A41649:54
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.
Part › Chapter 1: The Exposition and Observations arising out of the first and second verses.
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.
This being a title of great esteem and renown, the Pharisees did exceedingly affect it: whereupon their flattering followers to please them would double the word, ⟨p. 6⟩and call them Rabbi, Rabbi. Hence it is that Christ upbraids to them th•s their ambitious affectation, and reckons it amongst the badges of their pride, Matth. 23.7. where speaking of the Pharisees, he saith, they loved to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
The truth is, that this title rightly taken in its proper sense, is due only to Christ, who is the great Prophet and Teacher that came from God, as Nicodemus here acknowledgeth. Whence we may observe:
Observ. That Jesus Christ is the great Prophet, and Teacher of his Church: being alone able to declare his Fathers will, and to open the mysteries of the Gospel. And indeed all other Prophets were but types of this great Prophet. 1He lay in the bosom of his Father, and so understood the mind and will of God; and was thereby enabled to make known the Oracles of God, and the mysteries of Salvation. Yea as the Apostle expresseth, In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 2Not only wisdom and knowledge are hid in him, but treasures of wisdom and knowledge: yea all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in him. And all these graces he hath in the highest degree; in which respect he may well be termed the great Prophet and Teacher of his Church.