A41649:496
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.
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? 1saith Christ of Jerusalem.
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? 1saith Christ of Ierusalem.
3. Christ hath several seasons of Conversion, and Regeneration; all come not in at the first hour of the day, nor at the sixth hour. Christ brings home some to himself in the latter end of their lives, who have all the former part slighted and rejected his gracious invitations. And therefore he will have them often renewed, and tendered to poor sinners; because though the time of some be to come in at the first offer, yet the time of others is to come in upon renewed and multiplied offers: so that often renewing thy refusals is not an eternal prejudice.