A41649:283
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, how will it then wound thy very soul to remember thy folly in neglecting thy season, and refusing so great salvation? How will it make thee with anguish of heart to cry out, Ah silly wretch, where was thine understanding, to sleight such gracious invitations? to prefer every base lust before the Lord of life? to turn aside from him that spake unto thee from Heaven, and to turn after thy companions, and the pleasures of this earth? to put off the turning from thy sins, and making thy peace with God till it was too late? Oh now would I give a World, if I had it, for one offer of Christ more, for one Sabbath more to make my peace with God, and to make sure of Christ, but alas it is now too late.
Ah sinner, how will it then wound thy very soul to remember thy folly in neglecting thy season, and refusing so great salvation? How will it make thee with anguish of heart to cry out, Ah silly wretch, where was thine understanding, to sleight such gracious invitations? to preferr every base lust before the Lord of life? to turn aside from him that spake unto thee from Heaven, and to turn after thy companions, and the pleasures of this earth? to put off the turning from thy sins, and making thy peace with God till it was too late? Oh now would I give a World, if I had it, for one offer of Christ more, for one Sabbath more to make my peace with God, and to make sure of Christ, but alas it is now too late.
Oh the fears and distractions, the tearing of the hair, and wringing of the hands, the gnashing of teeth, and dashing of knees: the weeping and wailing, the crying and roaring that this will produce! especially when thou shalt consider, how God every Sabbath called upon thee by his Ministers to turn from thy sins unto him: but thine ear and thine heart were shut against him. And how Jesus Christ was offered and tendered to thee only upon these terms, that thou wouldst cast away thy sins, and cast thy self into his arms, and yet thou wouldst not go unto him, but refusedst, and rejectedst him and his grace. This sad reflection of thy soul upon its own wilful folly in neglecting and outstanding thy day, will be ⟨p. 71⟩