A41649:750
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.
III. Observe the first working of corruption in thine heart, and carefully suppress the same, not suffering it to get the least ground. Do not say, thus far it shall go and no farther. Give sin an inch, and it will soon take an ell, as the proverb is. Lustful thoughts have oft-times ended in outward uncleanness, and actual Adultery.1 From the heart, saith our Saviour, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, &c. Noting evil thoughts to be the cause of the uncleanness in the life. ⟨p. 212⟩In Athaliah's Massacre of the blood-royal, young Joash was hid in the bed-chamber, there he was nursed, and afterwards came to be King, and ruled in the Throne. Save any Lustful thought, nurse it in the bed-chamber of thy heart, hide it there, and it will in time come to be King, and rule over thee.
III. Observe the first working of corruption in thine heart, and carefully suppress the same, not suffering it to get the least ground. Do not say, thus far it shall go and no farther. Give sin an inch, and it will soon take an ell, as the proverb is. Lustfull thoughts have oft-times ended in outward uncleanness, and actual Adultery.1 From the heart, saith our Saviour, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, &c. Noting evil thoughts to be the cause of the uncleanness in the life. ⟨p. 212⟩In Athaliahs Massacre of the blood-royal, young Ioash was hid in the bed-chamber, there he was nurst, and afterwards came to be King, and ruled in the Throne. Save any Lustfull thought, nurse it in the bed-chamber of thy heart, hide it there, and it will in time come to be King, and rule over thee.