A41649:380
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.
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⟩will turn from their sins unto him or no. He waits upon the Swearer, the Drunkard, the Whore-Master, the covetous Worldling day after day, week after week, year after year, crying after them, as he did after Jerusalem, 1Oh will ye not be made clean? Oh when will it once be? When wilt thou leave thy Swearing, thy Drinking, thy Whoring, thy Covetousness, and the like? And when will thy profane heart be sanctified? thine unclean heart be purified? and thy carnal heart spiritualized? oh when will it once be? oh sinner, who art now grown old in sin, how long hath the Lord waited on thee? for shame, let him wait no longer, but turn thee, turn thee from thy wicked ways and courses, that thou mayest receive mercies from him. This patience of God towards sinners, must needs evidence his willingness to have them saved. For if he had not been willing, he would have cut them off long ago, and have dealt with them as he did with the Devils, who had no sooner sinned, but he clapped his chains upon them, and still reserves them to the great day in chains of darkness.
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⟩will turn from their sins unto him or no. He waits upon the Swearer, the Drunkard, the Whore-Master, the covetous Worldling day after day, week after week, year after year, crying after them, as he did after Ierusalem, 1Oh will ye not be made clean? Oh when will it once be? When wilt thou leave thy Swearing, thy Drinking, thy Whoring, thy Covetousness, and the like? And when will thy prophane heart be sanctified? thine unclean heart be purified? and thy carnal heart spiritualized? oh when will it once be? oh sinner, who art now grown old in sin, how long hath the Lord waited on thee? for shame, let him wait no longer, but turn thee, turn thee from thy wicked wayes and courses, that thou maist receive mercies from him. This patience of God towards sinners, must needs evidence his willingness to have them saved. For if he had not been willing, he would have cut them off long agoe, and have dealt with them as he did with the Devils, who had no sooner sinned, but he clapt his chains upon them, and still reserves them to the great day in chains of darkness.