N01010:210
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. What Melody and triumph do I hear? Whose voice is this that soundeth in my ear? What Eagle-eyed Soul's this that soars on high, That with swift wings aloft doth mount and fly; And in Eternal Love seems to lie down, Adorned with Grace, and ravished with the Crown Of inward peace? that taketh up its rest At Jesus Christ's sweet satisfying breast, And breaking forth in raptures can't express, As he would do, his humble thankfulness?
Truth. What Melody and triumph do I hear? Whose voice is this that soundeth in my ear? What Eagle-ey'd Soul's this that soars on high, That with swift wings aloft doth mount and fly; And in Eternal Love seems to lie down, Adorn'd with Grace, and ravish'd with the Crown Of inward peace? that taketh up its rest At Jesus Christ's sweet satisfying breast, And breaking forth in raptures can't express, As he would do, his humble thankfulness?
Youth. 'Tis I, blest Truth, the Conquest now is won, Grace has prevailed, I am the Conquered one. My Grief is turned to joy, yea and my night, Is also turned into Eternal light, Thy power's great when Grace doth work with thee, Ye soon do then obtain the Victory. Blest be the day that ever thou wert sent, To change my heart, and move me to repent, Dear love to thee, O Truth, I shall retain, So long as I upon the Earth remain. I'll keep thee close, and hide thee in my heart, For thou more precious than rich jewels art. I'll lose my all before I'll part with thee, So much I love and prize thy company. ⟨p. 83⟩Though Satan stir up foes never so cruel, Devil nor men shall rob me of this Jewel. J am resolved a thousand deaths to dye, Before J will Gods Blessed Truth deny. Though of Deceivers there are multitude, Yet none of them shall my poor Soul delude. Though they do thee reproach, slight and contemn, J by Experience can refute all them, Who say thy words nought but dead letters are, Which men may burn or into pieces tare; The out-side of the Book they only see, Who thus do speak reproachfully of thee: For did they but thy inward power know, They'd never speak, as often times they do; But soon they would God's written word extol, Above that Light which they cry up in all. The Light which Conscience unto me doth give, I'll always own as long as J do live, But from God's word doth its chief light descend; Therefore the Scriptures I'll commend: For had we not God's Word to light our hearts, The Heathen which do live in Foreign parts, Who never heard of Christ, might understand As much as any do in this our Land, Alas! we should have been unto this day, In all respects as ignorant as they. But I'll forbear, because I must with speed Attend upon Gods Truth with care and heed, To hear what will he say. O Truth, wilt thou Concerning me show forth thy Judgment now! I do entreat thee Prove me thoroughly, For still I do retain a jealousy