The seduced soul reduced and rescued from the subtilty and slavery of Satan ... by R. Junius ...

The seduced soul reduced and rescued from the subtilty and slavery of Satan ... by R. Junius ...

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THE SEDUCED SOVL reduced, and reſcued from the Subtilty, and Slavery of Satan, that bloody devouring Dragon, and vowed Enemy of all Mankind. Together with Proviſion that none may be diſappointed of their end, by miſtaking their way: would men but now hearken unto Chriſt, as they would have Chriſt another day, hearken unto them.

A Charge drawn up againſt Drunkards, in a clearer print, that themſelves alſo may read it.

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THE SEDUCED SOVL reduced, and reſcued from the Subtilty, and Slavery of Satan, that bloody devouring Dragon, and vowed Enemy of all Mankind. Together with Proviſion that none may be diſappointed of their end, by miſtaking their way: would men but now hearken unto Chriſt, as they would have Chriſt another day, hearken unto them.

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By R. Junius, in reference to Levit. 19. 17. Iſa. 58. 1. Prov. 1. 20. to the end, and 14. 12. Acts 11. 14. 1 Tim. 4. 16. James 1. 21. Jude 23.

CYprian brings in Satan, triumphing over Christ in this manner; As for my followers, ſaith he, I never laid down my life to redeem them, as Chriſt hath done for his; I never promiſed them ſo great reward, as Christ hath done to his: and yet I have more followers then Chriſt, and they do far more for me, then his do for him. And indeed, To whom we yield our ſelves as ſervants to obey, his ſervants we are to whom we obey; whether of ſinne unto death, or of obedience unto righteouſneſſe, Rom▪ 6. 16. And in caſe we do the Devils works, we are the Devils ſervants, as our Saviour affirms, John 8. 34, 44. Again, it is the abſtract of Religion, to imitate him whom we worſhip. Neither are we worthy to be called Chriſtians, except we imitate Chriſt, and ſquare our lives according to the rules he hath given us, Luke 14. 26. 2 Pet. 2. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 17. 2 Tim. 2. 19. Who then ſhall compare mens lives with Chriſts life, or thoſe rules ſet down in his Goſpel, but muſt be forced with Lynacre to confeſſe; That either the Goſpel is none of Chriſts, or very few amongſt us are Chriſtians. Obſerve it I pray, for it falls heavy on many thouſands, that think they are Chriſtians beyond all exceptions.

2 But to bring this point more cloſe, and home to mens conſciences. We read, That the greateſt number go the broad way to deſtruction, and but a few the narrow way that leadeth unto life, Matth. 7. 13, 14. That the whole world lieth in wickedneſſe, 1 John 5. 19. That the number of thoſe whom Satan ſhall deceive, is as the ſand of the ſea, Rev. 20. 8. That many are called, and but few choſen, Matth. 20. 16. & 22. 14. That though the number of the children of Iſrael are as the ſand of the ſea; yet onely a remnant of them ſhall be ſaved, Rom. 9. 27. Sad predictions! How then does it concern every man of us, to be-think our ſelves, whether we be of that ſmall number, and to miſtruſt the worſt, as all wiſe, and ſound-hearted Chriſtians uſe to do, Matth. 26. 21, 22. And indeed, they are Texts of Scripture, that would make the moſt in theſe dayes to tremble; Yea, they [Page] could not (without Gods great mercy) but be ſwallowed up of their own confuſion, were they not ſpiritually blinde and deaf, and dead. For experience ſhews, that amongſt thoſe that call themſelves Chriſtians, ſcarce one of an hundred, whoſe knowledge, belief, and life, is anſwerable either to the Goſpel, their Chriſtian profeſſion, or the millions of mercies they have received.

Yea, notwithſtanding the Holy Ghoſt tels us in the word; and we hear the ſame daily; That every man ſhall be judged according to his works, be they good or evill, Rev. 20. 13. & 22. 12. That we ſhall give an account at the day of judgement for every idle word we ſpeak, Matth. 12. 36. That there needs no other cauſe of our laſt and heavieſt doom, then Ye have not given, ye have not viſited, &c. Matth. 25. 41. to 46. That the righteteous ſhall ſcarcely be ſaved, 1 Pet. 4. 18. That many ſhall ſeek to enter in at the ſtraight gate, and ſhall not be able, Luke 13. 24. That no unrighteous perſon ſhall inherit the kingdome of God; but ſhall have their part and portion in that lake, which burneth with fire and brimſtone, which is the ſecond death, 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. Gal. 5. 21. Revel. 21. 8. That except our righteouſneſſe exceeds the righteouſneſſe of the Scribes and Phariſees, (who were no mean men for outward and formal performances) we ſhall in no caſe enter into the kingdom of heaven, Math. 5. 20. And that without holineſſe, no man ſhall ſee the Lord, Heb. 12. 14. (which Scriptures if they be true, what manner of perſons ought we to be? in all holy converſation and godlineſſe, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 2 Pet. 3. 11.) Yet moſt men live, as if the Goſpel were quite contrary to the rule of the Law: As if God were neither to be feared, nor car [...]d for: As if they were neither beholding to him, nor afraid of him, both out of his debt and danger; Yea, as if there were no God to judge, nor Hell to puniſh, nor Heaven to reward, I cannot think of it without aſtoniſhment.

But to all theſe, let me add one thunder-bolt more out of Gods Artillery, which you ſhall finde, Deut. 29. where he expreſly tels us, that he will not be merciful (I pray mark it) unto ſuch as flatter themſelves in an evill way, but that his wrath and jealouſie ſhall ſmoak againſt them, and every curſe that is writ in his Book ſhall light upon them, &c. verſ. 19, 20. And that if we will not regard, nor hearken unto him when he cals upon us for repentance: He will not heare nor regard us, when in our diſtreſſe and anguiſh we ſhall call upon him for mercy; but even laugh at our deſtruction, and mock when our fear cometh, Prov. 1. 24. to 33. Neither is ſalvation more promiſed to the godly, in any part of the Bible, Old Teſtament, or New, then eternal death and deſtruction is threatned to the wicked. For though to all repentant ſinners he is a moſt merciful God; yet to all wilful and impenitent ſinners, he is a conſuming fire, and a jealous God, Heb. 12. 29. Deut. 4. 24. Theſe are dreadful threats, from the mouth of an Almighty, and terrible God, who is Truth it ſelf, and cannot lie. Nevertheleſſe, mens obdurate and adamantine hearts, brawned [Page] and hardned with the cuſtome of ſinne, will tremble and relent no more at the hearing of them, then the ſeates they ſit on, or the ſtones they tread on. Their ſupine ſtupidity is no more capable of excitation then the Sea Rocks are of motion, or the billows of compaſſion. They are like the Catadupans, inhabitants of the Cataracts, who hear not the roarings of Nilus. As Drums and Trumpets (we know) and that loud rupture of the aire with Ordnance, is but like ſoft muſick to the eares of ſome fleſhed ſouldiers, hardned with often ſucceſſe. And the reaſon is, they will rather hearken to their own deceitful hearts, and believe Satan, that would gull them of their ſoules, and plunge them into eternall torments, then they will hearken to, or believe the God of Truth. And the reaſon of this reaſon is, when men reject all g [...]od meanes, and refuſe to ſerve the true God, he in juſtice gives them over to the falſe to be taught, and governed by him; for which you have an expreſs place, 2 Theſ. 2. 10, 11, 12. And likewiſe an example thereof in Ahab, 1 King. 22. 20. to 23. Yea, how could I here inlarge? as would you know, why many men in this, and other ages before us, have been ſuch ſuperlavive monſters in wickedneſs, as ſtriving after perfection of evill, counting it the greateſt honour to commit the greateſt ſinnes, and being ſorry, as it were, that they could not commit a ſinne beyond preſident, and be like their father the Devill, Such as blaſphemous and impudent Pharoah, who being bloodied with his unreſiſted tyranny, could belch out defiance in the face of heaven, ſaying, who is God? Or Nicanor, who being perſwaded from cruelty upon the Sabbath-day, in that God had appointed it holy; anſwered, if God be mighty in Heaven, I am alſo mighty on Earth: Though the ſame tongue that ſpake it, was cut into little pieces and flung to the Fowls: and the ſame hand that ſmote, was cut off, and hung before the Temple. Or as Pope Hildebrand, who asked the Sacrament of Chriſts body before all the Cardinals, how he ſhould deſtroy Henry the Emperour; and having no anſwer, flung it into the fire, ſaying, Co [...]ld the Idoll gods of the Heathens tell them what ſhould ſucceed in their enterprizes, & canſt not thou tel me? how others could wholly ſpend and imploy their time, & ſtrength, and meanes? how they ſhould take ſuch pains, and be at ſuch coſt, to commit robberies, rapes, cruel murthers, treaſons? blow up whole States? depopulate whole Towns, Cities, Countries? Seduce millions of ſoules, as Mahomet and the Pope have done? make open War againſt the Church of God, as Herod, Antiochus, and others have done? perſecute the known truth, as Julian the Apoſtate did? Invent all new vices they could, and deſtroy the memory of all ancient vertues, as Heliogabalus did? make it their trade to ſwear and forſwear, if any wil hire them, as our Poſt [...] knights do? Not unlike thoſe Turkiſh Prieſts, called Seitie, and Cagi, who for a double Ducket will make a thouſand falſe oaths before the Magiſtrate, and take it to be no ſinne, but a work deſerving praiſe, by lies, ſwearing, and for-ſwearing, to damnifie [Page] Chriſtians what they can. Or would you know why our Land (notwithſtanding we excell all Nations under heaven, for meanes of light and grace) hath ſuch monſters? as upon an hours warning will lend Jezabel an oath, to rob poor Naboth of his li [...]e and vine-yard? Such Vultures, irreligious Harpies, that have conſciences like a Barn-door, that ſeldome awake but to do miſchief. Some men and women, that will be Bawds to their own Wives and Daughters? (But, ô that the Sun ſhould ſhine upon her, that will ſell for gain unto Hell that body which ſhe brought forth, with ſo much pains and danger to this earth. Certainly, there was never woman more deſerved to be call'd the Devils Dam then ſhee.) Why, there are ſome that dare the day to witneſſe their ungodlineſſe, and do their villanies to be ſeen of men? That Zim [...]i like, dare bring Whores to their Tents openly. Yea, like Abſalom, dare ſpread a Tent on the top of the houſe, and go in to their Concubines in the ſight of all men. I have my ſelfe heard a cauterized Gallant boaſt of his lying with women of all conditions, ſave witches, and proteſt that ſhould be his next attempt. Yea, how often ſhall you hear old men glory of their fore-paſt whoredoms, boaſt of their homicides, cheats, and the like? Yea, if it be poſſible, make themſelves worſe then ever they were: and rather then want matter of oſtentation, they will boaſt of the fouleſt vices; For their excrements, they account ornaments, and make a ſcarfe of their halter.

Again, others there are, who like them of Gibeah, Judg. 19. and the Sodomites, Gen. 19. are not content with the common way of ſinning; but are mad with a prodigious luſt; Being forth the men, that we may know them, verſ. 5. Let any reaſonable man judge, whether they could be thus deſperately wicked, if the juſt and true God had not for their rebellious and damnable wickedneſſe, in rejecting him, given them up to be ruled by the falſe; namely, the god of this world, and all wicked men in it. Even as a juſt Judge having paſſed ſentence upon ſome heynous Malefactor, gives him up to the Jaylor, or Executioner, as you may ſee by ſundry places, 2 Tim. 2. 26. Epheſ. 2. 2. John 13. 2. Acts 5. 3. 1 Chron. 21. 1. Gen. 3 1. to 6. Rev. 2. 10. Gen 3. 15. John 8. 44. & 12. 31. & 14. 30. 2 Cor. 4. 4. Epheſ. 2. 2. But to enlarge yet more, how many amongſt us have their conſciences ſo feared up with the cuſtome of ſin, that they had rather be confounded, then reformed: That will grudge to be ſtayed in their way to Hell? (whereby they become wilfull murtherers of their own ſouls.) Yea, they will flie upon thoſe that ſhall oppoſe their perdition, and more then ſpurne at Chriſts Meſſengers, that are ſent to ſave them, (which is to ſtrike at him, whoſe meſſage they bring:) And others ſo reprobate, that their utmoſt endeavour is, to damn others ſouls with their own. Theſe are your ſeducing drunkards, deviſers and broachers of damnable errours; Projectors of unknown villanies, exemplary leaders into wickedneſſe; who Jeroboam, or Mahomet-like, ceaſe not to ſinne, and tempt, and damne, though they ceaſe to live: For though [Page] they die, they leave their ſinne behinde them, and that propagates, who reſemble a malicious man ſicke of the plague, who runs into the throng to diſperſe his infection; whoſe ſinne ſeems to out-weigh all penalty.

Others there are, that through a preſumptuous confidence, think they may run upon ſcore with Satan, and ſin boldly and freely, becauſe Chriſt is able to pay all; ſo making Chriſt a bolſter, or Patron of ſin. Yea, they will alſo boaſt, what a ſtrong faith they have; when yet they fall ſhort of the very Devils in believing: For they believe the threats that are written in the Word, and tremble for feare, Jam. 2. 19.

Again, others you have, ſo civilly righteous, that they ſee no need they have of a Saviour: and the leſſe ſenſible they are, the more ſick they are; for as nothing is more eaſily broken, then thoſe things that are moſt hard: ſo notorious offenders are nothing ſo hard to be convinced and converted, as the civilly righteous, that ſeems to live un-reproveably.

Laſtly, to paſſe by thoſe many millions of ſoules, who are ſo invincibly ignorant, that remaining ſo, it is impoſſible they ſhould be ſaved; for they do not know wherein they have broken this or that Commandement in particular; what wicked hearts they have by nature, nor what need they have of a Saviour. Nor to ſay any thing of that, which coſt the lives of ſo many thouſand Iſraelites, I mean murmuring, and unthankfulneſſe, which is the ſin of almoſt who not; and ſuch a ſinne as few, even of the better ſort of Chriſtians have the wit to conſider. To paſſe by theſe (I ſay) how many through prejudice, ſo blinde their own eyes, that they will decoct everything the godly do or ſay into poyſon: Yea, they will not onely pick ſtrawes, to put out their own eyes withall; but they even proteſt againſt their own converſion, as eſteeming, and accounting all Religion, and Devotion meer fooliſhneſs. Yea, they will ſcoffe at the meanes to be ſaved, and make themſelves merry with their own damnation: So that good counſel to them, is but offering Aqua-vitae to the dead. A man would admire and wonder how mens ſoules ſhould be ſo drowned in their ſenſes; how any one that is endowed with a reaſonable ſoule, ſhould be of ſo reprobate a minde, as moſt men are; did not the frequency of ſin take away the ſenſe of ſin. As ô how the ſoule, that takes a delight in lewdneſſe, is gained upon by cuſtome▪ do not all cauterized ſinners, drunkards, blaſphemers, defrauders, and the like? Yea, and civill men too, account it a crime to be holy? or to have a tender conſcience? or to be ſo careful to ſerve their Redeemer? as themſelves are induſtrious to ſerve the Devill, and ſatisfie their own hearts luſts. Yea, and cuſtome hath ſo bleared them, that they cannot diſtinguiſh nor diſcern the true viſage of things. Yea, the moſt of men amongſt us ſo delude themſelves with miſtakes, and falſe ſurmiſes, againſt Religion, and the religious, that piety and goodneſſe is ſo deſpiſed; looſeneſſe and prophaneſſe ſo ſet by, and defended, by ſome ignorantly, by others maliciouſly: and this alſo by [Page] reaſon of long cuſtome runs ſo deep and ſtrong, that wee can never look to have it mended, untill Chriſt comes in the clouds. What this may bring upon us, onely the Lord knows, and knows to prevent: But ſure I am, it hath already been ſo long neglected, and ſo little oppoſed and laid to heart; that it hath almoſt over-grown both corn and good hearbs. Inſomuch that the wickedneſſe of the greater part, hath brought ſuch a ſcandall upon the better part: That our Religion is even abhorred of the Heathen. And how can it other, then cut the hearts of thoſe that have felt the love of Chriſt? to heare him ſo wounded at home with oathes and blaſphemies, abroad with reproaches; who is the life of their lives, and the ſoul of their ſouls. Speake we muſt, endeavour what we can. Cry aloud, ſaith God, ſpare not, lift up thy voyce like a trumpet, and ſhew my people their tranſgreſſions, and the houſe of Jacob their ſins, Iſa. 58. 1.

But alaſſe, little comes of it; For let all the Miniſters unanimouſly ſay what can be ſaid, blinde ſenſualliſts will confute all that can be alleadged; with God is merciful. And Chriſt died for all. Onely believe and thou ſhalt be ſaved; no matter how they live: a reprobate, yet common errour: as thinking with Eunomius, that faith without works will ſerve: Inſomuch that every drunken beast, and blaſphemer, thinks to ſpeed as well, and goe to Heaven, as ſoon as the beſt.

One mindes nothing but his cups, another nothing but his coyne, a third onely his Curtizan; yet all theſe promiſe to meet in Heaven. The Jewes thought we may put away our wives, we may ſweare, we may hate our enemies, we may kill the Prophets, ſubject the Word of God to our traditions, and follow our own wayes. Why? Abraham is our father, John 8. 39. But by their leave, Chriſt calls them bastards, and findes out another father for them, ver. 44. Ye are of your father the Devill, and the lusts of you [...] father ye will do. Prophane Libertines, ſuch as account not themſelves well, but when they are doing ill. Yea, the moſt covetous oppreſſors, who may ſay as Pope Leo did, I can have no place in Heaven, becauſe I have ſo often ſold it upon Earth. Every man of them hopes to have bene [...]i [...] by the Goſpel, when they will not be tied to the leaſt little of the Law. But if Chriſt be not our King to govern us, he will neither be our Prophet to fore warn, nor our Priest to exp [...]ate. Except we forſake our ſins, God will never forgive them. Yea, he hath ſworn by an oath, that whomſoever he redeemeth out of the hands of their ſpirituall enemies, ſhall ſerve him in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe all the dayes of their lives. Neither can it conſiſt with his Juſtice, to pardon ſuch as continue in an evill courſe of life. Nevertheleſſe, there is ſcarce a wicked man upon Earth, but he thinks to go to Heaven.

But what's the reaſon? conſider that, and you will ceaſe to wonder. For what the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 2 Cor. 3. is appliable unto all natural men. Their mindes were blinded; For untill this day remaineth the ſame vaile upon their hearts, un-taken aw [...]y in the reading of the Old Teſtament, which[Page]vail, when they ſhall turn to the Lord, ſhall be taken away in Chriſt, verſ. 14, 15, 16. Here you ſee they have a vail or curtain drawn over their hearts, which keeps them from the knowledge of Gods Word: But that's not all; They have ſo hardned their hearts with a cuſtomary ſinning, even from their infancy, that a man were as good ſpeake to a ſtone, as admoniſh them, Jer. 6. 10. & 5. 3. Zach. 7. 12. Jude 12. Ez [...]k. 11. 19.

Thirdly, the Goſpel is hid unto them, becauſe the god of this world hath blinded their mindes, leſt the light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt ſhould ſhine unto them, as the ſame Apoſtle ſpeaks, [...] Cor. 4. 3, 4. Finally, they have Phraoh's curſe upon them, a hard heart, and a ſeared conſcience: ſo that they are no way capable of yielding to, or hearing God ſpeak by his Ambaſſadors, ſay they what they will. Whence it is, that St. Cyprian uſeth theſe words: It is as much loſt labour (ſaith he) to preach unto men the things of God, before they are humbled with the ſight of their wants, as to offer light to a blinde man, to ſpeak to a deaf man, or to labour to make a brute beaſt wiſe. See Revel. 3. 17. In the mean time thoughts of Eternity never trouble them; They are at peace with Satan, the world, and their own conſciences; have made agreement with Hell, and with Death; they ſatisfie their luſts to the full: So like men ſleeping in a Boat, they are carried down the ſtream of this world, untill they arrive at their Graves-end [Death] without once waking to be-think themſelves, whether they are going [to Heaven or Hell.] They ſlumber, and ſuppoſe themſelves good Chriſtians; their ſaith is but a dream, their hope but a dream, and ſo of their obedience and whole Religion, all is but a dream. They have repentance in conceit, they ſerve God well in conceit; and they ſhall, if they look not to it, goe to Heaven onely in conceit, or in a dream, and never awake, until they feel themſelves in the burning lake. For he that makes a bridge of his own ſhadow, how can he chooſe but fall into the water.

In which caſe, what heart would it not make to bleed, that hath any Chriſtian blood in his veins, to ſee what multitudes there are that go blindfold to deſtruction, and no man offer to ſtop or check them; before they arrive there, from whence there is no redemption. I remember St. Bernard uſeth theſe words; Had we ſtood by, ſaith hee, when Adam was between the perſwaſion of his wife, and the precept of his God, when the one ſaid, Adam eate, and the other ſaid, Adam eate not; for if thou doſt, Thou ſhalt die the death, and all thy poſterity. Had it been an ill office to have cryed out, and ſaid, ô Adam, take heed what thou doſt! Or would he have had cauſe to complain of being prevented? I trow not, Yea, I think it had been a ſeaſonable piece of high friendſhip, and none can deny it.

I remember alſo what a Merchant once did; he comes to his friend upon the Exchange, and fals to boxing him, with theſe words; I have often enough told you of your whoring, but you will never leave it. [Page] Know you not, that it will p [...]ove your ruine in the end? [...] h [...]ld to be a little crackt in brain, & perhaps you will think [...] often times, from the rareſt and quickeſt agitations of [...] the moſt diſtempered and out-ragious frenzies, there want [...]g [...] a pegs turne to paſſe from the one to the other: So in mad mens [...] ſee how fitly folly ſuiteth, and meets with the ſtrongest operation [...]. Yea, who knows not, how un-perceivable the neighbour-hood is between folly, and the livelieſt elevations of ſome mens wits. And indeed, when I conſider, how our carnal friends will curſe us (when they come in hell) that we did not our utmoſt endeavour to ſtop them. I could afford to lay hands upon a Drunkard, a Blaſphemer, or a Murtherer to ſtay [...], from the evill he is going to commit. Yea, to kneel down upon my knees, and beg of him, that he would not ſo deſperately damn his own ſoul. And indeed could, a man ſave his friends ſoule by ſo doing (as poſſibly he might, Jude 23. Jam. 5. 26. 1 Tim. 4. 16.) he needed not much to care, though the world reputed him a mad man, or ſpent their verdicts on him. O my brethren think of it, before it be too late! and ſeriouſly conſider what one ſoule is worth, and what you would take to be in that condition with them, as you were once. (For I ſpeak to enlightened ſouls) Yea, how ſhould not the very thought of it, make all that are got out of Satans clutches, to plot, ſtudy, and contrive all they can, to draw others of their brethren after them?

We read, that Andrew was no ſooner converted, and [...] Chriſts Diſciple, but inſtantly he drew others after him to the ſame faith, John 1. 41. and the like of Philip, verſ. 45. And of the woman of Samaria, John 4. 28. to 41. And of Peter, Luke 22. 32. Acts 2. 41. and 3 Chap. & 4. 4. And ſo of all the Apoſtles. Yea, Moſes ſo thirſted after the ſalvation of Iſrael; that rather then he would be ſaved without them, he deſired the Lord to blot him out of the book of life, Exod. 32. 32. And Paul to this purpoſe ſaith, I could wiſh my ſelf to be ſeparated from Chriſt, for my brethren, that are my kinſmen according to the fleſh: meaning the Jewes, Rom. 9. 3. And indeed, all heavenly hearts are charitable. Neither are we of the Communion of Saints, if we deſire not the bleſſedneſſe of others; it being an inſeparable adjunct, or relative to grace; for none but a Cain will ſay, Am I my brothers keeper? Yea, where the heart is thankful, and inflamed with the love of God, and our neighbour; this will be the principal aime: As by [...]y ſi [...]s, and bad example, I have drawn others from God; ſo now I will [...] I can, draw others with my ſelfe to God. Saul converted, will build up as faſt, as ever he plucked downe; and preach as zealouſly as ever [...]e perſecuted, and we are no what thankful for our own ſalvation▪ if we do not look with charity and pity upon the groſſe miſ-opinions, and miſ-priſions of others, and at leaſt do ſomething for the ſaving of thoſe poor, ignorant, & impotent wretches, that are neither able nor willing to help themſelves. Neither needs there (as one [Page] would think) any ſpurring or prompting of the thankful or charitable to this duty.

And what though we cannot do what we would? yet we muſt labour to do what we can to win others; not to deſerve by it, but to expreſſe our thanks. Beſides, it were very diſhonourable to Chriſt not to do ſo: did you ever know, that wicked men, Thieves, Drunkards, Adulterers, Perſecutors, falſe prophets, or the like, would be damned alone? no, they miſ-lead all they can, as deſiring to have com-panions. Yea, the Thariſees would take great pains, compaſſe ſea and land, to make others twofold more the children of hell then themſelves, as our Saviour expreſly witneſſeth, Matth. 23. 15. which may caſt a bruſh upon our cheeks, who are nothing ſo induſtrious to win ſouls to God. Therefore what a worldling would do, to get himſelfe an hundred pounds, that a Chriſtian ſhould do to win a ſoule to Chriſt: Or he is unthankful to his Redeemer, that hath done, and ſuffered ſo much for him. But I have known a very ſmall matter, (with Gods bleſſing upon the meanes) as the lending of a Book to an acquaintance, or towling him to hear an efficacious Sermon, prove the ſaving of his ſoul. And that hath been a greater cauſe of rejoycing to both parties; then others have, when their corn and their wine increaſeth, Pſalm 4. 7. Weak means ſhall ſerve the turne, where God inten [...]s ſucceſſe. Even a word ſeaſonably ſpoken (God bleſſing it) like a Rudder, ſometimes ſteers a man quite into another Courſe. Antiocl [...]us by hearing from a poor man, all the faults which he and his Favourites had committed, carried himſelf moſt vertuouſly ever after. Antoninus amended his future life and manners, by onely hearing what the people ſpake of him. The very crowing of a Cock occaſioned Peters repentance. Auguſtine, that famous Doctor, was converted, by onely reading that Text, Rom. 13. 13. Let us walke honeſtly, as in the day-time, &c. Learned Junius, with reading the firſt Chapter of Saint Johns Goſpel, was wonne to the faith of Chriſt. And Melancthon much a [...]ter the ſame manner. I have read of two famous Strumpets, that were ſuddenly converted, by this onely Argument, That God ſeeth all things, even in the dark, when the doors are ſhut, and the curtains drawn.

Bilneys Confeſſion, converted Latimer: yea, Ad [...]i [...]nus was not onely converted, but became a Martyr too, by onely hearing a Martyr at the Stake alleadg that Text, Eye hath not ſeen, nor eare heard, &c. 1 Cor. 2 9. Yea, even thoſe Iewes that crucified the Son of God, were converted by hearing thoſe few words of Peter, Acts 2. And it pleaſed God, when I, my ſelf, was in as hopeleſſe a condition, as any; That a poor mans perſwading me to leave reading of Poetry, and fall upon the Bible, was a meanes of changing my heart, before I had read out Geneſis, being but twenty years of age. Whom I more bleſſe God for, then for my Parents, from whom I received life. And this (becauſe I know no better way, to expreſſe my thankfulneſſe to him, who hath freed me from frying in [Page] Hell-flames, for ever and ever; then by endeavouring to win others from Satans Standard to Chriſts) makes me doe the like to others. And that is by giving and lending well-choſen Books, fit and proper for the parties condition, whether he be meerly civill, or vicious; a Scoffer, Swearer, exceſſive Drinker, Miſer, Oppreſſor, Prodigal, or the like. And have ſometimes found the ſame ſo ſuccesful, that it hath put me upon a more generall, and publique piece of ſervice, that may extend it ſelf to thouſands, if men have but halfe that affection to ſpirituall, and eternall riches, namely, wiſdome, grace, and glory; as they have to temporary, and tranſitory. I know well, that a great many will ſpend more time and money in an Alehouſe in one day, then in Gods ſervice, or upon their ſouls, in many moneths. Yea, (as if the beſt part: were leaſt to be cared for.) How many thouſands will beſtow more upon their very Hair, or upon a needleſſe, Indian wanton weed, in one moneth, then upon God, and their ſouls in a whole yeare. A ſigne how they love him, who laid down his life to redeem them! And how wiſe, and thankfull they are, though theſe alſo dream they are good Chriſtians, true Proteſtants; and perhaps are ſo accounted by the moſt. As he that hath but one eye, may be King amongſt the blinde, and the commonneſſe of offenders, may even benumbe the ſenſe of offending. And I take this their little regard of God, their owne ſoules, and honeſty withal, not onely to be the cauſe of mens proſpering no better, but likewiſe of their ſadneſſe, complaining, melancholy, and diſcontent, (as one of theſe two (poverty, or melancholy,) is commonly the lot of every impenitent perſon.) For how ſhould they have merry hearts, that have not good conſciences.

But all are not alike, [...]linde, ſenſuall, ingratefull: For though ſome by loſſe of conſcience, are become Atheiſts; and by loſs of reaſon, Beaſts; and though they that have no reaſon, will hear none, (whereof you have a lively inſtance or preſident, at the concluſion of this diſcourſe, purpoſely ſet there to be ſunn'd and ſcorn'd) yet others there are, will be more ingenuous, I meane, they have not been too long ſick to be recovered; to whom a word or two by way of advice.

Such therefore as had not rather live in the Darkneſſe of Egypt, then in the light of Goſhen: Such as would not (with thoſe fooliſh virgins, Matth. 25.) loſe their inheritance, to ſave charge of the conveyance. And (with that Rich fool, Luke 12.) be diſappointed of their end, by miſtaking their way, let them at leaſt, lay out the third part of a ſhilling upon theſe three new Books.

An Experimental Index of the Heart.

A ſhort and ſure way to Grace and Salvation.

The Tryal of true Wiſdome.

[Page] As treating upon the moſt needful ſubjects, and being purpoſely projected and contrived for their eternall wel-fare, that are altogether mindleſſe of their own: And poſſible it is, that many thereby may receive more good, then at preſent they have the wit to wiſh for, or deſire: it being ſage, ſeaſonable, and wholſome Inſtruction, to prevent Deſtruction.

And that no man may imagine it a matter of benefit: the Projector (contrary to other Projectors) will not onely loſe thereby; but in caſe any ſhall repent their bargain, the Venders of them (Henry Cripps in Popes-head Alley, and Iames Crump in Little Bartholmews Well-yard) ſhall return them their money when they pleaſe.

A Charge drawn up againſt Drunkards, in a clearer print, that themſelves alſo may read it.

THe Drunkard is a ſtrange Chymaera, more prodigious then any Monſter; Being in Viſage a Man, but a Brotheus: in Heart, a Swine: in Head, a Cephalus: in tongue, an Aſpe: in Belly, a Lump: in Appetite, a Leech: in Sloth, an Ignavus: a Ierff, for exceſſive devouring; a [Page] Goat, for Luſt; a Syrene, for Flattery; a Hyaena, for Subtilty; a Panther, for Curelty. In envying, a Baſiliske: in Antipathy to all good, a Lexus: in hindering others from good, a Remora; in Life, a Salamander; in Conſcience, a Oſtrich; in Spirit, a Devill; 1 In ſurpaſsing others in ſin. 2 in tempting others to ſin. 3 In drawing others to Perdition. Even the moſt deſpicable piece of all humanity, and not worthy to be reckoned among the Creatures which God made.

§

Theſe being ſmall picces, are ſold onely by James Crump, in Little Bartholmews, wel-yard; And by Henry Cripps, in Popes-head Alley.

FINIS.

Information about this book

Title statement

The seduced soul reduced and rescued from the subtilty and slavery of Satan ... by R. Junius ...

Younge, Richard.

Edition statement

1660

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A67769

ID [STC]

Wing Y181

ID [STC]

ESTC R34120

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

13807896

ID [OCLC]

ocm 13807896

ID [VID]

101999

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Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A67769)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 101999)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1055:31)

Source

— The seduced soul reduced and rescued from the subtilty and slavery of Satan ... by R. Junius ..., Younge, Richard..

Extent

12 p.

Sold onely by James Crump ... and by Henry Cripps ...,. [London] :: [1660]. (R. Junius is a pseudonym for Richard Younge.) (Caption title.) (Place and date of publication suggested by Wing.) (Imperfect: pages stained.) (Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library.)

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