A41649:814
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.
1. That Governors of Families are entrusted with the souls, with the Religion of their Families: not that they may prescribe unto them, or impose upon them what way of Religion they please: or that inferiors may be excused by the errors or neglects of the Superiors: but it is committed to their care, and they have received a charge from the Lord, to look diligently to all that are under them; that they duly worship God, observe his ordinances, and keep ••s statutes.
1. That Governours of Families are intrusted with the souls, with the Religion of their Families: not that they may prescribe unto them, or impose upon them what way of Religion they please: or that inferiours may be excused by the errours or neglects of the Superiours: but it is committed to their care, and they have received a charge from the Lord, to look diligently to all that are under them; that they duly worship God, observe his ordinances, and keep ••s statutes.
That there is such a care incumbent on them is evident under the Law, the Master of the Family was by the appointment of God, to look to the circumcising of all the Males of his house,1 both those that were born in his house, and those that were bought with his money. In the fourth commandment, the Master of the Family is charged, not only to keep the Sabbath in his own person,2 but to look to his family also. Thou shalt do no work therein, that's not all, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, nor thy Man-servant, nor thy Maid-servant, &c. Suitable to this charge is the care and holy resolution of Joshua in the Text, I and my house will serve the Lord. Choose you whom you will serve, saith he, to the rest of the people, I have not so much to do with that, but as for me and my house, I must and will look to that, we will serve the Lord. Hence this first thing appears, that governors of Families are to take care of the Religion, and therefore of the souls of their Families. When a Child is brought forth, when a Servant is brought into thine house, God says to thee as the man in the Prophets Parable,