A41649:597
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.
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.
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 implyeth, 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.
3. Failing in the manner of performance makes God not only to reject our duties, but to pronounce a woe and a curse ⟨p. 168⟩against the performers of them. 1Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord negligently. Though it be the work of the Lord, that work which the Lord appointeth to be done, yet notwithstanding if it be done negligently, not after a right manner, cursed is he that doth it.