A41649:509
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.
3. The work of Regeneration is so far from depriving a man of all delights and pleasures, that there are unspeakable delights peculiar to the Regenerate: they have dainties which their spirits feed upon, that the World knows not of;1 a stranger doth not intermeddle with their joy. As they have higher, and more noble principles than other men: so they feed upon higher and more noble comforts. Their comforts are spiritual, administered unto their souls by a special work of the Holy Ghost; who is designed by the Father and the Son to be the Comforter, to cheer and revive the spirits of his servants. And certainly the comforts and delights which he conveys into the souls of the Regenerate, must needs be soul-satisfying, and soul-ravishing consolations. What Blasphemy is it to affirm, that the joys of the World are better than the joys of God?
3. The work of Regeneration is so far from depriving a man of all delights and pleasures, that there are unspeakable delights peculiar to the Regenerate: they have dainties which their spirits feed upon, that the World knows not of;1 a stranger doth not intermeddle with their joy. As they have higher, and more noble principles than other men: so they feed upon higher and more noble comforts. Their comforts are spiritual, administred unto their souls by a special work of the Holy Ghost; who is designed by the Father and the Son to be the Comforter, to cheer and revive the spirits of his servants. And certainly the comforts and delights which he conveyes into the souls of the Regenerate, must needs be soul-satisfying, and soul-ravishing consolations. What Blasphemy is it to affirm, that the joyes of the World are better than the joyes of God?
Oh how sweet and delightful must it needs be to know, that we are brought out of the state of nature into the state of grace! that we are the Children of God, beloved of him! the members of Christ, and dear to him! that our sins are pardoned in and through the merits of his bitter death and passion! and that so soon as our earthly Tabernacles are dissolved, we shall have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens; and there reign with him in everlasting bliss and happiness! Oh what a comfort must it needs be seriously to fix our thoughts on those joys and pleasures, which hereafter we shall enjoy at Gods right hand to all Eternity!