A41649:787
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.
And therefore how doth it concern you who are Parents, and Masters of Families, to have a special care of the souls of your Children, and Servants, by a conscionable performance of holy, and religious duties amongst them, as Praying, Reading, Catechising, and the like; whereby you will not only go beyond all the Heathens in the World: but likewise gain an hopeful evidence to your own souls, of the truth of grace in you; and of the sincerity of your profession, that ye are Christians indeed.
And therefore how doth it concern you who are Parents, and Masters of Families, to have a special care of the souls of your Children, and Servants, by a conscionable performance of holy, and religious duties amongst them, as Praying, Reading, Catechising, and the like; whereby you will not only go beyond all the Heathens in the World: but likewise gain an hopefull evidence to your own souls, of the truth of grace in you; and of the sincerity of your profession, that ye are Christians indeed.
R. 4. The curse of God hangs over those Families in which Religious duties are altogether neglected; yea it abideth in their houses; as the Wise man expresseth, The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked. 1Howsoever they may seem to abound, and flourish in all Worldly wealth, and riches; yet the curse of God is upon all that they enjoy. For as the Lord speaketh by his Prophet Malachi, 2He will curse their blessings, that is, whatsoever outward good things they did enjoy, should be cursed to them. Whereupon saith Eliphas, in Job, I saw him taking root, 3but I cursed his habitation, that is, I saw him seemingly settled in his outward prosperity, but by the eye of faith I likewise saw a curse hanging over his house, and family, over his wealth and riches.
R. 4. The curse of God hangs over those Families in which Religious duties are alltogether neglected; yea it abideth in their houses; as the Wise man expresseth, The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked.