A41649:753
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.
1Come unto me, saith Christ, all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you case, and rest. Certain•y one special reason why many complain so much of the strength and prevalency of their corruptions is, because they are not heartily willing to have them mortified and subdued. They will indeed profess a willingness to part with their sins, that they may be freed from the guilt of them, and punishment due unto them; but unwilling they are to part with the pleasure they find in them. Thus Austin acknowledgeth of ⟨p. 213⟩himself; I prayed, said he, that my sins might be forgiven and mortified: but yet I was afraid l•st my prayer should be heard and answered, If therefore thou wouldst have thy sins mortified indeed, stir up in thy self a willing mind thereunto.
V. Complain unto God of the prevalency of thy lusts, and by prayer beg strength from him against the power of them. From God it is that strength must be had, it is his power alone that can support us against the power of sin. And Prayer is the means of obtaining it. This was the course that Paul took, when he was troubled with that thorn in his flesh, 1which expositors generally interpret to be, some strong motions and inclinations in him to some foul sin. For this, saith the text, he besought the Lord thrice, that is, oftentimes. And though he did not presently obtain a full deliverance, yet did he receive strength sufficient to resist them, so that he could not be overcome by them.
V. Complain unto God of the prevalency of thy lusts, and by prayer beg strength from him against the power of thm. From God it is that strength must be had, it is his power alone that can support us against the power of sin. And Prayer is the means of obtaining it. This was the course that Paul took, when he was troubled with that thorn in his flesh,