A41649:158
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.
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 ⟨p. 32⟩farther delay to escape for thy life, and make out in hast after thy Redemption from this dreadful condition.
I would ask thee this question, Whether if thou shouldst put off thy seeking after the great work of Regeneration and conversion till another year, week, or day, thou art sure to be then on this side the grave, or on this side hell? Certain it is, thou hast no assurance of thy life for one day longer. Nay, I dare boldly say, thou thy self knowest and believest as much. Ah sinner, what folly, yea what madness is it then for thee wilfully to live one day longer in such an estate, in which if thou shouldst dye, thou art, without hope of recovery, undone for ever.