A41649:404
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.
Part › Chapter 13: Of the all-sufficiency of Christs Sacrifice.
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.
Go sinner, fear not, go upon the credit of this word, which he hath spoken, I will in no wise cast them out. Though the Devil say, go not, though thy misgiving heart say, go not, he will not regard thee, he will never look on such a vile wretch, he will cast thee out; yet ⟨p. 108⟩since he hath said, He will not, go and thou shalt find mercy.
Thus have I by several demonstrations proved, as God the Fathers willingness to save the worst of sinners; So Christs readiness to embrace all poor sinners who will but come unto him for life and salvation; Wherein I have the longer insisted, because I know no better argument to prevail with sinners, to turn from their sins unto God by true and unfeigned repentance, and to close with Jesus Christ by a true and lively faith, than a serious consideration as of Gods readiness to save the worst of sinners upon their turning unto him; so of Christs Willingness to embrace all poor sinners, who will come unto him, and receive him as their Lord and Saviour.
I have read a story of a Gentle-woman who was condemned to dye for killing her own child; whereupon divers Ministers came to visit her, and perceiving her little affected with her sin, and sad condition, they laboured to set before her the heinousness of her sin, and the dreadfulness of her condition, without hearty and deep repentance. All which little moved her, seeming rather the more hardened in her sin. But at last another Reverend Divine hearing of her obdurate hardness, notwithstanding all that was said unto her; went and preached to her the abundant riches of Gods mercy in Christ, how ready he was to embrace with the arms of his free-grace, every penitent sinner; and how willing Christ was to receive all poor sinners, who would go unto him, and cast themselves into his arms, how many and heinous soever their sins were, and thereupon told her, there was hope of mercy for her, if she were heartily sorry for her sins, and would adventure her soul upon Christ, notwithstanding the greatness and heinousness of her sin, What! mercy for me? said she, that is impossible, &c. Whereupon the Minister proceeded further to set forth the freeness of Gods grace, and riches of his mercy to all penitent and believing sinners, declaring unto her, how God