A41649:1146
A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the…
A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the awakening the consciences of secure sinners, unto a lively sense and apprehension of the dreadful condition they are in, so long as they live in their natural and unregenerate estate. The latter tending to the directing and persuading of the godly and regenerate unto several singular duties. As also a word to householders stirring them up to the good old way of serving God in and with their families, from Joshua's resolution, Josh. 24. 15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Set forth especially for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of St. Sepulchres Parish, London by Tho. Gouge, late pastor thereof.A word to sinners, and a word to saints The former tending to the awakening the consciences of secure sinners, unto a lively sense and apprehension of the dreadfull condition they are in, so long as they live in their natural and unregenerate estate. The latter tending to the directing and perswading of the godly and regenerate unto several singular duties. As also a word to housholders stirring them up to the good old way of serving God in and with their families, from Joshuah's resolution, Josh. 24. 15. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Set forth especially for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of St. Sepulchres Parish, London by Tho. Gouge, late pastor thereof.
London: printed for George Sawbridge, 1668
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.
This renewing is by degrees; that is, by little and little, and not all at once. Indeed we are justified at once, but we are ⟨p. 21⟩Sanctified by degrees. In which respect Sanctification is compared to the light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day, Prov. 4.18. And Eph. 4.26. To the body of a man, which groweth and increaseth in stature, and strength, till it be come to the perfection of it. Even so our Sanctification increaseth by degrees; we go on from grace to grace, from virtue to virtue, till we be perfect men, of full growth in Christ Jesus.
This renewing is by degrees; that is, by little and little, and not all at once. Indeed we are justified at once, but we are ⟨p. 21⟩Sanctified by degrees. In which respect Sanctification is compared to the light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day, Prov. 4.18. And Eph. 4.26. To the body of a man, which groweth and encreaseth in stature, and strength, till it be come to the perfection of it. Even so our Sanctification encreaseth by degrees; we go on from grace to grace, from vertue to vertue, till we be perfect men, of full growth in Christ Jesus.
This renewing as it is by degrees, so it is throughout, that is, within and without, in all the faculties of the soul, and parts of the body. And that according to the Image of God in holiness, and righteousness. So that a Christian by the life of Sanctification lives like unto God: at least he hath an holy disposition and inclination; and heartily endeavours so to do, to be holy, as God is holy: and as the Apostle speaketh (