A41649:64
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 2: The Exposition and Observations arising out of verse 3.
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.
Before we come to the substance of Christs discourse, observe we his manner of entertaining Nicodemus.
You have heard from the foregoing verses, that Nicodemus was both a Pharisee and a Ruler; both which sorts of men most of all opposed Christ. And you have heard of his weakness, how through fear and shame he went to Christ by night; being loth to be seen with him. Yet Christ rejects him not, but kindly entertains him, and instructs him in such points, whereof he was ignorant, though they were fundamental points necessary to salvation. Whence we may observe:
You have heard from the foregoing verses, that Nicodemus was both a Pharisee and a Ruler; both which sorts of men most of all opposed Christ. And you have heard of his weakness, how through fear and shame he went to Christ by night; being loth to be seen with him. Yet Christ re•ects him not, but kindly entertains him, and instructs him in such points, whereof he was ignorant, though they were fundamental points necessary to salvation. Whence we may observe:
Observ. Christ is ready to entertain those that in truth, and uprightness seek unto him, though their weaknesses and in••rmities are many. He rejecteth not such as are ⟨p. 8⟩weak in faith for their weakness. We read in the History of the Gospel, that when Christ lived upon the earth, he rejected none who came unto him in uprightness of heart. Some indeed went away of themselves, but he turned away none. Only he seemed once not to regard the Woman of Canaan, But why? Surely not out of any purpose or intent to reject her, or turn her away, but only to make known the greatness and strength of her faith. For in the close Christ saith unto her,