A41649:385
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.
1. His quick observation, For when he was yet a great way off, his Father saw him. Before he espied ⟨p. 101⟩his Father, his Father saw him. Though God is many times unwilling to see the sinner, yet is he at all times very willing to espy the penitent. Yea, no sooner doth a sinner resolve to turn from his sins unto God, but he spies him and pities him.
1. His quick observation, For when he was yet a great way off, his Father saw him. Before he espyed ⟨p. 101⟩his Father, his Father saw him. Though God is many times unwilling to see the sinner, yet is he at all times very willing to espy the penitent. Yea, no sooner doth a sinner resolve to turn from his sins unto God, but he spyes him and pittyes him.
2. His present commiseration, His Father saw him and had compassion on him. Though God looks on obstinate sinners with indignation, yet he looks on the penitent with commiseration. When the heart of a sinner is penitentially touched, then the bowels of Gods mercy are moved within him.1 When Ephraim repented and turned, the Lord saith, My bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy on him.
2. His present commiseration, His Father saw him and had compassion on him. Though God looks on obstinate sinners with indignation, yet he looks on the penitent with commiseration. When the heart of a sinner is penitentially touched, then the bowels of Gods mercy are moved within him.1 When Ephraim repented and turned, the Lord saith, My bowells are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy on him.