A Timely WARNING TO Rash and Disobedient PERSONS: OR, A Strange and Wonderful Relation of a young Gentleman that sold himself to the Devil for twelve Years to have Power of being Revenged on his Father and Mother; and now his time being Expired, he lies in a sad and deplorable Conditon, to the Amazement of all Spectators. With the Substance of a Sermon upon this unhappy Accident; also a Prayer for the Grace of God against Temptation. By D. S. And now Published as a Monument of Divine Vengeance, to drive Hard-hearted and Stubborn 〈◊〉 as to a speady Repentance.  
Printed by W. O. for E. Brooksby, in Pie-corner.   

A Timely WARNING TO Rash and disobedient Persons.  
HOw dreadful and amazing the fatal Consequences of Malice and Revenge have proved to those that have unluckily harboured them in their Bosoms, no Age has been ignorant of; nor has sad and fearful Examples been wanting, as Witnesses of God's Wrath and Indignation against daring Sinners, by suffering them to fall in the Snares they have laid for others; for to what prodigious Slanders, Abuses, Rapes, Murders, and all manner of such like Evils have unruly Passion carried some Men and Women, for which, in fine, themselves have suffered Shame Punishment and untimely Death! But among the many that have created Trembling and Horror in the Minds of good Christians, what we are now about to relate, may even startle the Reader, to think that such a Temptation should take place.  
In a small Town near Portsmouth, there lived a wealthy Gentleman, having got an Estate by his Labour and Industry; but amongst his Fortunes had the Misfortune, as many indulgent Parents have met withal, to have an Undutiful and Extravant Son; and though he was tender over him, yet in the end, his reiterated Affronts, Abuses, and Debaucheries, began to lesson the Father's Affection, and caused him to hold his Hand from supplying him with Money as formerly: This incensed the Son, and made him fly out into unatural Expressions against his Father, and resolving upon Revenge, studied many ways, but through his Father's Caution, and the Hand of Divine Providence, they took no Effect: Then he applied himself to his Mother, who in Hopes of his reclaiming and returning to the Rules of Duty and Obedience, her Fondness constrained her to supply him (unknown to his Father) with Money and Credit; but finding this rather proved as Fuel to continue and increase the Flame of his Lusts and Excess, she grew weary of taking any further Care to supply him with Money: but however, spared not to give good Admonishment, and with Tears to entreat him to take up, and not to be a Scandal and Grief to her and his Father.  
This proved but Oil thrown into the Flame and made him break out into Curses and Execrations, yet she gave not so over, but set many of her Neighbours and Relations to see if they could persuade him to a better Temper; but their Solicitations proved as successess, and he was given over as a lost young Reprobate, which too fatally proved true, as ●n the Sequel will appear; for altho' he was ●o obstinate, yet when Necessity pinched him, he was constrained to come to his Father's House, where free Entertainment for Diet and Lodging was not denied him: when on a Day being at Dinner, he asked his Father to let him have ten Pounds to pay off a Debt, for which he feared to be arrested: But he refusing, he started up, and went away in a great Huff, vowing to be revenged for that Denial, at the Hazard of Body and Soul. This made the aged People weep, and condole their Misfortunes, and wish that all People would be warned, and not appear too fond and indulgent of their Children in their Minority, but keep a strict Hand over them, to prevent their Ruin when they grow in Years.  
This Graceless Son, upon his Departure, went to a Quack-pretender to Astrology, to have his Father's Nativity cast, thereby to know how long he should live; who told him a very plaucible Story, after he had erected his 〈…〉 ●ample: but to as much Purpose, 〈…〉 old Man 〈…〉 Mountebank for his D●ath, which put 〈◊〉 into a great Fret● and that being over, he fell into a deep Melancholy, which lasted many Days; in which time, he owned the Devil tempted him to kill his Father and Mother; and tho' he started at first at so bloody and barbarous a Suggestion, yet he had it several times after in his Thoughts, and laid some Projects to effect it; and once he let go the Cock of a Pistol at his Father, but it miss Fire: And as these Thoughts of Mischief were in his Head, and was beating his Brains, he had Notice that he had disinherited him for the last violent Attempt, and settled his Estate upon his Daughter, the Sister of this Extravagant. This enraged him more and more, and now nothing but the bloodiest Revenge he could ca●t in his Mind fitted his Temper; when one Evening in his Closet, at a Lodging 〈◊〉 had taken, musing on these Matters, and verily conceived he was awake, a very fair and proper Woman, to outward Appearance, entered his Chamber, and gave a Rap or two at his Closet-door, which he opened, and was at first startled; but then thinking it might be some Gentlewoman that lodged in the House, he began to compliment her, and in the end they fell into Discourse, the supposed Lady earnestly pressing● him to know the Cause of his Melancholy; which he, out of Bashfulness, for a time declined; but being more eagerly pressed, he told her, he was born to a good Estate, and was brought up like a Gentleman; but having a covetous niggardly Father, he denied him a Competency to maintain him suitable to his Education, and several other Passages; and that now he had utterly barred him of the Hope he had to live well after his Death, in settling his Estate on another, which had much perplexed his Spirits, and almost distracted him. To which the Female Shape replied with a smile, That if that was all, his loss should be repaired, if he would follow the Advice that should be given; and that he should be revenged of the Injury done him, upon those that had done it.  
This Discourse could not but Amaze the unhappy young Man, to think what it might tend to, and made him inquisitive who this new Acquaintance might be; but she refused to resolve him, forbidding him to make further enquiry; and to show it a design in earnest, claped a Purse of Gold into his Hand, and a Diamond Ring on his Finger; which so overjoyed him, that in a fatal Hour, he rashly declared, he would do whatever she desired with his Body and Soul. And here they struck a fatal Bargain, That she would maintain him in all manner of Splendour, and help him to be revenged on his Enemies for the space of twelve Years, if after that, he would go with her whither she would carry him. This, after some pause, he promised; then she shown him a Cabinet full of Diamonds, Rubies, Pearls, and Gold; and withal, bid him Write and Sign the Contract in a few Words, and she would desire no Witness, charging him to be private in the Business.  
This he did, though (as he confessed) his Hand and Heart trembled, and he felt an unusual reluctancy of Mind: However, the dark Project went on, and she carried away the Writing; yet he said, when he had slept and waked again, he took all as if it had passed by the way of a Dream; and indeed, Satan, the great Deceiver, had deluded him; for the Treasure he thought he had in Possession, was Fantastical, or Imaginary; and he had that way, no doubt, been imposed on with seeming Riches by him, who can at Will, turn his own dreadful Form into that of an Angel of Light: This startled him, and he could not well persuade himself of the Truth of what had passed, but suspected, whether he was in his right Wits or not; yet going abroad the next Day, he found a real Purse of Gold, and in it a Diamond Ring, and some Stones of great Price, and this he concluded to be the Success of his Agreement, and disputed not further the Matter at that time; but getting into a Gang of Gamesters, he continued to increase his Store, and lived in all manner of Riot and Debauchery; yet nothing could put his Father's last Act out of his Mind, and he studied daily to be revenged; and at length the old Man was taken with a pining Disease of which he grievously languished, and most were of Opinion, he was Bewitched: The Mother was taken with an unusual Palsy; their Cattle and Poultry died strangely; and lastly, the Father, after a long Sickness, gave up the Ghost.  
The Son all this while flourished to outward Appearance, chief by Gaming, in which he had prodigious Success, contrary to what he was wont; so that the Devil, no doubt, helping his Servant, People wondered how they came by it, and gave various Censures: But the twelve Years growing to an end, he fell into an unaccountable Melancholy, and would often burst into Tears; fearful to be alone; and found such a Hell of Horror in his Mind that he wished for Death: But being desired by some Friends to pray, he told them his He●●t was so hardened, he could not; and although he was prayed with, yet he minded it not, but frightfully cast his Eyes about, as if some fearful Apparition had been near; and once in the Agony of his Mind, attempted to hang himself; and so continued, t●●●●ng what he knew of this Matter, till the time as near as he could compute was expired; when in the Nighttime, there arose such a Storm of Wind, Lightning, Thunder, and Rain, as frighted most People; and the Roof of the House where he lay being split in s●●der, his Body was rend in a fearful manner and turned black, as if scorched with Fire and having lain some time to the Astonishment of many Spectators, was privately Intered: And may this be a Warning to wicked Livers   

The Substance of a SERMON, Very suitable upon the foregoing Occasion, to warm us to flee Temptation, and speedily turn unto the Lord.  James 1. Ver. 13.14, 15. 
Let no Man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with Evil, neither tempteth he any Man: But every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Lusts, and enticed: Then when Lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth Sin; and Sin when it is finished, bringeth forth Death.  
IT is undoubtedly for Man's Sins, that the power of Darkness is permitted to go up and down like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may Devour; and that he prevails against the Souls of the Sons of Men, otherways precious in the sight of their Maker: It is for Sin that God gives us up to shame and reproach to rashness and despair of his Mercys; for certain it is, God never leaves nor forsakes us, till our offending the Divine Majesty of Heaven, makes him turn away his aimable ●yes, and leave our Souls eclipsed, under the power of an implacable Enemy, who being and Immortal Spirit, too subtle for Mortals to contend with, unless supported by the Divine Hand, we are unable to resist his Temptations, which he guilds over like bitter potions, that we may swallow them the more securely, and studies to suit them to our Inclination: To the choleric fiery S●pirit, he represents Revenge and Blood shed, bold and brave. To the Sanguine Carnal, Lusts, and Luxury, as Generous and Jovial. To the Phlegmatic, Laziness and S●oath; and to the Melancholy, Envy and Dispair. The most experienced Angler has not half so many baits and slights to entrap the unthinking watery ●ry, as this grand Deceiver has to entrap the Souls of Men, that are so proud of being Rational. We find that he durst, even in the Presence of the Almighty, be so bold to demanded a Commission to tempt righteous Job, and had, no doubt, prevailed against him, had not an Almighty Hand sustained him; as you may find it more at large, in the first and second Chapters of that Book: Nay, more transcendent than this, he durst to tempt even the Lord his God, when he carried him up into an exceeding high Mountain, and shown him all the Kingdoms of the Earth, and the Glories thereof, promising to give them, if our blessed Saviour would fall down and worship him; and had a Lie immediately prepared, if there had been a possibility of its taking place: For that (continues he) is delivered to me, and to whosoever I will ● give it: But here he was Repulsed, with a Get thee bind me Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt Worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve, Luke 4, etc.  
If St. Paul, who was endued with the most excellent Spirit of Wisdom, was not proof against his Temptation, with strong Prayer and Cries, when he sent a Messenger to Buffet him, a Thorn in the Flesh, as himself terms it; what can we that dare not pretend to so great a portion of immediate Inspiration do to resist him, in whom (as the Psalmist say) is our help? Why truly, our help is in the Lord; 'tis he alone that can deliver out of the Paws of the Spiritual Lion, and Bear. He is come to us in great Wrath, because he has but a short time; and is so implacable an Enemy to the Soul, that where his force is baffled, fallacies, delusions, and subtle undermine, frequently take place; and so far we find his malice to extend, that when he was compelled to departed out of the possessed Person, that his hand might not be out in doing Mischief, begged earnestly to enter into a simple Herd of Swine, whom he as maliciously destroyed.  
Let us then, to be safe from his Temptations, so as they may not bring us to shame in this World, and endless Misery in the next, lay hold on him that is Mighty, and able to save to the utmost, all those that by Faith and true Repentance draw near unto him: Let us lay hold on the Rock of Ages, and build a sure Foundation upon this Mercy and Goodness; for ●i● he alone can deliver us from Everlasting Death, and defeat the cruel designs of the Destroyer of Souls. Had this unadvised Person made God his Refuge, he had not been, as now we sadly fear he is, suffering under the Almighty Vengeance; though it is not for us to dare so much as positively to limit the Mercies of God even to the worst of Sinners, but we must submit them to his will and pleasure, whose Mercies are over all the works of his Creation: Sometimes we may be tempted for our good, which is the trial of our Faith and Perseverance; for Blessed (saith St. James) is the Man that endureth Temptation, for when he is Tried he shall receive the Crown of Life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with Evil, neither tempteth he any Man, but every Man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own Lusts, and enticed: then when Lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth Sin; and Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth Death, James 1.12, 13, 14, 15.  
Thus we see 'tis the depravity of Man's Nature and wicked Inclinations, that gives Satan the advantage over him, to snare and entrap his Soul, to rob him of Glory, Bliss, and Immortality, to which he was born an Heir, and has a Title to be Co-heir with the Lord of Life. Let us be fervent in Prayer then, lest we enter into Temptation, as this deplorable Wretch did: Let us put on the Armour of God in Righteousness, the Shield of Faith, and the Helmet of Salvation, that so we may quench the fiery Darts of our Enemy: Let us but resist the Devil as we ought, and we have a warrant that he will flee from us: Let us put away Wrath, Envy, and Revenge, Love our Parents, and Reverence our Supetiours, be watchful over our Souls, and live not in Rioting and Drunkenness, Chambering, and Wantonness; but put on the Lord Jesus; and take no care for the Flesh, to fulfil the Lusts thereof: Which that we may all do, and so be happy, God of his infinite Mercy grant through the Merits and Meditation of our blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen, Amen.   

A Prayer against Temptation.  
Lord, in whom alone is our Strength and Trust, mightily defend us, we beseech thee, from our Spiritual Enemy, that he may get no Advantage over us; keep us in perpetual Safety under the Shadow of thy Wings, that no Tribulation, Discontent, Fears, or Afrightments, may make us fall from thee. Arm us with Spiritual Weapons, that we may be able to repel the fiery Darts of the Adversary; and at last having overcome, may receive the immortal Crown of Glory, which thou hast prepared for all them that love and fear thee: And since thy Son came to destroy the Works of the Devil, l●● the Kingdom of Darkness fall before 〈◊〉 Satan fell, like Lightning that thy Sceptre of Righteousness may be established for ever. Amen.  
FINIS.