Let not thy Lusts bear rule nor have command Within thy heart suffer not sin to sway Take heed thou never do'st thy lusts obey Yield not thy members instuments unto Unrighteousness but unto God and know To whom thou givest ear with diligence And dost submit and yield obedience Thou art a servant there whether it be Of sin to Death unto eternity Or of obedience unto righteousness Which with eternal life the Lord will bless If to Gods Holy Spirit thou subject art And suffer it to reign and rule thy heart Thou art a Servant unto Righteousness And God Almighty will in mercy bless â—hy true indeavours and thy sins will die And grace will live so shalt thou mortifie All thy corruptions there shall none remain â—o harm thy soul much less to rule and reign â—et there is one thing I would have thee mind Know that the very best of men will find That Satan that Degraded Seraphin Will use all diligence to tempt to sin â—f Christ the Son of God was not exempted â—ut by the subtil Serpent must be tempted â—hen poor imperfect man may well be sure â—hat from his malice he is not secure â—ut God Almighty hath prepar'd a Sword â—hich Christ made use of 't is Gods Holy Word â—ith that resist him and he 'll fly away â—or where Gods Word is us'd he dares not stay â—e can but tempt thee he can do no more â—e cannot force thee God hath shut that dore â—ill sin in its conception let it never â—ome to the birth a very small indeavour â—hen stops sins progress when it first appears â—nly t' intice the eyes or reach the ears â—re it convey its poyson or impart â—s secret counsel to thy yielding heart â—ake Davids Counsel in my heart saith he â—l hide thy word let this thy practice be â—en will thy sword be quickly at command â—r thy defence Good Joseph did withstand Sins early motion when it first appears With soul-inticing words t'inchant his ears Fair beauty that might captivate his eye Good Joseph yields not but makes this reply How shall I sin if thus I shall transgress Against the Lord and do this wickedness He nips sin in its bud before it spring Behold sin here a subject grace a King Triumphant in his heart but furthermore Let me advise thee daily to implore The Lord for help give diligent attention To hear Gods word 't will help thy apprehensioâ— When rightly 't is divided God will bless And thus thou 'lt steer thy course to happiness South East You that will trafique for the Holy Land Must learn this Point also to understand It lies directly 'twixt the South and East And of as high concern as all the rest This must be understood thy righteousness Will stand thee in no stead at all unless Christ to the Father do present thee holy Thy best performance will be but folly For he that doth the very best he can Hath cause enough to say Lord what is man A poor imperfect Creature whose endeavour Comes short of what 's required Man can nevâ— Be capable the Kingdome to inherit By all that his performances can merit â—is Christ whose righteousness must stand instead â—is he that hath the kingdom purchased â—et must thou strive with all thy might main â—nd then this benefit thou shalt obtain â—hrist is thy advocate at Gods right hand â—o plead thy Cause in Heaven he doth stand â—nd God beholds thee in a Holy dress â—nd beautifully cloath'd in Christs righteousness â—nd neither spot nor wrinkle doth appear â—r Christ presents thee as a virgin clear â—otless and sinless but least thou from hence â—ould think the good Apostle doth dispence â—ith sin in Christians at the highest rate â—ecause they have in heaven an Advocate â—o Answer this objection first of all â—e doth prohibit sin in general â—hildren saith he for unto such I write â—n not with approbation and delight â—n not saith he or do not let the fact â—f any sin be properly your act â—t if against your will at unawares â—ou be intangled in Satans snares â—hose watchful eye observes when he may â—ith best advantage silly souls betray â—inding in thee some want of watchfulness â—ere takes advantage tempts thee to transgress â— this despair not but with heart contrition â—umble thy self to God thy heart submission â—od will accept in Christ who intercedes â—nd with the Father for forgiveness pleads Those be the souls Christ presenteth holy Who are afraid to be defil'd with folly South East and by South This Point i' th' Christian Compass also thou With care and diligence must learn to know The more of Christ thou knowst dost possess The nearer art thou unto happiness Sailing upon this Point thou must beware And with all diligence thy heart prepare For Holiness for now thou drawest nigh Thy Southern Point the Sun grows very high Esteem nothing for holiness that stands Directly opposite to Christs Commands Let Christs directions ever be thy guide And from his Precepts do not turn aside Let no vain shows of holiness allure What man counts holy Christ accounts impure All Holiness is meer imagination That is not built upon the true foundation When Saul the first of Israels Kings was sent By God to execute due punishment Upon the cursed Amalike his eye Must pity none all are condemn'd to die Both man and Beast Gods great command was sâ— He must not bate one jot or add thereto But here observe how he did miscarry Pretending holiness he acts contrary Unto that dread Command that God did give He spares King Agag suffers him to live 2. Let Christian boldness strengthen resolution Not to comply for fear of Persecution With Forms of Holiness that Men invents Nor fear the Evil of Man's Punishments But patiently endure for Christ's Sake Your Persecutor's Rage Heaven will make Amends for All. Good Moses had regard Unto the Recompence The Saint's Reward Was more to him than Egypt's painted Glory Whose Pleasures fades whose Joys are transitory The Sorrows of few Years will soon expire But who can dwell with Everlasting Fire â—ndure all things rather than decline â—he sacred Cause of Christ The Golden Mine â—ies deep He that would find the smallest Measure He must not pass for losing Earthly Treasure The Sea-man fears no Storms shrinks not for Weather â—hat trades to th' Indies if he gets but thither â—hough Mast and Yards be broke and Sales be rent â—nd Vessel leaks he 's very well content â—he Riches of the Country makes amends â—uch less must Spiritual Sea-men that intends â—'arrive with safety at that happy Shore â—hose Treasures far exceeds the Golden Ore â—rink back for fear of persecuting Hands â—r to please Man neglect the Lord's Commands Or mix God's holy ways with Men's inventions To save thy Life or scape Man's Reprehension If Sea-man venter Life for Indian Dust That Thieves may steal or may consume with Rust The Spiritual Sea-man then may well lay down Both Life and
could make the World to bear his Yoke Must in a Moment â—eel the direful Stroke Of Death which will remove him from his Treasure And in a moment level mighty Caesar With Beggars that upon the Dung-hill lies So swiftly this conceited Substance flies Where 's now the Man that 〈◊〉 so lately seen Subdue the Earth He 's as he had not been The seeming-Substance in the which he boasted Is like a Shaddow fled and he has lost it Then happy 's he that on this Point doth stear His Course aright he has need to fear The Threats of Death his Sins are all forgiven And his enduring Substance is in Heaven Where he shall need no Sword to keep his Right Or Watch-man to secure him in the Night Where Tears shall never more offend his Eyes And where he never more shall hear the Cryes Of Souls opprest where Wickedness shall cease Where all his Sorrows shall be turn'd to Peace Where Sighing shall be turn'd to singing Praise Where Nights are chang'd into perpetual Days Where wicked Men shall never lay more Hands On such as do delight in God's Commands Where all their threatning their cruel words Where-with they â—ex Christ's little Flock like Swords Shall pierce their Souls with Sorrow and their Heart Shall never more be freed from the smart Whose haughty Looks the Lord will then abase And they with Horror shall behold God's Face They that to Mercy would not be inclin'd Shall beg for Mercy and no Mercy find But they who shall in Heaven receive a Place Happy are they that are in such a Case O happy are those Souls whose God 's the Lord Who 've squar'd their Lives according to his Word Blessed's that Man in Death who in his Life Hath loved Holyness hated Strife Then Stear thy Course aright on West by North Where Treasures lye whose excellence worth Cannot be measured by me nor can Its Height and Depth be valued by Man It is indeed Man's Duty to inquire Into its Worth believe and so admire THus in our Christian Compass we have past From North to East to South to West at last We 're come to North again Our longest Day On Earth is measured to us by the Stay Of Heaven's great Lamp of Light the glorious Sun When it stayes longest in oâ—â— Horizon But now our Sun will never lose its Light We never more shall see a Cloudy Night If while thou art on Earth thou makest sure This sacred Treasure thou lyes down secure And free from Fear no Darkness will arise To hide this sacred Glory from thine Eyes Who then would make this World 's uncertain Treasure The Object of their Comfort Joy Pleasure Lay Treasure up in Heaven that may be From Thieves and Rust from Death and Danger free The height of Earthly Glory 's like a Bubble Fill'd with the wind but tost about with Trouble It 's at no certain speaks thee fair To-day And of a suddain it makes hast away The Pâ—rsian Monarch once could make his boast His Branches spread themselves in every Coast Throughout the Universe and in one Story The World agreed to Crown him with their Glory All People is contented he shall have What e'r his Eye could see or Heart could crave The Enjoyment of all this the Reason why We cannot call it true Felicity â—â—its Uncertainty Man has no Power To keep himself in this Estate an Hour The momentary Dangers that attend him He cannot scape though all the World be friend him Sorrows as well as Pleasures do abound On every Hand Dâ—ngers besets him round His Enemies beholds him and admire His prosperous State and secretly conspire His suddain Death hoping a Change in State May make an Alteration in their Fate But if through Servant's watchfulness and care He be preserved and escape that snare â—here's other Dangers that be incident To Man as such Care never can prevent The Sorrows that this Monarch doth sustain As the true Product of some grievous Pain Sometime is in less somtime in greater measure Bereaves him tho a Prince of all his Pleasure Death so impartially doth throw his Dart Makes Prince Pesant from his Pleasures part The Kings of Egypt making of their Feasts Fit to accomodate their Princely Guests Did serve Death's-Head as the last Course whereby They were inform'd of their Mortality Thus at the end of all their Dainty Chear They by Death's head of Death admonisht were This is the Counsel therefore that I give To such as do in full Enjoyment live Of Princely Pleasures know for certainty You are but Men tho Princes you must dye You are but Clay Death will dis-robe you quite And bury all your Glory out of sight Naked you shall arise and stand before The Judge of Heaven Earth have no more Advantage than the Beggar All shall have One common Resurrection from the Grave And no Respect of Persons will be there No notice will be taken what you were In Men's Esteem whether you were the Head Or such as was constrain'd to beg their Bread But what your Works have been O happy He Tho Rich or Poor of high or low Degree Whose VVorks shall be accepted He or they Shall stand in Judgment at the Judgment-Day All those whom Death finds in the Lord are blest They cease from Labour enter into Rest Thus have we run our Christian Compass round And if our way Canaan we have found Thorow the raging Seas of VVorldly Trouble Our Labors then will be rewarded double If we have learn'd to scape the Rocks and Sand And every Point o' th' Compass understand And upon every Point can stear aright Whether in pleasant Day or stormy Night If we each Point do so exactly learn That whether we be at Mast or Pump or Stern We can behave our selves in every Place Like Men accomplisht Happy is our Case OUr Compass being finisht one thing more Is necessary to be known Before Our Christian Compass we begin to con We must erect the Point it turns upon An Enlivened Conscience THe PIN on which our Christian Compass turns which giv's quick Motio to our lifeless Urns It is a Conscience touched with God's Word That 's quick sharper than a Two-edg'd Sword Which entereth into the very Soul And doth direct thine Eye unto the Pole God's Word 's the sacred Load-stone therefore The Conscience toucht therewith will ever more Gently be moving upon thy Affection With fixed Eyes to God for true Direction VVhen as the Seaman's Compass is erected And on his Part no Labor is neglected But that he dayly cons his Compass over Tho neither Sun nor Moon he can discover Minding his Compass he knows how to stear And knows when either Rocks or Sands be there Christians that do erect their Compass right Though they be Storm beset or in the Night Can find their way their Compass being laid Upon the Conscience but when no use is made Of Conscience in the things we undertake
heaven But with a soft fair sweet and gentle gale Which drives him fairly filling out his sail He sucks the sweetness of external pleasure Gods temporal blessings mans lawful pleasure If well improved he looks on every side His Cup is full he runs before the Tide Meets with no tempest neither dreads a storm And if such pleasant gales as these do harm It is because men think themselves secure Neglect the making their salvation sure For want of diligence and constant care They 'r on this Rock before they be aware When earthly favours like a swelling Tide Puffs up the mind and fills the heart with pride Instead of thankfulness he now begins To cast a pleasant glance at smaller sins And never sounds his heart to see how nigh He is the Rock but unadvisedly He still proceeds takes not the least regard Unto Gods Word but as an useless Card. First smiles at sin t is pleasant in his sight At last he doth commit it with delight Lo thus Gods mercies may for want of care And due improvement prove a hurtless snare And run a soul upon this Rock while he Is so becalm'd he doth no danger see Wherefore dear hearts if God Almighty bless Your outward man your care must be no less No less in watchfulness no less in prayer Least temporal injoyments proves a snare O search no less into Gods Holy Word Because the Lord such plenty doth afford Gods Word will tell thee That where much is given Much is required poor souls may miss of heaven When earth affords them such a plenteous store Of temporal things their hearts can wish no more A second Rock there is of which beware While some presume all 's well others despair Of being sav'd and think it is is in vain To seek for that they never shall obtain And being overwhelmed with despair Neglect that sacred remedy of prayer Neglects the use of Scriptures sweet direction Which saith man must make sure of Election 'T is not a holy sanctified life Will satisfie the soul or end the strife Despair has made despair will act its part And like a Tyrant will usurp the heart And tells the soul his sins is scor'd in heaven And are too numerous to be forgiven And thus torments the soul with endless grief And leaves the soul quite hopeless of relief 'T is not a smooth-fac'd but tempestuous Seas That runs the soul upon such Rocks as these It is some darling sin some bosome evil Some strong temptations that our Foe the Devil Doth with the best advantage that he can Make use of for the overthrow of man But that thou mayst safely arrive at last At thy desired Port and not be cast Upon the Churlish Rocks and scape the sand Thou must endeavour next to understand That holy Art of Sacred Navigation Which is the Subject of our next Relation CHAP. II. Wherein is laid down the Three Principaâ— Parts of Spiritual Navigation Here Sacred Navigation is held forth Fitted to th' Body of Divinity That holy Seamen sailing on the earth May rightly steer to bless d Eternity SIth to the World the term of Sea is given Through which the soul must make its way to heaven And Christian Seamen whose body is likewise Term'd a Ship their Souls the Merchandize Saints then stands i'need to bend their meditation To learn the Art of Sacred Navigation Or else they 'll never rightly understand To steer aright unto the Holy Land A Seaman may be made to act his part And be expert at Sea by humane Art But Art makes not a Saint Man may be taught By Art to whirle a Ship this world about With speed and safety to the Indian shore Whose pleasant banks abound with Golden Ore And yet unskilful cannot understand To steer aright unto the Holy Land Whos 's dust's more worth than pearl whose sacred mould Is far more excellent than Indian Gold Whos 's treasure is not liable to rust Like Gold whose first Original is dust To know I say and well to understand To steer our course to fair Emanuel's land Requires more Skill than humane Art can teach It is a mystery Nature cannot reach The Art 's Divine and is divinely wrought Yet God prescribes a way how 't may be taught Whoever then would learn this Sacred Art He must deny come out of and depart His Bark of Reason he must lay aside At least not trust to 't so as to confide In humane Wisdom least he should miscarry He must repair unto the Sanctuary The sacred Scripture must be thy Instructor The holy Spirit also thy Conductor The best Informer of a Christians heart In this so sacred soul-concerning Art Or else he 'l sink into that Deep Abiss That Lake of Fire where no bottom is Where endless misery and sore distress Must be his Port instead of happiness He that would steer his course to heaven right Must have a clear a true and perfect sight Not only of that Sacred Mystery Christs Glorious Kingdom but of Divinity The Art and Mystery of Soul Navigation Is a divine and sacred Spectulation This sacred Art doth teach the Soul to know Where heaven lies and how to steer thereto The first part of this Sacred Art I call Speculative the second Practical The third Affectionate with all these three The Spiritual Seaman must acquainted be As Light was made first in the Old Creation So in the New the first is Speculation Or Sacred Knowledg A man must first receive Thngs in his understanding then believe Then must he practice according to direction Knowledg and Practice will inflame affection Thus having opened each several part Of this Soul-saving Navigable Art Our next work will be to treat upon Each part distinctly teach them one by one The whole discourse no further will extend But to unfold these three and then t will end The first part therefore of Soul Navigation Being Divine and Sacred Speculation Knowledge I mean that precious beam of Light Whose rising in the Soul doth put to flight The evening mists makes shadows fly away And in the Understanding makes a day Gives that being that ne'r yet hath been Discovers that which never yet was seen That Spiritual Seamen therefore may discern What 's necessaâ—y in this Art to learn The Seamans Compass shall the cafe decide And for instructions shall be our guid As in the Compass Four Points there be Four Points in Christian Compass you shall see â—he Four general Points that 's most of all â—oted by Seamen as the principal â— North the first i' th Compass and the rest â—ollows in order thus East South and West â—od in our Christian Compass first of all â— to be eyed as the principal â—o God alone man first must cast his eye â—o Dread and sear his Soveraign Majesty â—y the North Star the Seaman is Directed â—o point i th Compass profits that neglected â—l our endeavours will be nothing worth â— first we eye not God God stands for
North. â— is by Christ our mercies is increast â—e's next the Father Christ stands for the East â—om East to South the Sun doth make its way â—riving at the South 't is perfect day â—e next to Christ that Christians must possess â—is the Spirit South point is Holiness â—oliness is our South and Christ is then â— height in Christians when most holy men â—ext to the South is West whither the Sun â—akes haste and sets and then our day is done â—eath is our Western Point doth terminate â—r day and put a period to its date â—ese be the Four Points all men must eye â—orth East South West then man prepare to die Now see our Scripture grounds for this allusion â—r upon that we 'll bottom each Conclusion â—s a Notion generally receiv'd â—d as unquestionably it believ'd That fair Jerusalem that famous Town Israels Metropolis the worlds renown Was plac't i' th midst o' th earth and hence it waâ— As most conclude it all was came to pass All places bear their true Denomination As they were plac't or stood for scituation Relating to that City whose great name Did fill the earth with its renowned fame Jerusalem thus for the Center ey'd I will remember that on its North side The City of the mighty King was plac't The mount of Olives also on the East Which mountains as it first did entertain Our blessed Lord so when he comes again Zachary the Prophet gives a full accompt His feet shall stand upon that Eastern Mounâ— And on the South-side did mount Sion stand The sacred mountain of that holy Land Mount Calvery the place of Death this mouâ— Was scituate on the VVest on this account I am incourag'd to make this allusion Scriptures not contradicting this Conclusion â—hat East should stand for Christ and Stouh â—leâ— â—ithout excepting stands for holiness And VVest for death will never be denied But why the North is unto God apply'd May at the first to some seem not so clear But that the truth thereof may still appear Mark what good David saith observe the worâ— Of that most faithful Servant of the Lord. When David sets Mount Sions Beauty forth She is saith he the joy of all the Earth She 's beautiful saith he for scituation Which he makes out by this clear deâ—â—nstration The mighty King saith David doth â—eside â—n fair Jerusalem on the North side Of sacred Sion to whose glorious King The Nations shall their wealth and glory bring Hence 't was that speech concerning Lucifer Who would exalt himself above the Stars Of God Almighty Esay adds besides â—s further Demonstration of his pride That Lucifer presum'd himself so great That he would make the side o' th North his seat â—ut he whose high aspiring thoughts did swell â— ' usurp Gods place is tumbled down to Hell â—he North which if as some suppose to be â—he Mount Moria it will well agree That Sacred Mount in Canaans Holy Land â—id also on the North of Sion stand â—hat still the North in Scriptures is appli'd â—o God alone as properly his side â—hese words of David next I 'd have you mind â—hich you in Psalm the 75 may find David excluding both West South and East â—rom giving honours making not the least Mention o' th North saith honours do proceed â—rom God alone as if it were agreed â—nd taken for a grant on every hand â—hat for Gods proper place the North doth stand Sith then the language of Gods holy word With this our notion doth so well accord I hope I may presume without offence With awful fear and holy reverence To make a serious and divine inspection Into the Sacred Art taking direction From Holy Writ which we will make our guid Not on the right or left to turn aside And now with seriousness we will conclude The North with God most fitly doth allude 'T is God alone we first must seek to know The Word and Spirit will direct us how When first therefore thy Vessel launcheth forth Into these troubled Seas upon the Earth Assure thy self thou art not like to make A happy Voyage if thou undertake To stear thy Ship to fair Emanuels Land Before thou know and rightly understand God thy North Star whom thou must alwayâ— eye When thou sets forth towards eternity Know God is first 't is he first gave thee breatâ— And he is last and hath appointed death That fatal messenger to call thee hence To give accompt to him for each offence Know God is merciful and just also He sees thy ways and did thy secrets know Let no such foolish thoughts possess thy mind To think there is no God be not so blind The Heavens are his witness day and night Do speak throughout the World their beams â— lighâ— â—ills every place By this the Nations know There is a God whether they will or no. The very Heathen do the same confess â—y light of nature they can do no less â—is acts of providence bespeaks the same They all set forth the glory of his name â—is mighty hand that framed every Creature â—oth in the Earth the Air and in the Water Gives food as well as being unto all Of every thing he 's the original He feeds the Ravens when to him they cry He is and was from all eternity â—his knowledge although true is not alone â—e is not onely God but he is one â—lthough there be Gods many saith St. Paul â—o us there is but one he 's all in all God must not onely thus be understood â—ut we must know him for our chiefest good That good thou dost or ever shalt enjoy Comes from himself alone he 'll not destroy His handy work Mans ruin doth proceed â—rom man himself 't is man that doth that deed T is in and by the Lord we must obtain â—ternal Life Life doth in him remain â—his thing is needful to be known by these That sail for Heaven on these troubled Seas To know God thus is of as great concern â—s for a Seaman his North Point to learn â—nd in the third place thou must learn to know â—od in his Holy Attributes also His Attributes of Power Mercy and Of Justice also thou must understand We read when God Almighty did proclaim His ever honoured and his Name In Exodus the thirty fourth we find His Name is gracious merciful and kind In him long suffering patience doth abound Sin pard'ning grace in him is to be found Reserved mercy is laid up in store For such as love him grace for ever more As thou must know he 's merciful thou must Know as he 's God Almighty he is just To those that hate him he will be severe A guilty Conscience he 'll by no means clear Though Heavens in his right hand is as rewarâ— To such as do his righteousness regard Yet in his left hand is a flaming fire Consumes the wicked in his burning ire His wrath once kindled he that reads his namâ— Must read him then
real ground to exercise their faith That all the world as holy Scripture saith Might look up unto him and saved be By faith in Christ whose blood was shed for the If thou be careless here and do'st not learn To know this Point thou hardly wilt discern The pleasant Banks of blessed Canaans shore Which if thou miss th' art lost for ever more North East Now learn thy fourth Point 'twixt N. and Eaâ— For in thy Compass so thou'lt find them plac't Man 's saved by the Word of God indeed Which Word of God is that same promis'd seâ— In Gods appointed time this Word became Flesh in our form St. John affirms the same He took not on him Blessed Angels nature But Abraham's seed the shape of humane Creâ—tuâ— A sinless man into the world did come Not by the will of man but from the Womb Of a chaste Virgin came he to fulfil What was decreed in the Fathers will That he might purchase mans eternal good By no less price than his most precious blood This is that Lamb of God to whom is given All soveraign power both in earth and heaven â—gels in heaven are at his Command â—d earthly Potentates shall not withstand â—s mighty power to him all knees shall bow â—gels above and Mortals here below â—om this Point therefore thou may'st understand â—at God the Father doth by Christ command â—ee to submit unto his easie yoke â— else thou must submit unto the stroke â— God 's offended Justice which be sure â—hether thou wilt or no thou must endure â—ey Christ as thy Leader O neglect â—ot this Command if e'r thou do'st expect â—at heavenly consolation from above â—t Christ and not thy Lust command thy love â—rve not thy lusts which leaves thee at thy grave â—t serve the Lord thy Saviour that can save â—y precious soul and if thou dost rebel â—n cast both soul and body into Hell stretch not forth thy hand be not so bold â— take a Comfort touch not take not hold â—on a Gospel Promise in no case â—til a Gospel Precept thou embrace â—bserve the word that holy David spake â—e'll not adventure nor presume to take â—ld of a Promise till he stretch his hand â—rth to take up a Precept and Command â—y hand saith David while his heart consents â—e lifted up to thy Commandements vain men cry for mercy and expect â—r help in storms that do in calms neglect To yield obedience to that Sacred Word Of him whom God hath made our Sovereigâ— Lorâ— God by his holy Prophets spake his mind Once to the Fathers but hath now confin'd The world to hear his Son no other voice Is man to make the object of his choice Therefore observe this Fourth Point with heeâ— And to the Fifth Point we will next proceed North East and by East North East and by East this doth next ensue All you that sail for Heaven take a view Of God and Christ see how they both agree In ones eye how unanimous they be In seeking after mans eternal good God freely sends his Son that by his blood Poor man might be redeem'd from Death likewisâ— Christ freely did become a Sacrifice How wilingly did Christ lay down his life That he might put a period to the strife That sin had made 'twixt God and his Creation That freely brought about poor mans Salvation If God and Christ with such a joynt consent Sought thus to free man from the punishment Of Death eternal and that man might live For ever happy Christ did freely give His Life a ransom was 't the Fathers pleasure At such a rate to purchase endless treasure For mortal man Then suffer not thy lust To hanker after Egipts Golden dust â—ich flies away like chaffe before the wind â—hose place in seeking for thou canst not find 〈◊〉 longest date is but a mortal day â—st Threescore years and ten it will not stay â—d often times it threatens to bereave thee â— heavenly treasure and at last doth leave thee â—member Moses that holy man how he â—spised Egipts wealth thought the degree â— Son in Phraohs Court was much below â—e meanest servant in Gods house to know Crucified Christ's a glorious thing â—mpared with any earthly crowned King â—ath puts an end to Kings and kingly glory â—cause their honours is but transitory â— longer King the body being dead â—ath sets the Crown upon the Christians head Death a Christians Crown begins its date â—ich once begun will never terminate â—is Life is short uncertain and impure â— at Life is certain holy doth endure â—ell let not this Fifth Point neglected be â— not forget that God and Christ agree â— bringing Man unto this life again â—o had himself by his trangression slain â—ristians that sail for heaven do not fear â—e raging Seas for Christ your Pilot's there â— not afraid because thy Vessel 's poor â—ou'rt safer there than if thou wer 't on shore â— stately Palaces with sumptuous Feasts â—ongst thy sins those soul devouring beasts 'T is better go to heaven in foul weather Through many dangers if thou get'st but thitheâ— Than in a pleasant gale to swim to hell Where gentle winds do make th' canvass swell East North East The next Point East North East learn carfully This Seventh Point doth bring thee very nigh To Christ thy East mark what his servant saith Erre not be not mistaken in thy faith Concerninâ— Christ that soul that here mistakes Doth run himself upon a rock and makes The worst of Ship-wracks like to Alexander Who erring from the Christian faith did wander In paths of Darkness let Philotas be A mark of information unto thee That by this Seamark thou mayst understand How nigh thou art the rocks and scape the sand Remember well the greatness of Gods grace Do not forget his love in any case Not to some few but all without exemption God did propound his Son formans redemption No man shall die because God did not give His Son to suffer Death that he might live But for this cause God would have cleansed mans spot In Christs dear blood but man believ'd it not 'T is unbelief that causes man to die That Christ himself doth plainly testifie God loves the World but all will not believe it Christ died for all but some will not receive it This truth shines clearly but some will refuse To walk therein and many rather chuse To walk in Darkness this is condemnation Saith Christ our Lord that purchast mans Salvation That God is real in what he doth say Shines like the Sun it is as clear as day But that the Lord with words makes men believe Christ is there Saviour only to deceive Their understandings Oh that men would see How dreadful dark such apprehensions be He errs in faith that thus forsakes the light He needs must fall that wanders in the night But Secondly a man may erre in faith That make what men not what the Scripture saith Their rule to worship by though
fancies casts an eie Into Gods Secret Counsel thinks to spie Themselves inrol'd there without respect Unto the terms on which God doth elect Not once remembring that the Lord doth chuse The Godly for himself and doth refuse Ungodly men presumes they are elected And therefore sav'd while others are rejected By a divine unchangable decree And therefore must not cannot saved be Here eye all passages and you shall find Where airy notions do possess the mind Instead of Grace a Tempest doth begin Quickly to rise the flesh doth lust to sin While conscience tells the flesh it cannot be Allow me this saith flesh it pleaseth me Not so â—aith conscience thou wilt be defil'd O no saith flesh I 'm an elected Child Can sin can any thing that is in me Dissolve make void or alter Gods Decree No no saith flesh my name is writ in heaven My sins and weakness is all forgiven In this confused hurry is the mind That 's fill'd with notions tossed with the wind Of vain conceits He sins at such a rate Till he concludes himself a Reprobate And now he sinks and in a dreadful case Despairs but had this heart been fill'd with grace Instead of these his airy notions he Had been from stroms and winds and tempests free Where grace doth fill the heart it thus begins With every sinner O forsake your sins And there is mercy but grace tells him plain That being clear'd he must not sin again For sins against thy will Christ entercedes And at the throne of grace for mercy pleads Be thou but faithful do thou but act thy part In hating sin hate it with all thy heart And God is gracious if thou do persever God freely will accept of thy endeavour Faithful indeavours though they be but poor God will accept in Christ who keeps the score If thou presume to sin thy former debt Shall on thy score the second time be set Here doth the Riches of Gods Grace appear In setting Saints and sinners free from fear Sinners that leave their sins are not rejected Such as presume to sin are not elected The Grace of God that hath appear'd to all To Saints and sinners both doth daily call First unto sinners that they would repent And then to Saints that they be innocent And persevere in holiness and then In being holy they 'll be happy men O be establisht here as 't doth behove thee And neither wind nor weather will remove thee East and by South East and by South is next and thus begins Thou being taught before to leave thy sins By true repentance and by heart contrition Christ now requires of thee heart submission To all his holy Ordinances and To every Gospel Precept and Command But first of all thou must believe that he Is very Christ that shed his blood for thee Believe that God in Christ is reconcil'd And freely doth accept thee as his Child And willingly he sendeth none to hell But willful sinners such as do rebel Give up thy name to Christ that thou may be One of that Noble sacred family Come laden with thy sins and throw them down And Christ will give thee rest he 'll not disown The true repentance of a heart that 's broken Believe and be baptis'd it is token That Christ hath washt thee and hath clear remitted Thy former sins and now thou stands aquitted And by this means thou 'lt be insinuated Into the Church of Christ and stand related To him as one of his he will behold Thee now as one belonging to the Fold He is thy Shepherd and thou art his Sheep Thou' rt under his protection he will keep Thy soul from danger if thy heart be staid And stablished with Grace the Lord hath said Such shall be kept in perfect peace indeed Whose minds are staid on him Now let 's proceed Unto our next Point East South East let 's see What is required next to Baptisme East South East Sinner thou art conducted now by grace Into Christs Church that thou may keep thy place And be preservâ—d unto the Judgment day Observe therefore what the Lord did say To his Disciples while he did remain Upon the earth tells them he 'll come again But until then saith he I recommend You to the Comforter which I will send The Holy Ghost in all things shall instruct you And unto everlasting truth conduct you The Spirit shall to your remembrance bring Each sacred truth and teach you every thing But this remember Christ doth tell thee plain Which way thou mayst the Comforter obtain The way which Christ prescrib'd is fervent praier With faith unfeigned these such companions are They will not miss but will obtain the prize For which they seek for God will not dispise The earnest suit of humble contrite ones Whose prayers are usher'd in with sighs and grones Prayer is I say Gods own appointed way By which our Lord hath promis'd to convay The holy Spirit ask and it shall be given Saith Christ our Lord your Father hears in heaven â—f earthly Parents give out of there store Good things unto their Children how much more Will God out of his rich and boundless treasure Give those that ask his Spirit such a measure As he doth see sufficient to supply The Spirits Office is to sanctifie â—t's a true earnest that we shall inherit Eternal life He that enjoys the spirit â—lthough the smallest measure shall possess The matchless treasure of true happiness â—t fits the soul for future glory and He sails directly to the Holy Land That will observe this Point and furthermore Such shall discover fair Emanuels Shore By the white cliffs of holiness that lye Along the Coasts let not thy watchful eye Behold another object Would'st possess The Holy land mind naught but Holiness While others do a saving Voyage make Thou do'st a sacred Voyage undertake â—t is affirm'd by holy men of old Unholy persons never can behold The face of God but with great discontent With dread with horror and astonishment Unholy persons shall be sore affrighted With that with which the Saints shall be delighted While Saints sing praises unto God on high Delighting to be hold his Majesty Unholy persons shall both cry and call Unto the Rocks say to the Mountains fall Yea fall upon us hide us from the face Of him whose counsel we would not imbrace Though oft he did intreat this Lamb of Sion Is now become a soul devouring Lyon His presence is a terror doth affright Oh that we might be hidden from his sight When the Dark cliffs of sin thou dost espy Say to the soul 't is not the country That thou art sailing too learn this Point well Dark waies of sin is the true paths of hell South East and by East This is a Point thou also must indeavour Rightly to be instructed in if ever Thou do'st intend the Port of happiness Shall crown thy Voyage with a fair success Then fly from sin as from a Serpent and
this Tempest some beloved Lust Afflictions come but not out of the Dust Storms do not come by chance VVhile Jonah sleeps His sin at Land-makes Tempests in the Deeps The very Heathen did conclude no less Therefore cast Lots to see who did transgress God raises Tempests to correct our Crimes And for the trial of our Faith sometimes What ever 't is my Soul some Cause is given What e're 's the Cause the Remedy's in Heaven Is Sin the Cause O then my Soul Repent God hears the humble Soul and penitent Cry unto God who only can appease This dreadful Tempest and can calm the Seas Hold all thy Sails my Soul with fervent sighs â—and all thy Cords with secret Pray'rs likewise Let Faith be mixt with Payer Faith will prevail Cast Anchor O my Soul within the Vail And when thy hand 's at Helm thenlet thine Eye Look up to Heaven from whence must come supply Rouse up from Sleep my Soul for that intent Perhaps this Tempest was from Heaven sent To rouse thy drowsie Soul Awake awake Who sleeps in Sin shall fall into the Lake 2. Be not Fool-hardy of an Atheist's mind That scoffs at Tempests and doth scorn the Wind Laughing at Death presumptiously out-braves As if his Courage could withstand the Waves But be thou humble O my Soul and know 'T is God that makes the stormy Winds to blow 'T is He alone that makes the Seas to rage And none but He their Fury can asswage Be not too foolish in thy Confidence The next strong Gust that comes may fetch thee hence Say to thy Soul the next proud Wave that comes May swallow this poor Vessel and intomb Both It and Thee within the restless Ocean Let Storms and Tempests stir up thy Devotion In Prayer to God who if he say Be still Both Wind and Waves and Seas obey his Will 3. But in the third place Are thy Sorrows past And hath the Lord deliver'd thee at last Doth frothy Neptunes raging Fury cease And are the VVinds and VVaves and Seas at peace And is thy trembling Heart set free from fears Thy Hands from labor and thine Eyes from tears O then my Soul forget not Him whose Hand Hath given Rest Praise him by Sea and Land Forget not God that helpt you in Distress Let not his Mercies make thee love him less Was Sin the cause that made the Seas to rore Forsake thy sins my Soul and sin no more Or was 't to try thy Faith God sent this Storm Let this Deliverance then thy Faith confirm How did it fill your Hearts with joy peace When first the Tempest did begin to cease Its first appearance was like precious Balm So welcome was the tydings of a Calm How was your Hearts refreshed as with Wine Your Souls revived as if some Divine Or holy Angel had some Cordial given Which God to chear your Souls had sent from Heaven You were as one now raised from the Grave Such Soul-refreshments did you then receive Your Breaches were built up and all repair'd Wherefore dear Souls do not now disregard God's Goodness on the Seas now you 're on Shore But magnifie the Lord for ever more And for his Goodness do not prove unkind Let not Sea-Mercies slip out of thy Mind Tremble when ever you do entertain A Thought into your Hearts to sin again Or when you do forget the Lord whose Hand Spar'd you at Sea brought you safe to Land Now Courteous Reader for whose sake I have Expos'd these Lines to view I only crave This at your Hands That if these Meditations Be over brief for your large expectations That you would use Industry and enlarge Upon the Premises and so discharge Your Christian Duty in this Exercise And then what 's writ may very well suffice For Simple Meditations from this Text Mixt Meditations now shall be the next CHAP. X. Wherein you have a brief but plain Relation What Seas and Ships afford for Meditation Which is in twelve Particulars laid down Pleasant and profitable to be known AND first consider well how near thou art Unto thy Death 't is but a Board doth part 'Twixt Thee Death if that Board chance to hit Upon some churlish Rock so be split Thou sinks into the raging Ocean and Thy Burying-place must be the restless Sand Thou needs no Sexton there to dig thy Grave The Sand is all the Burying-place thou 'lt have Thy Body through the Waters make its way And there must lye until the Judgment-Day 2. But Secondly Consider with what care The Pilot to his Compass doth repair Because from thence he is to take Direction And with what careful Head Circumspection He doth observe his Land-Marks and likewise See how the Stears-man at the Helm applyes Himself to hearken with all diligence Unto the Pilot's Voyce because from thence He 's to receive Directions how to stear But Oh! How careless doth poor man appear That is concerned in Soul-Navigation Although it do respect his own Salvation Although we hear the Pilot call and cry What little heed takes Man to stear thereby Oh how industrious is Seamen here To scape from Ship-wrack while we void of fear Hazard the Shipwrack of our Souls and trust All will be well though we obey our Lusts Oh what 's the matter Souls what doth condence Our Hearts and why are we so void of Sense To value less the shipwrack of our Souls Than of our Ships that carries in their Holds â—othing at best but what is transitory â—hose full Enjoyment's but a fading Glory Now let the Seaman's Diligence and Care â—o save his Ship provoke thee to beware â—hou dost not lose thy Soul through negligence â—or loss of which there is no Recompence 3. With what a strong unsatisfy'd Desire â—o all the Ships crew after Land enquire â—Vhen he at Top-masts Head at last doth spy â—and tho far off How welcome is his Cry â— of good Chear dear Sirs and faint no more â—onder's our Harbor I discover Shore â—e're past the worst our Danger now is over â—ear up dear Hearts Chear up I do discover Our wisht-for Port from whence our hop't-foâ— Gaiâ— Will recompence us for our toyl pain Doth Seamen thus desire to des-cry Their Ports at Sea O then my Soul say Whâ— Thou art so lazy and dost not look out Alas my Soul I fear I am in doubt Th' art too secure Dost not understand The Excellency of that Holy Land Methinks thou shouldest much desire to hear The Watch-man tell thee That thou draweneâ— That happy Port of fair Emmanuel Whose boundless-endless-Treasures do excel Seamen have their prospective Glasses by them By which things at a distance is drawn ny theâ— Faith is that true Prospective Glass whereby Things at a distance is drawn very nigh Abram looks thorow his Prospective-Glass And saw Christ's Day long time before it was Through this Prospective-Glass thou may bâ—hoâ— Jerusalem whose Streets is pure Gold Whose Walls is precious Stones whos 's