A41649:331
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.
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?
Thou who now givest thy self up to the gratifying of thy sinful lusts, to the satisfying of thy brutish pleasures, who art sowing daily to the flesh, sowing oaths, and curses, and lies, and adulteries, &c. without considering what a bitter harvest thou shalt have after such a black seed-time: should I but ask thee, how much pleasure thou wouldst take to lye but one day in such a burning Furnace, as Nebuchadnezzars was, after it was heated seven times more for the three Children? I dare boldly say, thou wouldst not lye therein one quarter of an hour for all the pleasures and riches in the World. How is it then, that for a little pleasure, which endureth but for a moment, thou dost so little regard the lying in the Furnace of hell-fire to all eternity?
Thou who now givest thy self up to the gratifying of thy sinfull lusts, to the satisfying of thy brurish pleasures, who art sowing daily to the flesh, sowing oaths, and curses, and lyes, and adulteries, &c. without considering what a bitter harvest thou shalt have after such a black seed-time: should I but ask thee, how much pleasure thou wouldst take to lye but one day in such a burning Furnace, as Nebuchadnezzars was, after it was heated seven times more for the three Children? I dare boldly say, thou wouldst not lye therein one quarter of an hour for all the pleasures and riches in the World. How is it then, that for a little pleasure, which endureth but for a moment, thou dost so little regard the lying in the Furnace of hell-fire to all eternity?