A41649:537
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.
1. The love and favour of God wherewith they are embraced. Love is weighty and falleth downward from Father to Child. Yea love in God is as a Fountain and spring-head, and the channel or pipe in and through which it runneth, is Christ: now that spring continually floweth forth through that pipe to every Regenerate person. Observe the love of earthly Parents to their Children, how great, how constant it is: withal consider how far God exceeds them in his love, even as far as he doth in greatness, which is infinitely. So as every Regenerate person may with assurance rest on the love of God his Father, which cannot be but most sweet to the soul, and exceeding comfortable. For in Gods fatherly favour consisteth our happiness.
1. The love and favour of God wherewith they are embraced. Love is weighty and falleth downward from Father to Child. Yea love in God is as a Fountain and spring-head, and the channel or pipe in and through which it runneth, is Christ: now that spring continually floweth forth through that pipe to every Regenerate person. Observe the love of earthly Parents to their Children, how great, how constant it is: withall consider how far God exceeds them in his love, even as far as he doth in greatness, which is infinitely. So as every Regenerate person may with assurance rest on the love of God his Father, which cannot be but most sweet to the soul, and exceeding comfortable. For in Gods fatherly favour consisteth our happiness.
II. Union with Christ. For Christ is the head, and by Regeneration we are his members. The Apostle writing to the Corinthians, who were born again by the Spirit,1 saith, Now are ye the body of Christ, and members in particular, meaning of the mystical body of Christ. This Union of the Regenerate with Christ, is one of the great mysteries of our Christian faith:2 and it is a Mystery of an unspeakable comfort and consolation. For by virtue of our Union with Christ, God is our Father; Christ is our Brother, and our Husband and Head; Heaven is our inheritance: Angels are our attendants and guardians, who are sent forth to minister for them, who shall be heirs of Salvation. These Angels are those Horses and Chariots of fire, which were round about Elisha: and which are also round about every member of Christ in all their dangers, though they see them not. If the eyes of the Regenerate were but opened to see their glorious attendants, how would their hearts be comforted and cheered in all their distresses.