N01010:161
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.
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, ⟨p. 45⟩To Philips Preachings; yea, and suddenly He leaves his Witch-crafts and his Sorcery; But was a coursed Caitiff all the while, Like a Sepulchre painted inward vile. Another man in show, 'tis like thou art, Yet not made new, and changed in thy heart; Men in thy Life may no great blemish spy, Yet in thy breast much rottenness may lie, Towards all men thy Conscience may be clear, Conscience so far may for thee witness bear, That you in Morals it doth not offend, Yet unto God it may not you Commend; But otherwise, it in your face may fly, And you condemn for sin continually, For secret evils which it's privy to, Which none knows of sa•e only God and you, Therefore (O Young Man) if you look about, Of your Conversion you have cause to doubt Satan so greatly may your heart deceive, That not one dram of Grace thy Soul may have, Which saying is and of the purest kind, For that, alas! there's very few do find.