N01010:492
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.
Their Emperors Gods these Christians did deride, This was the cause so many Millions died. These Emperors thinking themselves engaged Their Idols to revenge grew more enraged, To see the Christians boldly to despise Their Gods, and honour Christ before their Eyes: They did conclude the nature of the' offence Deserved no less tha• Death for recompense. […] may we […] T••se Heathen […] such Cruelty. ⟨image ?⟩'Twas not because they worship not aright, But worshipped not at all, nay, did despite Unto these Idols which they Gods did call, Affirming, that they were no Gods at all. An act not to be born by flesh and blood, To have the Edicts of their Gods withstood. Yet in the midst of all those Tyrants rage, Serious advice a little would assuage Their hellish Fury, and for some time cease, And give the Christians a breathing space. And when as those ten Emperors ceased to be, Then terminated all their Cruelty. 3 Hundred years accomplished their fierce wrath, And then the Heathens owned the Christian Faith. And now their Emperors do as much adore The God of Heaven and Earth, as they before Had done their Idols; and zealous for the Church, Give great donations, make their Bishops rich. And now proud Rome, since Constantine the great Thou by degree• hast taken up thy Seat; Puffed up with Riches, swo•n with filthy Pride, From Gods pure Laws hast quickly turned aside And now such Bishops only dost thou choose, As God doth hate, and utterly refuse; Proud, sensual, and void of the' holy Spirit; Such as the Lord hath said shall not inherit Eternal Glory; such thy Bishops be; Who should be filled with Truth and Purity. Shining like lights before the Flock, that they The better might discern the perfect way. B•t now instead of such as these, behold They are presumptuous proud, imperious, bold; ⟨p. 127⟩Changing the Worship that the Lord makes known, And in its stead will introduce their own. Yea, so presumptuous are they in their Pride, As to affirm God's holy Word's no guide For men to walk by; the only Rule that they Do counsel men, nay, force them to obey, Is their Traditions, which they' affirm to be Far more authentic then our Lords Decree, Within his holy Word he us hath given, For a sure light to guide our steps to Heaven.