A41649:631
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 22: Of the danger of Covetousness, as being the root of all evil.
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. XXII. Of the danger of Covetousness, as being the root of all evil.
Another singular duty incumbent upon the Regenerate is, To beware of Covetousness and over-loving the World, as being the root of all evil. I do not say, that our hearts being changed and renewed, we ought thereupon wholly to abandon the World, and give over all Worldly businesses and employments. For grace and a worldly calling may very well stand together: yea a man may be a sincere, holy Christian, and yet a great dealer in the World: nay grace engageth a man to be a good husband, to improve the estate God hath bestowed on him. But yet we ought not insatiably to desire, and inordinately to hunt after riches, as if they were the only things, or the great things ⟨p. 181⟩to be sought after; this is Covetousness. It is not the having of riches, but the immoderate desiring and loving of them, and overvaluing them, which denominates a man Covetous. A man may have much of this Worlds goods, and yet be no Worldling. And another may have little, and yet be covetous. This sin is especially in the heart.
ANother singular duty incumbent upon the Regenerate is, To beware of Covetousness and over-loving the World, as being the root of all evil. I do not say, that our hearts being changed and renewed, we ought thereupon wholy to abandon the World, and give over all Worldly businesses and imployments. For grace and a worldly calling may very well stand together: yea a man may be a sincere, holy Christian, and yet a great dealer in the World: nay grace ingageth a man to be a good husband, to improve the estate God hath bestowed on him. But yet we ought not insatiably to desire, and inordinately to hunt after riches, as if they were the only things, or the great things ⟨p. 181⟩