A41649:342
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, far be it from thee, either to straighten the mercy of God, or so to aggravate thy sins, as to conclude that thy sins are greater than can be forgiven: ⟨p. 89⟩do not so aggravate thy mighty sins, as thereby to derogate from infinite mercy. Is not the mercy of God infinite? Is it not the mercy of a God? thy greatest sins are but finite, as being the sins of a creature: but his mercy is infinite, being the mercy of a God. As there is no proportion between that which is finite, and that which is infinite: So neither is there any proportion between the greatest of thy sins, and the mercy of God.
2. The power of God to save the worst of sinners appeareth from the unlimited extent of his promises. What ever God promiseth, sure he hath power to perform. Now the promises of God exclude no sinner, nor any sin (except the sin against the Holy Ghost) nor any time of coming unto him: for in all these respects are the promises of God wondrous large, and of great extent.
1. They exclude no sinner. For they run for the most part in the generality: promising mercy and forgiveness to all who turn unto him in truth, and sincerity, as Isa. 55.7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, and he will abundantly pardon. Here the Prophet speaks to the wicked and unrighteous indefinitely, even to all and every one of them, and assures them that upon their repentance, they shall be received to mercy.
1. They exclude no sinner. For they run for the most part in the generality: promising mercy and forgiveness to all who turn unto him in truth, and sincerity, as