A01980:229
A recovery from apostasy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepney Church near London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friars London Herein is the history of the surprisal and admirable escape of the said penitent.A recovery from apostacy Set out in a sermon preached in Stepny Church neere London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the Church, Octob. 21. 1638. By William Gouge D.D. and min. in Black-Friers London Herein is the history of the surprizall and admirable escape of the said penitent.
London: printed by George Miller for Joshua Kirton, 1639London: printed by George Miller for Ioshua Kirton, 1639
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. To feed the hungry.1 2. To give drink to the thirsty. 3. To clothe the naked. 4. To entertain strangers. 5. To visit the sick. 6. To redeem captives. 7. To bury the dead.
1. To feed the hungry.1 2. To give drinke to the thirsty. 3. To cloathe the naked. 4. To entertaine strangers. 5. To visit the sick. 6. To redeeme captives. 7. To burie the dead.
To redeem Captives is in sundry respects the best of them. For it extends to the good of their bodies, and of their souls. Of their bodies in freeing them from slavery. Of their souls in keeping them from Apostasy.
To redeeme Captives is in sundry respects the best of them. For it extends to the good of their bodies, and of their soules. Of their bodies in freeing them from slavery. Of their soules in keeping them from Apostacy.
It were a worthy work, well beseeming the famous Cities of this Land, for every of them to have a sacred treasure for this end, to redeem Captives. But I fear least such a work be more to be wished then hoped for. Yet I conceive that it may well be wished and hoped for too, that all who have good intelligence by certificate from the Trinity-house, or otherwise, would contribute something towards the redeeming of every one, that time after time they shall hear to be held in captivity under the Turks, or other like enemies of the Christian faith. If every one of ability would make conscience of this duty, though they gave but a little to one, and a little to another, many hundreds more might be relieved then now are.1 For many hands make light work.
It were a worthy worke, well beseeming the famous Citties of this Land, for every of them to have a sacred treasure for this end, to redeeme Captiues. But I feare least such a worke be more to be wished then hoped for. Yet I conceive that it may well be wished and hoped for too, that all who have good intelligence by certificate from the Trinity-house, or otherwise, would contribute something towards the redeeming of every one, that time after time they shall heare to be held in captivity under the Turkes, or other like enemies of the Christian faith. If every one of ability would make conscience of this duty, though they gave but a little to one, and a little to another, many hundreds more might be releeved then now are.1 For many hands make light worke.
O that in pressing this exhortation my voice were louder then Bow-bell, that it might sound into the ears of every rich man in and about ⟨p. 64⟩London, yea that it were like that voice which soundeth so loud, as there is no speech nor language where the sound of it is not heard. If with all it might pierce into the hearts of them that hear it, and move their bowels with compassion, then might my hope be answerable to my wish. But let the bowels of you which hear me be moved, and this my charitable motion will not be altogether in vain.
O that in pressing this exhortation my voice were lowder then Bow-bell, that it might sound into the eares of every rich man in and about ⟨p. 64⟩London, yea that it were like that voice which soundeth so loud, as there is no speech nor language where the sound of it is not heard. If with all it might pierce into the hearts of them that heare it, and move their bowells with compassion, then might my hope be answerable to my wish. But let the bowells of you which heare mee be mooved, and this my charitable motion will not be altogether in vaine.
Hitherto of the first general part of my Text: the danger of Apostasy, He was lost.
Hitherto of the first generall part of my Text: the danger of Apostacy, He was lost.
The second follows, which showeth the Advantage and benefit of Penitency, He is found. Well note the grounds whereupon this word FOUND is used, and ye will clearly discern that it importeth true Penitency, and a great benefit thence arising.
The second followes, which sheweth the Advantage and benefit of Penetency, He is found. Well note the grounds whereupon this word FOVND is used, and yee will clearely discerne that it importeth true Penitency, and a great benefit thence arising.
The grounds are these.
11. The Prodigals mind is renewed: for it is said, verse 17. that h• came to himself. He was before witless and senseless: as a mad man, out of himself.
11. The Prodigalls mind is renewed: for it is said, verse 17. that h• came to himselfe. He was before witlesse and sencelesse: as a mad man, out of himselfe.
2. He discerneth the difference betwixt being in the Church and out of it: which difference he thus expresseth, How many hired servants of my Fathers house have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger?
2. Hee discerneth the difference betwixt being in the Church and out of it: which difference he thus expresseth, How many hired servants of my Fathers house have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger?
3. His resolution is altered. Before, the Church was a prison to him: he must needs wander into a far country, ver. 13. But now he thinks of returning to the Church: I will arise (saith he, ver. 18.) and go to my Father.
3. His resolution is altered. Before, the Church was a prison to him: he must needs wander into a farre countrey, ver. 13. But now he thinkes of returning to the Church: I will arise (saith he, ver. 18.) and goe to my Father.
4. He meditates on a solemn confession of his sin, thus, I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned.
4. Hee meditates on a solemne confession of his sinne, thus, I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned.
5. He aggravateth his sin, in these words, Against heaven, and before thee, that is, openly in the sight of Heaven: and secretly, before God.
5. Hee aggravateth his sinne, in these words, Against heaven, and before thee, that is, openly in the sight of Heaven: and secretly, before God.
6. His heinous sin more troubles him, then his heavy affliction, I have sinned, saith he.
6. His heighnous sinne more troubles him, then his heavie affliction, I have sinned, saith hee.
7. He acknowledgeth his unworthiness, I am no more worthy to be called thy Son, ver. 19.
7. He acknowledgeth his unworthinesse, I am no more worthy to bee called thy Sonne, ver. 19.
8. He humbly contents himself with the meanest place in Gods Church, Make me as one of thy hired servants.
8. He humbly contents himselfe with the meanest place in Gods Church, Make mee as one of thy hired servants.
9. He puts his purpose into practise, He arose and came to his Father.
