A41649:719
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.
CHAP. XXV. Of Mortification.
Another singular duty incumbent upon the Regenerate is, To labour in the use of all good means, for the mortification of the whole body of sin, with all its affections and lusts, especially those we feel most predominant in us. True mortification extendeth it self to the whole of sin, body and members, root and branch; even every sinful lust.1 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the Earth, saith the Apostle. Where by Members on the Earth, are meant the sinful lusts and affections, which are as the Members of that monstrous body of sin; which is evident by the particular instances in the Words following, namely Fornication, uncleanness, inordinate Affections, and the like. These must be mortified, that is, killed and destroyed. The Regenerate by the Spirit of God are enabled as to restrain the actings of sin, so by degrees to deaden the root. Indeed this is not done to the uttermost while here we live, I mean, sin is not here so mortified and destroyed, that it hath no residence, nor activity in our hearts: yet may it be so weakened and subdued, as to lose its vigour, power and strength, and languish away more and more. Though corruption keep possession in us, after we are Regenerate, yet hath it not dominion over us, though we may be sins Captives, yet shall we not be sins subjects, to yield a voluntary subjection of our selves unto the commands of sin.
ANother singular duty incumbent upon the Regenerate is, To labour in the use of all good means, for the mortification of the whole body of sin, with all its affections and lusts, especially those we feel most predominant in us. True mortification extendeth it self to the whole of sin, body and members, root and branch; even every sinfull lust.1 Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the Earth, saith the Apostle. Where by Members on the Earth, are meant the sinfull lusts and affections, which are as the Members of that monstrous body of sin; which is evident by the particular instances in the Words following, namely Fornication, uncleanness, inordinate Affections, and the like. These must be mortified, that is, killed and destroyed. The Regenerate by the Spirit of God are enabled as to restrain the actings of sin, so by degrees to deaden the root. Indeed this is not done to the uttermost while here we live, I mean, sin is not here so mortified and destroyed, that it hath no residence, nor activity in our hearts: yet may it be so weakned and subdued, as to lose its vigor, power and strength, and languish away more and more. Though corruption keep possession in us, after we are Regenerate, yet hath it not dominion over us, though we may be sins Captives, yet shall we not be sins subjects, to yield a voluntary subjection of our selves unto the commands of sin.