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
a soul-consuming flame More bright than Phebus in the Southern skies Like to devouring fire in his eyes His voice is like a soul amazing thunder That fills the massie earth with dread and wonder But now I think I hear some make reply If thus I do behold his Face I die His terror frights me O I am undone I am unclean O whether shall I run If Holy Angels be not pure how then Can I be sav'd that am a sinful man If God be Holy thou must be no less Thou must behold Gods Face in Righteousness Then I 'll assure thee when thou dost awake His Image will full satisfaction make By wake I mean thy being rais'd from Grave When thou a full and perfect sight shalt have Of that great glory Moses could not see With which thou then shalt satisfied be And that thou may his Beauty then behold With joy remember that thou hast been told He is a Holy Spirit wherefore he In Spirit and in Truth must worshipt be By that pure Light that in the Soul doth shine Proceeding from the Spirit of God Divine And by the strength and vigor of thine own Must thy unfeigned Love to God be shown Alas say some this is but fruitless talk For that no man can thus unspotted walk Shew me the man that never doth transgress Or him who thus sees God in righteousness â—f none but man thus holy can enjoy This blessed state Gods presence will destroy The universe the best of men do not Live without sin none is without his spot To this I say the God of Earth and Heaven Considering mans weakness hath given His Son his onely Son whom he hath set To be our Surety and to pay our debt Christ is our Eastern Point he is that Light Whose morning brightness doth expel the Night All you that sail for Heaven be sure you learn To know this Eastern Point 't is your concern And first remember Christ hath quit that score That Adam left to pay it shall no more Be reckon'd for for he hath paid that debt Which on our score for Adams sin was set Behold the Lamb of God behold I say That blessed Lamb that took our sins away That holy Lamb of God the King of Kings That did arise with healing in his Wings He pleads the cause of such as do transgress And willingly he is our righteousness 'T is Christ alone 't is he alone I say That by his glorious rising made a day Till this bright Eastern Morning Star did rise All the whole world in dismal darkness lies He like the glorious Morning Sun came forth And visited all corners of the Earth How dismal is the dark and silent night How comfortable is the morning light Here is thy comfort soul do what you can Christ is that pure perfect holy man He ' as done exactly what thou shouldst have done And God accepts thy doing in his Son Know for thy comfort God is reconcil'd To sinful man by Christ that holy Child A body was prepar'd him for thy sake For nothing else could reconcilement make Thy weakness in Christ is all suppli'd By him alone thou must be justifi'd â—hrist doth not only fill the world with light â—ut as a way-mark guids thy steps aright â—nto the Father tells thee there is none â—omes to the Father but by him alone The third thing in this Point thou art to learn â—nd make thy chief concernment to discern â—â— is that ownness and sweet unity â—hat is between the Soul and Christ whereby â—hrist and thy Soul is made intirely one â—y the indwelling of the Spirit alone â—â— is the Spirit alone that doth unite â—hee unto Christ the spirit gives thee light â—â— fills thy soul with light thy heart with praise â—y which thou mayst behold those golden raies â—hich darts into thy soul gives thee a glance â—f thy adoption and assurance â—hus knowing North and East the South doth follow â—ext to be known it is the spirit doth hallow â—nd sanctifie the soul and change the nature Converts the man and makes him a new creature â—enewed in himself he 's born anew â—o all unholiness he bids adiew â—e that doth put on Christ will surely find â—o great an alteration in his mind â—here's nothing now with which he 's so delighted As holiness which he before had slighted The love of Christ casts such a warm reflection â—pon the soul it stirs up his affection â—his Soul like Mary's melted into tears â—ith which she washt Christs feet thought not her hairs Although her ornament too good to foul To dry his Feet his love so melts her soul Her sins were many made her love abound Because so vile a wretch had mercy found What I saith such a soul who no eye piti'd Defild with sin and are my sins remitted Shall I be guilty of so great a folly That 's washt from sin and shall I be unholy He whose dear love did take away my sin Will hate and loath me if I sin again When Christ did clear that sinful womans score He gave charge she should sin no more How miserable was thy state when he At first had thoughts of pity upon thee Polluted in thy Blood he passes by Beheld thee and did cast a gracious eye Of Pity Did both grace and mercy give Said to thy loathed soul O sinner live Upon thy head he puts a crown of gold And makes thee fair and lovely to hehold Then doth present thee as a Virgin clear Before the Father doth espouse thee there Thou must be holy now and sanctifi'd Laying thy former sins and lusts aside You heaven born souls think and remembeâ— how Unsuitable it is how much below A Saint it is to sin whose holy dress Like to a sacred garment must express Whose Spouse thou art O do not give consenâ— To live in sin sin stains thy ornament â—o'iness is Saints lustre makes them shine â—â— tells thine enemies thou art divine â—ow high is Christ advanc'd in Christians when â—n mortifi'd doth make them holy men â—hrist's like the glory of the Southern Sun â—t height in Christians when this work is done â— Christian now is in a line direct â—o God the Father may have full aspect â—ook from the South the North is just before ye â—o Saints in holiness may see Gods glory â—nd hence it was that Abraham did discover â—he glory of the Lord From hence moreover Moses that holy man of God contemns â—ll Egypts glory counterfeiting Jems Moses by faith sees holiness rewarded â—hinks Egypts glory not to be regarded â—e did esteem of Israels distess Above the glory that he might possess â—n Pharoahs Court his faith bore evidence â—nto that Heaven promis'd recompence But secondly consider as the light â—s contrary to darkness day to night â—o sin and holiness do hate each other â—nd in one place they cannot dwell together â—ut as the Sun when shining bright and clear Doth make nights sable shadows disappear And as the gloomy
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
sin in our esteem An idle thought to us not to the Lord Doth seem a lesser Sin than idle words Unprofitable thoughts and words they both Seem lesser Sins than doth a dreadful Oath But in God's sight the very least offence If with our Wills is Disobedience And Disobedience is a sin as great As is the Sin of VVitchcraft God doth threat All Disobedience with Death Eternal The smallest sin deserves the Lake infernal If to the same we freely give consent And live and dye therein and not Repent So as to Duties some may seem but small Compar'd with others of no weight at all Obedience to a Minister appointed To feed the Flock of Christ the Lord 's Anointed Seems but a little duty when compar'd With that Submission Reverence and Regard VVe owe to God yet as we understand This doth proceed from God as his Command Our being found in wilful negligence God will account it as a great offence A bare profession though indeed it be A Christian duty 't is the least degree It seems indeed as nothing if we bring It to be ballanced with suffering Compar'd with Charity a bare profession â—s but like promis'd Gold without possession And to be brief Christians must not neglect The smallest duty shews the least respect Unto the smallest sin a little leak VVill find a passage for the Seas to break â—nto thy Vessel and without endeavour To stop this Leak thy Ship may sink for ever A little negligence at Sea when Storms Threaten the Sea-men with approaching harms Neglecting to look out the Ship is tost Upon the raging Seas broken and lost VVherefore that thou may scape eternal death Endeavour while on Earth thou drawest breathâ— By searching of God's Word to understand VVhat is thy duty neglect no command Hate every Sin and quite forsake them all Whether the Sin thou loves be great or small So shall not Death affright thee thou shalt be From Death as 't hath a dreadful sting set free North-West by North. Our next's North-West by North Wish not tâ— dyâ— Nor covet after Death immoderately Some under torturing Pains to ease their grieâ— Have wisht for Death thinking to find Relief Within the Grave and in a Pet would cry Let Death now strike his Stroke that I may dye Others again finding themselves distasted Perhaps because some great Design was blasteâ— Will presently puff out their angry breath And in a suddain Passion wish for Death Just like to Jonah when the Lord design'd The Ninevite's Destruction yet inclin'd To Mercy if the Ninevite's Repented Jonah crost in his Mind was discontented And wish'd to dye for which he was reprove Altho a holy Prophet and beloved Alas poor Souls you that cry out so fast For Death as if indeed you were in hast Should God but grant your unadvis'd Petition You quickly would bewail your sad Condition And cry as fast Oh that the Lord would spare My Life a little longer Oh beware Lest God provoked take away thy breath Against thy mind Poor Soul prepare for Death but dye Before thou wish so unadvisedly That when Death comes thou 'st nought to do If God be pleased to lengthen out thy dayes Be then well pleas'd to spend them to his Praise And if he 's pleas'd thy Dayes shall be but few Be thou content and labour to eschew All kind of Sin whereby thou may'st offend Him that alone can Crown thy latter End With Happiness unto Eternity Thus learn to live that thou may learn to dye North North-West Our next Point's North North-West Th' art now lanch't forth Into the Deeps and drawest nigh thy North Thy Dayes is spent and now thy Spirit must Return to God thy Body to the Dust God is thy Northern Star from thence thou came Who was and is unchangeably the same 'T was He who at the first did give thee Breath 'T is He for Sin doth summons thee by Death 'T is God who in his Image first did make thee And never since was willing to forsake thee 'T was He that did appoint a Second Life To put a Period to that deadly Strife That Sin has made 'twixt Man and his Creator 'T was God that did appoint a Mediator Even Jesus Christ to whom God doth direct thee Because he is not willing to reject thee From North to East thou wast at first conducted From God to Christ his Son to be instructed And brought into the way of Life where thou The things belonging to thy Peace might know Thy time on Earth that short uncertain Space Has been the Day of Patience and of Grace Which if thou hast neglected till thy Sun Be wholly set the Day of Grace is done T' expect another Day of Grace is vain From North to East thou must be brought again From God to Christ thou once again must pass Who is appointed not as first he was To be the Saviour of thy Soul but He By God's Appointment now thy Judge must be Your Consciences whose Checks you now refuse Will testifie against you and accuse Thee to thy Judge and none will intercede Thou 'st not a Friend in thy behalf to plead Christ was thy Friend whose Counsel thou refus'd And all his gracious Promises abus'd Thou that rejected Counsel heretofore Shall never have a Word of Counsel more The Prince of Peace that sacred Lamb of Sion Is now become a fierce devouring Lyon He that being fill'd with Mercy and Compassion Laid down his Life to purchase thy Salvation Is cloath'd with Fury now and burning Ire And is become a Soul-consuming Fire This sacred Truth is left upon Record Within the Volumes of God's holy Word 'T will be a Soul-cousening Day of trouble Wherein the Wicked shall become as Stubble Which in an Oven is consum'd away So dreadful is that Soul-amazing Day To all the Wicked such as do Rebell Depart depart you Cursed into Hell Will be the Sentence that the Judge will give Unto all such as in Rebellion live Depart to Hell where you Eternally Shall be a dying but shall never dye Go down to Hell depart out of my sight To utter Darkness to eternal Night Depart to Hell for as your Works are evil So shall you now be Sharers with the Devil Depart to Hell to everlasting Pain From whence expect not to return again You that can scoff at Resurrection now Would then avoyd it if you knew but how Your dismal Night will never find a Morrow Your Merriments will all be turn'd to Sorrow Who can express the dolorous Grief and Pain That damned Souls shut up in Hell sustain Where Fire goes not out where Worm ne'r dies Where cursed Oaths is turn'd to hidecous Cryes Sad is the Case with Hell-confined Souls Who now in stead of drinking Wine in Bowles Gnashing their Teeth with anguish they must spend Their doleful Hours in pain World without end You that have spent some time in sinful Pleasure To satisfie your Lusts shall find no leasure To fix your Eye
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