N01010:160
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, These are hard sayings which you do relate, And I indeed should question my estate, Were't not for other grounds and reasons clear, By which I know that I converted were. Sir, there's in me a very glorious change, Most Men admire it, and do think it strange, That one who lately did both scoff and jeer, Those men and People, which I now do hear, And followed Vice and every vanity; Should on a sudden thus reformed be, And utterly my self also deny, Of my sweet joys, and former Company.
Youth, These are hard sayings which you do relate, And I indeed should question my estate, Were't not for other grounds and reasons clear, By which I know that I converted were. Sir, there's in me a very glorious change, Most Men admire it, and do think it strange, That one who lately did both scoff and jear, Those men and People, which I now do hear, And follow'd Vice and ev'ry vanity; Should on a sudden thus reformed be, And utterly my self also deny, Of my sweet joys, and former Company.
Truth. From outward filthiness a Man may turn, And not be changed in heart when he has done: ⟨p. 44⟩A legal change I grant he may be under, Yet may not Soul and Self be cut asunder. An outward change in Men there may be wrought, And yet their hearts within be very nought. The Swine that wallows in the mire now, May washed be, but still remains a Sow. Persons may cleanse the out side of the Cup, And Dogs may spew their nasty Vomit up, But yet do keep their beastly Nature still, And ere a while they manifest it will. Many Professors fall a way and dye, For want of being changed thoroughly, The Pharisee was changed, he did appear As indeed a precious Saint he were; He differed quite from the poor Publican, He thought himself a far more happy Man. But all this was in show, and not in heart; He therefore had in Christ no share nor part. Except your Righteousness doth his excel, You in no wise shall in God's Kingdom dwell. 'Tis a false change, and cannot be a true, Unless you are in all things wholly new, Old Herod will reform in many things. When once he finds his Conscience bites and sting•, To hear John Baptist also was e led, Yet after wards deprived him of his Head, So far this seeming Saint was turned aside, That he also our Saviour did deride; And when his Men of War set him at nought, Whilst Accusations they against him brought. Simon the Sorcerer, also you read, Was changed so, he gave great care and heed,