A41649:494
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. To this I answer that the slighting and rejecting the many offers of grace, is very sad, yea an heinous sin, which calls for thy deepest sorrow and humiliation. This made our Saviour to weep over Jerusalem, because they neglected the day of their visitation. But yet know,
A. To this I answer that the slighting and rejecting the many offers of grace, is very sad, yea an heinous sin, which calls for thy deepest sorrow and humiliation. This made our Saviour to weep over Ierusalem, because they neglected the day of their visitation. But yet know,
1. Though thou hast often refused and rejected the offers of grace, yet is not thy condition hopeless, in that it is not the sin against the Holy Ghost, which alone cannot be pardoned: but it is a sin, though heinous, yet pardonable. Many have obtained mercy even for this, ⟨p. 137⟩and so mayest thou, upon thy true humiliation and repentance. For such is the mercy of God, as he both can and will pardon even sins against mercy.
2. It's a question whether there be any Saint on Earth or in Heaven, who before their closing with Christ by faith, did not stand out against, and reject many of his gracious invitations, excepting such as were sanctified from the Womb. 'Tis the Devil that puts it into thy mouth to say, I have slighted many offers of grace, therefore my day of grace is past and gone. Do we not see by daily experience, how Christ brings home some to himself in their old age? who questionless in their youth and riper years turned many a deaf ear to his gracious invitations. And that Christ is still willing and ready so to do, appeareth by this, that he continues his offers of grace, though formerly neglected. How oft would I have gathered thee?