A41649:498
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.
4. If thou art heartily sorry for thy former refusals, and dost now unfeignedly desire to close with Christ, I may with confidence say, thy day of grace is not past. For those affections wrought in thee by the Spirit of God are gracious hints that he intends thee good, if yet thou wilt accept. Such who have outstood their day, are usually given up to a feared Conscience, and reprobate mind, and are hurried by the Devil to the committing of all manner of sin and wickedness, and that with greediness and delight.
4. If thou art heartily sorry for thy former refusals, and dost now unfeinedly desire to close with Christ, I may with confidence say, thy day of grace is not past. For those affections wrought in thee by the Spirit of God are gracious hints that he intends thee good, if yet thou wilt accept. Such who have outstood their day, are usually given up to a feared Conscience, and reprobate mind, and are hurried by the Devil to the committing of all manner of sin and wickedness, and that with greediness and delight.
5. Thou who fearest thy day of grace is past, know this, that if thou now findest in thy self a willingness to abandon thy former lusts and corruptions, and to become a new creature; to cast off the Devils service, and to become the servant of the Lord Jesus, thy day of grace is not past.
6. It is evident thy day of grace is not past, because the Lord hath not yet given over to strive with thee. Is he not yet wooing and beseeching thee by the Ministry of his Word, by the motions of his Spirit, to accept of the reconciliation purchased by the blood of his Son? And doth not Christ himself stand knocking at the door of thine heart,1