A41649:586
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.
Doth the Lord afford unto thee any opportunity either of laying up for thine own soul, or of laying out for the good of thy brothers soul, be careful to embrace the same, yea and to improve it to the best advantage. Having a price put into thy hands, oh let it not carelessly slip away, left thou full dearly repent thereof; saying, Oh what an opportunity have I lost of benefiting both my self and others! how might I have furthered both mine own, and others Salvation, by building up one another in the most holy faith! But fool that I was, I have carelessly neglected these precious opportunities, which will never never be regained. Oh how will the thought thereof one day or other gall thy Conscience!
Doth the Lord afford unto thee any opportunity either of laying up for thine own soul, or of laying out for the good of thy brothers soul, be carefull to embrace the same, yea and to improve it to the best advantage. Having a price put into thy hands, oh let it not carelesly slip away, left thou full dearly repent thereof; saying, Oh what an opportunity have I lost of benefiting both my self and others! how might I have furthered both mine own, and others Salvation, by building up one another in the most holy faith! But fool that I was, I have carelesly neglected these precious opportunities, which will never never be regained. Oh how will the thought thereof one day or other gall thy Conscience!
That thou mayest be the more stirred up to embrace and improve every opportunity God by his providence affordeth unto thee,
That thou maist be the more stirred up to embrace and improve every oportunity God by his providence affordeth unto thee,
1. Consider how worldly men hug their opportunities for the World; and wilt not thou embrace thy opportunities for Heaven? The tradesman neglects not his opportunity of buying and selling, but carefully attends the same. The Merchant will not lose his Exchange-time, nor the Mariner his Wind and Tide; The Lawyer will not lose his Terms; Nor the Husband-man his Seed-time, or Harvest. If thou lose thy Seed-time of grace, thou thereby losest the Harvest of glory.