A41649:587
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.
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.
1. Consider how worldly men hugg 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 Marriner his Wind and Tyde; 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.
2. Consider how few thy remaining opportunities may be. ⟨p. 166⟩For ought thou knowest, the time is near at hand, when thy praying opportunities, and hearing opportunities, and receiving opportunities, and relieving opportunities, with the like will be past and gone. How then doth it concern thee to improve them whilst thou hast them, and to use thy present as if it were the last season, and opportunity would be afforded unto thee?