A41649:697
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.
2. When thou findest thy mind and thoughts to be ridden, by the Devil, and carried away from God, lift up thine heart by earnest and fervent prayer unto him, who is the Father of Spirits, and hath power over Devils; and beg of him, that as by his permission he hath suffered the unclean Spirit to enter into thee: so he would command him speedily to depart from thee, that thy mind might be free for its proper work. For he only can cast down imaginations, 1and every thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
2. When thou findest thy mind and thoughts to be ridden, by the Devil, and carryed away from God, lift up thine heart by earnest and fervent prayer unto him, who is the Father of Spirits, and hath power over Devils; and begg of him, that as by his permission he hath suffered the unclean Spirit to enter into thee: so he would command him speedily to depart from thee, that thy mind might be free for its proper work. For he only can cast down imaginations, 1and every thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
3. Work thy heart to a perfect detestation of all vain and wicked thoughts, that thou mayest be able to say with David, 1I hate vain thoughts. This will heighten thy resolutions to a greater watchfulness against them ⟨p. 197⟩