A41649:522
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. Though their sadness be real, yet is not their godliness the cause thereof, no more than the Sun can be the cause of darkness.
But the grounds and causes of a Christians sadness are these,
1. Haply he hath lately fallen into some great and ⟨p. 144⟩heinous sin, and if so, no marvel if he walk sadly and uncomfortably, till he hath got some comfortable evidence of the pardon and forgiveness thereof. For guilt makes a man a terror to himself.1 What made David walk so heavily, yea roar out for grief? but the guilt of his Adultery and Murder. What made Peter go out and weep so bitterly? but the guilt of his cowardice in denying his Lord and Master.
1. Haply he hath lately fallen into some great and ⟨p. 144⟩heinous sin, and if so, no marvel if he walk sadly and uncomfortably, till he hath got some comfortable evidence of the pardon and forgiveness thereof. For guilt makes a man a terrour to himself.1 What made David walk so heavily, yea roar out for grief? but the guilt of his Adultery and Murther. What made Peter go out and weep so bitterly? but the guilt of his cowardize in denying his Lord and Master.
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