A41649:769
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.
Josh. 24.15. As for Me and my House, we will serve the Lord.
CHAP. I. The Parts of the Text, and Observation thence arising.
The sum of these words is, The good mans godly resolution, to serve the Lord with his household.
THe summ of these words is, The good mans godly r•solution, to serve the Lord with his houshold.
In which we may observe these particulars, 1. The person resolving, viz, Joshua, he it is who makes this resolution. 2. The order of his resolution, first himself will serve the Lord, and then his house. 3. The extent of his resolution, viz. his whole house, as for me, and my house. 4. The matter resolved on, and this is, to serve God.
In which we may observe these particulars, 1. The person resolving, viz, Ioshua, he it is who makes this resolution. 2. The order of his resolution, first himself will serve the Lord, and then his house. 3. The extent of his resolution, viz. his whole house, as for me, and my house. 4. The matter resolved on, and this is, to serve God.
Each of these might afford unto us a distinct point of Doctrine. But I shall wave them all, and insist upon one, which as it comprehendeth the main scope of the words, so it best suiteth with the scope of my intention in this discourse; which is to press all Parents, Masters, and Governors of Families to a constant and ⟨p. 220⟩conscionable performance of holy, and religious duties in and with their Families.
Each of these might afford unto us a distinct point of Doctrine. But I shall wave them all, and insist upon one, which as it comprehendeth the main scope of the words, so it best suiteth with the scope of my intention in this discourse; which is to press all Parents, Masters, and Governours of Families to a constant and ⟨p. 220⟩conscionable performance of holy, and religious duties in and with their Families.
The point of Doctrine is this,
Observ. It is a duty incumbent upon Parents and Masters of Families, to be careful, that not only themselves, but also all under their charge, even their whole household, do faithfully serve the Lord.
Observ. It is a duty incumbent upon Parents and Masters of Families, to be carefull, that not only themselves, but also all under their charge, even their whole houshold, do faithfully serve the Lord.
It is not sufficient for Governors of Families to be good Christians themselves, but they ought to be Christian Governors. Not enough to be themselves Religious, but they must train up all under their charge in the knowledge and practice of Religion. And the truth is, good Christians they cannot be, who are not Christian Governors: He hath little Religion himself, that doth not faithfully endeavour to propagate it in his Family. Thus Joshua as a Master of a Family undertaketh not only for himself, but also for his whole household, that he with them, and they with him should serve the Lord. Yea and in all ages such as have been most eminent in grace, have been most exact in their Family-duties; instance Abraham, the Father of the faithful, of whom God himself giveth thi• testimony,1 I know Abraham, that he will command his Children and his household after him, that they shall keep the way of the Lord, &c. And Jacob his Grand-child walking in the steps of his Father Abraham, was not content at Bethel to worship God sincerely himself,2 but he chargeth his Family to put away the strange Gods which were among them, and to serve the true God according to the prescribed rule of his Word. David, though he were a King, and so had the care of an whole Kingdom upon him, yet thought his State-affairs no privilege to exempt him from the Religious ordering, and governing of his Family. And therefore he professeth,3 That he would walk within his house with a perfect heart, that is, sincerely discharge the duties belonging to the Governor of an house. Yea under the Law, we find that the Fathers amongst the Israelites were commanded to teach their Children the meaning ⟨p. 221⟩of the Passover, 4and of the Feast of unleavened bread.
It is not sufficient for Governours of Families to be good Christians themselves, but they ought to be Christian Governours. Not enough to be themselves Religious, but they must train up all under their charge in the knowledge and practice of Religion. And the truth is, good Christians they cannot be, who are not Christian Governours: He hath little Religion himself, that doth not faithfully endeavour to propagate it in his Family. Thus Ioshua as a Master of a Family undertaketh not only for himself, but also for his whole houshold, that he with them, and they with him should serve the Lord. Yea and in all ages such as have been most eminent in grace, have been most exact in their Family-duties; instance Abraham, the Father of the fa•thfull, of whom God himself giveth thi• testimony,1 I know Abraham, that he will command his Children and his houshold after him, that they shall keep the way of the Lord, &c. And Iacob his Grand-child walking in the steps of his Father Abraham, was not content at Bethel to worship God sincerely himself,2 but he chargeth his Family to put away the strange Gods which were among them, and to serve the true God according to the prescribed rule of his Word. David, though he were a King, and so had the care of an whole Kingdom upon him, yet thought his State-affairs no priviledge to exempt him from the Religious ordering, and governing of his Family. And therefore he professeth,3 That he would walk within his house with a perfect heart, that is, sincerely discharge the duties belonging to the Governour of an house. Yea under the Law, we find that the Fathers amongst the Israelites were commanded to teach their Children the meaning ⟨p. 221⟩of the Passover, 4and of the Feast of unleavened bread.
- 1Gen. 18.19.
- 2Gen. 35.2.
- 3Psal. 101.
- 4Exod. 12. & 13.
And that we may not think this a legal precept abolished in the time of the Gospel; the Apostle giveth a general charge to all Christian Parents, to bring up their Children in the nurture, 1and admonition of the Lord. Yea by the practice of the primitive Christians, who lived in the days of the Apostles, it doth appear, that so soon as any Governor of a Family was converted and professed the Christian faith, he still engaged his Family to serve God;2 It is said of Cornelius, that he was a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house. 3And it is recorded of Lydia, that she was baptized and her Household. And it is said of the Jailer, 4that he believed in God with all his house. Yea the houses of the faithful in the primitive times were styled (a)Churches, which implieth that their private families were so piously ordered, and religiously instructed,6 that they seemed to be little Churches, rather than, ordinary houses; having taken up Joshua's resolution, As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.7
And that we may not think this a legal precept abolished in the time of the Gospel; the Apostle giveth a general charge to all Christian Parents, to bring up their Children in the nurture, 1and admonition of the Lord. Yea by the practice of the primitive Christians, who lived in the dayes of the Apostles, it doth appear, that so soon as any Governour of a Family was converted and professed the Christian faith, he still ingaged his Family to serve God;2 It is said of Cornelius, that he was a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house. 3And it is recorded of Lydia, that she was baptized and her Houshold. And it is said of the Iaylor, 4that he believed in God with all his house. Yea the houses of the faithfull in the primitive times were stiled (a)Churches, which implyeth that their private families were so piously ordered, and religiously instructed,6 that they seemed to be little Churches, rather than, ordinary houses; having taken up Ioshuah's resolution, As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.7
- 1Eph. 6.4.
- 2Act. 10.2.
- 3Act. 16.15.
- 4ver. 34.
- (a)Rom. 16.5.
- 61 Cor. 16.19.
- 7Col. 4.15. Philem. v. 2.
The point being thus proved by Scripture and Examples; come we now to the Reasons for the farther confirmation thereof.
CHAP. II. The Reasons of the point.
R. 1. May be taken from the command of God, who hath commanded as much, saying,1 Thou shalt teach my Laws diligently unto thy Children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, &c. And God hath manifested his approbation thereof by commending Abraham for commanding his Children, 2and household to keep the ways of the Lord. So that to whomsoever ⟨p. 222⟩the Lord hath given this honour to make him a Father of Children, a Master over Servants, a Governor over an Household, of them he requireth this duty, to teach, and instruct all under their charge.
R. 1. MAy be taken from the command of God, who hath commanded as much, saying,1 Thou shalt teach my Laws diligently unto thy Children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, &c. And God hath manifested his approbation thereof by commending Abraham for commanding his Children, 2and houshold to keep the wayes of the Lord. So that to whomsoever ⟨p. 222⟩the Lord hath given this honour to make him a Father of Children, a Master over Servants, a Governour over an Houshold, of them he requireth this duty, to teach, and instruct all under their charge.
R. 2. Every mans house is his private charge which he must oversee, it is his flock which he must attend. You will all acknowledge that every Ministers flock is his charge, and that it is a most dreadful thing for any to neglect them. And have not you as great a charge of your family, as the Minister hath of his flock? Yea doubtless, I dare boldly say, that every Parent, and Master of a Family, is as deeply charged with the souls of their Children, and Servants; as the Minister is with the souls of his flock. If therefore your Children and Servants live and dye in their sins through your negligence, their blood will be required at your hands.
R. 2. Every mans house is his private charge which he must oversee, it is his flock which he must attend. You will all acknowledge that every Ministers flock is his charge, and that it is a most dreadfull thing for any to neglect them. And have not you as great a charge of your family, as the Minister hath of his flock? Yea doubtless, I dare boldly say, that every Parent, and Master of a Family, is as deeply charged with the souls of their Children, and Servants; as the Minister is with the souls of his flock. If therefore your Children and Servants live and dye in their sins through your negligence, their blood will be required at your hands.