N01010:150
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. Oh! happy I, and blessed be the day, That unto Truth and Conscience I gave way. I would not be in my old state again, If I thereby some thousands might obtain. ⟨p. 39⟩From Wrath, and Hell, my Soul is now set free; For I don't doubt, but I converted be. The Word, with power, so to me was brought, A glorious change within my Soul is wrought.
Truth. Young Man take heed, lest you mistaken are, Conversion's hard, it is a work so rare, That very few that narrow passage enter, Though far that way there's thousands do adventure, Yet miss the mark for all their inward strife, They fall far short of the new Creature-life; Come, let me hear your Grounds of evidence: For I don't like your seeming confidence. I doubt I shall find you under God's curse, And still your Case as bad, if not much worse, Then 'twas when you did no Profession make, But did your swing in all Profaneness take. The Pharisee was a Religious man, Yet nearer Heaven was the Publican. If short of Christ you fix or fasten do, 'Twill be your ruin and your overthrow.
Truth. Young Man take heed, lest you mistaken are, Conversion's hard, it is a work so rare, That very few that narrow passage enter, Though far that way there's thousands do adventure, Yet miss the mark for all their inward strife, They fall far short of the new Creature-life; Come, let me hear your Grounds of evidence: For I don't like your seeming confidence. I doubt I shall find you under God's curse, And still your Case as bad, if not much worse, Then 'twas when you did no Profession make, But did your swing in all Prophaneness take. The Pharisee was a Religious man, Yet nearer Heaven was the Publican. If short of Christ you fix or fasten do, 'Twill be your ruin and your overthrow.