A41649:379
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 how can we but stand amazed at the riches of Gods mercy and goodness, that when we, upon the knees of our souls, should have sought unto him for peace and reconciliation, yet that he, being the great Lord of Heaven and of Earth, should condescend so far as to send Ambassadors unto us, sinful dust and ashes, to entreat us to be reconciled to him, to accept his grace and favour? Oh how doth this evidence his great willingness that poor sinners should not perish, but have everlasting life? Certainly if God had taken more pleasure in your damnation than in your salvation, he would never have sent his Ministers as Ambassadors to show you the way and means of salvation, by receiving Christ as your Lord and Saviour, and giving up your selves unto him; he would never have persuaded you by so many arguments, and beseeched you to turn from your sins unto him, that your souls might live in glory to all Eternity.
Oh how can we but stand amazed at the riches of Gods mercy and goodness, that when we, upon the knees of our souls, should have sought unto him for peace and reconciliation, yet that he, being the great Lord of Heaven and of Earth, should condescend so far as to send Ambassadours unto us, sinfull dust and ashes, to intreat us to be reconciled to him, to accept his grace and favour? Oh how doth this evidence his great willingness that poor sinners should not perish, but have everlasting life? Certainly if God had taken more pleasure in your damnation than in your salvation, he would never have sent his Ministers as Ambassadours to shew you the way and means of salvation, by receiving Christ as your Lord and Saviour, and giving up your selves unto him; he would never have perswaded you by so many arguments, and beseeched you to turn from your sins unto him, that your souls might live in glory to all Eternity.
9. Gods willingness doth likewise appear from the greatness of his patience in bearing with sinners. For the Lord having used all means for the conversion of poor sinners, he waits with much patience and long-suffering for their repentance; to see whether they ⟨p. 99⟩