A41649:794
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. V. Another reason may be taken from the manifold mischiefs, which usually follow, and accompany the neglect of family duties.
1. From hence come all Domestic brawls and contentions; hence it is that the house is divided against it self; Husband against Wife, and Wife against Husband; Master against Servant, and Servant against Master; Parent against Child, and Child against Parent; which would be prevented were the Lord better known, and more duly worshipped amongst them. For where God is served with perfect purity, there is perfect peace. But where God is not served, there is no peace, but jars and contentions, strife and debate; which giveth great advantage unto Satan the archenemy of mankind,1 who like a roaring Lyon walketh about continually seeking whom he may devour.
1. From hence come all Domestick brawls and contentions; hence it is that the house is divided against it self; Husband against Wife, and Wife against Husband; Master against Servant, and Servant against Master; Parent against Child, and Child against Parent; which would be prevented were the Lord better known, and more duly worshipped amongst them. For where God is served with perfect purity, there is perfect peace. But where God is not served, there is no peace, but jarrs and contentions, strife and debate; which giveth great advantage unto Satan the archenemy of mankind,1 who like a roaring Lyon walketh about continually seeking whom he may devour.
2. From hence it is that Magistrates are enforced to execute the penalties of the Laws upon so many; namely, because they are not Religiously educated, but suffered to have their wills in their youth. Which appeareth from the sad complaints of many malefactors, at the place of Execution, against their Parents and Masters, for their careless omission of their duty towards them; saying, if they had had any care or conscience of our education, if they had corrected and restrained ⟨p. 226⟩us betimes from our wicked courses, we had never come to this dogs-death, and shameful end.
2. From hence it is that Magistrates are enforced to execute the penalties of the Laws upon so many; namely, because they are not Religiously educated, but suffered to have their wills in their youth. Which appeareth from the sad complaints of many malefactors, at the place of Execution, against their Parents and Masters, for their careless omission of their duty towards them; saying, if they had had any care or conscience of our education, if they had corrected and restrained ⟨p. 226⟩us betimes from our wicked courses, we had never come to this dogs-death, and shamefull end.
3. From hence it is that so many Families are so dissolute and profane, abounding with all manner of sin, and wickedness, as lying, swearing, Sabbath-breaking, drinking, whoring, and the like: as if there were a seminary of little Devils, an household of fiends. And truly when Families leave God in not doing the good they should, God leaves Families to do the evil they should not. So that sin hath there free place, where Gods service hath no place. And sins of commission do usually follow sins of omission: it being ordinary with God to punish one sin with another; to punish the neglect of duty, with the committing of sin, by leaving men so to themselves, that they break forth into the committing of great, and heinous sins. A general complaint there is in these days of the undutifulness, and disobedience of Children; of the negligence and unfaithfulness of Servants, yea and of the loose, lewd lives of both in many Families; whereof if we would search the true ground and cause, we shall find it rather in the superiors, than in the inferiors. For howsoever inferiors cannot be excused, yet questionless the fault is chiefly in superiors, and Governors, because they are careless and negligent in the discharge of their duty towards them, not praying with them, nor Catechising, and instructing them, as they should. For where religious duties are shut out of any Family, there usually the door is set wide open to looseness, and profaneness.
3. From hence it is that so many Families are so dissolute and prophane, abounding with all manner of sin, and wickedness, as lying, swearing, Sabbath-breaking, drinking, whoring, and the like: as if there were a seminary of little Devils, an houshold of fiends. And truly when Families leave God in not doing the good they should, God leaves Families to do the evil they should not. So that sin hath there free place, where Gods service hath no place. And sins of commission do usually follow sins of omission: it being ordinary with God to punish one sin with another; to punish the neglect of duty, with the committing of sin, by leaving men so to themselves, that they break forth into the committing of great, and hainous sins. A general complaint there is in these dayes of the undutifulness, and disobedience of Children; of the negligence and unfaithfulness of Servants, yea and of the loose, lewd lives of both in many Families; whereof if we would search the true ground and cause, we shall find it rather in the superiours, than in the inferiours. For howsoever inferiours cannot be excused, yet questionless the fault is chiefly in superiours, and Governours, because they are careless and negligent in the discharge of their duty towards them, not praying with them, nor Catechising, and instructing them, as they should. For where religious duties are shut out of any Family, there usually the door is set wide open to looseness, and profaneness.
4. The neglect of Religious duties in thy Family will make thee guilty of Murder, even of Soul-murder, which is the greatest of all. For whereas the Souls, as well as the bodies of thy Children, and Servants are committed to thy care and charge; if any of them should perish through thy default, thou art deeply guilty of their eternal death and damnation, and their blood will be required at thy hands. As Jacob was accountable to Laban, for the •oss of every Lamb, or Sheep; at his hand was it required. 1So is every Master of a ⟨p. 227⟩Family accountable to God, for every soul under his roof. If any of them perish through his default, God will require it at his hands. God will require the blood of thy Child, the blood of thy Servants at thy hands one day. If therefore you will be free from the blood of your Children, train them up in the fear and nurture of the Lord: pray for them and with them: Catechize them, &c.
4. The neglect of Religious duti•s in thy Family will make thee guilty of Murther, even of Soul-murther, which is the greatest of all. For whereas the Souls, as well as the bodies of thy Children, and Servants are committed to thy care and charge; if any of them should perish through thy default, thou art deeply guilty of their eternal death and damnation, and their blood will be required at thy hands. As Iacob was accountable to Laban, for the •oss of every Lamb, or Sheep; at his hand was it required. 1So is every Master of a ⟨p. 227⟩Family accountable to God, for every soul under his roof. If any of them perish through his default, God will require it at his hands. God will require the blood of thy Child, the blood of thy Servants at thy hands one day. If therefore you will be free from the blood of your Children, train them up in the fear and nurture of the Lord: pray for them and with them: Catechize them, &c.
The Point being confirmed by Scripture and Reason, come we now to the Uses thereof.
CHAP. III. The Use of Reproof of those Masters who make no Conscience of Family-duties.
CHAP. III. The Vse of Reproof of those Masters who make no Conscience of Family-duties.
Use 1. Seeing 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 Family do faithfully serve the Lord; then they are greatly to be reproved who are neither careful to serve God themselves, neither take they any care of their Family: but as there is no fear of God in their hearts, so neither is there any fear of God in their Families. Yea instead of Gods service, there is all manner of wickedness and profaneness; so that their houses are as so many filthy cages of unclean birds, so many sties of all manner of abominations. Of whose houses we may say what Solomon said of the Harlots house, 1'Tis the way to Hell, that is, the high and ready way unto eternal death and condemnation. These men howsoever they would be esteemed good Masters, and good Governors, yet are they far from such; in that they neglect the main duty belonging to good Governors, which is to take care of the souls of those under their charge, and willingly suffer all manner ⟨p. 228⟩of wickedness, and profaneness, to rule and bear sway in their Families, and that without any check or control.
Use 1. SEeing 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 Family do faithfully serve the Lord; then they are greatly to be reproved who are neither carefull to serve God themselves, neither take they any care of their Family: but as there is no fear of God in their hearts, so neither is there any fear of God in their Families. Yea instead of Gods service, there is all manner of wickedness and prophaneness; so that their houses are as so many filthy cages of unclean birds, so many styes of all manner of abominations. Of whose houses we may say what Solomon said of the Harlots house, 1'Tis the way to Hell, that is, the high and ready way unto eternal death and condemnation. These men howsoever they would be esteemed good Masters, and good Governours, yet are they far from such; in that they neglect the main duty belonging to good Governours, which is to take care of the souls of those under their charge, and willingly suffer all manner ⟨p. 228⟩of wickedness, and prophaness, to rule and bear sway in their Families, and that without any check or controul.
I dare boldly say, it were much better for a man to put his Child into a P•sthouse, than into such a Family: in that wickedness is more infectious than the Plague, spreading infinitely, polluting every one it comes near.1 And whereas the Plague and Pestilence can but kill the body, the contagion of sin is apt to destroy both body and soul. And therefore what is usually written upon the doors of such houses as are visited with the Plague (Lord have mercy upon us) may far better be written upon the doors of such houses, where through the neglect of Family-duties, sin and wickedness doth abound.
- 1Peccatum adeo facile alios invadit, ut nulla pestis tantopere aërem inficere potest. Chem. Har.
I know there are very many both Parents, and Masters, who having provided for the bodies of those under their charge, think they have sufficiently discharged their duty towards them. But I would demand of such, if their care be only to provide for the bodies of their Children and Servants, what do they more to them then to their beasts? If they only clothe them, and pay them their wages, what do they more to them, than the Turks and Infidels (who know not God) do to their Children, and Servants? If their care be only to provide for them an earthly inheritance, without any care to make them Heirs of an Heavenly inheritance, what do they more to them than Jews (who are ignorant of Christ, and his Gospel) do for their Children?
I know there are very many both Parents, and Masters, who having provided for the bodies of those under their charge, think they have sufficiently discharged their duty towards them. But I would demand of such, if their care be only to provide for the bodies of their Children and Servants, what do they more to them then to their beasts? If they only cloath them, and pay them their wages, what do they more to them, than the Turks and Infidels (who know not God) do to their Children, and Servants? If their care be only to provide for them an earthly inheritance, without any care to make them Heirs of an Heavenly inheritance, what do they more to them than Iews (who are ignorant of Christ, and his Gospel) do for their Children?
Let such know, that it is their duty to provide not only for for perishing Carcasses, but also for the immortal souls of all theirs. And it is a vain, and foolish imagination for any to think, they have done their duty, when they have apparelled, nourished, and brought up their Children and Servants; considering they have a far greater account to make before God for their souls: of which if any should perish through their negligence, and unfaithfulness, how dreadful will their account be? oh what ⟨p. 229⟩answer will they be able to make, when the blood of their Children, and Servants souls shall be required of them?
Let such know, that it is their duty to provide not only for for perishing Carcasses, but also for the immortal souls of all theirs. And it is a vain, and foolish imagination for any to think, they have done their duty, when they have apparelled, nourished, and brought up their Children and Servants; considering they have a far greater account to make before God for their souls: of which if any should perish through their negligence, and unfaithfullness, how dreadfull will their account be? oh what ⟨p. 229⟩answer will they be able to make, when the blood of their Children, and Servants souls shall be required of them?
CHAP. IV. An Exhortation unto all Parents and Masters of Families to make Conscience of Family-duties.
Use 2. Let the second Use be an Use of Exhortation to stir up all Christian Parents, and Masters of Families, to be careful that their whole house do faithfully serve the Lord,1 as well as themselves; that they take up Joshua's resolution, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. As you would not be guilty of the blood of your Children, and Servants souls; and as you would not have them cry out against you in everlasting fire, see that you bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
Use 2. LEt the second Use be an Use of Exhortation to stir up all Christian Parents, and Masters of Families, to be carefull that their whole house do faithfully serve the Lord,1 as well as themselves; that they take up Ioshuah's resolution, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. As you would not be guilty of the blood of your Children, and Servants souls; and as you would not have them cry out against you in everlasting fire, see that you bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
- 1Officium pii patris familias est, liberos & familiam educare ad pietatem, &c. Piscat. in Gen. 18.19.
Every Governor should be that in the body politic of his own house, which the heart is in the natural body of man: as it communicateth life, and vital spirits to the rest of the members. So must the Master of the household endeavour to impart the spiritual life of grace, to all that are members of his body politic. And his house by a constant, conscionable performance of holy and religious duties there, should be a little Church. For the maintaining the Worship of God makes every house to become a sanctuary, an house of God. Hence divers pious Governors in the new Testament are said to have Churches in their houses,1 as Philemo•, Aquila, and Priscilla, and Nimphas, whose houses were called Churches, 2as in respect of the Saints in their houses, so in respect of the worship of God among them.3 Oh what an honour will this be to us, ⟨p. 230⟩when upon this account, our habitations shall be called rather Churches than private houses! Temples of God, rather than the dwellings of men!
Every Governour should be that in the body politick of his own house, which the heart is in the natural body of man: as it communicateth life, and vital spirits to the rest of the members. So must the Master of the houshold endeavour to impart the spiritual life of grace, to all that are members of his body politick. And his house by a constant, conscionable performance of holy and religious duties there, should be a little Church. For the maintaining the Worship of God makes every house to become a sanctuary, an house of God. Hence divers pious Governours in the new Testament are said to have Churches in their houses,1 as Philemo•, Aquila, and Priscilla, and Nimphas, whose houses were called Churches, 2as in respect of the Saints in their houses, so in respect of the worship of God among them.3 Oh what an honour will this be to us, ⟨p. 230⟩when upon this account, our habitations shall be called rather Churches than private houses! Temples of God, rather than the dwellings of men!
For the more profitable pressing of this Use, I shall show you, what be the duties and services which are especially required of Parents and Masters of Families in reference to those under their charge.
For the more profitable pressing of this Use, I shall shew you, what be the duties and services which are especially required of Parents and Masters of Families in reference to those under their charge.