A41649:157
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.
III. Another Motive may be taken from the necessity of Regeneration. It is absolutely necessary to Salvation. It had been better for thee never to have been born, than not to be born again. It is as necessary as Heaven and happiness. For saith our Saviour himself, Except a man be born again, he cannot see, much less enter into, the Kingdom of Heaven. So that there is no hope of the Salvation of any unregenerate man, or woman: but if they live and die in that estate, their portion will be death and damnation with the Devils and damned to all Eternity. And in regard of the uncertainty of their lives, they are not sure to be out of Hell one day longer.
Ah sinner! What dost thou mean then to continue in thy carnal and unregenerate estate? As sure as the word of God is true, if thou dye therein, thou art shut out of all hope of mercy for ever: and shalt pass into easeless, and endless misery. In the fear of God therefore, when thou risest up in the Morning, consider with thy self, that thou art uncertain of being out of Hell till the Evening. And when thou lyest down, consider how uncertain thou art of being out of Hell till the next morning. Surely this consideration is enough to amaze any poor Christian who is indeed Regenerate, but maketh some question thereof in himself. How much more should it amaze, and startle thee who art yet in thy carnal and sinful estate; and stir thee up without any ⟨p. 32⟩farther delay to escape for thy life, and make out in hast after thy Redemption from this dreadful condition.
Ah sinner! What dost thou mean then to continue in thy carnal and unregenerate estate? As sure as the word of God is true, if thou dye therein, thou art shut out of all hope of mercy for ever: and shalt pass into easeless, and endless misery. In the fear of God therefore, when thou risest up in the Morning, consider with thy self, that thou art uncertain of being out of Hell till the Evening. And when thou lyest down, consider how uncertain thou art of being out of Hell till the next morning. Surely this consideration is enough to amaze any poor Christian who is indeed Regenerate, but maketh some question thereof in himself. How much more should it amaze, and startle thee who art yet in thy carnal and sinfull estate; and stir thee up without any