A41649:198
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.
2. Thou must part with thy nearest and dearest relations, as thy dear Wife, or dear Husband, with thy beloved Children. Death will separate thee from them all. Ah sinners, sad will it be to part with these here, to live for ever with the Devils and damned in hell. And how will it torment thee when you must part, to remember to how little good purpose you lived together!
3. Thou must part with thy wealth and riches, carrying nothing away with thee of all thy enjoyments. We brought nothing into the World, 1and it is certain, we can carry nothing out, as the Apostle speaketh. But as we came naked into the World, 2so we shall go naked out of the World. And therefore when rich men dye, they are said to leave a good estate behind them. And indeed they may well be said to leave it, because they cannot carry it away with them. Ah sinner! I know it will be a death to thee to part with thy wealth, which was thy life; but to consider how thou hast damned thy soul for the getting thereof; this will be an hell to thee.
4. Thou must part with all the means and opportunities of grace. Now thou enjoyest the ordinances of Christ, as the Word, Prayer, and Sacraments, which whilst thou enjoyedst thou hadst hope: But death puts an end to these, and thy hopes must give up their Ghost. Now Christ calls upon thee, Sabbath after Sabbath, by his Ministers and Ambassadors, wooing and beseeching thee to abandon thy lusts, to cast away thy sins, and to cast thy self into his arms, to accept of the reconciliation purchased by his blood. But ere long thou shalt hear no more of