A41649:600
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.
For the right manner of performing good duties, take these few directions;
I. Be sure you take Christ with you both for assistance, and acceptance.
1. For assistance. For without me, saith Christ, you can do nothing. That is, without Union with Christ, and Communion with him, you cannot perform any acceptable service unto God. You may fall upon the duty of prayer, and attend upon the Ministry of the Word: but without assistance from Christ, you can neither do the one, nor the other as you should. Whensoever therefore you set upon any good duty, in the first place beg strength and assistance from Christ, and rest and lean upon him for his help, go not to pray or hear but in the strength of the Lord.
2. Take Christ with you for acceptance both of your persons and services. Christ is the beloved Son of God, with whom he is so well pleased, that likewise in him he is well pleased with all those that come to God by ⟨p. 169⟩