A41649:154
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.
2. The Excellency of Regeneration appears, in that it makes a man a true Christian. A man is not really a Christian, because he hath been Baptized, beareth the name, and frequenteth the ordinances of Christ: but because he is Regenerated by the Spirit of Christ, and thereby translated out of a state of sin and death, into a state of life and peace.1 For as under the law, he was not a Jew, who was one outwardly, being circumcised in the flesh. But he was a Jew who was one inwardly, being circumcised in his heart and spirit, as the Apostle expresseth. In like manner, he is no true Christian, who is only outwardly Baptized, but he who is inwardly Baptized by the Spirit, and whose heart is changed and renewed.
2. The Excellency of Regeneration appears, in that it makes a man a true Christian. A man is not really a Christian, because he hath been Baptized, beareth the name, and frequenteth the ordinances of Christ: but because he is Regenerated by the Spirit of Christ, and thereby translated out of a state of sin and death, into a state of life and peace.1 For as under the law, he was not a Iew, who was one outwardly, being circumcised in the flesh. But he was a Iew who was one inwardly, being circumcised in his heart and spirit, as the Apostle expresseth. In like manner, he is no true Christian, who is only outwardly Baptized, but he who is inwardly Baptized by the Spirit, and whose heart is changed and renewed.
3. The Excellency of this new birth appears in this, that it is the beginning of eternal life and happiness: even of the same life which we shall live hereafter in Heaven with the Saints, and glorious Angels to all Eternity. Grace here is not only an evidence of glory hereafter, but it is the beginning of that glory, which hereafter we shall more fully enjoy in Heaven: Grace and glory differ only in degree: for grace is glory begun here, and glory is grace consummated, and perfected hereafter. Now considering that this is such an excellent state, how doth it concern you as earnestly to desire, so industriously to endeavour after it, in the use of all means God hath sanctified.