A41649:761
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. By faith wait upon Christ in expectation of relief, and succour against the working and stirring of thy corruptions. Though relief come in but slowly from him, yet wait for it, because it will most surely come in the most seasonable time. Hereby wilt thou engage Christ to appear for thy help. For as nothing doth more engage the heart of a man to be helpful to another, than an expectation of help from him: So certainly the raising up thine heart to an expectation of relief from Christ, must needs be a great engagement unto him to assist thee accordingly.
5. By faith wait upon Christ in expectation of relief, and succour against the working and stirring of thy corruptions. Though relief come in but slowly from him, yet wait for it, because it will most surely come in the most seasonable time. Hereby wilt thou ingage Christ to appear for thy help. For as nothing doth more ingage the heart of a man to be helpfull to another, than an expectation of help from him: So certainly the raising up thine heart to an expectation of relief from Christ, must needs be a great ingagement unto him to assist thee accordingly.
When Christ cured many of their bodily diseases and distempers while he lived upon the Earth, we find their cure is still ascribed to their faith. Now what was their faith? They believed that Christ was both able and willing to cure them, and thereupon with confidence went unto him for cure, and so drew virtue from him accordingly. This you may see in the poor Woman that had an issue of blood twelve years, who came behind Christ and said, If I may but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be whole. To whom Christ replied,1 Daughter be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole. This is written as all other Scripture is, for our learning, to teach and instruct us: what course ⟨p. 215⟩to take for the curing of our spiritual maladies and diseases.