thy Holy Spirit against Heaven and in thy sight and we are not worthy to be called thy children and therefore most iustly mayst thou pour down thy displeasure upon us and empty the Vials of thy wrath upon us and ours it is mercy nay infinite mercy and free grace that we are this side of Hell and the Grave but much more that we have an opportunity to plead with thee how many are there in Hell that would give ten thousand worlds for what we enjoy and have We bless thee O Lord for Iesus Christ by whose blood these Mercies were Purchased and the Priviledges which we now enjoy receive him for us and accept us in him magnifie thy grace in and through him towards us by pardoning our sins remiting our transgressions sanctifying our nature washing our souls in the water of Regeneration and by evidencing thy favour unto us under all our cloudy and gloomy dispensations and this is that O God which we are come about at this time it is the Sun-shine of thy countenance and strength against our adversary the Devil Behold O Lord thy servant before thee that is molested by Satan and burried with his temptations Behold O Lord the enemies which he hath to wrestle with how are they increased both from without and from within increase his faith that his spiritual existence may be sustein'd let him not perish in his distress and warfare for want of thy assistance seeing O God that we sue not to thee for any terrene or earthly enjoyments but for grace that we may through strength received therefrom be enabled to repel and quench all the fiery darts of the evil one and therefore for the sake of thy Son Iesus hear us and strengthen thy servant whereby he may now at â—ist conquer Satan who has so much â—â—deavored to overthrow him Apâ—ear for him O blessed Iesus unto â—hom all Power is given in Heaven â—nd in Earth and being tempted â—nowest how to succour those that be â—empted And with us sweet Father â—e mindful of all thine throughout the â—hole World Bless thy Church and Ziâ—n bring home Iews and Gentiles and â—ll that belong unto the Election of thy â—race Give unto thy Son the Heaâ—hens for his inheritance and the utâ—ermost Parts of the Earth for his Possessions O Lord keep up England â—rom falling from thee let it not languish nor decay in Godliness and let â—ot wantonness under the means of â—race procure any want of grace thou â—ast divided us bring us together again And thou who art a God of Order O settle Order in thy Church â—â—d Vnity among thy Saints Let â—uch as do erre out of ignorance learn â—nowledge and such as have sinn'd against knowledge finde repentance Enduâ— the Magistrates with the knowledge of thy Spirit of Grace and Wisdom as well as with Power that wâ— may live a peaceable and quiet life under them in all godliness and honesty O let thy Ministers be cloathed with holiness write it on their Breasts give them the Urim and Thummim and let them shine by holiness of life as well as by doctrine and Crown all their labours with a Garland of Souls Remove not O Father thy Candlestick from us for our unworthiness of it and unthankfulness for it but pardon our unproâ—â—ableness under it and teach us to profit more and more And now O Lord comfort thy afflicted Servant before thee stand by him and be his Help and all this we beg in the Name and for the sake of Iesus Christ to whom with thy self and ever blessed Spirit of Grace enable us to ascribe as is most due all Power Praise Glory and sincere obedience from us and all thine now henceforth and for evermore Amen Well I 'le detain you no longer only take this from me Do not give place to the Devil Reader Take notice that this poor young â—onvert having taken his leave of this â—recious Minister doth in his return â—omewards meet with a cursed inâ—rument of the Devil being one Deâ—as by name a sad Apostate who â—â—swades him to throw off Religion â—nd to turn Atheist that is nothing at â—ll of which this ensuing Dialogue â—ill give a further account Demas How now why do you look somelanâ—holy no doubt but you have been with â—ome Phanatick Priest or another your â—ountenance is so dreadful Paulus I blame your folly for he whom â— have been with let him go under what notion soever is a holy man and has been one of great use to me Demas I sware you talk more like a mad â—an than any body else I tell â—ou if you believe all what they say you 'll be distracted if you are not already Paulus Whether I am distracted or no I matter not for take notice I must observe what they say unto me because it concerns what I am to do for God and for my own soul Demas Why doest thou think there is a God Paulus Yes as firmly as I do believe the Sun to be in Firmament on Noon-dayes Demas Doest thee I hope then before I shall have done with you to make you of the same opinion as I am Paulus What opinion I pray are you of Demas What opinion am I of why I am of such an opinion as that I can produce you one whom I 'le affirm to be God Omnipotent Omnipresent Omâ—iscient and more just then the God â—hom you serve for I shall tell you I have been of the same opinion with your â—elf and have believed on the same God â—hich you believe but now I am of anâ—ther mind and I question not but that â— shall make you of the same also if you â—e but ruled by me Paulus Pray what is he Demas A sober Gentleman Paulus Will he do one no hurt Demas No he will not hurt you for he is a harmless Gentleman you may see him if you please Paulus Pray then bring him and let me see him Demas Rather than that I would have you come to my House about ten a Clock toâ— morrow morning and then we may talk together without any interruption You know where I live Paulus Well then I le be sure to come if I am in health Demas Be sure you do not fail me Reader Now followeth another Conference between Evangelus a Minister of thâ— Gospel and Paulus the young Convert who endeavours to hinder him from going but cannot Evangelus So So I see I am forc'd to visit you before you will visit me Paulus Truly Sir I can't help it for I have been so out of order both in soul and body since I saw you last aâ— that I am not fit to keep any body Company Evangelus Why did you not send for me all this while if you had I should have come for I doubt you have had no company since I have been with you Paulus Yes Sir I have had some Company with me Evangelus What company I pray good company
you not know that God is a Spirit John 4.24 Paulus I do believe God is a Spirit Apollyon Why do you then contend with mâ— any further who am so fully God as have declared unto you Paulus Did you create the Heavens and thâ— Earth and all thing contained therâ— in Apollyon Yea and you too Paulus Lord have mercy upon me Apollyon Nay him whom thou thinkest to be God I made Paulus Pardon me then blessed God that I have offered to conâ—end thus with thee â—als by I pray my â—alapert audacious â—nd rustical carriage â—owards thee for I see now I am â—ike the woman of Samaria who through ignorance ascribed the title of Sir ship unto him that was King over Heaven and Earth even as I have done towards thee Apollyon I pardon thee because what thou hast done has been through ignorance Paulus Yea good Lord that it was Apollyon Well time doth call me away for indeed I have many souls to look after therefore I must leave you only desiring you to remember those three things once Propos'd viz. 1. The denying of God which once you serv'd 2. The abstaining from those Ministers which once you frequented 3. The believing what I have said and shall furthermore say unto you Paulus With all my heart good Lord. Apollyon Farewel ther to-morrow-morning I 'le come and see you again Paulus Oh my Lord go not away so sooâ— from me Apollyon It matters not as long as I shall come so quickly unto you again Paulus Then farewel my Lord. Reader Take notice that when the Devil had parted from this Youth Demas the day after comes according to promiss But Apollyon is not with him from whence we may gather thus much It is impossible for the Devil to keep his promiss in regard that he is the father of lyes and lyers The end wherefore Demas came you will understand by the ensuing discourse Demas How do you my friend Paulus As well as any damned creature can do but where is my Lord. Demas He could not come through excessive want of him at another place but why doest thou say thou art damned for if so then thou art irrecoverable which if thou wert Apollyon would not undertake to do any thing for you neither should I have brought him to you Paulus I believe you good Sir and therefore do desire to bless God for you because you brought me acquainted with him Demas Alas I have tried all ways but could finde no rest till I met with him and so it will be with thee Paulus Ha how may one be deceived for I thought that I was in the right way and worship'd the true God but it seemes it is otherwise do you think therefore your God will receive me after I have been serving a strange God Demas Yes yes I 'le warrant that Paulus When will he come to me then Demas Tomorrow morning precisely at five of the Clock I came therefore as desired by him to inform you of it and likewise from my self to advise you of several things Paulus Speak on and well come Demas First be sure you do remember and â—eâ—r in minde what Apollyon said unto you last Now that which I have from my self unto you is this Whatsoever my Lord shall require of you condescend unto it immediately therefore if he should require your self give up your self unto him by a free Resignation of spirit withâ—ut any doubting for if you should in the juncture of time that he requires any thing of you seem to refuse he then departs from you totally and finally This I know because through fear I had like to have given him occasion my self and hence it is that I caution you Paulus The Lord your Master treble it into your bosome for what you have done unto me Demas Nay my Work is wages Paulus I Question not but it is Demas Well I must bid you adieu Paulus And you also but be sure yoâ— bring my Lord with you Demas Don't question that Reader When this young Convert had departed from his two supposed friends and from one especially he walks abroad and in his return homewards finds a letter directed unto him by that Choice Minister of Jesus Christ from whom he had abstein'd so long and by whom he could not be found through obligation unto a Promise The Letter is as followeth To the Beloved of my Soul T.P. My Son FOR so I may call thee because in the Lord Iesus I begot thee in whose Name I command attention unto the affectionate Exhortations of your distressed father who through thy disobedience unto God has almost brought his hoary head with sorrow unto the Grave and for which cause I have made my tears my meat and drink day and night ever since I saw thee last Ah Child thou art gone which vexeâ— me sore but the consideration of thy being gone from God vexes me sorest of all how happy wouldest thou make me if I could but see thy face before I go from hence and be seen no more I long to understand thy Conflicts as once I did that I might thereby administer something of comfort and advice in a more sympathizing and condoling manner then ever The thoughts of thy groans pierces me to the heart but the thoughts of thy trials and temptations doth so oppress my spirits as that I know not what to do Art thou not therefore blame-worthy to carry thy self in such an occult and secret manner as thou doest fall down I beseech you through the sense thereof think not of being freed from Satan while thou art such a friend unto him in keeping of his counsel The Devil is a subtile enemy adhere not to him believe him noâ— and give no credit unto any of his suggestions to be ruined is sad but to be instrumental to thy own ruine is more sad Something of the Devils wiles thoa hast already sâ—â—n O therefore let such an Experiment anticipate all his other designes from having effect keep off from him have nothing to do with him for there is nothing but malice and evil in all his designes I hear you make a strict Inquisition after Satan I pray wherefore is it Have you a minde to lose your soul Are you in love with your own damnation Is the loss of Heaven and the Enjoyment of God nothing Will the Devil ve a better friend to you then God Will the Flames of Hell be as sweet as a Bed of Roses Will weeping in the Labyrinth of eternal misery be more pleasant then the singing Hallâ—lujahs in the glorious Heavens which is best to be chosen misery or felicity Iudg you which would you chuse to sit at Gods right Hand or his Left why I tell you if you combine with the Devil you will then take Gods greâ—test Enemies part and thereby will lose all those perpetual heavenly and celestial Ioys Promised and Prepared for Gods Elect. If thou believest and
know what heaven is live then as one that knows the same Oh go to the throne of grace and leave it not till thou doest find the grace of God and the Oyl of Consolation Pour'd into thy heart and for the order of your appearing unto God demean your self as the Prodigall Luke 15. Cry as David Psalm 38.18 For I will declare my Iniquities and will be sorry for my sins how thy state now is I know not and therefore after what maner to write to thee I know not I do believe your case is dreadfull by the oppression of my own spirlt and your being so long absent from me and whether now this may come to you I cannot tell therefore I shall desist from writing so amply as I would Aug. 16. 1672. Your Father in the Lord Jesus W. W. The young Man having received this Letter reades it and having read it he considers upon it and at last is affected exceedingly therewith but these two Deceivers coming unto him again doth through their vain discourse and diabolical concernment make this Youth to yield unto them so as that he forgets the Letter which came from his dear friend in which was conteined such wholesom seasonable and compassionate Instructions Demas and Apollyon So what now I hope you have not transgress'd Paulus Not I indeed Apollyon How then comes it to pass you look so sad Paulus I have by an unparalleld providence received a letter from one who lov'd me which is strange in regard that he knew not where I dwelt Apollyon Sha Providence there 's not such things as that for those things which you call Providence are only things which falls out by chance and you also talk illiterately and foolishly to say that was unparallel'd because such as this has bin common ere now Paulus Nay I do not know but none shall make me to believe any otherwise but that it was Miraculous if it will not hold with being unparallel'd Demas Pray let me speak a word in your ear Paulus With all my heart Good Sir Demas Pray now have a care of carrying your self foolishly left thereby you occasion him to depart as I told you once before Paulus Well I will Apollyon How are you compos'd in minde Paulus Not very well My Lord. Apollyon How can you call me Lord and adjoyn such an epâ—thite as my thereto whereas you have not given up your self unto me Paulus Will you accept of me Oh Lord Apollyon If I had meant otherwise I should not have ask'â— you Paulus Lord I am at your service do with me as seems good in thy sight Apollyon Has that God which you serv'd been good to you Paulus Truly I must needs say this that though I had many things of the other â—od whom I serv'd yet he would not give me all as I desir'd Apollyon That I believe and shall I tell you those many things which you had of him were not so reall as they were Presented to you being only shadows Paulus It 's likely so truely Apollyon Well if you are willing as you say to be my Servant meet me about five of of the Clock at night by the place where we use to meet and bring with you your Penknise Paper and Pen this is all only be sure to meet me without fail or else be it to your own peril Paulus I 'le be sure not to fail you Apollyon Till then farewell Reader Thus thou seest how this poor Convert is tossed up and down through the wiles and Machinations of Satan how Sollicitous have been the vety powers of Hâ—ll to destroy the soul of this young man how have they Combin'd together for the making of their stratagems effectual For once he went with an intent to meet the Devil and as he was entring into the appointed place the Spirit of God interrupted him by setting home this Scripture with such power Mat. 16.26 For what is a man profited if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul At that he was forc'd to return home again and ask God for pardon and yet nevertheless Corruption being very prevalent and the Devil mighty busie he was thereby impuls'd to make another attempt in the like manner who accordingly did as you may understand by what shall follow Apollyon Well met my Paulus why doesâ— thou muse with thy self Paulus I am at a stand and know not what to do Apollyon At a stand why so Paulus You know O Lord the business which we are met about and the weightiness thereof therfore I hope reason will shew why I look so Apollyon Friend As for my part it matters not whether or no you consent to what I require it was for your happiness that I requir'd this from you but to conclude take notice that I will not be made a fool by such an one as you Go therefore to your other God and see what â—e can do for you for I scorn to receive you Paulus Good Lord fret not your self so for I am not going away from you only I desire deliberation suiting with a work of so great a concernment as this Apollyon Nay call not me Lord except you were my servant and as for your deliberation you have had time enough already Paulus Ha but I never did deliberate upon it till now Apollyon If so be you could not deliberate when you had time enough expect it not now Paulus Well if so you will not give me leave to satisfie my self herein I know not what to say to you Apollyon You know not what to say to me say somthing or nothing and if in this you be not satisfied a Fig for you Paulus Be not angry I pray Apollyon Here is cause to be angry when you deal thus with me who am so fully God Consider the aggravation that does attend it therefore in this one minute resolve me either in the negative or affirmative Paulus What would you have me to do Apollyon Only this Put Pâ—n to Paper and write thus Paulus Well I will write thus For Apollyon Proceed why stay you your hand Paulus I know not what the matter is for I cannot move my hand Apollyon You had as good go on now seeing that you have written the first word viz. For for you are mine by what you have done already Paulus I defie you as yet for I know what I have done Apollyon A Nuncupâ—tiâ—â— Well is as good as a written one so that what you have not done by Pen you have done by word of Mouth and therefore it is all one Observ. I. The young man supposing him with whom he had conferr'd so long to be the Devil breaks forth into these breathings of spirit unto the true God whom once he serv'd viz. Now now now O precious Saviour give me somthing for my faith to act upon by making of thy self unto me â— present
this world Mark how the Atheist contradicts â—imself to call his God a Gentleman it seems then his God is not a spirit It is not good to be too inquisitive after evil spirits True is that Adage Nemo lâ—edituâ— niâ—â—â— sciâ—so No man is hâ—â—ted but by himself A Diabolical contrivement A true Minister is at the Call of any that may want him Some evil company are so subtil as we cannot mediately finde out what they are The Christians God is but one God Deut. 6.4 Deceivers are here and there and every where Holy Anticipation is allowed Mark the fallacious way of arguing from a deceitful heart We must have à care of challengeing the Devil left therefore the Devil How Ironically do they speak Necessitas â—on habit legem Christians can't but shew themselves civilly to strangers The Devil can carry himself as civil and sober as any The young Mans Petition unto the Devil for concession In a matter of special concernment ' As there is no room for Gods children here below among the wicked so likewise there shall be no room above in Heaven for the wicked among Gods children The devil must have a word in Mitte Diabolum let the Devil alone The Devil makes a bargain with the young man The Bargain is accepted upon such and such conditions The Devil is a brag The Devil must have one to help him The Trinity provâ—d from five Considerations Vengeance will be executed upon the devil one day for appropriating Gods titles unto himself As long as faith is in a soul so long is the Reverence of a Deity continued The devil is a blasphemous spirit Observe the Combate between youth and the devil The devil is a lying spirit The youth through ignorance familiarizes too much with the devil Audacious blasphemy A doubting soul affects nothing so much as plainness Behold the devices of this fallen Angel thâ— Lord keep us from him The Devil can bring Scripture for a need When we are tempted we should rather say Get â—lee behind us Satan than to talk with him and ask him Questions The Devil is made up with nothing but lies How far does God somtimes suffer the Devil to usurp his Prerogative Oh poor young man my bowels do yearn after thee and all in thy condition yet I doubt not but God will raise thee up again and shew thee the vanity of thy ways O Devil pardon thy self Faith is batter'd The Devil rehearseth over his bargain that he might be sure for he is fearful of his prey Observe this plain contradiction for if he was God then he could not have been hindred moreover this denies the Omnipresence of God as well as his Omnipotence Here is Thanksgiving without occasion and a blessing of the devil insteaâ— of God Tâ—e trying of no way conscientious is the cause of maâ—y thaâ— comes to be nothing The devil and his companions are all one A cursed inquiâ—tion We are apt many times to welcom that which in the clâ—se conduceth to cur ruine The Devil proves there is no Providence by a Lie and corrects the young man for his illiteratâ—ness There are the whisperings of an evil spirit us well as a good Behold the Deviâ— The young Man speaks to the Devil after the Language of Canaan which ouâ—ht to be used with God only Hard thoughts of God are the fruits of Atheism When thâ— soul has hard thoughts of God the Devil will do what he can to multiply them The young man now accords with the Devil in everything A time appointed for the Contract The Devils salutation The young man is daunted An Interrogation He reasons with the Devil The Devil knows how to suit himsâ—If according to the constitutions of People The Devil makes many times as if he was but indifferent in those things which he is most earnest and desirous of The devil is an angry spirit We are apt many tiâ—es to consider when it is too late The Devil knows so well the advantage of consideration as that if he should give way to it he knows it would dash all his designes to pieces Blaâ—â—hemy The Author dares not write here what he did write lest it should prove a tentation Note thus far he went and further he had gone if divine Grace had not restrain'd him The devils Advice to the yong man Divine Providence interrupts The devil claims him before he is his The young man defies the devil A devilish machination it was that which had almost prevailed upon the young man in making of him to yield by putting Pen to Paper of which further observe The young man talks light-headed through the excessive teâ—n pâ—â—tâ—ons of the devil The danger of shunning good Councel He despairs It is the sin of young Converts to condemn and censure every thing which seems not at the first view right The misery of this young man contributes anxiety to the Minister An ambiguous speech The grounds of fear The Ministers suspicion The Minister seâ—ks aâ—â—er an interpretation of the young Mâ— is Proverb He â—eclare this Aâ—ostâ—ey The Ministers belief ' of the youth In what respect the devil is God The dev can transform him self into many shapes The young man did go very near in contracting with the Devil but he did totally contract with him as you will find in fine The young man prays for a deprecation of his misery Behold how his misery is augmented by many gradations An Exhortation to Thanksgiving Motives to Confession Observe the evil effâ—cts that do ensue the concealing of suggestions Nam multa possunt ostendi veteris Novi Testamenti exempla ubi lapsi remissionem peccatorum absolutionem à Christo Ecclesia sunt consecuti viz. David Manasse Petrus lapsa est Galatarum Ecclesia à Paulo ad poenitentiam revocata Paulus ipse Corinthium incestum jubâ—t recepi post poeni tentiam Aug. The young mans sins of omission and commission He cannot lift up his eyes to God Luke 16. Heb. 7.25 Ezek. 33.11 Psal. 32.5 Psa. 38.18 Joh. 14.6 Mat. 26.41 1 Thes. 5.17 Phil. 4.11 1 Tim 6.8 Eph. 4.27 Jam. 47. Eph. 4.27 2 Co. 11.2