A41649:598
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.
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.
4. It is the right manner of performing duties, that obtaineth a blessing from God. It may be thou hast heard much, and prayed much, and fasted much, and yet hast found little good, or benefit thereby. Examine whether thou hast not been dead and dull, formal and perfunctory in them, doing them as if thou didst them not. If so, no marvel that thou hast received so little good by them. As therefore thou wouldst be loth to pray in vain, or hear in vain, or fast in vain: as thou wouldst be loth to lose the things which thou hast wrought, see to it that thou be as careful of the manner, as of the matter of them: how thou dost them, as that thou dost them. Do what thou dost with all thy soul, yea and with all thy might, and then thou mayest expect a plentiful and gracious return.
4. It is the right manner of performing duties, that obtaineth a blessing from God. It may be thou hast heard much, and prayed much, and fasted much, and yet hast found little good, or benefit thereby. Examine whether thou hast not been dead and dull, formal and perfunctory in them, doing them as if thou didst them not. If so, no marvail that thou hast received so little good by them. As therefore thou wouldst be loth to pray in vain, or hear in vain, or fast in vain: as thou wouldst be loth to lose the things which thou hast wrought, see to it that thou be as carefull of the manner, as of the matter of them: how thou dost them, as that thou dost them. Do what thou dost with all thy soul, yea and with all thy might, and then thou maist expect a plentiful and gracious return.