A41649:147
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.
I. The first may be an use of Exhortation, both to the unregenerate and to the Regenerate.
First to the unregenerate: Is Regeneration absolutely necessary to Salvation? Oh then how doth it concern you who are yet in your sins, and under the power of corrupt nature, earnestly to desire, and industriously to labour after this saving change, in the use of all mea•s God hath sanctified thereunto? Let y••r outward condition be what it will, be ye never so rich, never so honourable, yet far be it from you to sit down satisfied in any condition, till you be renewed, and sanctified by the spirit of God. Alas, how many be there in the World; who though in their natural and carnal estate, yet live as securely and merrily, as if their condition were as safe and good as the best! Ask them one by one, Whether the work of Regeneration be wrought in their souls? and some will answer, they hope it is, others that they never doubted it; though none of them know what Regeneration is, nor ever minded any such thing. And yet these men have not only read, but do likewise believe the words of our Saviour, who hath told them,1 that except they be born again, they cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
First to the unregenerate: Is Regeneration absolutely necessary to Salvation? Oh then how doth it concern you who are yet in your sins, and under the power of corrupt nature, earnestly to desire, and industriously to labour after this saving change, in the use of all mea•s God hath sanctified thereunto? Let y••r outward condition be what it will, be ye never so rich, never so honourable, yet far be it from you to sit down satisfied in any condition, till you be renewed, and sanctified by the spirit of God. A•as, how many be there in the World; who though in their natural and carnal estate, yet live as securely and merrily, as if their condition were as safe and good as the best! Ask them one by one, Whether the work of Regeneration be wrought in their souls? and some will answer, they hope it is, others that they never doubted it; though none of them know what Regeneration is, nor ever minded any such thing. And yet these men have not only read, but do likewise believe the words of our Saviour, who hath told them,