N01010:167
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. I am obedient, and am free to join In fellowship with Saints, such Faith is mine I willing am to do, as to believe; •he Devil can't therefore my Soul deceive. •or I have closed with Christ already so, That none my Faith shall ever overthrow. The many prayers I make both day and night, Do doubtless prove that my conversion is right.
Youth. I am obedient, and am free to joyn In fellowship with Saints, such Faith is mine I willing am to do, as to believe; •he Devil can't therefore my Soul deceive. •or I have clos'd with Christ already so, That none my Faith shall ever overthrow. The many prayers I make both day and night, Do doubtless prove that my conversion is right.
Truth. I tell thee Soul, Men may do more then this, And yet they may of true Conversion miss. God's Ordinance many do obey, And Members of God's holy Church are they, And of its Privileges seem to share, As if that they truly Converted were. They may discourse, and seem to be devout, And may not be discerned, nor found out: They with the flock may walk, lye down and feed, And so remain till many Years succeed: Nay, not discovered be until they stand Among the Goats at Jesus Christ's left Hand. The foolish Virgins joined themselves with these And fore to meet the Bridegroom did arise, But ere the Bridegroom came, their case was sad For they nought else but empty vessels had: A bare profession, and a mere out-side, And did no Oil, nor saving Grace provide. Many great Preachers, and disputers too, Christ will not own, nor any favour show; Tho' in his Name they mighty works have done He'll to them say, ye wicked one be gone, ⟨p. 50⟩I know you not therefore be gone from me, All you vile Workers of Iniquity; You say oft-times you seek the Lord in prayer; That you may do and let fall many a tear, And yet not be in a Converted State; For many seek with tears when 'tis too late; Others, like Sea-men, in a storm do cry, When Conscience doth rebuke them bitterly. And some under afflictions do cry and howl, And grievously their state do then condole; Then promises and resolutions make, That they such courses will no longer take But when the storm and the afflictions o'er, They are as bad, nay, worser then before. Some pray in form, and others pray by art And some to mend the badness of their heart; Their hearts are wounded, and then speedily, Their prayers to heal it they do straight apply. The Sin in the' day, and pray when it is night: They sin again, but prayer doth heal it quite. They think 'tis well, if tears they can let fall, Their tears and Prayer, they think will cure all, And so that way poor Conscience they beguile, They silence him, yet sinners all the while. Their prayers, alas, can't wash their filth away, Though they do nothing else both night and day, 'Tis on their prayers they rest, and do depend, Which, like a broken staff, they fall in the' end. A Saint in prayer, no rest nor ease can gain, Unless Christ's Blood thereby he doth obtain; And Grace also, his sin to mortify; For Christ, as well as pardon he doth cry: