A41649:432
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.
2. Back thy resolutions with Prayer. As thou dost resolve in the grace and strength of God to abandon thy lusts, to forsake thy former wicked and ungodly course of life: so be earnest with God in prayer for power and strength against the power and strength of sin. For as it is Gods power by which alone thou canst keep down the power of thy lusts; so prayer is the means sanctified for the obtaining thereof. Oh therefore pray, and pray earnestly, yea add fasting to thy prayers. For old sins to which thou hast been long accustomed, are like those Devils which possessed the man from his youth, which could not be cast out without fasting and prayer.
3. Second thy Prayers with thy diligence and faithful endeavours, striving against thy lusts and corruptions, though never so sweet and dear unto thee. For these are vain and insignificant resolutions which promise great matters, but do nothing. Whereas true resolutions are active and stirring, putting men upon the work. Hast thou resolved, through the grace of God, to abandon thy lusts? up then and be doing, set on it presently without any farther delay. For shouldst thou consecrate the prime and strength of thy days to the service of Satan, and gratifying thine own carnal lusts, and reserve thy decayed strength, and decrepit old age, the dregs of thy days, for God and his service? Canst thou think God will accept thereof? Surely no. For mark what the Prophet Malachi speaketh, Cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing. What then can they expect who dedicate the prime and strength of their days to sin, and reserve only the lees, their old age full of sores and corruptions unto God?
3. Second thy Prayers with thy diligence and faithful endeavours, striving against thy lusts and corruptions, though never so sweet and dear unto thee. For these are vain and insignificant resolutions which promise great matters, but do nothing. Whereas true resolutions are active and stirring, putting men upon the work. Hast thou resolved, through the grace of God, to abandon thy lusts? up then and be doing, set on it presently without any farther delay. For shouldst thou consecrate the prime and strength of thy dayes to the service of Satan, and gratifying thine own carnal lusts, and reserve thy decayed strength, and decrepit old age, the dregs of thy dayes, for God and his service? Canst thou think God will accept thereof? Surely no. For mark what the Prophet Malachy speaketh, Cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flok a male, and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing. What then can they expect who dedicate the prime and strength of their dayes to sin, and reserve only the lees, their old age full of sores and corruptions unto God?