A41649:315
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.
As of the putrefaction of the body, there breedeth a worm which eats and consumes the body: so from the corruption of the soul tainted with sin, there ariseth the Worm of Conscience, which gnaweth and vexeth the soul with continual anguish. Men talk much of hell-fire, and it were well they would talk more of it. But yet there is another torment that would be thought on too, and that is this Worm of an evil conscience, which whilst the fire burneth, this will bite, and sting the soul with torment intolerable.
As of the putrefaction of the body, there breedeth a worm which eates and consumes the body: so from the corruption of the soul tainted with sin, there ariseth the Worm of Conscience, which gnaweth and vexeth the soul with continual anguish. Men talk much of hell-fire, and it were well they would talk more of it. But yet there is another torment that would be thought on too, and that is this Worm of an evil conscience, which whilest the fire burneth, this will bite, and sting the soul with torment intolerable.
This Worm of Conscience consisteth especially in two things.
1. In bringing to remembrance thy former sinful lusts and pleasures, of which nothing remaineth but thy present shame and pain. Then shall thy conscience gnaw thee by bringing to thy remembrance thy former oaths and cursings, thy misspent time, thy cozenings and defraudings, yea all thy secret impurities, as well as thine open iniquities: as also thy sinful omissions of good duties, how seldom thou prayedst with thy family, or in thy closet: how little care thou hadst of thy precious soul, slighting the opportunities and means of grace. Ah sinner, the remembrance of these things will exceedingly pierce thy soul, and afflict thine heart with bitter grief and sorrow.