A41649:791
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.
2. Those Children and Servants who are religiously educated and principled, are likeliest to prove comforts to their Parents and Masters. What a comfort must it needs be to thee, who art a Master of a Family, to see thy household (through the blessing of God on thy care and pains) to be walking Heaven-ward? Yea when thou comest to lye upon thy death-bed; Oh what a comfort will it then be unto thee, that thou hast good ground to believe, that thy Children are Gods Children, and the Servants of Jesus Christ? thou mayest then with stronger confidence commend them unto Gods Fatherly care and protection, and with greater assurance expect Gods blessing upon them after thy death.
2. Those Children and Servants who are religiously educated and principled, are likeliest to prove comforts to their Parents and Masters. What a comfort must it needs be to thee, who art a Master of a Family, to see thy houshold (through the blessing of God on thy care and pains) to be walking Heaven-ward? Yea when thou comest to lye upon thy death-bed; Oh what a comfort will it then be unto thee, that thou hast good ground to believe, that thy Children are Gods Children, and the Servants of Jesus Christ? thou maist then with stronger confidence commend them unto Gods Fatherly care and protection, and with greater assurance expect Gods blessing upon them after thy death.
3. There is no such means to make your Children loving and dutiful unto you, and your servants faithful in the discharge of their duty; as to instruct them in the principles of Religion, and to plant the fear of God in their hearts. In which respect ⟨p. 225⟩Solomon saith,1 A godly Son maketh a glad Father, viz. by his dutiful and respectful carriage towards him. And that servant who shall find true grace either first wrought, or further increased in him by his Masters means, will endeavour with the utmost of his power to do him what faithful service he can, in way of thankfulness.