A41649:470
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.
Oh Christians, encourage poor sinners to come among you; let your discourses be practical Sermons; let your ways be living copies of that holy doctrine which you have received; let your conversation be full of love, life, pity, compassion towards them: be ready to teach, counsel, encourage and help them on after the Lord. Teach not sinners to say (by the barrenness, and unsavouriness of your lives) there is no more of God to be gotten in the dwellings of the Righteous, than in the tents of Wickedness.
Oh Christians, encourage poor sinners to come among you; let your discourses be practical Sermons; let your wayes be living copies of that holy doctrine which you have received; let your conversation be full of love, life, pitty, compassion towards them: be ready to teach, counsel, encourage and help them on after the Lord. Teach not sinners to say (by the barrenness, and unsavouriness of your lives) there is no more of God to be gotten in the dwellings of the Righteous, than in the tents of Wickedness.
Thus have I showed you the Means on our part to be performed for the furthering the new birth, and the work of Regeneration in your souls. And now give me leave to propound one Question to you. Are you resolved with the grace and assistance of God, speedily to put your selves upon the practice of these Directions or no? If you think these things more than necessary, and are ready to say, What need so much ado, as if without ⟨p. 131⟩so much hearing, so much reading, so much praying, and the like, there were no hope of Regeneration, and Salvation! you may then sit down and take your ease. But know for certain, that without a conscionable use of these Means, you are like to fall short, as of Regeneration here, so of Salvation hereafter. For where God hath appointed Means, he doth not ordinarily work without them; and therefore if you will not use Gods Means, no wonder if you go without his grace.
Thus have I shewed you the Means on our part to be performed for the furthering the new birth, and the work of Regeneration in your souls. And now give me leave to propound one Question to you. Are you resolved with the grace and assistance of God, speedily to put your selves upon the practice of these Directions or no? If you think these things more than necessary, and are ready to say, What need so much ado, as if without