A41649:629
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.
Oh then how doth it concern us to set bounds to our selves in all lawful things! not to exceed either in our recreations, or in our vocations, or in our eating, drinking and the like: but to observe the golden mean: the rather because the Devil in nothing more prevaileth with Gods people than in their immoderate and inordinate usage of things lawful. Knowing full well that the Godly will not easily be drawn to the committing of such things as carry wickedness in their foreheads, he therefore layeth his snares for them in the use of things lawful; as their meat and drink, their apparel and recreation, their trading and traffic with the like. Wherein his snares being not so visible, he oftentimes prevaileth with them. The Apostle declaring what a cruel, crafty, and malicious adversary the Devil is, whom he setteth forth to be as a roaring Lyon, 1that walketh about seeking to devour: he thereupon adviseth us to be as sober in the use of things lawful and indifferent, so watchful over our selves, lest we be foiled therein.
Oh then how doth it concern us to set bounds to our selves in all lawfull things! not to exceed either in our recreations, or in our vocations, or in our eating, drinking and the like: but to observe the golden mean: the rather because the Devil in nothing more prevaileth with Gods people than in their immoderate and inordinate usage of things lawfull. Knowing full well that the Godly will not easily be drawn to the committing of such things as carry wickedness in their foreheads, he therefore layeth his snares for them in the use of things lawfull; as their meat and drink, their apparel and recreation, their trading and traffick with the like. Wherein his snares being not so visible, he oftentimes prevaileth with them. The Apostle declaring what a cruel, crafty, and malicious adversary the Devil is, whom he setteth forth to be as a roaring Lyon, 1that walketh about seeking to devour: he thereupon adviseth us to be as sober in the use of things lawfull and indifferent, so watchfull over our selves, lest we be foyled therein.