A41649:649
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.
O what a shame is it for such as are brought out of darkness into marvellous light, having their understandings enlightened with the knowledge of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, and are able to discern the mysteries of Godliness that they should set their hearts and affections upon base and transitory things! that they should lay out themselves so much in the pursuit of them! and never think they have laid up sufficient of these earthly treasures! What a shame is it for such as profess themselves the Sons of God, to live like Sons of men! as if their portion and happiness were only in this life. That they who profess themselves Heirs to an Heavenly inheritance, should so much dote upon earthly things! what a shame is it for such as have reasonable souls, capable of an everlasting life, and of communion with God both here and hereafter, should so far debase their natures, as to live like Moles and Worms in the Earth, and to root like Swine in mud and dung!
O what a shame is it for such as are brought out of darkness into marvelous light, having their understandings inlightned with the knowledge of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, and are able to discern the mysteries of Godliness that they should set their hearts and affections upon base and transitory things! that they should lay out themselves so much in the pursuit of them! and never think they have laid up sufficient of these earthly treasures! What a shame is it for such as profess themselves the Sons of God, to live like Sons of men! as if their portion and happiness were only in this life. That they who profess themselves Heirs to an Heavenly inheritance, should so much dote upon earthly things! what a shame is it for such as have reasonable souls, capable of an everlasting life, and of communion with God both here and hereafter, should so far debase their natures, as to live like Moles and Worms in the Earth, and to root like Swine in mudd and dung!
Oh how doth it concern you, daily to humble your selves for this sin, and to loath and abhor it, and watch against it for the time to come! For as every evil is to be abhorred, so especially such as are disgraceful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to the Religion which you profess. Let us all therefore who have given our names unto Christ, labour to mortify this sin in us. Let us use this