A41649:778
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.
Part › Chapter 1: The Parts of the Text, and Observation thence arising.
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.
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