A41649:527
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. Or if he be a through Convert, yet he may be under some soar temptation from the Devil, whose main design is to keep men in slavery and bondage to himself; but if he fail therein, then his next design is to weaken their comforts. And therefore so far as God will give him leave, he will be sure to set upon them with his fiercest, temptations, and to cast into their minds many Atheistical and Blasphemous thoughts: the venom of which is ready to drink up their spirits: and it is no marvel if they walk uncomfortably at such times, for joy and rejoicing attends not the combat but the conquest. Think not the worse of the ways of God for that the Devil is so much against them, and straws them with such thorns.
4. Or if he be a through Convert, yet he may be under some soar temptation from the Devil, whose main design is to keep men in slavery and bondage to himself; but if he fail therein, then his next design is to weaken their comforts. And therefore so far as God will give him leave, he will be sure to set upon them with his fiercest, temptations, and to cast into their minds many Atheistical and Blasphemous thoughts: the venom of which is ready to drink up their spirits: and it is no marvel if they walk uncomfortably at such times, for joy and rejoycing attends not the combate but the conquest. Think not the worse of the wayes of God for that the Devil is so much against them, and straws them with such thornes.
5. It may be he is of a melancholy constitution, and then it cannot be expected he should walk joyfully. For joy hath no greater enemy than melancholy. And know, that though the disposition of the soul is changed by the new birth, yet not the constitution of the body.
6. It may be God hath hid his face, and favour from him, withdrawn himself in respect of the manifestation of his love to his soul, so that he doth not enjoy that comfort which he was wont to have in God; and if so, no marvel if he walk heavily and uncomfortably. For what Christian can rejoice when God deprives him of all sense and feeling of his loving favour? and shuts up those sweet streams of refreshment which were wont to flow into his soul?