A41649:743
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.
6. When thou feelest corruption working and stirring in thee enticing thee to sin, seriously consider the manifold sufferings and bitter death of our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ on the Cross: whereof our sins were the cause. These were they that lay heavy upon his soul, and made him exceeding sorrowful even unto death. These were the thorns which pricked his Temples; the whips which scourged his innocent body: and the nails which fastened his hands and feet to the Cross. And can we love our sins which killed our Saviour? we complain of Judas, and of the Jews for Crucifying him; and seem to hate them upon that account. But behold the Judas in thy heart, and in thy life, thy sins, these are the betrayers and murderers.
6. When thou feelest corruption working and stirring in thee entising thee to sin, seriously consider the manifold sufferings and bitter death of our blessed Saviour Iesus Christ on the Cross: whereof our sins were the cause. These were they that lay heavy upon his soul, and made him exceeding sorrowfull even unto death. These were the thorns which pricked his Temples; the whips which scourged his innocent body: and the nails which fastned his hands and feet to the Cross. And can we love our sins which kil'd our Saviour? we complain of Iudas, and of the Iews for Crucifying him; and seem to hate them upon that account. But behold the Iudas in thy heart, and in thy life, thy sins, these are the betrayers and murderers.
Oh never leave looking up to a Crucified Christ, till thou feel and find, both arguments enough to engage thy heart against them, and virtue flow from him to the Crucifying of them. To this end, reason thus with thy self. Hath Christ paid for my Redemption his most precious Blood, and shall I sell my ⟨p. 210⟩soul to sin again for this fleshly pleasure, or base profit? what is this but to Crucify the Lord of life afresh? For know assuredly, so many sins as thou committest wittingly, and with delight, so many thorns dost thou again fasten upon his head, so many nails dost thou drive into his hands and feet, so many spears dost thou thrust into his heart. Certainly a serious consideration of these things cannot but be a special means to set thee heartily upon this work of Mortification.