N01010:437
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.
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.
Apostate. How many straights and crosses have I met, Since I my self to seek for Canaan set! Red Seas and Wildernesses lie between; Why venture I for what I ne'er have seen? Why can I not, where I am now, Remain? Or to my old delights turn back again. My head has been perplexed with cares and fears, Since to these Preachers I inclined mine ears. They were but fancies that disturbed my mind, I sought for something which I could not find. Would God in Egypt I had still remained, For there's no Canaan likely to be gained. Conscience be silent, don't disturb me more. Upon such things I will no longer pore, For back to Egypt I will now retire Where I shall have things to my hearts desire.
Apostate. HOw many straights and crosses have I met, Since I my self to seek for Canaan set! Red Seas and Wildernesses lie between; Why venture I for what I ne'er have seen? Why can I not, where I am now, Remain? Or to my old delights turn back again. My head has been perplext with cares and fears, Since to these Preachers I inclin'd mine ears. They were but fancies that disturb'd my mind, I sought for something which I could not find. Would God in Egypt I had still remain'd, For there's no Canaan likely to be gain'd. Conscience be silent, don't disturb me more. Upon such things I will no longer pore, For back to Egypt I will now retire Where I shall have things to my hearts desire.
Devil. Pursue thy purpose, thou shalt under•••n• What-e'er I have shall be at thy command▪ My Kingdom's great, this world is whol•• •ine, Bow down to me, and all shall then be th••• ▪ ⟨p. 106⟩Afraid I was I should have lost thee quite. The•'s nought like that which here's now in th sig Behold the Bags of Gold which thou shalt have, Honours on earth, riches and pleasures brave, When others forced in Prison are to lie, Thou shalt enjoy thy precious liberty. When Kings and Princes do upon them frown, Thou shalt be held in honour and renown. Thou hast much goods laid up for many years, And long shalt live free from all cares and fears. Thy seed established too shall be on earth, And thou shalt spend thy days in joy and mirth. Thoughts of Religion utterly disdain, Nor think of God, or Jesus Christ again, Fanatic fables never more regard, The pains of Hell, of which thou oft hast heard, Are nought, save fictions of their crafty head; With fear of nothing are they frightened, That mad-men like, they do tread under feet Those lovely joys which wise men find most sweet Religion's nought but a devised thing, Which up at first some crafty head did bring To awe the minds of fools, who wanting wit, Take that for Gold that's a mere counterfeit. The truth of Scripture thou hast cause to doubt, For divers places thou mayst soon find out Which inconsistent to each others be, Of what it speaks there is no certainty. Conclude in Truth there is no God at all, Why shouldst thou be so foolish as to call On him, whom thou didst never see or know, Unless its thus, because that most do so?