breathed in the Air. And dye you must, before that live you do, Except you dye to live as I do show. Thy dreadful ruin, (Soul) is very nigh, Unless thy Tears prevent it speedily. What is thy purpose now, what's in thy mind? Which way dost think to take, how art inclined?