A41649:520
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.
Obj. 3. Doth not daily experience tell us, that many Godly Christians, notwithstanding their close walking with God, live very uncomfortably; their spirits are heavy and sad, and they are oftener in tears and groans than others.
Obj. 3. Doth not daily experience tell us, that many Godly Christians, notwithstanding their close walking with God, live very uncomfortably; their spirits are heavy and sad, and they are oftner in tears and groans than others.
A. 1. It may be their sadness is not a real, but a seeming sadness, they only seem to be sad unto wicked and profane men;1 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. Where the Apostle bringeth in the sorrow of the Godly with a quasi, as it were sorrowful, not that it is sorrow indeed. But when he speaks of their joy, there's no quasi, but true joy: which is grounded upon so sure foundations, viz. the free grace of God, and the merits of Christ apprehended by a true and lively faith, that it continueth for ever, and never utterly vanisheth away. When the Countenance of a Christian seemeth sad, there is many times much peace and joy in his heart: and therefore his joy is called hidden Manna, 2as being inward and secret, to which worldly men are mere strangers.
A. 1. It may be their sadness is not a real, but a seeming sadness, they only seem to be sad unto wicked and prophane men;1 As sorrowfull, yet alwayes rejoycing. Where the Apostle bringeth in the sorrow of the Godly with a quasi, as it were sorrowful, not that it is sorrow indeed. But when he speaks of their joy, there's no quasi, but true joy: which is grounded upon so sure foundations, viz. the free grace of God, and the merits of Christ apprehended by a true and lively faith, that it continueth for ever, and never utterly vanisheth away. When the Countenance of a Christian seemeth sad, there is many times much peace and joy in his heart: and therefore his joy is called hidden Manna,