A41649:796
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. 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.