A41649:589
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.
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?
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 whilest thou hast them, and to use thy present as if it were the last season, and opportunity would be afforded unto thee?
If thou art in the company of a godly experienced Christian, thou hast then an opportunity of gaining much spiritual good and advantage to thine own soul; as by observing his graces, so by propounding thy doubts and scruples unto him. Oh let not such an opportunity pass away without some spiritual improvement.
If thou art called to visit a dying friend, or neighbour, oh what an opportunity hast thou put into thy hand to do his soul good! by advising him to think of death, and to prepare for it, to make his peace with God, to cast himself and the burden of his sins upon Christ, to build the hope of his salvation only upon that rock the Lord Jesus Christ.