A41649:427
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.
12. In thy Prayers plead that gracious promise of God, to take away the stony hearts out of our flesh, and to give us hearts of flesh. Hath God promised, and is there no hope in the promise? Is there hope, and wilt thou not lay hold on that hope? plead with thy God upon his own word. Is not this thy Word, O Lord? Hast not thou said, thou wilt make this stone flesh? will it ever be done, if thou dost it not? wilt not thou do what thou hast said? Is it not thy will that I should believe thou wilt? Oh perform thy word unto thy Servant, wherein thou hast commanded me to put my trust.
3. Be importunate in this request of thine unto God, often renewing thy prayers, and never give over till thou find thine hard heart brought into a mourning ⟨p. 117⟩and melting frame. Though God for a while seemeth deaf to thy prayers, yet be not thou dumb, many petitions he cannot deny.
IV. Resolve to give a present bill of divorce to all thy sinful lusts and pleasures, utterly to renounce and forsake thine old sinful course of life, and to set upon a new course, to serve God in holiness and righteousness all the remaining part of thy life. Its vain for thee to lament and bewail thy past sins, if thou wilt not give over thy sinning trade. For as the Apostle adviseth, Thou must first put off the old man with▪ his corrupt-lusts, before thou put o the new man. Thou therefore who hast accustomed thy self, to swearing and cursing, to whoring and drinking, to scoffing and railing against the people of God, resolve to swear and curse no more, to whore and drink no more, to scoff and rail no more; but cast them away with detestation, avoiding the places and occasions of these sins. For it is a vain thing to think thy self strong enough to abstain from any sin, when thou canst not withdraw thy self from the occasions thereof.