N01010:516
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. Fie, fie, Young-man, forbear, and take advice, Let not hot zeal thy fancy thus entice, For to refuse those pleasant things which you May here enjoy, as many others do 'Tis much too soon for thee to mind these things, For nought but Grief and Dotage from it springs; 'Twill dull thy wit, and make thee like a drone; And thou'lt be slighted too by every one. How mightst thou live at ease and pleasure have, If once these ways thou wouldst resolve to leave; And like a Flower flourish in the spring, And with young Gallants mightst rejoice and sing, And spend thy days in Pleasure sweet and rare? I prithee, Youth, consider, O take care To cheer thy heart; behold now in thy sight, What Earthly joys most sweetly do invite.
Apostate. Fie, fie, Young-man, forbear, and take advice, Let not hot zeal thy fancy thus intice, For to refuse those pleasant things which you May here enjoy, as many others do 'Tis much too soon for thee to mind these things, For nought but Grief and Dotage from it springs; 'Twill dull thy wit, and make thee like a drone; And thou'lt be slighted too by every one. How mightst thou live at ease and pleasure have, If once these ways thou wouldst resolve to leave; And like a Flower flourish in the spring, And with young Gallants might'st rejoyce and sing, And spend thy days in Pleasure sweet and rare? I prethee, Youth, consider, O take care To chear thy heart; behold now in thy sight, What Earthly joys most sweetly do invite.
Professor, Young it is true, I am, and in my Prime, Therefore resolve for to Improve the time; The flower of my days, dost think I will Give to the Devil, Lust for to fulfil? Shall Satan have the primest of my days, And put off Christ with base and vile delays, Until Old Age, and then at last present The dregs of Time to him? I'll not consent To such vile thoughts, I will not lend an ear. I to my saviour more affection bear. ⟨p. 158⟩Since first of th'living Spring my Soul did drink. All sinful Pleasures in my Nose do stink More precious Joy I find in my dear Lord, Than all this World doth, yea, or can afford. If I am slighted for Christ Jesus sake, And judged a Fool or Drone, yet I can take All for him, who for me has under gone More shame than this before his work was done. This is my choosing time, I have made choice, Gods Word I will obey and hear his Voice. Gods Counsel 'tis, that first of all in Youth I should him seek, and cleave unto the Truth Your Counsel I abhor shall Justful fire Be kindled in my breast? shall my desire Run out again to Egypt's cursed stuff, I know 'tis nought, of it I have enough.