The seaman's spiritual companion, or, Navigation spirituallized being a new compass for seamen consisting of thirty-two points : directing every Christian how to stear the course of his life through all storms and tempests : fit to be read and seriously perused by all such as desire their eternal welfare / published for a general good, but more especially for those that are exposed to the danger of the seas by William Balmford, a well-wisher to seamen's eternal welfare and recommended to the Christian reader by J.F. ; to which is prefixt a preface by Benj. Keach, the author of War with the Devil.

CHAP. II. Wherein is laid down the Three Principa•• 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. Whose dust's more worth than pearl, whose sacred mould, Is far more excellent than Indian Gold.

Whose 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 twill 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 necessa••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:

••he Four general Points that's most of all, ••oted by Seamen as the principal, •• North, the first i'th Compass, and the rest ••ollows in order thus, East, South, and West. ••od in our Christian Compass first of all, •• to be eyed as the principal. ••o God alone man first must cast his eye, ••o Dread and sear his Soveraign Majesty. ••y the North Star the Seaman is Directed, ••o point i, th Compass profits that neglected. ••l our endeavours will be nothing worth, •• first we eye not God, God stands for North. •• is by Christ our mercies is increast, ••e's next the Father; Christ stands for the East▪ ••om East to South the Sun doth make its way, ••riving at the South 'tis perfect day. ••e next to Christ that Christians must possess, ••is the Spirit, South point is Holiness. ••oliness is our South, and Christ is then •• height in Christians, when most holy men. ••ext to the South is West, whither the Sun, ••akes haste and sets, and then our day is done. ••eath is our Western Point, doth terminate ••r day, and put a period to its date. ••ese be the Four Points all men must eye, ••orth, East, South, West, then man prepare to die▪ Now see our Scripture grounds for this allusion, ••r upon that we'll bottom each Conclusion. ••s a Notion generally receiv'd, ••d as unquestionably it believ'd

That fair Jerusalem that famous Town, Israels Metropolis, the worlds renown. Was plac't i'th midst o'th earth and hence it wa•• As most conclude it all was came to pass. All places bear their true Denomination, As they were plac't or stood for scituation Relating to that City, whose great name, Did fill the earth with its renowned fame. Jerusalem thus for the Center ey'd, I will remember that on its North side. The City of the mighty King was plac't: The mount of Olives also on the East. Which mountains as it first did entertain Our blessed Lord, so when he comes again, Zachary the Prophet gives a full accompt, His feet shall stand upon that Eastern Moun•• And on the South-side did mount Sion stand, The sacred mountain of that holy Land. Mount Calvery the place of Death, this mou•• Was scituate on the VVest; on this account I am incourag'd to make this allusion Scriptures not contradicting this Conclusion, ••hat East should stand for Christ, and Stouh ••¦le•• ••ithout excepting stands for holiness, And VVest for death will never be denied, But why the North is unto God apply'd May at the first to some seem not so clear, But that the truth thereof may still appear, Mark what good David saith, observe the wor•• Of that most faithful Servant of the Lord.

When David sets Mount Sions Beauty forth, She is, saith he, the joy of all the Earth: She's beautiful, saith he, for scituation, Which he makes out by this clear de••••nstration, The mighty King, saith David, doth ••eside. ••n fair Jerusalem, on the North side Of sacred Sion; to whose glorious King, The Nations shall their wealth and glory bring. Hence 'twas that speech concerning Lucifer, Who would exalt himself above the Stars Of God Almighty; Esay adds besides, ••s further Demonstration of his pride, That Lucifer presum'd himself so great, That he would make the side o'th North his seat. ••ut he whose high aspiring thoughts did swell, ••' usurp Gods place, is tumbled down to Hell. ••he North, which if as some suppose to be ••he Mount Moria, it will well agree. That Sacred Mount in Canaans Holy Land, ••id also on the North of Sion stand: ••hat still the North in Scriptures is appli'd, ••o God alone as properly his side. ••hese words of David next I'd have you mind, ••hich you in Psalm the 75 may find, David excluding both West, South, and East, ••rom giving honours, making not the least Mention o'th North, saith honours do proceed, ••rom God alone as if it were agreed, ••nd taken for a grant on every hand, ••hat for Gods proper place the North doth stand.

Sith then the language of Gods holy word, With this our notion doth so well accord; I hope I may presume without offence, With awful fear and holy reverence To make a serious and divine inspection Into the Sacred Art; taking direction From Holy Writ: which we will make our guid▪ Not on the right or left to turn aside.

And now with seriousness we will conclude, The North with God most fitly doth allude. 'Tis God alone we first must seek to know, The Word and Spirit will direct us how. When first therefore thy Vessel launcheth forth▪ Into these troubled Seas upon the Earth; Assure thy self thou art not like to make A happy Voyage if thou undertake, To stear thy Ship to fair Emanuels Land, Before thou know and rightly understand God thy North Star, whom thou must alway•• eye When thou sets forth towards eternity▪ Know God is first, 'tis he first gave thee breat•• And he is last and hath appointed death, That fatal messenger to call thee hence, To give accompt to him for each offence. Know God is merciful and just also, He sees thy ways and did thy secrets know. Let no such foolish thoughts possess thy mind, To think there is no God, be not so blind; The Heavens are his witness, day and night Do speak throughout the World; their beams •• ligh••

••ills every place: By this the Nations know There is a God, whether they will or no. The very Heathen do the same confess, ••y light of nature they can do no less. ••is acts of providence bespeaks the same, They all set forth the glory of his name: ••is mighty hand that framed every Creature, ••oth in the Earth, the Air, and in the Water; Gives food, as well as being, unto all; Of every thing he's the original. He feeds the Ravens, when to him they cry, He is and was from all eternity. ••his knowledge, although true, is not alone; ••e is not onely God, but he is one. ••lthough there be Gods many, saith St. Paul, ••o us there is but one, he's all in all. God must not onely thus be understood, ••ut we must know him for our chiefest good: That good thou dost, or ever shalt enjoy, Comes from himself alone; he'll not destroy His handy work: Mans ruin doth proceed ••rom man himself; 'tis man that doth that deed. Tis in and by the Lord we must obtain ••ternal Life, Life doth in him remain: ••his thing is needful to be known by these, That sail for Heaven on these troubled Seas. To know God thus, is of as great concern, ••s for a Seaman his North Point to learn: ••nd in the third place, thou must learn to know, ••od in his Holy Attributes also.

His Attributes of Power, Mercy, and Of Justice; also thou must understand, We read, when God Almighty did proclaim His ever honoured and his Name; In Exodus the thirty fourth we find His Name is gracious, merciful, and kind: In him long suffering, patience, doth abound Sin pard'ning grace in him is to be found. Reserved mercy is laid up in store, For such as love him, grace for ever more: As thou must know he's merciful, thou must Know as he's God Almighty, he is just▪ To those that hate him, he will be severe; A guilty Conscience he'll by no means clear. Though Heavens in his right hand, is as rewar•• To such as do his righteousness regard; Yet in his left hand is a flaming fire, Consumes the wicked in his burning ire. His wrath once kindled, he that reads his nam•• Must read him then 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 won¦der

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. ••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; 'tis 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. 'Tis Christ alone, 'tis 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,

••hrist doth not only fill the world with light, ••ut as a way-mark guids thy steps aright ••nto the Father; tells thee there is none ••omes to the Father but by him alone. The third thing in this Point thou art to learn, ••nd make thy chief concernment to discern •••• is that ownness and sweet unity, ••hat is between the Soul and Christ, whereby ••hrist and thy Soul is made intirely one, ••y the indwelling of the Spirit alone: •••• is the Spirit alone that doth unite ••hee unto Christ, the spirit gives thee light: •••• fills thy soul with light, thy heart with praise, ••y which thou mayst behold those golden raies ••hich darts into thy soul, gives thee a glance, ••f thy adoption and assurance. ••hus knowing North and East, the South doth follow, ••ext to be known; it is the spirit doth hallow ••nd sanctifie the soul and change the nature; Converts the man, and makes him a new creature. ••enewed in himself, he's born anew, ••o all unholiness he bids adiew. ••e that doth put on Christ will surely find, ••o great an alteration in his mind: ••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 ••pon the soul, it stirs up his affection. ••his Soul like Mary's melted into tears, ••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 remembe•• 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 consen•• To live in sin; sin stains thy ornament:

••o'iness is Saints lustre makes them shine, •••• tells thine enemies thou art divine. ••ow high is Christ advanc'd in Christians, when ••n mortifi'd doth make them holy men. ••hrist's like the glory of the Southern Sun, ••t height in Christians when this work is done. •• Christian now is in a line direct ••o God the Father, may have full aspect. ••ook from the South, the North is just before ye, ••o Saints in holiness may see Gods glory: ••nd hence it was that Abraham did discover ••he glory of the Lord: From hence moreover Moses that holy man of God, contemns ••ll Egypts glory; counterfeiting Jems. Moses by faith, sees holiness rewarded; ••hinks Egypts glory not to be regarded: ••e did esteem of Israels distess, Above the glory that he might possess ••n Pharoahs Court; his faith bore evidence, ••nto that Heaven promis'd recompence.

But secondly consider, as the light ••s contrary to darkness, day to night: ••o sin and holiness do hate each other, ••nd in one place they cannot dwell together: ••ut as the Sun, when shining bright and clear, Doth make nights sable shadows disappear. And as the gloomy shadows of the night, Doth put the Suns fair pleasant beams to flight: ••o where true holiness doth take possession, ••here's no allowance for the least transgression.

Nor is there any place for holiness, Where sins usurping power doth possess. Sometimes we see the Sun appears so bright, As if no darkness now could stain its light. But presently we see a Cloud arise, And then the Sun is hidden from our eyes. Just thus it's with a Saint, a little folly, O how it stains him that's reputed holy: If once a Christian do contract a blot. His former holiness is quite forgot. A Saint whose conversation is upright, 'Twill put whole legions of his sins to flight Let Christ our blessed Eastern Star shine clear Within thy soul, and sin will disappear.

Thus have we given thee a brief relation Of three first Points of Sacred Speculation: Of North, of South, of East, the next must be Our Western Point, which take with brevetie: God is our North, and Christ our Morning Sun; Holiness our South▪ at West our day is done. As Moses councell'd Israel, so do I, First▪ learn to live, and yet prepare to die. That faithful servant of the Lord, whose breath Propounds to Israel both life and death. I have, saith Moses, set before your eyes This day, both life and death, may I advise Or give you council how to make your choice Could I perswade you to obey my voice, You should not die, saith he, for I would giv•• You counsel to obey Gods Word and live.

••th life is but a momentary space ••f times most fwift, yet most uncertain race! ••nd that as certain as you draw your breath ••th open air, so certain is your death. ••nd yet your death, no other but a sleep, ••our Grave no other than a place to keep ••he broken pieces of your brittle clay, ••hich are reserved till the judgment day: ••hen your dead corps shall live again, and never ••hall be dissolved, but remain for ever: ••hen do the thing, saith Moses, that may be ••f soul concernment to eternity. Death is our Western Point, by death we pass ••ut of this world; return to what we was, ••o dust again: Sentence of death was given, ••hen men transgress'd the sacred will of Heaven. The certain wages disobedience brings, •••• death our night of silence, whence four things •••• to be noted, needful to be known, ••y spiritual Seamen, which I thus lay down: First Death is certain, every soul must taste ••f death, or else be changed first or last. ••he stroke of death can never be avoided, ••owever some may vainly be perswaded. ••ur lives, our days, our Suns resplendant light, ••ill set in death, will terminate in night. ••herefore in vain, some foolishly assay, ••o flatter death and send it far away: ••rom youth to manhood, and from thence to age, ••or death must act its part upon this Stage.

Though man would flatter death, it never stays Death strikes the child, the aged man; betray•• The hopeful young man, even in his prime, And gives him not sometimes, a minutes time, Uncertain when, but certain death will strike Respecting Kings and Beggers all alike.

But in the sccond place, it is as plain, Our Sun that sets i'th West will rise again. From God we pass to Christ, and Christ doth bless That serious soul, brings it to holiness. Which fits man for his Western Point, from whence By death he's brought to God, his N. from thence He's brought unto his Eastern Point again, He's rais'd by God, through Christ, and doth re∣main Now in a state of perfect holiness, Which he shall then eternally possess.

His Southern Sun is always now at height, 'Tis always noon and never will be night. No Clouds shall now his perfect glory stain, His day is perfect and shall so remain. No Western Point, no dying any more, No setting of our Sun, as heretofore; No shadows nor eclipses shall obscure This glorious day, it always shall endure. Sin and temptations, which now interpose, Between the glorious Face of God, and those Which from some present glimpses of his Grace▪ Like Moses longs to see his glorious Face; Shall now like Clouds disperse and flie away, By reason of the glory of the day.

Those sighs, sorrows, and those clouds of fears, Which sin now raises, those soul-melting tears, Which sin now causes, for which Saints complain, They shall be all disper'd and none remain No Satan then the tempter, now remains, ••n darkness and in everlasting chains: O happy he, thrice happy he, I say, That doth arrive at this so glorious day. He now is freed from sorrow and distress▪ From thirst and hunger, cold and nakedness: From all his persecutors he's set free, He's with the Lord, and evermore shall be: The glory that his eyes shall then behold, One thousand part thereof cannot be told. 'Tis not in man that lives upon the earth, To find out words to set his glory forth. But that some glimpses Christians may behold, Scriptures compares it with refined gold: To precious Pearls, whose excellence and worth, Exceeds all other treasures in the earth. When John that Evangelical Divine, By Heavens high appointment did design, To leave the Saints a copy of their joy, The Lord presents it to his Servants eye, Who in a Vision did behold such glory, That faith must help a man to read the story: The glory of this vision was so great, As that the highest pitch of mans conceit, Can hardly reach: the strength of mans desire, Can scarcely reach so high, but never higher.

He sees a City that to' th Saints is given, Made by the wisdom of the God of Heaven. Nay furthermore, our Author adds beside, The City was adorn'd and beautifi'd; Like to a Bride in splendant rich aray, Deckt for her Husband on her wedding day Strong is that place, glorious that habitation, Where God Almighty lays the first foundation Great must the splendor of that glory be, Where Gods most soveraign blessed Majestie Improves his sacred wisdom in adorning; Bright is that day that hath so clear a morning▪ Blessed is he that feels this warm reflection, In the clear morning of his resurrection.

Eye hath not seen, nor can mans heart conceive•• This sacred glory, yet we may receive Some glimpses of this glory, if with care Spiritual with temporal things we do compare

Suppose that all the worlds united power, Should as one man attempt to build a Tower, Whose Heaven aspiring top should reach so high, As men might make their dwelling in the Sky. Should all the wisdom that the Lord hath given To all the world, residing under Heaven, Be now improved with united power, To beautifie as well as build this Tower; With sparkling Diamonds and burnisht Gold, Rich for their value, glorious to behold: With precious Jewels beautifi'd all over, While pure Gold the Streets thereof did cover.

How fair and beautiful with splendor clear, Would such a glorious place as this appear. That famous Temple Herod once erected •• fair Jerusalem, how it affected Titus the Roman, when he did behold The Sanctum Sanctorum beautified with Gold: ••e stood amaz'd, lifts up his hands to Heaven, Desires of the Lord to be forgiven His great offence; to God protesting still, That glorious Temple fell against his will: Wherefore he crys aloud, calls out amain, ••o spare that Holy Temple crys again; •• spare, saith he, that glorious place, 'tis pity •• should be ruin'd with this wicked City. ••et was this Temples glory not so great, ••o answer to the height of mans conceit: ••or may the height of mans conceit compare, ••ith what this Vision did to John declare: ••welve thousand furlongs was its measured height, ••he glory of the Lamb did give it light. ••he Suns resplendent rays, when shining clear, ••ould give no light, it had no luster there. ••o night was there, no cloud nor sables shade, ••his is the glorious day the Lord hath made. ••hat tongue or pen can give a true relation ••f new Jerusalem, the habitation ••f glorified Saints; whose full perfection ••all be compleated at the resurrection. But last to the West, ••••ve this to say, ••ere is eternal night as well as day.

Thugh God in Christ, do bless the Sts. with light, God out of Christ prepares perpetual night, For wicked men and Devils no exemption: In life there is, in death there's no redemption, All men must die, we know it to be true, Daily experience doth this matter shew. There's none exempt from death, the very best, Choicest of Christians, pass from South to West. The good man dies, the wicked dies also; Both good and bad from West to North must go. The good man shall be rais'd,▪ so will the evil, The Angel must be judg'd, so will the Devil. The difference lies here, the Saints perfection Is at the highest after resurection. 'Tis then their everlasting day begins, 'Tis then they turn their backs of all their sins. But with the wicked it is nothing so, From their North Point to West again they go: Depart they must from Gods eternal light, VVith go you cursed to perpetual night: But Oh! what heart can think, or tongue express Their endless wo, their grief remediless. Consider Christians joy, you need not borrow A better Pensil to paint forth their sorrow: Consider but the comfort of the light, From thence behold the terror of the night. If naught but darkness should their souls oppress, It would be sorrowful and comfortless: 'Tis utter darkness, not the smallest beam Of light, which makes their sorrows so extream.

Those very eyes, while on the earth was blest VVith natural light, shall now be dispossest Of all the incomfort; what they undergo, Being in darkness, aggravates their woe: The lustful eyes which in the earth delighted, In naught but filthiness; is now be nighted; Shall never see a pleasant object more, But weep and wail, and never shall give o'r. Be warn'd you swearers for these tongues of yours That in blasp••eming spends your precious hour••: Uncessently shall then blaspheme Gods name, For very anguish, in tormenting flame: And yet in darkness, you that can hear God cry Repent you sinners, wherefore will you die? That scorns his bounty, and refuse his grace, While God with patience waiting, gives you space. You that can hear the God of Heaven complain At your destruction, yet rebel again: You that have griev••d the Lord, you now must bear Your endless grief, your cryes he will not hear. Your ears, which while on earth, could give consent, To hear Gods name blasphemed and be content; Shall now hear sighs and lamentable cryes, While you are sharers in these miseries: Your hearts, with which you hated every word Spoke to you by the Servants of the Lord; With horror and amazement shall be smitten, While all your former wickedness ••s written ••n your tormented conscience, which will smite you, ••nd with its aggravation shall affright you▪

And in a dreadful manner shall present Before your face that hellish regiment Of all your former sins you have committed, From which you might have been acquitted. You then have time too much to see your folly, But none at all to labour to be holy. Your day is past, your dreadful night is come, Your Sun is set, and darkness is your doom. This is the last considerable thing, Relating to the West that I shall bring. But yet before we pass to th' Second part Of this soul-saving Navigable Art: These four things that we have lastly read, Shall once again before your eyes be spread; But very brief, and for no other end, But that I may more seriously commend Them to your thoughts; as highly your concern, Rightly to weigh, to understand and learn.

North stands for God, and that you first must know From God to Christ your Eastern Star you go, God out of Christ is cloathed all in ire, Behold God so, he's a consuming fire. To God by Christ, your souls must have access, And Christ conducts thee unto holiness Thy Southern Point; from whence cast but thine eye Unto thy Western Point, and learn to die. Four things is in thy Western Point laid down, All very necessary to be known. First thou must die, thy rising sun must set, I'th' West, 'tis certain, do not that forget.

From West to North, from death to God you go, By God through Christ, th'art rais'd again also: After which time, thy sun will set no more, Nor yet decline, as it has done before: But if thou do'st not die a holy man, Thou wilt be far more miserable than Thou wast before; thou must go back again, From North to West, for ever to remain In that black night, which never sees a morrow, Where thou wilt find no period of thy sorrow.

One word of use and then I shall have done, Walk not in darkness while you have the Sun To be your guid. He that walks in light, May see to take and chuse his steps aright; But he that walks in paths of darkness, neither Knows how to guid his steps aright, nor whether He is a going. God hath provided well, Why should your precious souls go down to hell. What pity 'tis, that man that noble creature, Whose well composed form and comely feature The Son of God did not disdain, I say, What pity 'tis he should be cast away. And that you may not want a full direction, To bring you unto Heaven, Saints perfection; The next unto this Art of Speculation, Must be the practick of Souls Navigation: In which discourse I shall my self confine, To th' Seamans Compass, only more divine; And shall accordingly present to view Our Practick Points, in number thirty two.

Thus having given you a full relation Of the First Part of Sacred Navigation, Which is speculation; I now proceed Unto the Second Part, which is indeed The Practice of a Christian, after he Hath been instructed to a good degree In the true Knowledge of the Deity; One God in Essence, three in Divinity. Distinguish't thus, the Father and the Son, And Holy Ghost, three yet intirely one. Having his understanding lightned. ••o know therefore the Son of God must shed ••is precious blood, be made a Sacrifice, And that it is the Spirit that sanctifies And fits the soul for Death. I say again, After a soul this knowledge doth obtain, He's fit for notion; these things being known, Which must be first, yet must not be alone. These be the Four Chief Points, we must divide Each Quarter into Seven Points besides.

North.

Your First Point being North, you must endea∣vour By Light from God to steer your Course, if ever You do intend to steer your course for heaven! Steer by this sacred light which God hath given The Holy Scripture; let them be thy guide, For want of which many hath turned aside.

Make Gods Commandements thy Compass and Thy light to steer to fair Emanuel's Land. We need not wonder why some do miscarry, Who lays aside their Compass. and contrary Unto the sacred Rule Gods Word lays down, Doth steer their Course by fancies of their own. Good David steer'd by this, thy Word, saith he, Is both a Light and Lanthorn unto me. The Prophet Esay, speaking in the name Of great Jehovah, doth command the same, That from Gods Law they should not turn aside, But make his Testimonies all their guide. Unto this sacred truth Paul testifies, Who saith the Scripture makes men wise Unto Salvation; and to this agree The sayings of our Lord: O search, saith he, The holy Scriptures, there thou'lt be directed; No safety where this Compass is neglected. It is the mischief of our present day, And the true Cause why many's cast away, Satan that roaring Lyon goes about, To shipwrack souls his work it is no doubt; To make men question and at last deny The Holy Scriptures just Authority. The Holy Scripture is more useful far Unto a Christian, than the Northern Star Is to a Seaman; who sometimes can steer Some Leagues, although his Compass be not there But Christians cannot steer one course aright, If not directed by this Sacred Light

Which doth proceed from God the mighty Lord And shineth forth from his most Holy Word. He that doth throw the Holy Scriptures by, Under pretence to steer more certainly By Natures various and uncertain light, Instead of steering of his Course aright, Is like the man who throws his Compass by, That he may steer by the uncertain tide Of his conjectures, and when all is done, He doth but light a Candle to the Sun. The Scripture is that Light, whose glorious rays Proceed from God, by them direct thy ways.

North by East.

North by East the second Point must be, Learn this Point well, and thou shalt clearly see From that bright beam that from Gods Word doth shine, Whose ever-blest Authority's divine. When man by breaking Gods Command became The Author of his own rebuke and shame, Justly provoking God, who gave him breath, To lay on him the punishment of Death. Man though unworthy, so much favour found From God Almighty, that he did propound A way to save him, who had thus undone Himself by sinning: God propounds his Son To free poor man from Deaths eternal stroke, And take from off his neck that heavy yoke;

And to restore lost man to life again, That he for ever living might remain. In steering to this point it doth behove Thee to remember Gods most precious love In all soul matters now direct thine eye, To Gods free promise and on that rely. The Sun whose glorious presence fills the earth With its desired light, moves from the North; So Christ our Rising Sun, whose glorious face Makes glad the earth, proceeds from Gods freed grace, The Suns first differenc'd motion and the least, From his full Nothern point is by the East. The first appearance of Gods love to man Was in the promis'd seed; there first began Gods love to show it self: this promis'd seed ••s Christ, the Son of God, who is indeed Our Rising Sun; to him direct thine eye, To him do all the Prophets testifie. Take Counsel of Gods Word, let it advise, Gods Word will teach thee to be truly wise. When worldly men, to get themselves possest Of earthly treasures, run from East to West, ••rom youth to age, until grim Death betrays Them to their graves; they pass away their days. To search the Holy Scripture let thy mind Launch forth into these deeps, and thou shalt find ••uch treasures as on earth thou canst not have, ••hough earth set open to thee her golden cave:

Treasures that will indure after death, That will not leave thee when thou leav'st thy breath▪ That man which labours for Earths empty plea∣sure, While he neglects the seeking of that treasure, Is like a Merchant that to th' Indies trades Only for pibles, while other Merchants lades With Golden Ore; like him that trades for sand, While others with rich treasures fills the land. When thou hast learn'd this point, thou mayst proceed•• And learn the third point with like care and heed▪ Mind this third point as highly thy concern.

North North East.

'Tis North North East that thou art next to learn▪ This point is just i'th middle, plac'd between The North and North East point, as may be seen I'th' Seamans Compass; it is five points at least Nearer the Nothern point than 'tis the East. God in propounding Christ for mans salvation, That Act of Grace sprang from his meer Com∣passion•• Unto his Creature Man; that God I say In making Christ, that promis'd seed, the way Whereby poor man may be restored again To life eternal, ever to remain. He's the Chief Author of mans happiness, And Christ the way by which we have access

Unto that glory: Do not envy then At the prosperity of wicked men; All their joy continues but a day, ••Tis but a moment, and they must away; While vainly they imagine all is well, They leave their pleasures and go down to hell.

North East by North.

North East by N. this point is one point nigher Our Eastern Point, and therefore doth require That care and diligence be daily shown To learn this Point as Scripture lays it down. That God's the Author of our further joy, ••n saving him who did himself destroy, He did not only thus propound his Son To be mans Saviour, but when that was done, That man the better might believe the same, ••nd be supported while the promise came; That this his promise might be kept alive, ••n every Age he did the same revive. ••els Noah from whence the promis'd seed should spring, That unto man should this salvation bring. Confirm'd the same to Abraham again, ••n terms more full he did himself explain; That all the earth should of his love partake, ••nd be redeemed for his mercies sake. ••ut yet more fully unto Israel, ••ho did in Egipt under Pharoah dwell:

When by his powerful and mighty hand, He'd brought them forth from the Egyptian lan•• He did present their Saviour to their Eye, In Types and Figures, that they might thereby Have real ground to exercise their faith, That all the world, as holy Scripture saith, Might look up unto him, and saved be By faith in Christ, whose blood was shed for the If thou be careless here and do'st not learn To know this Point, thou hardly wilt discern The pleasant Banks of blessed Canaans shore, Which if thou miss, th'art lost for ever more.

North East.

Now learn thy fourth Point 'twixt N. and Ea•• For in thy Compass so thou'lt find them plac't Man's saved by the Word of God indeed, Which Word of God is that same promis'd se•• In Gods appointed time this Word became Flesh in our form, St. John affirms the same He took not on him Blessed Angels nature, But Abraham's seed, the shape of humane Cre••¦tu•• A sinless man into the world did come, Not by the will of man, but from the Womb Of a chaste Virgin, came he to fulfil, What was decreed in the Fathers will; That he might purchase mans eternal good By no less price than his most precious blood. This is that Lamb of God to whom is given, All soveraign power both in earth and heaven

••gels in heaven are at his Command, ••d earthly Potentates shall not withstand ••s mighty power; to him all knees shall bow, ••gels above, and Mortals here below. ••om this Point therefore thou may'st under∣stand ••at God the Father doth by Christ command ••ee to submit unto his easie yoke, •• else thou must submit unto the stroke •• Gods offended Justice; which be sure ••hether thou wilt or no, thou must endure. ••ey Christ as thy Leader, O neglect ••ot this Command, if e'r thou do'st expect ••at heavenly consolation from above. ••t Christ, and not thy Lust, command thy love. ••rve not thy lusts, which leaves thee at thy grave; ••t serve the Lord thy Saviour, that can save ••y precious soul; and if thou dost rebel, ••n cast both soul and body into Hell. stretch not forth thy hand, be not so bold •• take a Comfort, touch not, take not hold ••on a Gospel Promise in no case, ••til a Gospel Precept thou embrace. ••bserve the word that holy David spake, ••e'll not adventure, nor presume to take ••ld of a Promise, till he stretch his hand ••rth to take up a Precept and Command. ••y hand, saith David, while his heart consents, ••e lifted up to thy Commandements. vain men cry for mercy, and expect ••r help in storms, that do in calms neglect

To yield obedience to that Sacred Word Of him whom God hath made our Sovereig•• Lor•• God by his holy Prophets spake his mind Once to the Fathers, but hath now confin'd The world to hear his Son; no other voice Is man to make the object of his choice. Therefore observe this Fourth Point with hee•• And to the Fifth Point we will next proceed.

North East and by East.

North East and by East, this doth next ensue, All you that sail for Heaven take a view Of God and Christ, see how they both agree In ones eye how unanimous they be. In seeking after mans eternal good, God freely sends his Son, that by his blood Poor man might be redeem'd from Death: like¦wis•• Christ freely did become a Sacrifice. How wilingly did Christ lay down his life, That he might put a period to the strife That sin had made 'twixt God and his Creation That freely brought about poor mans Salvation If God and Christ with such a joynt consent Sought thus to free man from the punishment Of Death eternal, and that man might live, For ever happy, Christ did freely give His Life a ransom; was't the Fathers pleasure At such a rate to purchase endless treasure For mortal man? Then suffer not thy lust To hanker after Egipts Golden dust,

••ich flies away like chaffe before the wind, ••hose place in seeking for thou canst not find. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 longest date is but a mortal day, ••st Threescore years and ten it will not stay. ••d often times it threatens to bereave thee •• heavenly treasure and at last doth leave thee, ••member Moses, that holy man, how he ••spised Egipts wealth, thought the degree •• Son in Phraohs Court was much below ••e meanest servant in Gods house; to know Crucified Christ's a glorious thing, ••mpared with any earthly crowned King. ••ath puts an end to Kings and kingly glory, ••cause their honours is but transitory. •• longer King the body being dead, ••ath sets the Crown upon the Christians head. Death a Christians Crown begins its date, ••ich once begun will never terminate. ••is Life is short, uncertain, and impure, •• at Life is certain. holy, doth endure. ••ell let not this Fifth Point neglected be, •• not forget that God and Christ agree •• bringing Man unto this life again, ••o had himself by his trangression slain. ••ristians that sail for heaven, do not fear ••e raging Seas, for Christ your Pilot's there. •• not afraid because thy Vessel's poor, ••ou'rt safer there than if thou wer't on shore •• stately Palaces with sumptuous Feasts, ••ongst thy sins, those soul devouring beasts.

'Tis better go to heaven in foul weather, Through many dangers, if thou get'st but thithe•• Than in a pleasant gale to swim to hell, Where gentle winds do make th' canvass swell.

East North East.

The next Point East North East learn carfully This Seventh Point doth bring thee very nigh To Christ thy East, mark what his servant saith Erre not, be not mistaken in thy faith. Concernin•• Christ, that soul that here mistakes, Doth run himself upon a rock, and makes The worst of Ship-wracks; like to Alexander Who erring from the Christian faith, did wander In paths of Darkness: let Philotas be A mark of information unto thee. That by this Seamark thou mayst understand How nigh thou art the rocks, and scape the sand Remember well the greatness of Gods grace: Do not forget his love in any case. Not to some few, but all without exemption▪ God did propound his Son formans redemption No man shall die because God did not give, His Son to suffer Death that he might live. But for this cause God would have cleansed mans spot▪ In Christs dear blood but man believ'd it not 'Tis unbelief that causes man to die, That, Christ himself doth plainly testifie. God loves the World but all will not believe it, Christ died for all, but some will not receive it.

This truth shines clearly, but some will refuse To walk therein and many rather chuse To walk in Darkness: this is condemnation, Saith Christ our Lord, that purchast mans Salva∣tion. That God is real in what he doth say, Shines like the Sun it is as clear as day. But that the Lord with words makes men be∣lieve Christ is there Saviour only to deceive Their understandings. Oh that men would see How dreadful dark such apprehensions be. He errs in faith that thus forsakes the light; He needs must fall that wanders in the night.

But Secondly a man may erre in faith. That make what men, not what the Scripture saith, Their rule to worship by, though God commend The Holy Scripture to us, to the end That man might search them and in searching find What's there revealed of the fathers mind. And do the same, that so they may obtain, Eternal peace when they shall rise again. •• erre not here in faith, and that thou may Scape Shipwrack here, observe what I say. Search but the word of God, and thou wilt find The Apostles did foresee vain man inclin'd ••o much to Atheism, there would arise ••ain men that would Gods sacred Word despise▪ ••aving of Scripture man might live without them: ••ea venture to deny the Lord that bought them.

Which mock at Heaven, and without regard Of God or Christ, do scoff at Saints reward: Who of the Resurrection say, in vain Do men that die hope to rise again: These be the men of which th' Apostle saith Th'are turned aside, and as concerning Faith, Have err'd; here let thy Faith be sound, For want of care here thou mayst run aground And split thy Ship, and sink into that Lake Of everlasting Fire, and partake With damned Spirits in eternal woe, Where fearful and where unbelievers go.

Thirdly, remember this a••d understand, That thou art to obey to ••••rists command; It is not Moses nor Elias neither, Nor Holy Angels take them altogether; That God hath made thy Leader, to be brief Christ is thy Leader and Commander in chief: If I or Angels saith St. Paul do bring Another Gospel, teach another thing; Believe it not, whatever men shall say, See how't agrees with Christ ere you obey: Inquire if Christ command it first of all, In Person, or by Apostolical Decree; If neither of them do command, God never will require it at thy hand. Wherefore be sound in Faith, in all these three Forenamed particulars, as thou shall be

Directed by Gods Word, to which I'll leave thee As to a guid that never will deceive thee; And this be sure, if thou dost not steer Drectly on this Point, bur errest here, In matters of thy faith thou makes a poor And slender Voyage though thou comes safe to shore.

But that I may these errors yet explain, In this short breviate read them once again. A man may erre in faith in three respects, All which produce most dangerous effects.

In not believing universal love, It is a dangerous error, and may prove The ruin of thy soul, but secondly

He errs in faith, that doth presumptuously Deny the use of holy Scripture, and Presumes to say that men may understand Gods mind without them, from a light within; This is an error and a dangerous sin; Denying use of Scripture is the ground Of all the erors that do now abound.

Men erre in Faith, that do not understand That they are wholly under Christs command. But run to Moses Law to be directed In Gods true worship, as if Christ neglected To leave his Gospel Churches a supply Of Laws to rule, and Rules to worship by.

East by North.

The next Point unto this thou art to learn, Is North by East, a Point of high concern. As Christ for man, by Gods degree was slain, So Christ by God, is rais'd to life again. And as Chist by his Death did reconcile, Man who by sinning, did himself defile. Unto his maker, and hath now appeas'd, Gods wrath, who justly might have been dis∣pleas'd With man for ever, but now reconcil'd, He doth in Christ adopt man as his Child, And make him heir with Christ in that possession, Whose endless glory is without expression. So Christ doth by his glorious Resurrection Raise man from death to life; his imperfection Is Chang'd into a pure perfect state, Which once begun, will never terminate▪ Mortal shall put on immortality, And man thus rais'd to life shall never die. Christ by the Word of God he overcame Satan that was the cause of sin and shame. And that a Saint may do't God doth afford Every Child of his the self same sword. He that thus Conquered Satan by his breath, Hath by his Resurection conquered Death, Mans fatal enemy that first anoy'd The Sons of Adam, is at last destroy'd. The Son of God is Captain, King, and Head, And is the first that riseth from the dead.

Whence we a certain testimony have, That we should be redeemed from the grave. The grave yields up her dead so must the deep, The Trump must sound and all must wake from sleep; Some unto dismal Darkness woe and sorrow, Some to eternal light and joyful mo••••ow. Sin causes Death, both temporal and eternal, Then fly from sin, as from a foe infernal. The Second Death, is a perpetual dying, Attended with Sorrow and continual Crying, Whoever then would wisely undertake A prosperous Voiage for his soul to make, And scape the second Death sin doth procure, And all the sorrows sinners shall indure, And would arrive at heaven: fear no weather, Storms is no hindrance in your Voiage thither. Fear naught but sin, there's nothing else can harm, You may get good advantage by a Storm: Eschew but sin, and storms will drive you faster To your desired Port; there's no disaster That thou canst meet with in this restless ocean: Fly but from sin, resist it in its motion, And do not fear, for thou art safe enough; Thou'lt find thy crasie Vessel weather proof. 'Tis neither whisling Mast nor ratling Pum, The noise of storms or tempests that may come; ▪Tis neither leaking Vessel or Lee shore, Nor sinking Ship, all these and many more, Like seeming dangers, that will lose thy prize; Or hurt or hazard thy souls merchandize.

There's nought but sin I say that can deceive us, Of our souls trafique sin will quite bereave us. He that doth fear and fly from sin shall never Perish in sinking, no nor sink for ever. Although his body sink, his precious store, His soul I mean, shall surely come to shore. Then fly from sin as from a Serpent, least Sin sink thy soul; which brings us to the East: To Christ I mean, whose precious blood was spilt To save thy soul and free thee from the guilt Of all thy sins, if thou wilt but obey His precious voice now while it is too day.

East.

Next is our Eastern point, that equal space ▪Twixt North and South; stablish thy heart with grace Grace is the only balast thou canst have, It is by grace that God will sinners save; Not of our selves: so saith his servant Paul. Christ is the gift of God given for all. Stablish thy heart with grace, & not with notion, Which fills the head and not the heart with mo∣tion. 'Tis neither gifts nor high expressions can Upon right grounds establish any man. Grace is that balast makes thy Ship go steady, But high aspiring notions makes men heady. How many floating and unwary Souls, Wanting this balast, is tost about and rouls. Now here, now there, no place of rest they find; Are tost and turn'd about with every wind.

And almost overset with every wave, And can no solid satisfaction have. Sometimes their curious fancies casts an eie Into Gods Secret Counsel, thinks to spie Themselves inrol'd there, without respect Unto the terms on which God doth elect. Not once remembring that the Lord doth chuse The Godly for himself, and doth refuse Ungodly men: presumes they are elected, And therefore sav'd, while others are rejected By a divine unchangable decree; And therefore must not, cannot saved be. Here eye all passages▪ and you shall find Where airy notions do possess the mind, Instead of Grace a Tempest doth begin Quickly to rise, the flesh doth lust to sin, While conscience tells the flesh it cannot be: Allow me this, saith flesh, it pleaseth me. Not so, ••aith conscience, thou wilt be defil'd. O no, saith flesh, I'm an elected Child▪ Can sin, can any thing that is in me, Dissolve, make void, or alter Gods Decree? No no, saith flesh, my name is writ in heaven, My sins and weakness is all forgiven. In this confused hurry is the mind, That's fill'd with notions, tossed with the wind Of vain conceits. He sins at such a rate Till he concludes himself a Reprobate. And now he sinks, and in a dreadful case Despairs; but had this heart been fill'd with grace

Instead of these his airy notions, he Had been from stroms and winds and tempests free Where grace doth fill the heart, it thus begins With every sinner, O forsake your sins And there is mercy; but grace tells him plain That being clear'd he must not sin again. For sins against thy will, Christ entercedes, And at the throne of grace for mercy pleads. Be thou but faithful, do thou but act thy part, In hating sin, hate it with all thy heart, And God is gracious; if thou do persever, God freely will accept of thy endeavour. Faithful indeavours, though they be but poor, God will accept in Christ, who keeps the score. If thou presume to sin, thy former debt Shall on thy score the second time be set. Here doth the Riches of Gods Grace appear, In setting Saints and sinners free from fear. Sinners that leave their sins, are not rejected, Such as presume to sin, are not elected. The Grace of God, that hath appear'd to all, To Saints and sinners both, doth daily call First unto sinners, that they would repent, And then to Saints, that they be innocent, And persevere in holiness; and then In being holy they'll be happy men. O be establisht here, as't doth behove thee. And neither wind nor weather will remove thee.

East and by South.

East and by South is next, and thus begins, Thou being taught before to leave thy sins By true repentance and by heart contrition, Christ now requires of thee heart submission To all his holy Ordinances, and To every Gospel Precept and Command. But first of all thou must believe that he Is very Christ that shed his blood for thee. Believe that God in Christ is reconcil'd, And freely doth accept thee as his Child. And willingly he sendeth none to hell, But willful sinners, such as do rebel. Give up thy name to Christ, that thou may be One of that Noble sacred family, Come laden with thy sins and throw them down And Christ will give thee rest, he'll not disown The true repentance of a heart that's broken: Believe and be baptis'd, it is token That Christ hath washt thee and hath clear re∣mitted Thy former sins and now thou stands aquitted. And by this means thou'lt be insinuated. Into the Church of Christ, and stand related To him as one of his; he will behold Thee now as one belonging to the Fold. He is thy Shepherd, and thou art his Sheep, Thou'rt under his protection, he will keep Thy soul from danger, if thy heart be staid And stablished with Grace, the Lord hath said

Such shall be kept in perfect peace indeed, Whose minds are staid on him Now let's proceed Unto our next Point East South East, let's see What is required next to Baptisme.

East South East.

Sinner thou art conducted now by grace Into Christs Church, that thou may keep thy place And be preserv••d unto the Judgment day. Observe therefore what the Lord did say To his Disciples, while he did remain Upon the earth; tells them he'll come again, But until then, saith he, I recommend You to the Comforter which I will send. The Holy Ghost in all things shall instruct you, And unto everlasting truth conduct you. The Spirit shall to your remembrance bring Each sacred truth, and teach you every thing: But this remember, Christ doth tell thee plain, Which way thou mayst the Comforter obtain. The way which Christ prescrib'd is fervent praier, With faith unfeigned, these such companions are They will not miss, but will obtain the prize For which they seek; for God will not dispise The earnest suit of humble contrite ones, Whose prayers are usher'd in with sighs and grones, Prayer is I say Gods own appointed way, By which our Lord hath promis'd to convay The holy Spirit; ask and it shall be given, Saith Christ our Lord: your Father hears in heaven▪

••f earthly Parents give out of there store, Good things unto their Children, how much more Will God out of his rich and boundless treasure Give those that ask his Spirit such a measure As he doth see sufficient to supply? The Spirits Office is to sanctifie. ••t's a true earnest that we shall inherit, Eternal life. He that enjoys the spirit, ••lthough the smallest measure, shall possess The matchless treasure of true happiness. ••t fits the soul for future glory, and He sails directly to the Holy Land, That will observe this Point; and furthermore, Such shall discover fair Emanuels Shore, By the white cliffs of holiness that lye Along the Coasts; let not thy watchful eye Behold another object. Would'st possess The Holy land, mind naught but Holiness. While others do a saving Voyage make, Thou do'st a sacred Voyage undertake. ••t is affirm'd by holy men of old, Unholy persons never can behold The face of God, but with great discontent, With dread, with horror, and astonishment, Unholy persons shall be sore affrighted With that with which the Saints shall be delight∣ed. While Saints sing praises unto God on high, Delighting to be hold his Majesty; Unholy persons shall both cry and call, Unto the Rocks, say to the Mountains fall;

Yea fall upon us, hide us from the face Of him whose counsel we would not imbrace; Though oft he did intreat: this Lamb of Sion Is now become a soul devouring Lyon. His presence is a terror, doth affright, Oh that we might be hidden from his sight. When the Dark cliffs of sin thou dost espy, Say to the soul 'tis not the country That thou art sailing too; learn this Point well▪ Dark waies of sin is the true paths of hell.

South East and by East.

This is a Point thou also must indeavour Rightly to be instructed in, if ever Thou do'st intend the Port of happiness Shall crown thy Voyage with a fair success. Then fly from sin, as from a Serpent, and 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 ••hy true indeavours, and thy sins will die, And grace will live, so shalt thou mortifie All thy corruptions, there shall none remain ••o harm thy soul, much less to rule and reign. ••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. ••f Christ the Son of God was not exempted, ••ut by the subtil Serpent must be tempted, ••hen poor imperfect man may well be sure, ••hat from his malice he is not secure. ••ut God Almighty hath prepar'd a Sword, ••hich Christ made use of; 'tis Gods Holy Word. ••ith that resist him and he'll fly away. ••or where Gods Word is us'd he dares not stay. ••e can but tempt thee, he can do no more, ••e cannot force thee, God hath shut that dore▪ ••ill sin in its conception, let it never ••ome to the birth; a very small indeavour ••hen stops sins progress when it first appears, ••nly t'intice the eyes or reach the ears; ••re it convey its poyson, or impart ••s secret counsel to thy yielding heart. ••ake Davids Counsel, in my heart, saith he, ••l hide thy word let this thy practice be, ••en will thy sword be quickly at command ••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, 'twill help thy apprehensio•• When rightly 'tis 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 nev•• Be capable the Kingdome to inherit, By all that his performances can merit.

••is Christ whose righteousness must stand instead ••is he that hath the kingdom purchased. ••et must thou strive with all thy might & main, ••nd then this benefit thou shalt obtain: ••hrist is thy advocate at Gods right hand ••o plead thy Cause in Heaven he doth stand, ••nd God beholds thee in a Holy dress, ••nd beautifully cloath'd in Christs righteousness; ••nd neither spot nor wrinkle doth appear, ••r Christ presents thee as a virgin clear, ••otless and sinless; but least thou from hence ••ould think the good Apostle doth dispence ••ith sin in Christians at the highest rate. ••ecause they have in heaven an Advocate. ••o Answer this objection first of all, ••e doth prohibit sin in general. ••hildren, saith he, for unto such I write, ••n not with approbation and delight. ••n not, saith he, or do not let the fact ••f any sin be properly your act. ••t if against your will at unawares ••ou be intangled in Satans snares, ••hose watchful eye observes when he may ••ith best advantage silly souls betray, ••inding in thee some want of watchfulness, ••ere takes advantage, tempts thee to transgress. •• this despair not; but with heart contrition ••umble thy self to God; thy heart submission ••od will accept in Christ, who intercedes ••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 s•• 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 transi∣tory. The Sorrows of few Years will soon expire; But who can dwell with Everlasting Fire: ••ndure all things, rather than decline ••he sacred Cause of Christ. The Golden Mine ••ies deep: He that would find the smallest Mea∣sure, He must not pass for losing Earthly Treasure. The Sea-man fears no Storms, shrinks not for Weather, ••hat trades to th' Indies, if he gets but thither; ••hough Mast and Yards be broke, and Sales be rent, ••nd Vessel leaks, he's very well content: ••he Riches of the Country makes amends; ••uch less, must Spiritual Sea-men, (that intends ••'arrive with safety, at that happy Shore, ••hose Treasures far exceeds the Golden Ore,) ••rink back for fear of persecuting Hands; ••r to please Man, neglect the Lord's Com∣mands;

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 all things, to obtain a Crown That never fades, but will indure forever, When Daies shall cease to be: Wherefore, in∣dure In sailing on this Point of Holiness; Upon the Law of Christ, to lay the stress Of all your Holiness; on that Foundation, Who ever build, shall never miss Salvation.

South, South-East.

This fifteen Point o'th'Christian Compass, here, Is South, South-East; on that, th'art now to stere▪ Christ is thy Eastern-Point; let him Him possess Thy Heart, as Author of thy Holiness. 'Tis not enough, to have Christ in thy Head, Brain; Knowledge will not stand in any stead. If in thy heart, Christ, as thy King, abide To Rule and Reign, thou wilt be sanctifi'd. 'Tis Christ in thee, the hope of Glory can knocks Make thee a holy, and a happy Man: Behold! he's at the door! he stands, and He calls and waits, till thou unboult these Locks That hinders his Admittance. 'Tis thy Part To open first; His, to possess thy Heart:

If in thy heart, he finds Admittance, he Will enter in, and will abide with thee: He'll sup with thee, O Rich and bounteous Guest, That thus invites Himself, and makes the Feast! He that so sweet a Guest doth entertain, Will find his Interest trebled back again: For thou shall sup with him: the King of Kings, Will entertain thee, where the Angels sings Sweet Hallelujahs, to the God of Heaven▪ To whom, all Honour, Laud, and Praise be given. Make sure of Christ, therefore; use diligence, To have by thee in store, good Evidence, That thou art Christ's, and he hath firme Pos∣session Within thy heart; 'Tis not a bare Profession Will witness this; but if thou wilt, insure, Know where Christ truly dwells, the Heart's made pure: No Love there is to any Sin at all, Though in Appearance, it seems very small. If Sin, through weakness, such a Soul surprize, There's nothing, under Pardon, satisfies. He's not contented, till his Peace be made With Christ, whom he has griev'd: He's now afraid Of sinning any more: Every offence Produces from him double Diligence. In temporal Merchandize, we use to say, It is a low and undervaluing way

Of Trading, to insure: But in this Case, It is dishonourable, low, and base, Not to insure: They most this Trade advance, That is the deepest in Assurance.

South by East.

This sixteenth Point, i'th' Christian Compas•• here Is South by East; when ever thou dost stear Upon this Point, thou must with Care endeavou•• To learn this Point i'th' Compass, right. If ever, With safety, thou arrive at Happiness, As East's by South, know Christ by Holiness: So nearly's Christ to Holiness related, That by no means, they can be separated.

Esteem such Principles, as do profess To set up Christ, apart, from Holiness. But frothy Notions, vain and fruitless, folly; None can Love Christ, that loves not to be Holy Holiness is Christ's Essence; Oh! how then Can he be served by unholy Men? Forms without Power, is but empty things, Meer Shaddow, that no satisfaction brings, Stirs up Contention, and continual Strife: 'Tis Acts of Piety, that is the Life Of all Religion. God charges Israel With wickedness; yea, while they did excel In all Eternal Forms of Worship, and Exact Obedience unto each Command: Observing all their Festivals; likewise, Observant in their dayly-Sacrifice,

And in their solemn Meeting: Ne'rtheless, The Lord esteems not this for Holyness; For all this while, Equity was neglected, And with the Widdow's Cry, they're not affected. The Poor and Needy still they do oppress, And are unmindful of the Fatherless; The Hungry (also) did refuse to feed; Nor cloth'd the Naked, when they stood in need; To Sick, and such as did in Prison lye, They shew'd no Pity in their Misery: And while they cry, The Temple of the Lord! Their Prayers and Sacrifices are abhorr'd; Their solemn Meetings finds no Acceptation, Their holy Incense is Abomination. And for this Cause, because they lay the stress, Upon these Forms, apart from Holiness; Unholy Persons knows not God aright, Nor are their Pray'rs accepted in his sight: But Christ, and Holiness, must go together; They're inconsistent, one without another: Take heed, I say, thou be not one of those That vainly think, and foolishly suppose, That if for Ordinances they appear, Christ of necessity must needs be there; Although they be unholy Persons, and Do daily in the way of Sinners stand: And some there are again, as full of Folly, Who vainly do suppose, if they be Holy, Christ in his Ordinance may be slighted; But know this Point, that Christ is so united

Unto his own Appointments, that whoever Shall undertake Christ and his Laws to sever, Shall miss that Port, to which they did intend To Sail at first, and lose their wished End. Christ's sacred Laws is not within the reach Of Natures Teaching: Christ in his School doth teach His own Appointments: Wouldst thou stear a∣righ•• Upon this Point? 'Tis Christ must give thee Light▪

Half of thy Compass thou hast now past over▪ Where Sixteen Points thou fully may discover▪ To every Point thou hast a brief Direction, Untill thou comes at South; where Sol's Reflecti∣on▪ Most powerfully doth heat the barren Earth; By which it is made fruitful, and brings forth Fruit in abundance, to all such as dwell Upon the Earth: So, such as do excell In Holiness, hath Christ full risen there, And in his greatest splendour, shineth clear. The Southern-Sun doth cast his fair▪ Aspects Upon the North, who back again reflects: So God, in Christ, beholds with great Delight, The holy Man, as perfect in his sight: The holy Man, from this so sweet Reflection, Beholds the Face of God with true Affection. I have (saith David) set the Lord before My Face; I shall behold him ever more,

As my Salvation, my Redeemer; and He is (saith he) alwayes at my Right-hand. True Holiness fixes our sight upon No other Object, but one God alone. The Southern▪ Sun, did never yet send forth His pleasant Beams more strongly to the North, Than sanctify'd Souls do cast an Eye Unto God's Heaven enthroned Majesty: The Soul is then exhalted in it's height, When God is kept directly in its sight.

South by West.

Two Quarters of our Compass we have past; And to the Third, we are arriv'd at last: This Point we're now upon, is South by West, As needful to be known, as all the rest. The Sun full South, makes Noon; 'tis then at height: But South by West, gives notice, that a Night Will quickly follow: The Sun will now decline Till't come at West, & then 'twill cease to shine. That Death's thy Western Point, do not forget; Thy Southern-Sun, 'twill have a time to set: There's none that lives, and shall not tast of Death; The Holyest of Men, must yield their Breath. 'Tis the deserved Wages of our Sin; It was Transgression, that first brought it in. Death comes with such an Universal Stroke; The Holyest of Men, must bear its Yoke:

Abram, that faithful Man, expires and dyes; And so doth Jacob, and his Sons likewise; Moses and Joshua, and good Samuel, Elisha, David, all which did excell In Holiness; yet Death must act his part; Impartially must throw his fatal Dart: Pains are the Messengers that Death will send; Sickness and Weakness, brings thee to thy End: Yet when we look on Death Coelestially, In such a case, a Christian cannot dye; He only sleeps, his Death is but a Night; The Trump will wake him in the morning light: The holy Fathers, all, are said to sleep; Their Graves, as in in a sacred Bed, doth keep Their breathless Bodies, which must there re∣main, Till God restore both Breath and Life again: Yet, with respect to Man, this is a Death; Because all Men surrender up their Breath To God, who unto Man (at first) did give A comely Form, and Breath to make him live: Yet wicked Men oft take away by force, That sacred Breath, contrary to the course That God appoints. If here you do not mind To stear aright, although against the Wind, Your weather-beaten Vessels may be driven Upon the Rocks, and split; but God hath given Such true Directions, that thou needs not fear; For Holiness directs thee how to stear

Upon this dangerous Point, and not miscarry, Though Waves be rough, and Winds be quite contrary.

South, South-West.

Seventeen Points already is exprest; This Eighteen Point draws nigher to the West: An useful Point, and needful to be known By all that do the Christian Compass own. Death is the King of Terrors; doth arrest All sorts of Men, spares not the very best: ••t is not Holyness that will excuse When Death sends forth his Summons: Men may use Means to prolong their days; but yet they must Direct or indirectly, come to Dust: Directly all Men tast of Death, we know, ••ecause the Lord hath said, it shall be so: ••ut holy Men do often yield their Breath ••t Tyrant's Pleasures, who conspire their Death. Abel a holy Man, and yet must dye ••y Cain's inraged causless Cruelty. wicked Man cannot endure the sight ••f him that's Just, because he brings to light ••is wicked Deeds, and secretly reproves ••hose sinful Lusts his Soul so dearly loves: ••nd for this cause, did Herod lay his hand ••pon John Baptist; and at his Command, ••e holy Prophet must be put to Death, ••d to the Cruel Tyrant, yields his Breath. ••r my Names sake (saith Christ) you shall be hated, ••en of those to whom you stand related:

As Natural Brethren in the Flesh; or rather, As Children dear, unto a tender Father: Yet these Relations (being wicked) brings Their Children dear, before the Face of King And Governours, who with their Rulers, will Imprison some, and other some they'l kill: Thus did the best of Men, by wicked Force, Ere God's appointed time of Nature's Course Be fully spent▪—This Point well understood You may ride safely on the raging Flood Of earthly Troubles; but without Endeavou•• To learn this Point, you may be lost for ever, Both Ship and Lading: Holyness will guide y•• Upon this Point, no danger shall betide you: For Holyness prepares the Soul for Death, When God directly takes away thy Breath, And frees thee from the fear of Death likewis•• Which wicked Men maliciously devise.

South-West, and by South.

South-West, and by South: Behold! how t•• Point li•• This Point you must be sure to learn likewise. Death is a Terror! it can be no less, When 'tis not usher'd-in with Holyness. If thou would dye in perfect Peace, be sure Thou persevere in Holyness: Indure Faithful to Death, and thou shalt surely have A Crown of Life, on th'other side the Grave:

But if upon this Point thou stears not right, Thy hope't-for Morning will be turn'd to Night: Thou wilt by storm beset, and fiercely driven On Rocks & Sands, and never come to Heaven.

South-West.

South-West's the 20th Point o'th Compass, and Even between the South and West doth stand: ••his is an useful Point; and therefore, thou Must labour to be skill'd therein: And know, Tho Death with his impartial Sythe cut down The best of Men, that ever yet was known; Yet to the Saints, Death's but an Agent, sent On an Embassage; and to this intent, To tell the Saint, That now the Sun grows low, And Night draws on; and now 'tis time to go To his desired Bed, where he must rest From all his Labours. Such a Saint is blest▪ Who, while he lives, all Filthiness abhorr'd; And when he dies, Death finds him in the Lord. Store up therefore, before you go from hence, Some solid and well-grounded Evidence, That thou art in the Lord; and when you dye, Then take this Cordial, that thou hast laid by; One dram thereof, will stand thee in more stead, Than all the World: Then, Blessed are the Dead, Will be a sweet and comfortable Sound; And make your Joys, though dying, to abound. Oh, what a Comfort is it now to dye, VVhen Souls can (rightly) to themselves apply

The precious Promises God doth afford VVithin the Volumes of his holy VVord; Even this Promise that the Lord doth grant To Man, as Terms of the New Covenant: Their Sins, and their Iniquities, no more Shall be remembered, as heretofore.

In the first Legal Covenant, they were Still called to remembrance every Year. That Soul that sees himself by Christ remitted, And also knows, he freely stands acquitted; When others mourn, he can rejoyce and sing: The worst that Death can do, is but to bring ••im Tydings, that he's going to lay down An Earthly, to enjoy a Heavenly Crown. He freely in his arms can Death embrace: O happy he, that dies in such a Case! The happy Tydings that grim Death doth bring To such a one, doth take away the Sting. Death only is a Terror unto those, That do themselves to Righteousness oppose: When such a one doth look Death in the Face, O then he cryes out for a longer space; But all too late: Death will not be deny'd: The Day of Grace is past, thou'st mist thy Tyde

Well, to this Point, I now shall say no more But only this; Get Evidence in store, That thou art in the Lord; that Death may be A Messenger of Joy and Peace to thee.

South-West, and by West.

South-West, & by West: this Point must also be Well taught; and also, learn'd by every He That Launcheth forth upon each raging Wave, ••n hope he shall a happy Issue have. Oh, let me lodge this Errand in thy Breast! Now thou art drawing near unto thy West; Know, that as Righteousness will not excuse A holy Man from Death: So, they that use To spend their Hours in wickedness and strife, Shall not thereby prevent another Life: For, live they must; Man's Life is purchased By Christ's dear Blood, that on the Earth was shed: Yea, tho their Lives have been so vilely evil, That they have striven to exceed the Devil ••n Wickedness; yet shall not that prevent That Life, in order to their Punishment. Could Wicked Men, by Sin, prevent that Day, How would they sin their very Lives away? But that they cannot: For God did create Man in a pure, good, and perfect State: And God, who of Man's Life was the first Giver, Appointed means, that Man might live for ever; And gave to him the Tree of Life to eat, A sacred Fruit, a Life-preserving Meat. Man did procure his Death at second-hand, By wilful breaking of the Lords Command; But God, not willing to cast Man away, Prepared for his Life another Day:

Christ, by the Name o'th' Woman's Seed, wa•• give•• That Man, who dy'd on Earth, might live in Hea¦ven If after this, Man stubbornly Rebell, Though Man shall live, yet it shall be in Hell; A Place prepar'd for Satan's Punishment; Yet must Rebellious, Disobedient, Be sharers with him, live in endless Woe; His Life being purchased, it must be so. Wherefore, mind this Point well, that so yo•• may Steering by Compass, rightly find your Way.

West, South-West.

Beholding Death, as it at first came in, (As the deserved Wages of our sin) It hath a dreadfull Sting, that none can bear: The Approach of Death, doth fill Men's Heart with fea•• 'Tis call'd, The King of Terrors! well it may! And therefore, Man from Death would fly away It is the Holy sanctified Man; Yea, such a One it is, that only can Say unto Death, Where is thy Sting, O Grave? Where is that Victory, thou'rt wont to have? True Sanctity is such a precious thing, Makes Death all Honey, takes away the Sting•• 'Tis not devouring Monsters of the Seas; Nor Sword, nor Fire by Land; 'tis none of these Nor Hell inraged Cruel tortures, can Make Death be stinging to a Holy Man.

Death only stings with Poison, such as give Way to their Lust, and do corruptly live. ••hat Man that lives and dyes in wickedness, Death stings his Soul with Horror and Distress. ••o live in hatred of thy sins is best; Which brings us very near unto West.

West by South.

And that thou might the better be directed ••o learn this Point; let nothing be neglected, That may informe thee how to stear aright; ••et Earthly things seem empty in thy sight. ••'s the vain Pleasures of this World, intices ••o frown on Vertue, and to smile on Vices. 'Twas Acan's Golden wedges Beauty did ••tice him to do that he was forbid: •• was his Babylonish Garment gay, ••hat made both Eyes, & Heart, & Hand to stray. ••et not the World delude thee with its pleasure, And thereby rob thee of Eternal Treasure. When Men's affections are so strongly plac't On Earthly things, which is but for a blast; ••nd Death comes suddainly to call him hence, How bitter is it? Man would not dispence With Death's sharp Summons; but with might and main, ••trive to make Death call back his stroke again. How loath to bid those present things good Night, Which are so sweet and pleasant in thy sight?

Gardens and Orchards, with rich Treasure, an•• Fair sumptuous Houses joyning to the Land. When Death the tydeings of departing brings, O, saith that Man that loves these present things▪ Shall I now close mine Eyes, and lose the sight Of these Enjoyments wherein I delight, And sleep in Dust, until I rise again, And know not whether into Joy or Pain? O Death, forbear to strike me now, and give Me time t' enjoy these Pleasures here, and live. Thus bitter's Death to those that are in Love With Earthly things, and not with things above▪

If therefore, on this Point thou wouldst stea•• righ•• Then let thy Heart by Earthly things set light: Love not this World, in which thou must no•• stay▪ But love that Treasure, that abides alway. So wilt thou be, with holy Paul, resolv'd; 'Tis better be with Christ, and be dissolv'd, Than live on Earth, where Sorrows never cease▪ So shalt thou go unto thy Grave with Peace.

West.

Three Quarters of our Christian Compass past▪ It now remains, that we unfold the Last: We are past the North, the East, the South; an•• no•• We're come to West; our Sun grows very low. The Evening of our pleasant Day is come; Our Sun is set, and we are hasting Home,

••nto the Grave, the Earth; from whence we came; ••or Dust we are, and must return to th' same. ••arth is our Home, our very Home indeed; ••ecause from Earth, at first, we did proceed: ••nd though we there a season do remain, ••et from the Earth we must return again. ••om West to North: From Death we go to God, ••nd there takes up our Everlasting Bode. ••he Body being dead, the Earth must have it; ••he Spirit doth return to God, that gave it. ••arth is our Home, but not our longest Home; ••o Earth we be, yet first from God we come; ••d thither 'tis, we must return again; ••nd from that time, unchangeable remain: ••ter the Judgment's past, and Sentence given, ••ur constant Home must be in Hell or Heaven. From North to East: Again we now must pass ••om God to Christ, who now appointed is •• be our Judge, who will uprightly deal; ••d from his Judgment, there is no appeal. •• Righteous Judgment he will have regard, •• give to every one a just Reward: •• those that in well-doing seek for Glory, ••ernal Joy in Heaven's prepared for ye: ••t unto those that stubbornly Rebell, ••ernal Wrath, with damned Souls in Hell; ••thing but anguish, trouble, grief, and sorrow, ••hose dismal Night will never find a Morrow.

But, forasmuch, as now we're come to th' We•• We will divide this Quarter, like the rest, Into eight several Points, which we'll lay dow•• All very necessary to be known.

And forasmuch, as now we understand, We sail by West unto the Holy Land; From the first minute that we draw our Breath▪ We're sailing towards West; draws on to Dea••

Let's mind each Point in this last Quarter w•• That in our Knowledge we may there excell. It is of absolute necessity For spiritual Seamen, that they learn to dy•• This needful Lesson Balam understood; He knew it was both excellent and good, To learn this Lesson. O (saith he) that I Were like th•• Righteous, when I am to dye! O that my later End like his might be! Such Good in dying well did Balam see.

To learn this Lesson well, this Rule I'le gi•• If thou would learne to dye, first learn to live▪ Then take Directions from this sacred Truth: Remember thy Creatour in thy Youth; Begin betimes; the Morning of thy Dayes, Is the fit Season to reform thy Wayes. Give God thy strength, & serve him whilst tho•• you•• Thy Senses quick, thy Understanding strong: Defer not thy Repentance untill Night, Or Evening of thy Dayes; but with Deligh•• Let Child-hood learn to live, and Youth likew•• So wilt thou find sweet Comfort when thou d••

••od calls betimes; and if thou dost delay ••o hearken to his Voyce while it is day, ••n unexpected Storm may suddainly ••end thee away unto Eternity, ••ithout th' advantage of another Season; ••onsult then with Flesh, or fleshly Reason: ••hy Flesh will tell thee, that thou may take Plea∣sure •• little Season, and Repent at leisure: ••nswer thy Flesh; thou cannot surely say, ••hou mayst continue yet another Day: ••nd to confirm this Truth, Experience sayes, ••eath strikes the Child, the aged Man; betrays ••he hopeful young Man, even in his Prime, ••nd gives him not, sometimes, an howers time. Death comes unheard, her Arrow's sharp and keen; ••e strikes invisibly, & kills unseen; ••ncertain when; but certain Death will strike; ••especting Kings and Beggars, all alike: ••eath's stroke is dreadful, come it soon or late; ••t being struck, Repentance out of date. Perhaps thou may take Pleasure for To-Day, ••-Morrow Death doth take thy Life away. ••e World, poor Soul, and all the Pleasures in it, ••nnot secure thee now another Minute: ••en hear To-day, 'tis all the time that's given; ••ject To-day, and lose thy Way to Heaven.

West, and by North.

The next Point in this Quarter, 's West by North; ••learn this Point aright, is of great worth:

Remember this, That if thou dost not take Time by the Fore-lock, when thou wast awa•• Living on Earth (I mean) pale Death berea•• th•• Of Life, & of all means of Grace, & leaves th•• In no Capacity to mend thy Wayes: Living thou may; but dead thou cannot prais•• The sacred Name of God within the Grave; There's no Remembrance, that the Dead •• ha•• King Solomon, whom God hath made more w•• Than any Man (before or since) did prize A living Dog, tho th' mean'st one could set 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Before a dead, altho a Kingly Lyon: And Solomon doth give this Reason why; The Living knows (saith he) that he must dye▪ The Dead knows nothing: Therefore, while t•• li•• Observe the Counsel that Christ Jesus gives: Work while it is to-day, the Night will hast▪ In which the time of working will be past: 'Tis in the Day Men work, not in the Night▪ Wherefore, improve thy Day, with all thy mi•• The Heavenly Hosts of Angels are delighte•• When Sinners turn before they are be-night▪ Christ to Jerusalem was heard to say; O that thou didst but know in this thy Day, The things that do concern thy Peace! But no•• The Day is past, and Darkness doth ensue:

••ese things, which in the day God doth reveal, ••e Night being come, thick darkness doth con∣ceal. Well then, be careful, thou that art to stear ••on this Point; for if thou miss it here, ••ou runs the hazard of th' approaching Night; ••hen Heaven will refuse to give thee Light. •• thou would have thy Soul-Endeavours blest, ••en mind the next Point, which is West, North-VVest.

VVest, North-VVest.

••t not the greatness of the Numbers sway thee, ••r let the Counsel of the most betray thee; ••e most are careless how they spend their time, ••ving their Lusts, and Satan, with their prime. ••tear not by most Examples; for thereby, ••u'lt miss thy Point, and sink Eternally. •• Paths of Death, is like the mighty Ocean; ••en quiet, calm'd, deny their Waves of Motion▪ ••en Seamen ride upon the smooth-fac'd Seas ••thout disturbance: Many run with Ease ••aths of Darkness, and are quite mis-led; •• so have many thousands perished. •• Way that leads to true Felicity, ••ke the narrow Channel, that doth lye •• at the Entrance of some Isle: A Stranger▪ ••nding out the Channel, meets with danger. ••ell, thou art sailing to the Holy Ile, •• not the smooth-fac'd Seas thy Soul beguile;

The Pleasures of this World (I mean) which do•• Bring many thousands to Eternal Woe. And with this Caution, I'le this Point conclud•• Go not to Hell, because the multitude Will not seek after true Felicity; But rather chuse the Paths of Death, and dye. 'Tis better go to Heaven, though alone, Than go to Hell, 'cause thousands more are gon•• This leads us to North-West by West, where we•• Shall farther in our Christian Compass be.

North-West by West.

Instructed still, that so we may not miss That sacred Shore, where true Contentment i•• We're still exhorting of you to prepare, To meet with Death, to mind your Western Sta•• We having told you, You must learn to dye, If you would live in Joy eternally: That you may learn to dye, we also give You Notice, that you first must learn to live: But for as much, as some impediments Do threaten much, as if they would prevent All good Endeavours; I shall now asay, To take all such impediments away: The two next Points that follow, will I spend Alone, for the promoting of that End.

Obj. The Flesh objects against our first Advic•• Supposing it to be a Point too▪ nice. Should thou (saith Flesh) refuse to own that w•• Which most walk in, what is't Men will not say••

Thou wilt expose thy self to all Men's scorn, And be as one forsaken and forlorn; And many troubles thou'lt find beside Thy Sorrows will be daily multiply'd▪

Ans. To this I Answer: 'Tis no matter what Man say or think, so God reject thee not: Man may revile, thy soul they cannot harm: Undaunted Sea-men do not fear a Storm. 'Tis not whom Man, but whom the Lord ap∣proves, That finds acceptance; wherefore, it behoves Thee not, to let the fear of Man betray Thy Soul, and keep thee from the narrow way.

This Channel's narrow, and is hard to find; But Christ's thy Pilot, fear thou not the wind. Believe God's Word, and do thou not regard Mens threatnings, or their promise of reward: This is his Word; Whoever doth not hate Father and Mother, Life, for my Name's sake, He is not worthy of the smallest measure Of Sion's Glory, Christ the Eternal Treasure: What, shall the fear of mortal man, whose breath Is in his Nostrils, shall the fear of Death Cause thee to slight the way of God; deny His sacred Truths, and fall eternally? Let not thy life be precious in thine eyes, But freely give it for a Sacrifice, If God require it, as He often hath done, To bear a Testimony for his Son:

What! did the Son of God freely lay down His Sacred Life to purchase thee a Crown? And shall a Christian think his life too dear To lose for Christ? Alas, thy stay is here But for a moments time; the life of Man At longest, is compared to a Span. Suppose thou layest down thy life? thou dost But lay thee down to sleep awhile at most; And sleeping, thou wilt pass away the Night, To rise to Glory in the Morning-Light. Then fear not dying, but be mov'd thereby, To learn to Live, that thou may learn to Dye.

North-West.

Our next Point is North-West; this Point doth give Some brief directions, how to learn to live: Wherefore give heed, for thus thy Point begins, Look not too lightly upon smaller Sins; And let small duties be in thy esteem, As much as these that greater duties seem. 'Tis true indeed, there's no command at all, As it proceeds from God himself, is small; Nor any Sin against that Glory bright, Though it may seem but little in our sight, Can be accounted small, though there may seem Some difference in 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, 'tis the least degree: It seems indeed as nothing, if we bring It to be ballanced with suffering, Compar'd with Charity; a bare profession, ••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 ••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 breath•• 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 t•• dy•• Nor covet after Death immoderately. Some under torturing Pains, to ease their grie•• 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 blaste•• 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: 'Twas He, who at the first did give thee Breath; 'Tis He, for Sin, doth summons thee by Death: 'Tis God, who in his Image first did make thee, And never since was willing to forsake thee:

'Twas He that did appoint a Second Life, To put a Period to that deadly Strife, That Sin has made 'twixt Man and his Creator: 'Twas 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 re∣fus'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: 'Twill 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 on pleasing Objects; for, What ever you behold, you will abhor; You will abhor, and loath your selves, because Your former slighting of God's sacred Laws: Your stubborn Hearts refusing to Repent, Has brought you to this place of Punishment; From which most lamentable State, thou never Shall be released, altho thou should endeavour.

This is the Second Death; and certainly, It is a dreadful Death for Man to dye. The first Death frees a Man from temporal Sor∣row, And frees him from his Labour till the Morrow: The Second Death begins a Sinner's grief, And leaves him helpless, hopeless of Relief. Now, wouldst thou not be taken in the Snare Of Death the second time; Oh then, prepare For Death's first Summons; let not sin dis-arm thee; And then, the Second Death will never harm thee. There is no way to scape the Plagues of Hell, But in thy Living, and thy Dying well. Two things concerning Death, I'de have thee mind; Which if thou do, thou wilt the Comfort find.

First, Death is certain either first or last; All living Creatours of Death's Cup must tast. A••d Secondly, It is uncertain when; Children and Infants dye as well as Men. Death is a Messenger, that's sent from Heaven, Hath both his Power, and his Commission given By God alone; and when he's sent to strike, Respects all Ages, and Degrees alike. Death when it doth arrest, will give no Day; Death will have nothing, under present Pay; Nor Years, nor Months, nor Weeks, will Death allow; Death will admit of no intreaties now: With ghastly Looks, he stares thee in the Face, And tells thee, Thou hast here no longer space; This Night, by Death, the Lord requires thy Soul. Sad was the Message to that prosperous Fool, That in his own Conceit, had lately blest His Soul with Peace, and many Years of Rest: Deluded Man had not one Day to spend; This Night thy many Years is at an end. Thus unexpectedly are Souls ensnar'd▪ But dreadful will it be, if unprepar'd.

Well, Death is come; thy Barns, & all thy Store Thou must forsake, and never see them more: And true it is, we see it with our Eyes, That Death is certain, in uncertainties. There's not a Man among the Sons of Men, But knows that he must dy, but knows not when. Death on his Cloudy Errand sometimes comes, And smites poor Children in their Mother's Womb.

And sometimes he will venter to Arrest The Infant Sucking at the Mothers brest; And sometimes Death forbears to throw his Dart; Till Childish practice joyes the Parents heart: So in like manner Death is sometimes known, When Childhoods past, and Youthful Blossoms blown, To strike his Fatal stroke; and many a time, Death strikes us not till we are in our prime, When Strength & Manhood is upon the Stage: And sometimes Death stays till decripped Age. Death blasts young Buds, fair Blossoms, dainty Flowers, At th'age of years, of months, weeks, days, and hours. How darest thou, in Sinning, take delight; And sin to day, that is to dye at night. Poor VVretch! that at God's pleasure draws thy breath, How dare thou sin that's not secure from Death! In one moments time, poor Soul, thou canst not tell, But that this Night thou shalt go down to Hell.

North by West.

Our two and-thirtieth Point draws near the North; To Steer aright upon this Point is worth Ten thousand worlds, ten thousand times told over; Its real worth no mortal can discover.

As North's by West; so Death's by God, & He The First and Last of every Thing will be. It is from God we do receive our Breath; By God's appointment all must tast of Death. We told you lately, what a dreadful thing It was, to dye the Second Death▪ but bring You better Tydeings now; and to be brief, This Point well learnt, will expiate all Grief: It is the Tydings of a Second Life, Beginning Peace, and terminating trife. And that I may in this one thing, discharge My self, bear with me Reader, if I do inlarge Upon this sacred Point: But what am I, To undertake a Task so much too high For any Man? Angels desire to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it, And holy Prophets never fully knew it: When holy Men of old did stear their Course Upon this Point, the depth thereof did force Them to cry out, as Men astonisht, and Confess it was too high to understand: Into which Mystery, when Paul inquires, Instead of Satisfaction, he admires At God's great Wisdom: Which (saith he) no doubt, Is over-high for Man to find it out. Eye hath not seen that excellent Reward, Which God Almighty hath of old prepar'd For such as Love him: Heart cannot conceive, Nor Tongue express the Glory they receive. Some Hints the holy Prophets have laid down, Which in the Scripture language is made known

In such a Dialect, as may impart The Mystery of this Glory to the Heart; And also doth inform the Eye and Ear, That to Man's Sense this Glory might appear.

These be the Terms it is discover'd by; Riches and Honour, Princely Dignity; Silver & Gold, & precious Pearl, that Treasure In which the Princes of the Earth take Pleasure; Fair Houses, beautify'd with Gold, And precious Pearl, most lovely to behold; Cities whose Pavements (upon which we tread) Is pure Gold, whose Wall is garnished With precious Pearls, in comely order set; The Jasper, Amathist, and Crisolet; With Saphir, Tophas, Emrald, Chalcedon, The Jasinct, Sardius, and Sardonix-Stone.

Thus in our Sailing upon West by North, By these Similitudes, the Lord sets forth The great Advantage of our Stearing right Upon this Point; and yet this great Delight, (With which Man's captivated Eye's ensnar'd) Is less than nothing, if it be compar'd With Heavenly Glory, which exceeds as far, As Mid-day Phoebus doth the dullest Star. The greatest Beauty Mortals can behold, Is Gems and Jewels, with refined Gold; Which when th' Apostle Paul compares with th•• In his Esteem (behold!) how vile it is? As if all Earthly Pomp had nothing been, Speaking of Heavenly, saith; Eye hath not se••

Nor never could Man's highest Conceit impart This Heavenly Glory unto any Heart. 'Twixt Heaven and Earthly Joy, the dispropor∣tion Is like one Drop of Water to the Ocean; For though one drop be real Water, yet It's not sufficient for Man's Benefit; There is no Substance in so small a Measure; And small's the Substance of all earthly Treasure: 'Tis not unlike the pearled Dew of May, Whose Morning-Substance quickly ••ades away Like Jonah's Gourd, that sprang up in a Night; And in another, vanisht out of sight; Exactly like a Shadow in the Water, Which seems a Substance, but is no such matter; Which, if a Man puts forth his Hand to take it, Finds it a Shaddow, and doth streight forsake it; Or like a Man, that dreams he doth possess Great Substance; but awakes, finds nothing less.

Could Man, with Alexander, say, My hand Hath made the Earth subject to my Command; And to my Pleasure I the World confine, And all the Treasures o•• the Earth is mine. He that could make the World to bear his Yoke, Must in a Moment, ••eel the direful Stroke Of Death, which will remove him from his Trea∣sure; 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 ••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 o•••• 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 P••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, ••••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; D••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; ••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; & there∣fore, 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, We cannot think a happy Voyage to make. Observe that good St. Paul, and you shall find That Faithful Pilot in the self-same Mind: His Compass he upon his Conscience layes; In all things, he makes Conscience of his Wayes. Both towards God & Man, thou alwayes must Make Conscience of thy Wayes: 'Tis in vain to trust To any written Rule, though ne'r so good, And never so well known, and understood. If thou dost make no Conscience of the same, Thy Compass serves for nothing but the Name. Upon a painted Compass Men may look, Or read the Rule that's written in a Book. A Compass fairly painted on a VVall, (Though pleasing to the Eye) serves not at all To stear a Ship by: That must be effected, By such a Compass, as must be erected,

And set upon a Needle, where it moves; By this erected Compass, Seamen proves▪ Their written Rule: By this the Ship is guided, And through the raging Seas, her way's divided.

Remember therefore, if thou dost intend Thy former Compass shall obtain its End, And thou, at last, may be secur'd from blame. Be sure that thou make Conscience of the same; That, out of Conscience unto God, thou never Neglect thy former Compass, but endeavour To stear according to it: Fix thine Eye On God, who is thy North; and come as nigh Unto thy Rule, as possible thou may; And, out of Conscience unto God, obey His VVill in every thing, with true Affection, As from thy Compass, thou meets with Directi∣on•• So shalt thou be made Happy in thy Choyce, And from true ground of Comfort, may rejoyce▪ Having within thee, that which will indure The Testimony of a Conscience pure: That, from thy Dove-like Innocence, thy Conver¦sation▪ Has been, in truth, without Dissimulation, According to the Rule; unfeignedly, Serving the Lord in pure Simplicity, And true Sincerity; where I shall leave thee, As with a Rule, that never will deceive thee.

A Good Memory.

A Seaman that compleatly is supply'd, Must with his Compass, have a Box beside, To place his Compass with security; The Box is therefore a good Memory: There let thy Rules be kept, like sacred Treasure, That thou may look them over at thy Pleasure. These Rules are few, these Few are very plain, ••ot over numerous for thee to retain: •• thou dost get these Rules into thy Head, •• time of need they will thee stand in stead: VVhen thy occasions have remov'd thee far, ••nd Storms and Tempests at the Sea debar ••hee from the good Appointments of the Lord, ••he sacred Preaching of God's holy Word; ••his being kept in Memory, lyes by thee, ••hat in a time of want, it may supply thee. I will not say, That thou wilt need no more, •• in thy Head thou layest them up in store: ••ut this I dare adventure to assert, ••hy Head instructed well, informs thy Heart: ••nd if thou knows these Rules, & dost endeavor ••o do the same, Happy art thou for ever: •• such a State thou never canst miscarry, ••ho Seas be rough, & Winds be quite contrary; ••ut safely shalt obtain that happy Shore, VVhere Pleasures do abound for ever more: ••hen wilt thou find no Reason to repent thee, ••hat for a time, thou hadst this Compass lent thee.