A41649:347
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.
3. The power of God to save the worst of sinners appeareth from his actual receiving the most heinous sinners to mercy. The greatest sinners that we read of in Scripture have obtained mercy. Who greater than Manasseh? 1who was a Sorcerer, an Idolater, a Murderer, and what not? and yet was received to mercy. And who greater in the New Testament than Paul? 2who was a Blasphemer and a Persecutor of the Saints and People of God; and yet was received to mercy. Now what God hath done formerly, he is still able to do, he is still the same God, his power is no whit lessened, nor diminished.
3. The power of God to save the worst of sinners appeareth from his actual receiving the most heinous sinners to mercy. The greatest sinners that we read of in Scripture have obtained mercy. Who greater than Mannasseh? 1who was a Sorcerer, an Idolater, a Murtherer, and what not? and yet was received to mercy. And who greater in the New Testament than Paul? 2who was a Blasphemer and a Persecutor of the Saints and People of God; and yet was received to mercy. Now what God hath done formerly, he is still able to do, he is still the same God, his power is no whit lessened, nor diminished.
- 12 Chron. 33.3, &c.
- 21 Tim. 1. 13, &c.
Oh sinner, what ground hast thou then to question the mercy of God to thy soul, if thou dost in truth turn from thy sins unto him, and earnestly beg the pardon and forgiveness of them? I know indeed that before God giveth a sight and a sense of our sins, we are too too apt to presume: but our understandings are no sooner enlightened to see our sins, and our consciences awakened to feel the burden of them, but we are very apt to despair: it being the great design of our adversary the Devil either to make us dye in a senseless calm, or else to perish in a desperate storm. Oh saith the awakened sinner, my sins are many for number, and heinous in their quality, having aggravated them by many amplifying circumstances. Certainly there is no hope of mercy for such a wretched, sinful creature as I am, whose sins are greater than can be forgiven. But take notice, I beseech thee, of these two things.