A41649:330
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.
Ah sinner sinner, what stupidity hath seized on thee that thou shouldst be liable to eternal torments in hell, and yet live as carelessly and profanely, as if it did no way at all concern thee? Know for certain, that though thou dost not as yet feel these torments, yet thou art every moment subject, and hasting thereunto. A cloud of fire and brimstone hangeth over thine head, and the Lord knoweth, how suddenly it may fall upon thee. It is certainly decreed in Heaven, that if thou turn not here from thy sins unto God, by true and unfeigned repentance, and turn over a new leaf, leading a new course of life, thou shalt lye in a lake of brimstone to all eternity; and thou knowest not how soon God may seal the warrant for thine execution.
Ah sinner sinner, what stupidity hath seised on thee that thou shoulst be lyable to eternal torments in hell, and yet live as carelesly and prophanely, as if it did no way at all concern thee? Know for certain, that though thou dost not as yet feel these torments, yet thou art every moment subject, and hasting thereunto. A cloud of fire and brimstone hangeth over thine head, and the Lord knoweth, how suddenly it may fall upon thee. It is certainly decreed in Heaven, that if thou turn not here from thy sins unto God, by true and unfaigned repentance, and turn over a new leaf, leading a new course of life, thou shalt lye in a lake of brimstone to all eternity; and thou knowest not how soon God may seal the warrant for thine execution.
Oh sinner, that I could prevail with thee once a day to steep thy thoughts in a serious meditation of the Eternity of hell-torments. Certainly it would abate the heat of thy lusts, and take off the edge of thy love to thy most pleasing vanities, and stop thee in the eager pursuit of thy carnal pleasures. For wouldst thou be content to run the hazard of such torments for thy present ease? of such plagues for thy present pleasures? of such thick darkness for the light of thine own sparks? of such an Eternity for a few jocund hours? Oh when wilt thou awake from this folly?