N01010:185
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. Vain is all this, for none can find a place To hide from God (such is thy bitter case) If to the ends of all the Earth you fly, Vengeance will you pursue with Hue and Cry. If you should take a sudden hasty flight, To seek some shelter in the shades of Night; 'Twould also fail thee, though it should be done; For unto God Darkness and Light is one. No, if thou couldst some solid Rock espy, To hide thee from God's dreadful Majesty, Can Rocks, dost think, prevent, yea, or restrain The stroke of Justice, and not fly in twain? There is no Sea, nor Shade, nor Rock, nor Cave Which can from Vengeance shelter thee or save, The Sea would part, the hardest Rock will split; Where Justice aims, her fiery Darts must hit. ⟨p. 67⟩Canst thou escape? alas! what place is there To hide from him who's present every where?
Truth. Vain is all this, for none can find a place To hide from God (such is thy bitter case) If to the ends of all the Earth you fly, Vengeance will you pursue with Huy and Cry. If you should take a sudden hasty flight, To seek some shelter in the shades of Night; 'Twould also fail thee, though it should be done; For unto God Darkness and Light is one. No, if thou couldst some solid Rock espy, To hide thee from God's dreadful Majesty, Can Rocks, dost think, prevent, yea, or restrain The stroke of Justice, and not fly in twain? There is no Sea, nor Shade, nor Rock, nor Cave Which can from Vengeance shelter thee or save, The Sea would part, the hardest Rock will split; Where Justice aims, her fiery Darts must hit. ⟨p. 67⟩Canst thou escape? alas! what place is there To hide from him who's present ev'ry where?
Youth. Oh Truth! what shall I do, how can I stand, Or bear these Tortures of God's heavy hand? My Spirit may infirmities sustain, But who can bear this inward cutting pain? Is there no help, no Salve to heal my Wound; What, no Physician for me to be found? Will Tears nor Prayers no help at all afford, Watchings, Fastings, nor hearing of the Word? Or if that I could live and sin no more, O what is sin, and what's my Gangrene sore? O what's the nature of iniquity, If nought my soul can cleanse or purify? Rivers of Oil, much Gold, or Earthly Wealth, Will not redeem my Soul, nor purchase health. Ah! I am lost, the cause is truly so, I am undone, and know not what to do, Have you no word of Comfort now for me? Oh, must I dye in this extremity?