A41649:539
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.
III. Adoption. Such as are Regenerated are thereby the adopted Sons of God. Whereas by natural propagation they were the children of wrath; by this Regeneration they are the Children of grace, being translated out of the Family of Satan into Gods own Family, and in and through Christ they are made the adopted Sons of God. Oh that the Lord would open our eyes to see this privilege!1 Behold, saith St. John, what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the Sons of God. The Apostle not being able to express the greatness of Gods love to us therein, he breaks forth into an admiration thereof. And truly well might he say, Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us. For here is not only love, but love to admiration, that we vile, wretched, sinful creatures,2 who were dead in sins and trespasses, enemies to God by wicked works, yea and children of wrath as well as others, that we should be thus advanced in and by Christ, as to be accounted not ⟨p. 149⟩only servants which is much; nor only friends which is more; but also Sons, and consequently heirs, and co-heirs with Christ, which is most of all.
III. Adoption. Such as are Regenerated are thereby the adopted Sons of God. Whereas by natural propagation they were the children of wrath; by this Regeneration they are the Children of grace, being translated out of the Family of Satan into Gods own Family, and in and through Christ they are made the adopted Sons of God. Oh that the Lord would open our eyes to see this priviledge!1 Behold, saith St. Iohn, what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the Sons of God. The Apostle not being able to express the greatness of Gods love to us therein, he breaks forth into an admiration thereof. And truly well might he say, Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us. For here is not only love, but love to admiration, that we vile, wretched, sinfull creatures,2 who were dead in sins and trespasses, enemies to God by wicked works, yea and children of wrath as well as others, that we should be thus advanced in and by Christ, as to be accounted not