A41649:298
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.
The pain which men here endure is for the most part particular, some pained in their head, some in their back, and some in their feet. And some of these pains are oft-times so extreme, as thou wouldst not willingly undergo them to gain a World. But for a man to be tortured and tormented in every part and member of his body at once, must needs be very grievous, which is the condition of all the damned in Hell.
The pain which men here endure is for the most part particular, some pained in their head, some in their back, and some in their feet. And some of these pains are oft-times so extream, as thou wouldst not willingly undergo them to gain a World. But for a man to be tortured and tormented in every part and member of his body at once, must needs be very grievous, which is the condition of all the damned in Hell.
By this you may a little conceive the extremity of their torments. But if I had the tongue of Men and Angels, I could not express it to the full. For as in Heaven there is such a fullness of joy as the heart of man is not able to conceive, much less the tongue of man able to express. So in Hell there is such a fullness of sorrow and torment, as is both beyond expression or conception.
By this you may a little conceive the extremity of their torments. But if I had the tongue of Men and Angels, I could not express it to the full. For as in Heaven there is such a fulness of joy as the heart of man is not able to conceive, much less the tongue of man able to express. So in Hell there is such a fulness of sorrow and torment, as is both beyond expression or conception.
Oh the folly and madness of the men of this World, who notwithstanding the punishment of sin is so intolerable, yea and they believe it to be so, yet do suffer themselves to be carried away down into this lake for things of nought: they will dye rather than be wise: they will fry and roar and howl in the other World, rather than not sing and laugh, and be vile