A41649:318
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.
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.
Soul how camest thou in hither? ah! this was mine own doing, t'was my negligence, and carelesness, 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, t'was mine own doing that I am fallen headlong into this place of torment.
2. In despairing of freedom and deliverance from thy present misery. This is one special thing which will very much add to thy present torment, that thy condition, though most sad and dreadful, yet is hopeless. Didst thou conceive any hope of deliverance after thousands and millions of years, hell would not be hell unto thee. But this is that which will lye like a mountain of lead upon thee, that there is no hope of deliverance: In the consideration whereof consisteth the gnawings of the Worm of Conscience. These are the resemblances whereby the misery of the damned is set forth.
2. In despairing of freedom and deliverance from thy present misery. This is one special thing which will very much add to thy present torment, that thy condition, though most sad and dreadfull, yet is hopeless. Didst thou conceive any hope of deliverance after thousands and millions of years, hell would not be hell unto thee. But this is that which will lye like a mountain of lead upon thee, that there is no hope of deliverance: In the consideration whereof consisteth the gnawings of the Worm of Conscience. These are the resemblances whereby the misery of the damned is set forth.