A41649:468
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 15: Other Means on our part to be performed for attaining of Regeneration.
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.
Ah sinner, it will be thy Wisdom carefully to observe, and diligently to improve all the motions and stirrings of Gods Spirit in thy Soul and Conscience, by seconding the work of this holy Spirit in thee. Lose not the Wind and Tide, the Wind may lye, the Tide may turn, and where art thou then? 'twill be hard Rowing against Wind or Tide. Thou little thinkest what advantage such motions wisely improved may be to thy soul: and what prejudice the slighting, and neglecting of them may be unto thee: for ought thou knowest, thine eternal happiness or misery may depend upon the improving or slighting the same.
VIII. Be much in the company of the godly, walk with them who walk with God. He that walketh with the wise, shall be more wise: he that walketh with the humble, shall be more humble: he that walketh with the holy, shall learn holiness. As there is no greater hinderance to the work of Christ, than the society of the wicked; So there is no greater furtherance to it, than the society of those who fear God. For there is none will be so ready to pity and compassionate you, to counsel and direct you in the way to Heaven, as these: none so ready to provoke and egg you on unto godliness, to encourage and cheer you up when you do well, and to reprove you when you do amiss, as these: none so ready to communicate their experiences to you, O come, say they, and we will tell you what the Lord hath done for our souls. So that in the company of the godly there is much good to be got; they being like Lanterns which disperse their light round about. If thou beest much in their company, thou ⟨p. 130⟩shalt hear much of God, much of Christ, and much of Heaven: they use to be talking much of the riches of that Country, and the glory of that holy City, whether they are travelling. They will be opening to you the excellency of Jesus Christ, the riches of his love, the all-sufficiency of his Sacrifice, his willingness to receive all poor sinners, who will go unto him, and adventure their souls upon him. And who knoweth how much their discourse may warm thine heart, and raise up thy desires after Christ. Agrippa was almost persuaded to be a Christian, whilst he was talking with St. Paul. And the Eunuch was not only almost, but altogether persuaded, whilst he was conversing with Philip. As therefore thou desirest to further the work of grace begun in thy soul, be much in the company of those who are gracious; who will be exceedingly helpful to thee therein, as by their prayers, so by their counsel and good example. For their lives tell thee what it is to walk in the Spirit, what to mortify the flesh, and to live aboe all the alluring vanities of the world.