A41649:595
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 20: Of performing good duties after a right manner.
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.
III. Another singular duty incumbent upon the Regenerate, is, To be careful of the manner of performing good duties. Not only to be conscionable in the use of Ordinances, but likewise to work up their hearts to a conscionableness in the manner of doing them.
III. ANother singular duty incumbent upon the Regenerate, is, To be carefull of the manner of performing good duties. Not only to be conscionable in the use of Ordinances, but likewise to work up their hearts to a conscionableness in the manner of doing them.
1. For therein especially is our respect to God manifested. As for the duties themselves, many respects may induce us to the outward performance of them: as obedience to authority, desire of a good name, hope of meriting thereby, or the like. But it is respect to God (who searcheth the heart) that moveth men to do the good duties they take in hand, after a right manner, so as they may be pleasing and acceptable unto him.
2. The most holy duties we take in hand are clean perverted and depraved through our failing in the manner of performing them. Yea holy duties are thereby turned into sin,1 as the Prophet Isay implieth, He that killeth an Ox, for Sacrifice, is as if he slew a man: he that Sacrificeth a Lamb, as if he cut off a dogs neck. Though the Sacrificing of Oxen and Lambs, were good, and commanded by God himself: yet because they failed in the manner of performing them, they were no more acceptable to God, than the killing of men, or cutting off a dogs neck, which things were forbidden by the Law, and abomination to the Lord.