N01010:162
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. But I am called of God and do obey The Voice of Truth and Conscience every day▪ God's called Ones, I'm sure you can't deny, But they are such whom he doth Justify: Therefore tis clear and very evident, That Grace alone hath made me penitent. My heart is sound, my Grace true also, My Confidence there's none shall overthrow.
Youth. But I am call'd of God and do obey The Voice of Truth and Conscience every day▪ God's called Ones, I'm sure you can't deny, But they are such whom he doth Justifie: Therfore tis clear and very evident, That Grace alone hath made me penitent. My heart is sound, my Grace true also, My Confidence there's none shall overthrow.
Truth, Thou seemest too Confident, 'tis a bad sign; For fears attend, where saving grace doth shine. I tell thee (Youth) that many called be, But few are chosen from eternity. Judas was called, and did obey in part, And yet he was a Devil in his heart. There is an outward and an inward call, The latter only is effectual. Therefore you must produce some better ground, For this don't prove that your Conversion's sound; But that thou mayst stick fast still in thy birth Or prove Abortive, when thou art brought forth. 'Tis rare, O Youth! for to be born a-new, And hard to find out when the work is true.
Truth, Thou seemest too Confident, 'tis a bad sign; For fears attend, where saving grace doth shine. I tell thee (Youth) that many called be, But few are chosen from eternity. Judas was call'd, and did obey in part, And yet he was a Devil in his heart. There is an outward and an inward call, The latter only is effectual. Therefore you must produce some better ground, For this don't prove that your Conversion's sound; But that thou may'st stick fast still in thy birth Or prove Abortive, when thou art brought forth. 'Tis rare, O Youth! for to be born a-new, And hard to find out when the work is true.