A41649:710
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. A clearer apprehension of divine truths. Though we hear often, and read much, yet if we digest not those truths we meet with, by meditation, we shall still continue in the dark. Our knowledge at the best will be but weak, and inefficacious. Whereas by a frequent thinking of those truths which we hear or read, we shall have a clearer apprehension of them, and they will be concocted into better nourishment.
3. An Heavenly conversation. The mind being the fountain of actions, such as the mind is, such is the life, and conversation. If the mind be holy and Heavenly, such will the life be. But if the mind be carnal, and unclean, the conversation will be thereafter. Wouldst thou have an Heavenly conversation? then must thou be Heavenly minded. Thoughts are the seed and conception of all our actions, and such as the seed is, such will be the fruit. As evil thoughts bring forth evil actions, so Heavenly thoughts bring forth an Heavenly conversation.
4. Readiness to discourse on divine mysteries. As they who have laid up much riches, have sufficient by them, to bring forth on all occasions: so such as by frequent meditation have treasured up many precious truths, have sufficient by them to produce, for the benefit of those they converse withal. Whereas others who have spent much time in reading, and hearing, ⟨p. 201⟩and have not by meditation made it their own, we see how barren they are.1 I will meditate, saith David, of all thy works, and talk of thy doings. It is there observable, how good conference follows upon holy meditation.