A41649:764
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.
Having showed the Means whereby the work of Mortification may be effected. I come now to show the Manner how it ought to be performed.
Having shewed the Means whereby the work of Mortification may be effected. I come now to shew the Manner how it ought to be performed.
1. Our Mortification must be speedy. Begin to day, let the axe be presently laid to the root of these trees; and whenever you feel the Devil at work, blowing up the Coals of Lust, be instantly in arms, give not time to sin to get head upon thee, resist it in its first motions and risings. Delays herein are very dangerous. That Lust which at first may easily be overcome, afterwards will hardly be kept under.
1. Our Mortification must be speedy. Begin to day, let the ax be presently laid to the root of these trees; and whenever you feel the Devil at work, blowing up the Coals of Lust, be instantly in arms, give not time to sin to get head upon thee, resist it in its first motions and risings. Delayes herein are very dangerous. That Lust which at first may easily be overcome, afterwards will hardly be kept under.
Why should we not be as wife for our souls, as we are for our bodies? who having fire cast into his bosom or house, will not presently cast it out, and quench it? Woe to those fools who let alone these hellish fires, and trifle so long, till it hath gotten the mastery. You whose Lusts are through your own neglects gotten up into a flame, fear le•t it be too late to quench them: fear lest these fires having been neglected so long, should now burn to the bottom of Hell.
Why should we not be as wife for our souls, as we are for our bodies? who having fire cast into his bosome or house, will not presently cast it out, and quench it? Woe to those fools who let alone these hellish fires, and trifle so long, till it hath gotten the mastery. You whose Lusts are through your own neglects gotten up into a flame, fear let it be too late to quench them: fear lest these fires having been neglected so long, should now burn to the bottom of Hell.