A41649:484
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.
A. 1. Consider Gods grace is every way so free, that the mercy which he vouchsafeth to any of his Creatures, is altogether of himself, and from himself. He respecteth his own goodness, not our worthiness, in the mercies which he conferreth. If none shall obtain grace but the worthy, who then can be saved?
2. Consider that no man before his Regeneration could ever find any worthiness in himself why he should partake of that mercy. What was there in Manasseh? Or in Zacheus? Or in Mary Magdalen? Or in Paul before their conversion? Surely none at all. Nay there is never a child of God on Earth, or in Heaven, but had as much personal unworthiness before his Regeneration, as thou now hast. Why then doth the sight and apprehension of thine unworthiness put thee out of all hope of obtaining the same?
2. Consider that no man before his Regeneration could ever find any worthiness in himself why he should partake of that mercy. What was there in Manass•h? Or in Zacheus? Or in Mary Magdalen? Or in Paul before their conversion? Surely none at all. Nay there is never a child of God on Earth, or in Heaven, but had as much personall unworthiness before his Regeneration, as thou now hast. Why then doth the sight and apprehension of thine unworthiness put thee out of all hope of obtaining the same?
3. Consider that the sense of thine unworthiness is some degree of worthiness: yea it is the greatest worthiness thou canst attain unto. And none ever found greater mercy from God, than they who have been most sensible of their unworthiness. Instance the Centurion, who speaking unto Christ,1 said, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under the roof of my house. And yet Christ granted his desire in healing his servant. So likewise the Woman of Canaan, who acknowledged her self to be no better than a Dog, yet received this answer from Christ, Oh Woman,