A41649:371
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, how should this prevail with thee to abandon thy sins, and to adventure on Jesus Christ as thy Lord and Saviour? The command of God to repent and believe should me-thinks out-weigh all the suggestions of Satan, and carnal reasonings of thine own heart; it should swallow up all scruples, fears and doubts. Abraham we read upon the command of God was willing to offer up his own Son, his beloved ⟨p. 95⟩Son Isaac, us a Sacrifice. And wilt thou refuse to Sacrifice thy beloved Lust, and to embrace the beloved Son of God with the arms of thy faith, when thou hast the command of God for both? Oh therefore resolve, as to cast away thy sins, so to cast thy self into the arms of Jesus Christ, and to give up thy self unto him, and his Laws, to be ruled and governed thereby, and thou shalt live.
3. Gods willingness to save poor penitent sinners, appeareth from his many gracious promises to receive the very worst of sinners upon their repentance. Let the wicked forsake his way, 1and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and l•t him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Or, as the Original word signifieth, he will multiply pardon and forgiveness; Though the wicked multiply their sins, yet if they turn from them unto God by true and unfeigned repentance, he will multiply pardon and forgiveness. And saith the Prophet Ezekiel,2 If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my Statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not dye: All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him, in his righteousness that he hath done, he shall live. These and such like gracious promises of God in his Word for the encouragement of poor sinners to turn from their sins unto him, cannot but strongly argue his willingness to have them saved.