A41649:706
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.
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.
II. Consider the necessity of this duty. The mind of man being active, if it be not exercised on spiritual, and holy things, it will be on things earthly and carnal. The truth is, whosoever doth not accustom himself to fix his thoughts on God, or his Word, or some spiritual subject, will be sure to find them taken up with things of less concernment, yea of dangerous and sad consequence; from which they will reap nothing but corruption, and defilement. By how much our minds stray from God, and pitch upon other things, the more will they grow into the form of the Devil.1 They are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain.
II. Consider the necessity of this duty. The mind of man being active, if it be not exercised on spiritual, and holy things, it will be on things earthly and carnal. The truth is, whosoever doth not accustome himself to fix his thoughts on God, or his Word, or some spiritual subject, will be sure to find them taken up with things of less concernment, yea of dangerous and sad consequence; from which they will reap nothing but corruption, and defilement. By how much our minds stray from God, and pitch upon other things, the more will they grow into the form of the Devil.1 They are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain.