A41649:307
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.
3. Another resemblance whereby the misery of the damned is set forth, is Fire, as Matth. 18.9. This of all other metaphors is most frequently used; and of all others it is the fittest. For fire is the fiercest kind of torment that is, and the most intolerable. Great question is made about the kind of it, Whether the fire of hell be material and corporeal fire, or no. Surely it is such a fire as shall torment both body and soul, and that much more intolerably than any fire here below. Brimstone mingled with fire, makes it burn more fiercely:1 therefore brimstone is oft added to hell-fire, to aggravate the torment thereof. Yea it is said to be a lake of fire and brimstone, 2which implieth a great quantity thereof, to make it the hotter.3 The Prophet Isaiah saith, That the breath of the Lord like a stream of brimstone doth kindle it. The breath of the Lord must needs make the fire that is kindled with it, burn more fiercely than all the bellows, or all the wind in the World can make any fire here below to burn.
3. Another resemblance whereby the misery of the damned is set forth, is Fire, as Matth. 18.9. This of all other metaphors is most frequently used; and of all others it is the fittest. For fire is the fiercest kind of torment that is, and the most intolerable. Great question is made about the kind of it, Whether the fire of hell be material and corporeall fire, or no. Surely it is such a fire as shall torment both body and soul, and that much more intolerably than any fire here below. Brimstone mingled with fire, makes it burn more fiercely:1 therefore brimstone is oft added to hell-fire, to aggravate the torment thereof. Yea it is said to be a lake of fire and brimstone, 2which implyeth a great quantity thereof, to make it the hotter.