A41649:193
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, sinner; what horror will then possess thy soul, no heart of man can conceive, nor tongue of men and angels can express. Indeed many there are, who upon their death-beds have little right or sense of their sins, neither do they think of judgement, or eternity, but drop into hell before they consider any thing. But yet upon the approach of death, commonly there is some terror and trembling upon the consciences of carnal men: and if ever any sin did formerly sting, it will then especially. Oh, methinks a serious apprehension, and sensible fore-thought of these things, even at hand, for ought any man knows, should make the hardest heart to tremble, and melt into tears of unfeigned sorrow.
Ah sinner, sinner; what horrour will then possess thy soul, no heart of man can conceive, nor tongue of men and angells can express. Indeed many there are, who upon their death-beds have little right or sense of their sins, neither do they think of judgement, or eternity, but drop into hell before they consider any thing. But yet upon the approach of death, commonly there is some terrour and trembling upon the consciences of carnal men: and if ever any sin did formerly sting, it will then especially. Oh, methinks a serious apprehension, and sensible fore-thought of these things, even at hand, for ought any man knows, should make the hardest heart to tremble, and melt into tears of unfained sorrow.
II. The Devil will not be then wanting to aggravate thy sins, and to set before thee the curses and the judgements due unto thee for the same, thereby to drive thee to despair, For when death layeth siege to the body, ⟨p. 41⟩then doth he most violently assault the soul. And the shorter he perceiveth his time to be, the more eagerly doth he bestir himself. And when through pain of body, and perplexity of mind, thou art least able to make resistance, then will he most fiercely assault thee. Whereas formerly his great design was to •ull thee fast asleep in a presumptuous security, by persuading thee that thy state and condition was as good as the best, and thy salvation sure enough: at thy death (if he be not then also pursuing the same design) if he can no longer hold thee under thy sleep, it will be his great work to persuade thee, that thy sins are greater than can be forgiven, that there is no place for thee in Heaven, and that it is impossible thou shouldst be saved. He that hath made the way to Heaven so broad, and the entrance so easy all thy life long, will at thy death do his utmost to shut the door against thee.