A41649:713
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.
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.
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 cheerfull? but when you have been walking with God, and beholding his face, and looking to those things that are within the vail. 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.
Hereupon David cried out,1 How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! As if he had said, How delightful and comfortable are the thoughts that I have of thee! yea saith he, when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches, my soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. And who is there that hath seriously experimented this divine exercise, who doth not find abundance of sweetness and comfort in it? Certainly no comfort, no joy is to be compared with it.
Hereupon David cryed out,1 How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! As if he had said, How delightful and comfortable are the thoughts that I have of thee! yea saith he, when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches, my soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. And who is there that hath seriously experimented this divine exercise, who doth not find abundance of sweetness and comfort in it? Certainly no comfort, no joy is to be compared with it.