A41649:603
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. 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⟩him? and look for neither audience nor acceptance, but upon his account alone. The truth is, as our persons are vile and wretched, and all as an unclean thing: so our Services, even our most holy Services are all polluted and tainted, with the corruption of our natures: and therefore they are odious and abominable in the sight of God, who may justly reject both us and them: and will do it, unless covered with the worthiness of our Lord Jesus Christ; but in him we shall not fail to obtain gracious acceptance.
Whensoever therefore we go unto God in prayer, or in any other ordinance, let us carry Christ with us in the arms of our faith. Plut arch in the life of Themistocles reports, that it was the usual custom of some of the Heathens, namely, the Molossia•s, that when they would seek the favour of their King, they took his Son in their arms, and so went unto him. And questionless it would be the wisdom of Christians, in seeking the face and favour of God, who is the King of Heaven and of earth, to take the holy Child Jesus with them, without whom they may not see his face.
Whensoever therefore we go unto God in prayer, or in any other ordinance, let us carry Christ with us in the arms of our faith. Plut arch in the life of Themistocles reports, that it was the usual custome of some of the Heathens, namely, the Molossia•s, that when they would seek the favour of their King, they took his Son in their arms, and so went unto him. And questionless it would be the wisdom of Christians, in seeking the face and favour of God, who is the King of Heaven and of earth, to take the holy Child Jesus with them, without whom they may not see his face.