A41649:784
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.
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.
Yea let Parents, and Masters of Families know and consider, that those Children, and Servants, who by the neglect of their duty to them, shall perish in their sins, will curse them for ever hereafter, amongst the fiends, and damned in hell; crying out, woe and alas that ever we were born of such irreligious Parents; and served such wicked, and ungodly Masters, that had no care of the Salvation of our souls; but suffered us to run headlong into these everlasting flames. Oh that all Parents and Masters of Families would seriously consider these things, and in time labour to prevent them, by a conscionable discharge of the duties belonging to their places, and relations.