The Great VENTURE: SHOWING, That Man's Life in this world is a Venture; wherein he runs the hazard of an Everlasting Estate of Happiness or Misery in another world, according as he behaves himself here.  
Also Advice to Youth; with several other things profitable for all who will seriously read and mind them.  Discite justitiam moniti, & non temnere Divos. 
Se'ng here y'are warned, learn righteousness thereby,  
And slight not Gods thrice Sacred Majesty.  
By E. A. a Wellwisher to the Souls of Men.  
LONDON, Printed for Hen. Million, at the Common Huntsman in Chancery-lane, Anno Dom. 1668.   


EVen as a Tennis-ball, Man in this world  
By various changes up and down is hurled:  
Objects of sense, his own lusts, and the Devil  
Do daily toss and bandy him to evil:  
Where will he fall at last? ah! he must die,  
And drop i'th' Hazard of Eternity.    

The Great VENTURE: SHOWING, That Man's Life in this world is a Venture; wherein he runs the hazard of an Everlasting Estate of Happiness or Misery in another World, according as he behaves himself here.  

O Man! thy God thee made  
for an eternal state,  
Where both the good and bad  
have their appointed fate,  
And thou must venture.   

What is ordained by Him,  
can't be made void by thee:  
Thou must submit to Him,  
and stand to his Decree,  
And thou must venture.   

He hath determined,  
and in his Word revealed:  
Sin shall be punished,  
this Word can't be repealed:  
But thou must venture.   

Yet He will pardon sin,  
being punished in his Son:  
For those who here begin  
their lives to mend and turn,  
And thus will venture.   

He tells thee, he doth hate  
sin, and will vengeance take  
Upon the hairy pate  
of those who him forsake,  
And thus will venture.   

But if a sinner will  
believe his word, and grace  
In Christ accept, now while  
'tis offered for a space;  
And thus will venture.   

What's past he will forgive,  
and for the time to come,  
As they to him will live,  
so he will favour them  
Who thus do venture.   

'Tis left now in thy hand,  
and choice what thou wilt do:  
To obey his command,  
or after thy lust go:  
Each way to venture.   

For shortly thou must die,  
and then shalt surely know,  
How far his word is true,  
and whither thou must go,  
As thou dost venture.   

Oh that I might advise  
thee in this weighty case!  
Oh that thou wouldst be wise,  
and let my words take place!  
In this great venture.   

My Counsel is to fear  
God's Majesty, and crave  
Mercy at his hands here,  
that he thy soul may save,  
At the 
† Which will be at the hour of death.  last venture.   

Renounce thy will and lust.  
Thyself up to him give:  
And in his mercy trust,  
and to his glory live,  
And thi●●ay venture.   

Though doubtful thoughts arise  
and toss thy troubled mind:  
Although thy heart no ease,  
peace, rest, or hope can find,  
Yet this way venture.   

Though many ghastly fears  
thy conscience terrify:  
Though dreadful God appears,  
and near despair thou lie,  
Yet still thus venture.   

Though blasphemy upstarts,  
and Atheism in thy breast:  
Though Satan shoot his darts,  
and thou be sore oppressed;  
Yet still thus venture.   

Though strong temptations,  
provoke thee hard to sin:  
And thy corruptions  
bestir themselves within:  
Yet still thus venture.   

Entertain none of these,  
against them all still war:  
Let no such thoughts thee please  
as do with God's Law jar,  
Thus do thou venture.   

Canst thou do any good,  
now while thy soul is here,  
Cumbered with flesh and blood?  
to do it don't forbear:  
So doing venture.   

For unto every man  
according to his deeds,  
Recompense shall be given,  
eternally he speeds,  
As he shall venture.   

Well then, while 'tis to day,  
what e'er thy life hath been,  
Believe, repent, and pray,  
and add not sin to sin:  
For thou must venture.   

If thou with crosses meet,  
and God afflict thee here:  
With patience submit,  
and his great name still fear.  
For thou must venture.   

Rage's not, do not rebel,  
blaspheme not, nor despise  
His rod; his holy will  
cross not in any wise:  
For thou must venture.   

To his sweet rest thy Lord  
will shortly call thee hence:  
And with a rich reward  
will crown thy patience,  
If thou thus venture.   

Ah! an eternal state,  
(as thou ere long shalt find)  
A business is of weight,  
to mind it frame thy mind.  
And wisely venture.   

Not as some desperate fools,  
who fond do presume,  
Though they walk by no rules,  
it shall go well with them,  
Howe'er they venture.   

But he who hopes to find  
Heaven in the way to Hell,  
Is mad; and in the end  
doth cast away his soul▪  
He doth not venture.   

That man who in God's way,  
walks to eternal bliss,  
'Tis he alone may say,  
There's hope I shall not miss,  
Therefore I'll venture.   

Who makes Gods will his Law,  
and truly as he can,  
Frames himself to obey;  
he only is the man  
Who rightly ventures.   

The wicked venture not,  
but desperately throw,  
Away their souls for nought,  
into eternal woe,  
At all adventure.   

For they who God renounce,  
and now cast off the bond  
Of their allegiance  
to him, are lost beyond  
All peradventure.   

Wherefore (O man) be wise,  
consider, and forbear:  
Do not thy God despise  
presumptuously but fear  
How thou dost venture.   

Bethink thyself a while,  
Is thy immortal Soul  
A thing so cheap and vile,  
thou needst not care at all  
How thou dost venture.   

O! know that in thy breast  
thou hast a pearl of price:  
And nothing here possessed  
can to its value rise:  
Carefully venture.   

A Jewel of such worth  
is thy immortal soul,  
That to it heaven and earth  
a trifle we may call:  
Don't rashly venture.   

And if it once be lost,  
alas! 'tis gone for ever:  
And then no pains or cost,  
can it again recover:  
Oh! fear and venture.   

Shall I a reason give,  
why thy soul's of such value?  
'Tis because it must live  
in endless joy or sorrow:  
As thou dost venture.   

Then what's a moment's pleasure  
to endless joy or pain?  
What is earth's paltry treasure,  
to endless loss or gain?  
For this don't venture.   

What is a bubble here,  
a little painted glass,  
A gay, but fading flower,  
a pile of withering grass?  
For this don't venture.   

What's honour, praise and fame,  
from men's unconstant breath:  
To everlasting shame,  
attending thee in death?  
For this don't venture.   

Oh venture not to lose  
thy dear immortal soul,  
For such poor things as these,  
lest thou in hell bewail  
Thy foolish venture.   

Oh stake not heavens glory,  
and an immortal crown,  
For things so transitory,  
and in a moment gone!  
'Twere a mad venture.   

Darest thou the hazard run  
of everlasting woe:  
For a short dream of gain,  
fame, pleasure, here below?  
A wretched venture!   

And hast thou not the heart,  
a while to play the man:  
And with thy base lust's part,  
eternal life to gain?  
And nobly venture.   

Ah! thrice unhappy man,  
and strangely  fool:  
Who venturest to damn,  
but not to save thy soul!  
Oh cursed venture!   

One of the two must be,  
for God hath sent thee here,  
To prove thee, and to try  
what course thou'lt choose to steer,  
And which way venture.   

Therefore sit down, at last  
consider, let thy heart  
Advisedly forecast,  
and choose the better part,  
Before thou venture.   

Make good use of this season,  
look how thou choosest now:  
For so shall be thy portion  
in endless bliss or woe:  
This is thy venture.   

Then take the safest course,  
for thy Eternity:  
Thou canst not be the worse  
for living virtuously,  
If so thou'lt venture.   

'Twill be no cause of grief,  
at last when thou must die,  
In holiness of life,  
that thou didst patiently  
Trust God and venture.   

Though it be somewhat hard  
as a poor Pilgrim here  
His law still to regard,  
and mix thy joy with fear,  
While thou dost venture.   

To bring thy will to his,  
and thy dear lust forsake:  
To bear thy daily cross,  
and suffer for his sake:  
And thus to venture.   

Yet know, the trouble's short,  
here is no lasting pain:  
'Tis but a moment's smart,  
it cannot long remain,  
Take heart and venture.   

Joy and eternal Rest  
will afterward succeed:  
When thou in heaven art blest,  
thou wilt confess indeed,  
'Twas a safe Venture,  
'Twas a brave Venture.    

Advice to Youth.  

GIve him the morning of thy youthful days,  
Who did create and form thee for his praise:  
God made thee for himself, that he might be  
Thine, and thou his; there's thy Felicity.   

'Twill be lost time and labour to attend,  
What ere diverts thee from this blessed end:  
Harken, to day he calls thee, and doth make  
Tenders of Grace; mind it, the blessing take.   

This is thy golden season, in thy prime  
To make him thine, and give thyself to him:  
Oh! miss not this fair opportunity,  
Lest thou lament it to Eternity.   

'Tis but accepting what he proffers; bow  
Thy will to his: Oh seek him, seek him now!  
Come while he calls to day; for why, to morrow,  
Who knows but thou mayst end thy days in sorrow.   

This present moment which we now possess,  
Is all we have t'ensure our Happiness:  
When death hath cut this life's small thread in twain,  
'Twill be too late to call time back again.   

Youth stained with vice, and lost in vanity,  
Unfits for God, ripens for misery:  
Hardens the Heart to slight its chiefest good,  
Therefore despised, because not understood.   

Ten thousand worlds can make no recompense  
For Gods lost favour, and times ill expense:  
Before the world and lust prevail, Oh give  
Thy heart to him by whom thy heart doth live.   

The longer sin takes rooting in thy heart,  
The hardlier 'twill come out, and with more smart:  
Delay of seeking thy eternal bliss,  
Leaves still less hope thou'lt find, more fear thou'lt miss.   

Now heaven, and Christ (who purchased that sweet place)  
Are the fair prize of this thy life's short race:  
Oh set out then betimes! hold on thy way;  
That thou mayst win this prize make no delay.   

Thy days are few, thy trial can't be long,  
Quit thyself bravely, play the man, be strong:  
Watch, p●ay, strive hard 'gainst devil, world and lust  
For daily help in God through Christ still trust.   

Then let the grim-faced Messenger appear,  
Pale Death to thee will bring no cause of fear:  
But as thy friend, and father's servant, come  
Both to invite thee, and attend thee home.   

Where thy thrice happy soul, heavens Majesty  
Shall see, love, praise, admire, eternally:  
Ravished with pure delights, rivers of pleasure,  
From God's sweet presence which shall flow for ever.    

An Humble Acknowledgement of God's free goodness, and our own vileness and wretchedness.  

LOrd! what I am, I am alone by thee,  
The most free author of all good to me:  
What I find better than the worst of ill,  
Is from thy favour, and thy mere good will:  
The worst of punishments I have deserved,  
Whose heart from thy just Law hath ever swerved:  
No villainy so base, but I do find  
A proneness to it in my wretched mind:  
Shouldst thou not punish my offences, yet  
On mischief is my nature so far set,  
That I my self-destroyer soon should be,  
And find a way to my own misery:  
Shouldst thou but leave me to my own hearts evil,  
My mind a Hell, my will would prove a Devil:  
So, that I do not now the utmost know,  
Of wretchedness, to thy mere grace I owe:  
Which still forbears my sins due punishment,  
And doth my utter ruin yet prevent.    

The Paradox.  

LOrd! must the best far worst? the good & just  
By great afflictions humbled are tothth' dust:  
Mean while the wicked prosper; they who God  
Contemn, yet seel not his afflicting Rod:  
Can all this be, and thou yet God above,  
Who hat'st the wicked and the just dost love?  
Thy Providence is strange; yet thou hereby  
The just man's Faith and Patience dost try.    

Of the World.  

THe world's a large and public stage, whereon  
All act their several parts, and then are gone:  
Nought else are acted here but Tragedies;  
For in the close of all each Actor dies.    

Of the same.  

THe World's a Sea, men's passions are the winds,  
Which belching from their fierce and boisterous minds  
Such tempest's cause; that many (being tossed  
In storms which they themselves have raised) are lost.    

Of Sin.  

SIn is the Creatures will opposing Gods,  
The Subject with the Sovereign at odds:  
Whereby proud man exalts his own base lust,  
Above God's Law, most holy, good, and just.    

Of the Law.  

SInners tothth' Law of God do offer force,  
God's Law to sinners doth denounce a curse:  
The sinner breaks the Law, and God doth thwart:  
God and the Law will break the sinner's heart.    

Of Death.  

DEath is the King of Terrors; with his dart  
Taking his aim at each man's trembling heart:  
A Dragon, whose envenomed fatal sting  
Strikes all; and spareth not the greatest King:  
Death is sins brat, man's bane, God's curse, hell's gate,  
To all while in their unconverted state:  
But to the just, (by faith in Christ who live,  
And seek their chiefest good in things above)  
Death's a safe passage into heavenly bliss,  
The Gate of Life, the door of Paradise.    

Of Christ.  

GOds Son became Man, and the Law obeyed,  
Its curse he bore, and for our trespass died:  
By his death Sinners live, and have access  
To God, though Infinite in Holiness    

Of Faith.  

FAith is the Eye whereby we Christ perceive,  
Faith is the Hand whereby we Christ receive:  
God freely offers Christ, Faith takes the gift,  
As seeing it meant to all who it accept.    

Of pardon upon going to Christ  

WHen once the Sinners guilty troubled Soul  
His lost estate comes to see, and bewail:  
And by conviction sensible is made,  
That he a Saviour's Righteousness doth need:  
And is made willing from his very Heart,  
With his own Works and Righteousness to part:  
And he beholding to free Grace alone  
For his forgiveness, and Salvation:  
And as a weaned Child is well content,  
For to receive Christ's Kingly Government:  
And become subject to his Royal will,  
Ceasing henceforth his own Lust to fulfil:  
And so in his own Breast a Law doth find,  
In some sort ruling his rebellious Mind:  
That notwithstanding Folly doth remain,  
Yet in his Heart Wickedness doth not reign:  
When Sin Committed moves him to Repent,  
And Si●●●●emb'red makes him to Lament:  
When to be Holy is his Heart's desire,  
And in his Actions strives to be sincere;  
Though failings very great sometimes appear,  
And weaknesses too often here, and there  
Do show themselves: which yet are not approved,  
But truth still in the inward parts is loved:  
And after perfect Grace his Soul doth groan,  
And for that end would fain to Heaven be gone:  
And yet submits to stay God's leisure here,  
And serve him as he can till he come there:  
When Sin his burden is become, and he  
Would fain like Christ in Grace and Glory be:  
Whose failings keep him humble, and thereby  
Self-emptied he more need of Christ doth see:  
Who though he perish, cannot yet afford  
While in this World, quite to forsake the Lord:  
And cast away his small degree of trust,  
And wholly turn from God unto h●s Lust:  
But would be kept from Sin, and stand in awe,  
And honour in his heart God's holy Law:  
And though his Faith and Hope be often low,  
Yet he would venture still on Christ; and throw  
Himself a wretched Sinner at his feet,  
And self-condemned, mercy still entreat:  
The humble Soul which God hath brought to this,  
Surely can never of its Pardon miss.    

Of Union with Christ: And our advantage thereby.  

NO sooner Sin and we do part, but Christ  
And we are one; and thus in Union blest:  
For all his blessings ours do become,  
While all our Sin, and Curse he takes on him.    

Of Holiness.  

THe Grace of God revealed for our Salvation,  
Merits from us a Holy Conversation:  
They most indebted are who are best used,  
Love deserves to be served, and not abused.    

Of Repentance.  

REpentance is a change of Mind and Heart,  
Whereby the will from its own will doth part:  
Sin is our own will pleased, Gods disobeyed:  
Repentance, Gods Will pleased, and ours denied:  
At least in the desire this will be found,  
And true endeavour; if the Heart be sound:  
Grief, Tears and Conscience troubles after Sin,  
Make no Repentance until this come in.    

Of Time.  

WHat thing Time is can hardly be defined,  
'Tis gone while 'tis but thought of in the mind  
Time is that in which all things else are done,  
And yet of all things is itself least known:  
If 'twere a Body surely then it would  
Be seen, felt, heard: our Sense perceive it could:  
If 'twere a spirit 'twould immortal be;  
But Time spends, and will shortly cease to be:  
What then is Time? which all the good and wise  
So much esteem of, and so highly prize?  
'Tis neither Silver, Gold, nor precious Stone,  
Above them all, yet 'tis preferred alone:  
'Tis that of which all stand in so great need,  
And yet from all it flies with greatest speed:  
Swifter than Foot, or Wing, or Wind▪ or Tide,  
Or hasty Streams along the Banks which glide:  
'Tis a short space, wherein each one doth treasure  
Up for himself Eternal Woe or Pleasure:  
'Tis but a moment, which spent ill or well,  
Brings endless joys in Heaven, or pains in Hell.    

Of Eternity.  

WHen this short space of Time's expired then we:  
(And not before) shall know Eternity:  
God no beginning knows, nor end shall see,  
He was from, and is to Eternity:  
But Men and Angels did begin to be,  
They are not from, but to Eternity:  
So Man being born, his Life hath here a date;  
Which done, he goes to his Eternal state.    

Wisdom.  

VAin Man! Wouldst thou be wise? know Wisdom lies  
In things Divine; in Sacred Mysteries:  
To know the secrets of thy own vile Heart,  
So skilled in Sin, so learned in that Black Art:  
To seek and find thy everlasting Good  
In Christ; who purchased thy bliss with his blood.  
To steer thy course of Life in every action,  
Unto God's Glory, and thy own Salvation:  
Hereby thy Soul thou  secure,  
And future happiness make sure.    

Folly  

Wouldst thou see Folly in its deepest dye?  
A Fool in grain? then such an one is he  
Whose wit's a servant only to his will,  
Contriving how he may his Lust fulfil:  
Whose chiefest good is but himself to please,  
And melt away his days in sloth, and ease:  
Who wastes his precious hours in Vanity,  
And sleights God, Christ, Heaven, Hell, Eternity:  
Who lives as if he had no Soul to save,  
And minds not that he's hastening to his Grave:  
Close prisoner there in darkness to remain,  
Till God to Judgement call him forth again:  
A wretch he lives, a wretch he'll die  
Snatched hence to Endless Misery.    

An Exhortation to all.  

LO! Mortal Men of every rank and state,  
High, low, rich, poor, young, old, both small and great:  
Wisdom and Folly, Life and Death are set  
Before your Face; and to your choice do yet  
Expose themselves: O Man while thou art here  
Be well advised how thou thy course dost steer!  
What guide thou choosest now, while in the way,  
Unto that place where thou must ever stay:  
And ne'er return to mend what was amiss  
Here, in thy Lifes short race to Woe or Bliss:  
Take Wisdom for thy guide, thyself commit  
To her safe conduct, she thy mind will suit  
To walk in Virtues path: and in the way  
Of Grace to Glory will thy Soul convey:  
O trust not blear-eyed Folly! which doth see  
Only things present as they seem to be:  
If Folly guide thee, know that thy own Will  
Blinded by Lust, will lead thee into Hell.   
FINIS.