A41649:316
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.
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.
1. In bringing to remembrance thy former sinfull 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 mispent 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.
Soul how camest thou in hither? ah! this was mine own doing, 'twas my negligence, and carelessness, and wilfulness and wickedness. A little care, a little wisdom, a little labour and pains might have prevented all this. If I would have hearkened to God, hearkened to conscience in time, none of all this misery had ever come upon me. Oh wretch that I was, oh foolish, sottish wilful wretch, how have I undone my self? what ever I now feel, and roar under, I have none to blame but my self, 'twas mine own doing that I am fallen headlong into this place of torment.