A41649:566
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.
What though God hath not abounded to thee in outward honours and estate; yet if he hath abounded to thee in grace, this alone will be matter of eternal praises. Luther hath a notable story which may be useful to this purpose, In the time of the Council of Constance, he tells us there were two Cardinals riding to the Council: and in their journey they saw a Shepherd in the field weeping. One of them pitying him, could not but ask him, why he wept? At first he seemed loth to tell him, but being urged, he told him, that upon the beholding that Toad, which was before him, he considered, that he had never praised God, as he ought, for making him such an excellent Creature as a man: that he had not made him such a deformed Creature as that Toad. Upon hearing whereof the Cardinal was much affected, considering how he had received greater mercies than this poor man, and yet had not returned unto God that praise which was due unto him. And will not this poor man rise up in judgement against many of us? yea have not the best of us cause to be greatly humbled before the Lord, who do not so affectionately remember the grace of God in making us Christians, as that poor Shepherd did, in making him a man. O friend prove thy self to be born again, and then go thy way rejoicing, leaping, and praising God.
What though God hath not abounded to thee in outward honours and estate; yet if he hath abounded to thee in grace, this alone will be matter of eternal praises. Luther hath a notable story which may be useful to this purpose, In the time of the Council of Constance, he tells us there were two Cardinals riding to the Council: and in their journey they saw a Shepheard in the field weeping. One of them pittying him, could not but ask him, why he wept? At first he seemed loth to tell him, but being urged, he told him, that upon the beholding that Toad, which was before him, he considered, that he had never praised God, as he ought, for making him such an excellent Creature as a man: that he had not made him such a deformed Creature as that Toad. Upon hearing whereof the Cardinal was much affected, considering how he had received greater mercies than this poor man, and yet had not returned unto God that praise which was due unto him. And will not this poor man rise up in judgement against many of us? yea have not the best of us cause to be greatly humbled before the Lord, who do not so affectionately remember the grace of God in making us Christians, as that poor Shepherd did, in making him a man. O friend prove thy self to be born again, and then go thy way rejoycing, leaping, and praising God.