A41649:181
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.
3. In their houses. For as the Wise man speaketh, The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked. Though their houses be never so well furnished,1 yet what comfort and content can there be found therein, when the curse of God is in them? which is enough to blast the beauty and glory, and to eat up the timber and the stones thereof.2
4. In their religious exercises. The word which they hear, is cursed unto them. That which to others is the savour of life unto life, to them is the savour of death unto death, being a means to ripen their sins, and hasten their ruin. The prayers which they make are accursed unto them: oft-times bringing down a curse rather than a blessing. Yea the Table of the Lord is likewise ⟨p. 37⟩accursed unto them, so that instead of feeding on the body and blood of Christ, they eat and drink their own damnation. Oh how sad and lamentable must thy condition needs be, when those things which are not only blessings in themselves, but likewise blessed unto others, should be cursed unto thee, and heighten both thy sin and sorrow. And if thy blessings become curses, O what will thy curses be!
4. In their religious exercises. The word which they hear, is cursed unto them. That which to others is the savour of life unto life, to them is the savour of death unto death, being a means to ripen their sins, and hasten their ruine. The prayers which they make are accursed unto them: oft-times bringing down a curse rather than a blessing. Yea the Table of the Lord is likewise