A41649:615
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.
1. In walking by rule. As the Carpenter when he would do his work exactly, doth all by rule. So must ⟨p. 173⟩the Christian that would walk accurately, he must walk by the Word of God, which is the only adequate rule of holiness: He must eat and drink, and buy and sell, and work and rest, and all by this rule. Therefore saith the Apostle,1 As many as walk by this rule, peace be on them, and on the Israel of God. Let our walking be never so specious and glorious, yet if it be not strait and according to the rule of Scripture, as it will afford no true solid comfort at the last, so neither will it find acceptance with God. For as nothing is a sin (how great a show of evil soever it beareth) but that which swerveth from the direction of Gods Word. So nothing is a good work, (how great a show of goodness soever it beareth) but only that which is according to the direction of his Word. Therefore Moses giveth this in express charge to the Israelites,2 Ye shall observe to do, as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand, nor to the left.
1. In walking by rule. As the Carpenter when he would do his work exactly, doth all by rule. So must ⟨p. 173⟩the Christian that would walk accurately, he must walk by the Word of God, which is the only adequate rule of holiness: He must eat and drink, and buy and sell, and work and rest, and all by this rule. Therefore saith the Apostle,1 As many as walk by this rule, peace be on them, and on the Israel of God. Let our walking be never so specious and glorious, yet if it be not strait and according to the rule of Scripture, as it will afford no true solid comfort at the last, so neither will it find acceptance with God. For as nothing is a sin (how great a shew of evil soever it beareth) but that which swerveth from the direction of Gods Word. So nothing is a good work, (how great a shew of goodness soever it beareth) but only that which is according to the direction of his Word. Therefore Moses giveth this in express charge to the Israelites,