A41649:45
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 1: The Exposition and Observations arising out of the first and second verses.
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.
II. The Occasion of the conference betwixt Christ and Nicodemus followeth in verse 2. and that was his coming unto Christ; which is farther amplified by the time when he came, and that was by night: The same came to Jesus by night. Nicodemus his going unto Christ for farther instruction in the way and means of salvation, did evidence the truth of his faith; but his going by night, did evidence the weakness of his faith. He believed upon the hearing Christ Preach, and seeing the miracles which he wrought, that he was a Teacher sent from God. Yet because he was a Pharisee and a Ruler, thought it a disgrace to go openly unto Christ, to be instructed by him: but went by night, and thereby discovered the weakness of his faith; whence we may observe:
II. The Occasion of the conference betwixt Christ and Nicodemus followeth in verse 2. and that was his coming unto Christ; which is farther amplified by the time when he came, and that was by night: The same came to Iesus by night. Nicodemus his going unto Christ for farther instruction in the way and means of salvation, did evidence the truth of his faith; but his going by night, did evidence the weakness of his faith. He believed upon the hearing Christ Preach, and seeing the miracles which he wrought, that he was a Teacher sent from God. Yet because he was a Pharisee and a Ruler, thought it a disgrace to go openly unto Christ, to be instructed by him: but went by night, and thereby discovered the weakness of his faith; whence we may observe:
Observ. True Faith may be exceeding weak. This title, (a)O ye of little faith, 2wherewith Christ often upbraideth his Disciples, is an evident proof thereof. So likewise that expression of the poor man, who cried out unto Christ, (b)Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief. The former word, I believe, showeth the truth of his faith; but the latter word, unbelief, showeth the weakness of his faith, which was so weak, that he calls it unbelief.