A41649:693
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.
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.
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 perswade 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 seldome 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.
Certainly it were better the Devil had power to ⟨image 107⟩[…] ⟨image 107⟩[…] ⟨p. 196⟩run away with thine estate, than with thy thoughts, and to order their motions at his pleasure. Oh the multitude of Worldly and covetous thoughts! of wanton and unclean thoughts! of proud and ambitious thoughts! of wicked and profane thoughts! yea of blasphemous, and atheistical thoughts that lodge in the hearts of most of us, and there Revel it day and night! Oh the speculative filthiness, and contemplative uncleanness that not only harbours, but likewise find hearty welcome and entertainment there!