A41649:611
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.
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.
CHAP. XXI. Of walking Circumspectly and Exactly.
IV. Another singular duty incumbent upon the Regenerate is, To walk circumspectly and exactly, according to that of the Apostle, See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. The word in the Original translated circumspectly, 1cometh of two words, which signify to go to the extremity of a thing. We must be willing to go to the utmost of every command. The same word is used by the Evangelist St. Matthew, when Herod charged the Wise men to search most diligently and narrowly, to make a close and a thorough search for the young Child Jesus. So that by this Phrase is intended great accurateness and exactness in our Christian conversation, which the Spirit of God accounteth the greatest point of wisdom, as appeareth from the following words, not as fools, but as wise men. It is no part of folly, but a great point of wisdom to be circumspect in the whole course of our lives. I know the men of the World count preciseness of life the greatest folly that may be: and therefore often call those precise fools, who endeavour to live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present World. But at last it will appear the greatest point of Wisdom.
IV. ANother singular duty incumbent upon the Regenerate is, To walk circumspectly and exactly, according to that of the Apostle, See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. The word in the Original translated circumspectly, 1cometh of two words, which signifie to go to the extremity of a thing. We must be willing to go to the utmost of every command. The same word is used by the Evangelist St. Matthew, when Herod charged the Wise men to search most diligently and narrowly, to make a close and a thorow search for the young Child Jesus. So that by this Phrase is intended great accurateness and exactness in our Christian conversation, which the Spirit of God accounteth the greatest point of wisdom, as appeareth from the following words, not as fools, but as wise men. It is no part of folly, but a great point of wisdom to be circumspect in the whole course of our lives. I know the men of the World count preciseness of life the greatest folly that may be: and therefore often call those precise fools, who endeavour to live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present World. But at last it will appear the greatest point of Wisdom.