N01010:176
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, Conscience, be still, though I a sinner be, There's none doth know it now save only thee.
Conscience. Deceived Soul! doth none know it but I? Where's the great God, is he not also nigh? Dost think, vain Youth, the interposing Cloud From God's all searching Eye can be a shroud? ⟨p. 59⟩Or dost thou think God's Seat is so on high, That he cannot thy inward thoughts espy? None know't but me! knowest thou not who I am? Have I not power for to accuse and damn? Should I be still, it would be a sad day, Unless thy sins were purged clean away. And whilst I speak, and thou dost stop thine Ear, Nothing but War and tumult thou wilt hear. I'll never side with thee nor take thy part, Whilst horrid guilt remains in thy heart. Nor would I mind thy flattery or frown; Wert thou the highest Prince of greatest renown, That ever did on earth the sceptre sway, Before thy face I would thy evils lay. At the smallest sin, be sure, I can't connive; And therefore with me 'tis in vain to strive. For where I am an enemy indeed, I'll plague that heart until I make it bleed. A close and secret Foe, Young Man, am I, Who am also with thee continually. What e'er you think or speak, yea, act or do, Of it (Poor Soul) I very well do know: Thy secret Lust, and what is done in the' night Which thou ashamed art should come to light, I then am nigh and know it very well, And more then this I am resolved to tell; I unto thee shall prove an enemy, When thou art brought into adversity; When death and sickness comes, then thou shalt see, How thou with horror shalt amazed be. Then my black Bill against thee will be large, For then against the I will bring a charge, ⟨p. 60⟩Which will make thy sad face like Ashes look, And wound thy Soul as if a knife was struck Into thy very heart, and make thee mourn, And curse the day that ever thou wast born. I'll make thee understand (clearly) in the end, What 'tis (vile wretch) poor Conscience to offend Hark once again, for I have more to say; When this life's ended, there's another day. Look now about thee, Youth, for there's to come, The black, the dark, and dreadful day of Doom. When thou dost dye, I'll bite and sting thy Soul, Whilst that in flames doth burn and doth condole Its damned state for yielding unto sin, Which has alone the ruin of it bin. And also when in the' Judgment Day you stand Amongst the Goats at Jesus Christs Left hand, Thy dreadful state and trial for to hear, Then I against thee straightway must appear;