A41649:712
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.
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.
4. Readiness to discourse on divine mysteries. As they who have layed 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 withall. 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.
5. Cheerfulness of Spirit. To be much in Heaven by a frequent contemplation of things above, will exceedingly cheer up our Spirits, and make us walk comfortably. For the proof hereof I dare appeal to the experience of any Heavenly-minded Christian. When is it that your hearts are most cheerful? but when you have been walking with God, and beholding his face, and looking to those things that are within the veil. Certainly this will leave such a savour upon the heart of a Christian, that he cannot but confess, that one hour thus spent, doth afford more true real joy and sweetness, than all the riches and pleasures in the World.