A41649:141
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.
Reas. 5. From the holiness of Gods nature, which is such that no unclean person can stand in his presence. The Prophet Habakkuk sets him forth to be of purer eyes than to behold evil, 1neither can be look on iniquity. And saith the Psalmist, Evil shall not dwell with thee, neither shall the foolish stand in thy sight. 2Where by the foolish may be meant the wicked and profane, as it is often taken in Scripture; (wicked men are fools) and such shall not stand in the sight and presence of God. There is a contrariety between the holy nature of God, and the unholy nature of carnal and unregenerate men. And therefore what communion can there be between them? Between an holy God, and unholy creatures? Between a pure God, and impure creatures? Surely none at all. So much the Apostle expresseth where he saith,3 what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? Or the righteous God with unrighteous men? What communion hath light with darkness? which interrogation implieth a strong negation. Believe it sinners, if ever you look to enjoy communion with God in glory, you must have union with him in grace; you must here be regenerate, and become new creatures: yea holy as he is holy, that you may be such as he may dwell withal, and delight in. For as the Apostle speaketh,4 Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. He shall be so far from enjoying the presence of God, that he shall not so much as see him.
Reas. 5. From the holiness of Gods nature, which is such that no unclean person can stand in his presence. The Prophet Habbakkuk sets him forth to be of purer eyes than to behold evil, 1neither can be look on iniquity. And saith the Psalmist, Evill shall not dwell with thee, neither shall the foolish stand in thy sight. 2Where by the foolish may be meant the wicked and profane, as it is often taken in Scripture; (wicked men are fools) and such shall not stand in the sight and presence of God. There is a contrariety between the holy nature of God, and the unholy nature of carnal and unregenerate men. And therefore what communion can there be between them? Between an holy God, and unholy creatures? Between a pure God, and impure creatures? Surely none at all. So much the Apostle expresseth where he saith,