A41649:182
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.
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 ⟨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!
IV. As the ground and foundation of the curse, All men in their state of unregeneracy are under the guilt of all their sins, which must needs make their condition sad and dreadful.1 For as the man is blessed whose iniquity is forgiven, and whose sin is covered: So is he most wretched and miserable, who lieth under the guilt of sin without pardon: His Conscience bing ofttimes tormented with such restless horrors and perplexities, that though life be most sweet, and hell most dreadful, yet it makes a man wilfully to cast away the one, and willingly to embrace the other, that he may be freed from the horror of his guilty conscience. Thus Judas sought ease by an halter, and preferred hanging, yea the torments of Hell before the anguish of his guilty conscience. Now thou mayest make light of unpardoned sin, thinking it no great matter. But the day is coming, when thou wouldst give all the world, (if thou hadst it) for a pardon, which then cannot be had. Therefore as ever thou wouldst stand before Christs judgement seat with comfort, and not be cast into everlasting burnings, now turn from thy sins, and be earnest with God in Prayer for the pardon of them in and through the merits of Christs bloody death and passion. Art thou a sinner, and not a pardoned sinner? O tremble! What conscience hast thou that can let thee sleep, and sing and laugh in such a dismal state?