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
stood fast Heb. 11.3 Through faith we understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear So Rom. 4.17 Paulus All this now is very clear unto me Evangelus I am glad of it and therefore bless God And now tell me I pray you what you what is your belief concerning the Incarnation of our Saviour Paulus I do believe that Jesus Christ did come into the World to save sinners Evangelus And that he was made Man Paulus No I cannot think so in regard that it is impossible for God to become man Evangelus Herein thou art grossly ignorant because thou doest believe Christ came into the World and yet cannot think he was made man Paulus No nor I shall not except you give me good Scripture for it Evangelus Nay you are to be commended for that because you are not to take any thing from me or any man without Scripture and therefore if Scripture will do the business Scripture you shall have enough See John 1.14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth So 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the Mystery of Godliness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory Paulus I see Scripture does hold forth this truth but who would think that this should be so Evangelus It is so and that for these Reasons as I suppose 1. Gods Iustice by Man was offended therefore by Man it was to be satisfied 2. Christ was Man that he might die for had he not been Man he could not have died 3. He was Man that he might sympathize and condole with us in all our conditions and infirmities 4. He was Man that he might be dâ—â—ompleat Mediator 5. He was Man that he might make Man Partakers of the Divine Nature Paulus Then by this reckoning you must make Christ a sinner Evangelus So he is i.e. by Imputation Paulus This is strange doctrine methinks to make Christ a sinner 〈◊〉 if also he is man then consequentially he is not God Evangelus Your consequence is false my Friend for Christ is God-Man God that he might satisfie Man that he might die 2.5 Paulus Well these things are very deep and profound therefore I pray you ask me somthing else and I will meditate upon them when I come home Evangelus Very good the next Question then shall be this what think you then concerning the Resurrection Paulus Truly Sir this has been ever obscure to me I could wish you would inform my judgement concerning it Evangelus With all my heart for I like this enquiring mighty well Now that there shall be a Resurrection it is evident from these Places of Scripture Dan 12.2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the Earth shall awake some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting ' contempt Iohn 5.28 29. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of damnation So see 1 Cor. 15. and Rev. 20.12 13. Paulus Well this truth I also believe for I see there are many Scriptures for the demonstration and proof of the same Evangelus What think you now concerning the last Iudgment do you believe it or not Paulus I do believe that Jesus Christ will come at the last day and judge the world Evangelus And are you willing friend that I should try your knowledg in this necessary truth Paulus Willing why do you think I should be unwilling pray don't question that for I am so willing as that I shall look upon you as my best friend if you take the pains to inform me in this Evangelus Well then seeing that I have such a free access unto you I shall ask you these several Questions in order to your better understanding of this great truth what then is the last Iudgment Paulus The last Judgement is a day as I suppose wherein Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour shall come down from Heaven with great Glory to judge the whole World and give unto every one according as his works shall be Evangelus Very well my friend for your Answer pleases me exceeding well but how manifold is the coming of Christ Paulus How manifold is the coming of Christ why is there more comings of Christ then one Evangelus Yes friend the Scriptures do hold forth unto us a threefold coming of Christ the first was in the flesh about sixteen hundred years ago when he came in the forme of a servant taking upon him our sins the second is his coming now with the Power of the Gospel in the hearts of sinners and the third is his future coming when he shall in the end of the World come in glorious Glory not to be exprest And this is called his second Appearance to Iudgement Acts 10 42. Christ is appointed by God the Father Iudge both of the quick and dead So Acts 17. Paulus These are wonderful things pray tell me now how Christ will judge the World Evangelus Visible in the clouds for even as he ascended so shall he descend but wherefore do you think my Friend Christ will judge the World Paulus That he may render eternal life with fulness of joy unto the godly and eternal punishment to the wicked Evangelus You answer right but what do you think will be the Order of this Iudgement Paulus Truly Sir I know not very well Evangelus My friend observe there are certain Transactions that do prâ—cede this day certain Transactions done in the day and certain Transactions that does ensue this day First some things there be that arâ— antecedent to or coming before this day which will be these 1. A Subversion of the Roman Empire and the Man of Sin revealed 2. The Rising of false Christs and false Prophets 3. Signeâ— that shall be in the Sun and Moon 4. The Gospel being preached throughâ— out all Nations 5. Obedience yielded unto the Gospel by Iews and Gentiles and all that do pertain unto the Election of Gods grace Secondly those Transactions done in this day are these 1. The Son of Man shall be seen in the Air. 2. The dead shall rise both righteous and unrighteous 3. Christ shall separate the bad from the good and denounce the last sentence Thirdly that which follows this day is the proportioning of a reward unto every Mans work and now tell me what thou thinkest of these things Paulus Truly they are things that I never knew till now Evangelus Bless God then for what you know and answer me this
question Is the Iudgement-Day known unto any or no Paulus None but unto God as I suppose Evangelus Thou sayst right for neither Men nor Angels know this day but God himself Matth. 4. And thus friend I have shewed you these Points of Divinity to be believed of all that seek after an eternal life of Felicity being these as follows 1. God or the Trinity 2. The Creation of the World 3. The hypostatical Vnion or Christs assuming the humane Nature 4 The Resurrection 5. Iudgement I come now to ask you how and by what means you may come to know God Paulus By the Holy Bible Evangelus It is true friend the Scriptures conteined in the Old and New Testament is the only Rule by which we may come to know God and serve him 〈◊〉 but tell me what thou doest understanâ— by the Old and New Testament Paulus By the Old Testament I understanâ— the Writings of Moses and the Prophets and by the New Testament thâ— Writings of the Evangelists and Apostles Evangelus Your Answer as you should do But are the Scriptures sufficient of themselves to work faith in us or no Paulus Truly I am not able to determine of that Evangelus Why then I will tell you the Scriâ—tures of themselves cannot work faith â—n us but by Gods Spirit cooperating â—ith them and hence it is that the â—ord is called a dead letter not but â—hat the Word is quickning but beâ—ause the Word of it self without the Spirit cannot so much as work any â—race in us Paulus This I do believe Evangelus Then I hope you do believe the Scriptures to he so Canonical as that â—t is Blasphemy to esteem of any other Writings to be of equal Authority with the same and so consequentially â—hose are to be blamed who annex the â—pocrypha to the Bible and do freâ—ently take out certain verses conteined therein as their texts whenas the Scriptures and only the Scriptures are for a standing Rule in Gods Church Paulus But is not the Apocrypha the Word of God Evangelus No for they were not written in the Hebrew Tongue nor acknowledged aâ— Canonical by the Iews of old to whom the keeping of the Oracles of God was committed Paulus I am now convinc'd of that which I thought I should never have been perswaded to the contrary Evangelus Again if you do grant the Scriptures to be infallible you must then grant that the Scriptures are not to be ruled by the Church but the Church by the Scriptures Paulus If so be the Scriptures do not depend upon the Church for the Truth and Authority thereof how then can we be assured that it is the Word of God Evangelus Friend herein you are grossly mistaken for we may be assured of the Scriptures being the Word of God which may be prov'd from several Testimonies and Arguments divine and humane from Testimonies Divine being two internal and â—xternal One is the Testimony of the Spirit who sometimes by special Râ—vâ—laâ—ion and Power do declare the 〈◊〉 thereof upon the Hearts and Câ—nscâ—enâ—es of Men and Women and thâ—â— is the divine internal Testimony The dâ—vine external Testimony is the Scriptures testifying of themselves and hence it is many times that they do run in this Order Thus saith the Lord Thus saith God Now the Arguments to prove the same are deduced and taken from 1. The efficient causes of the Scriptures viz. Men tâ—e Calling Missâ—â—â— and Insperation of whom was divine Secondly the Scope and End of the Scriptures being the glory of God and the eternal salvation of our souls Thirdly the subject-matter of the Scriptures which is so full of Majesty and Divâ—nity as that it is far beyond humane capacity to comprehend This is sufficient to shew the Authority of the Scriptures without depending upon the Church Thus is the truth of the Scriptures and the Authority of them evidenced without the help of the Church Paulus Is not the Testimony of the Church then of some use Evangelus Yes that I deny not but the thing which I aim at is to shew that the Authority and Truth of the Scriptures can be made apparent from Gods Spirit and from themselves without the help of the Church which assertion does contradict the Papist who does audaciously affirm that the Authority of the Scriptures do absolutely depend upon the Church the absurd consequences of which opinion are these 1. Of all to hold that the Scriptures has no more Authority but what the Vniversal consent of the Church gives unto it is to make the Scriptures no otherwise but a Nose of Wax yea it is to make the eternal and inviolable truth of God rest upon the pleasure of men verily the matter and scope of the Scriptures is to be denied and to be of no use at all if this opinion is right these and such like are the Absurdities that must of necessity be held by retaining opinions of this kind Paulus But did not Austin say that he would not believe the Gospel save that the Authority of the Church moved him thereto Evangelus The Papist do give a false interpretation upon his words if we do but consider the whole tenor of his writing For as Calvin well Observes Austin had then to do with the Manichees who arguing with them spoke thus I my self would not beleeve the Gospel save that the Authority of the Church moved me thereto Meaning that he himself when he was a stranger from the faith could not otherwise be brought to embrace the Gospel for the assured truth of God but by this that he was overcome with the Authority of the Church And what marvel is it if a man not yet knowing Christ have regard to men therefore Austin does not there teach that the faith of the godly is grounded upon the Authority of the Church Paulus I am very well pleased and satisfied in what has been said have you any more Questions to ask me Evangelus Yes friend I have many Questions to ask you still How do you prove that Salvation is only to be had through Christ Paulus How do I prove it I prove it from Acts 4.12 where it is thus written Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other Name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Evangelus Thou hast given the right Scripture but now if salvation is only to be had in and through Christ does it not do you think concern you to have an interest in this Christ Paulus Yea certainly that it does Evangelus Are you then interested in him Paulus Truly I question it but how may I come to have an interest in him Evangelus That must be by faith Paulus What is faith Evangelus Faith is a receiving of Iesus Christ into the Heart as he is Priest Prophet and King with a fiducial dependance upon him being fully satisfied that there is salvation in through and by none but him Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence
of things not seen Heb. 11.1 Paulus How is this Faith attained Evangelus It is attained by a conscientious use of the Word and increased by Prayer and Sacrament Paulus What is Prayer Evangelus Prayer is the pouring out of our souls unto God in the Name of Christ by the help of the Spirit and with faith on the Promises for those things which are agreeable unto his Will Paulus This I remember for it has been told me a great while ago Evangelus You understand herein I shall examine by asking you several questions concerning this duty as first ought we to pray unto God and only unto him Paulus Only unto him excepting Saints and Angels Evangelus How do you mean Saints and Angels I hope you don't hold praying to them Paulus Nay I cannot think any otherwise but that it is lawful to pray to them for they are those who do make a way unto God the Father for us Evangelus I deny it and therefore shall affirm that Christ only is the way to the Father but that I might further clear this truth observe 1. Prayer is a part of Divine Worship which all grant and God only is the object of Divine Worship therefore to pray unto any besides God is a perfect violation of that Command Deut. 6 1â— Mat. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve 2. Consider we have but one Intercessor and Mediator in Heaven and therefore it is a high affront unto Christ to make any use of others in that kind 3. Consider that excellent place of Scripture Rev. 19 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me see thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant And in the last place consider here is but little encouragement for any of us to pray unto Saints because the best Saints in Heaven is ignorant of our conditions here below Isa. 63.16 John 14.21 Paulus Why truly all this is clear none can deny Evangelus Well friend what think you of this question can one pray and not speak Paulus No surely that can't be Evangelus Yes one may for there is vocal Prayer and mental Prayer Vocal Prayer is the expressing our desires unto God by the words of our lips and Mental Prayer is the offering up of our desires unto God without the help of words as Hannah prayed when her voice was not heard 1 Sam. 1.13 Paulus How may I pray so as to finde acceptance with God Evangelus First direct your supplications unto God Secondly Pray in faith Thirdly with a sense of your wants Fourthly with a sense of your unworthiness to have any of your wants supplied Fifthly with Sincerity and Perseverance Sixthly beg what you beg in the Name of Christ. Seventhly conclude your Prayer with a Doxology being this For thine is the Kingdom Power and Glory for ever and ever Amen Paulus I thank you good Sir for this seasonable advice Evangelus What think you now of the Sacrament Paulus It is an Ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ himself Evangelus A Sacrament is a seal of the Covenant of grace whereby as God doth oblige himself to give unto us all the benefits contained therein so we in like manner do by that oblige our selves to be the Lords and to be true and faithfulâ— unto him Paulus This I now do understand Evangelus Very good now how many Sacraments are there of use in thiâ— Gospelâ— Dispensation Paulus Surely there are but two Evangelus Thou sayst right and therefore the Papists herein are to be blamed whâ— say there are seven Sacraments whereas we do deny any such number and do affirm that there are but two Sacraments viz. Baptism and the Lords Supper Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the washing with waâ—er in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost doth signifie and seal our ingrafting into Christ the Lords Supper is a Sacrament wherein these things given viz. Bread and Wine are signified exhibited and shewed forth unto us the Body of our Lord Iesus which was broken and his blood which was poured out abundantly for the remission of our sins Circumcision and the Passeover was in the Law in room whereof comes Baptism and the Lords Supper Baptism in the room of Câ—rcuncision and the Lords Supper in the room of the Passeover Paulus In this I am also very well satisfied Evangelus I am glad of that but what think you of this Is the bread really transubstantial and turn'd into the Body of Christ Paulus Yes that is really my belief for does not our Saviour say This is my Body 1 Cor. 11.14 Evangelus Friend believe it not because there is not Grounds whereupon Reason should be built much less faith Observe what I have to say contradictory to it and you will finde that such an opinion is against Scripture Sense and Reason Consider these words This is my body is no proper but figurative expression were all Scriptures to be understood literally then there would be some reason for the understanding of this expression to be as you would have it Paulus What do you tell me of Figures surely our Saviour would have spoken more plainly to his disciples than so especially in the instituting of an Ordinance Evangelus Christ spoke intelligible enough but tell me is not that plain enough when we take the words as they are frequently and commonly used in Scriptures Paulus Yes That I can't deny Evangelus Well then these words are common and frequent in Scripture John 6.14 is thus written I am the Way so John 10. I am the Door Christ properly is no Door but only as a Door is an entrance into a Place so Christ in this respect is an entrance into Heaven Now compare this with the other Place of Scripture This is my Body the true meaning is This is a figure sign and Pre-Presentation of my Body This is my Body that is as Bread doth nourish strengthen and refresh the Body and satisfie the natural appetite so the Body and Blood of Christ received by faith doth strengthen nourish refresh and satiate the spiritual appetite Observe I pray you how oppugnant this is to reason for is it not absurd that bread should be turn'd into another substance and yet the accidents remain the same there is the colour â—asâ—e and smell of the bread if the bread in the Sacrament is turn'd into the real Body of Christ then the Nature End of a Sacrament would be destroyd the nature of a Sacrament is to be a Sign and the Ends of it is to be a remembrance of Christ both which supposes Christs Body to be absent Again observe our Lord Iesus mentions Bread after the words of Consecration saying the bread which we break 1 Cor. 10.16 He that eateth this bread 1 Cor. 11.27 28. If the bread is turn'd into the real Body of Christ then wicked Communicants may receive Christ and Christs
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
help in the time of need and for the future try me Observ. II. The Devil perceiving such sweet Motions to be upon the heart of the young man and being destitute of all hopes in having him as his prey doth by the Authority of God vanish and leave him for a time Observ. III. This young man as he was walking up and down did experience more and more that he with whom he conspir'd against his God was the Devil which caus'd him to cry out thus O wretched man as I am that I should go so far with the wicked one how shall I escape damnation whenas I have thus transgress'd Observ. IV. This young man wondring at him self did meditate upon several things and as he was reading one place of Scripture alluded to in a book entituled The Sinners Sanctuary being Hebr. 10.23 Let us hold fast the Profession of our faith without wavering for he is faithful that promised The Devil assaults him again and appears in the shape of a white Spaniel dog with a Letter in his Mouth saying unto him Thou 〈◊〉 not Elected at which the young man rises up and speaks to God as follows And I thought thou didst give unto at some token of love and mercy but â—ow I am afraid that I was deceived and therefore if the manifestation which then I had was not right skew it I pray thee unto thy servant but if right then be pleased to back it with another as Powerful as before through the efficacy of some Scripture co-essential with it which the Lorâ— accordingly did in the very juncturâ— of time and bringing also with thâ— same a Scripture essential thereto viz Hos. 11.3 From whence he gathereâ— That the truth of Election did not consist in a bare knowledge thereof buâ— that Election might be where no appearance thereof could be founâ— The Youth now travelling homeward doth in his way meet with a great maâ— stiffe Dog running round about him and catching hold on the left latchets oâ— of his shooes doth vanish And bâ—â— ing return'd safe home he meets witâ— the holy Minister who was so much concern'd with him and the discours beâ— tween these two it as fâ—lloweth Evangelus Oh My Lamb Where hast thoâ— been all this while For it rejoyceth my soul to see thee once more Paulus Oh but you have no cause to be glad in seeing me at this time and iâ— such a condition Evangelus Why talkest thou thus My Child as now thou doest tell me therefore to case my oppressed soul where thou hast been and what is the matter with thee Paulus I have been where I have seen a man that did come out of the Air yea where I know not my self I have been Evangelus Obstinacy against good Councel doth always bring forth evil effects for now have I prayed with thee wept over thee and given thee good Councel but by none of these could I prevail for fighting and rejecting of which thou art brought into unspeakable misery Paulus I am sensible of this but here lies my misery it is too late Evangelus Do not say so as long as we have a day in which we may work Paulus Did I belong to God I should receive somthing of comfort from what you say but you know not my condition in vain therefore it is to take pains with such an one as I. Evangelus Why not take pains with you now I have done so once and God has blest it and I question not but he will dâ— the like now Paulus I believe nothing is too hard for God and I know that he can save my soul but I am sure he will not Evangelus My Câ—â—â—d it pricks me to the heart in hearing such blasphemy proceed from thee certainly an evil spirit has bin busie with thee Paulus Busie yea and more busie will he be Evangelus Child I am thy friend thou knowest it do not therefore put me off with such Riddles AEnigmaes Allegories and dark kinde of speeches as these are 〈◊〉 I do not affect them especially from â—han one as your self Paulus I am afraid the devil has bin too â—d for me Evangelus Wherein my Lamb Paulus The last time that you was with 〈◊〉 you may remember you enâ—ir'd of me what company I had 〈◊〉 which I reply'd A man that I â—ew not very well Evangelus What that irrenious fellow Paulus Yea that fellow Evangelus But I hope you have not seen him the Gentleman which you spoke of â—ce that time Paulus Yes but I have to my sorrow I â—nsure Evangelus I am afraid so too what did you do â—hen you were together Paulus To rehearse I dare not to conâ— I am â—oâ—nd Evangelus What means this To reveal I 〈◊〉 not to conceal I am bound who iâ— that you are so oblig'd to as that dare not disoblige none but surely Paulus I wish it was so â—vangelus Dally not with me if it is to contrary tell me so Paulus Loth I am to tell you becaâ— was once a Christian or at least in pretence once I did own Christians God But who do think is my God now Evangelus Him I hope besides whom properly can be said to be God Paulus Is not the Devil God Evangelus Yea catachrâ—stically and improâ—â— he is so called but I hope 〈◊〉 him whom thou hast chosen Paulus What he is I know not but he â—es in the habit of a Gentleman Evangelus What is it the Gentleman which you 〈◊〉 me of just now Paulus Yea that is him whom I have ownâ—â— to be God Evangelus How Renounce it for the sake of our soul I charge you Paulus It has bin past renouncing long â—go Evangelus God forbid I would not have it so â—orten thousand worlds Paulus It is so confirm'd as that ten thousand and ten thousand can't revoke it Evangelus What hast thou done then Paulus I have given my soul to him Evangelus Did he require it of thee and hast thou done it Yes yes yes Evangelus â— Dost thouâ— know what thou hâ—â— done Paulus I think so why what is the maâ—â—ter Evangelus What is the matter thou hast 〈◊〉 Gods greatest enemies part Paulus Who is that I pray Evangelus Satan which is call'd the Devil Paulus The Lord forbid Evangelus Nay it is so and Christ have mercy on thee from a Christian thou arâ— become a Wizard and so consequentially thou art ripened for Hell aâ— much as once I thought thou wert for Heaven thy condition is such as iâ— renders thee incapable of the love of God so that now he hates you his Children hates you your Relation hates you and adieu my friend adieu Paulus Attend Good Sir and do not you who has been alwayes my friend leave me now in my greatest perplexity Examine me a little before you give me over quite and let the time before encourage you hereunto Evangelus I wish you were but more sensible when I saw you first you