A41649:332
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.
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?
In the fear of God therefore often think as of the extremity, so of the eternity of hell-torments. Me-thinks the very thought thereof should forthwith call off the drunkard from following the Ale-house with his vain companions: and the swearer from taking the name of God so often in vain: and the voluptuous person from his sensual delights, and wanton dalliances: and the worldling from his immoderate seeking after earthly riches and treasures; and cause every of them out of hand to set upon another and a wiser course, to mind the good of their immortal souls, and bethink themselves in earnest how they might escape the wrath to come; to cast away sin, to cry after mercy, to run ⟨p. 86⟩