A41649:704
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.
9. So often as thou goest unto God in Prayer, let one petition be for mortifying grace, to conquer those sinful Lusts and vile affections, which are apt to steam up into thine head with answerable thoughts; and that he would make thee more heavenly minded, by working in thine heart better affections. Nothing but the power of God can cure us of the vanity of our thoughts, and make them such as may be acceptable unto him.
9. So often as thou goest unto God in Prayer, let one petition be for mortifying grace, to conquer those sinfull Lusts and vile affections, which are apt to steam up into thine head with answerable thoughts; and that he would make thee more heavenly minded, by working in thine heart better affections. Nothing but the power of God can cure us of the vanity of our thoughts, and make them such as may be acceptable unto him.
In regard that the best of Gods people do find a great backwardness, and untowardness in themselves to the performance of this Heavenly duty: I shall give you some Motives thereunto, which if seriously weighed, may through Gods blessing prove effectual to persuade you to be more spiritually minded.
In regard that the best of Gods people do find a great backwardness, and untowardness in themselves to the performance of this Heavenly duty: I shall give you some Motives thereunto, which if seriously weighed, may through Gods blessing prove effectual to perswade you to be more spiritually minded.
I. May be taken from the possibility of the work. Indeed the work is somewhat difficult, yet is it possible; it's that you have power to do. Though you have not that command of your affections, you cannot love what you will, or hate what you will, or grieve when you will; yet can you not think of what you will? And by how much more able you are to it, by so much the greater your sin is, if you neglect it.