A41649:691
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.
And the more to set off this glory and blessedness, oft consider with thy self the deplorable state of the damned in hell, who feel nothing for the present but wrath and vengeance: and can expect nothing for the future but the fuller Vials of Gods indignation to be poured on them to all Eternity.
And the more to set off this glory and blessedness, oft consider with thy self the deplorable state of the damned in hell, who feel nothing for the present but wrath and vengeance: and can expect nothing for the future but the fuller Vials of Gods indignation to be powred on them to all Eternity.
Such considerations as these will serve as notable helps to draw and keep thine heart Heaven-ward, and to turn all the streams of thy desires and longings towards the God of glory. But oh how many Christians are there who having an hope towards God, and some confidence of their interest in things above, do notwithstanding converse but very little with them? Their thoughts are seldom on Heaven or Heavenly things; that notwithstanding all their confidence, they may well question whether their treasure be there.
Such considerations as these will serve as notable helps to draw and keep thine heart Heaven-ward, and to turn all the streams of thy desires and longings towards the God of glory. But oh how many Christians are there who having an hope towards God, and some confidence of their interest in things above, do notwithstanding converse but very little with them? Their thoughts are seldome on Heaven or Heavenly things; that notwithstanding all their confidence, they may well question whether their treasure be there.
Consider, Reader, As before the Lord, whether this be not thine own case. Thou canst not be ignorant that an heart estranged from Heaven, hath little evidence that he hath any part or place therein. And wilt thou yet persuade thy self that God is thine, when thou carest no more for him? Dost thou highly prize an Heavenly mind, and account them the best and the happiest Christians, that are much in Heaven? and yet is it not grievous to thee to find that thou didst never in all thy life, it may be, or but very seldom fix thy thoughts thereon for a quarter of an hour together? but hast many and many a time suffered the Devil to run away with thy thoughts, and to detain them on this dunghill below.