A41649:827
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. Consider the manifold benefits which usually follow and accompany this duty of Family-prayer.
1. It is a sanctifying Ordinance: thereby the Husband is sanctified to the wife, and the wife to the husband, so that they prove blessings and comforts each to other. Children likewise are blessed and sanctified to their Parents; and Servants to their Masters. Yea Family-prayer produceth Gods blessing upon their callings, and enjoyments, upon their losses and crosses, both are thereby blessed and sanctified unto them.
2. Family-prayer, as it is a sanctifying ordinance, so it is a seasoning ordinance; it seasons the whole house with the fear of God. It is recorded of Cornelius, that he was a devout man, one that feared God with all his house, who prayed to God always: his constant course of praying with his Family, questionless did season his whole house with the fear of God. As Prayer-less Families are for the most part destitute of the fear of God: so in those Families where a constant course of Praying is kept up, there the hearts of many are seasoned with the true fear of God.1 As Abraham was a Praying-master, so he had praying-servants. For inferiors are very apt to write after the Copy of their Superiors, and to follow their example. Thus by a praying Master, Children and Servants are taught to Pray.
2. Family-prayer, as it is a sanctifying ordinance, so it is a seasoning ordinance; it seasons the whole house with the fear of God. It is recorded of Cornelius, that he was a devout man, one that feared God with all his house, who prayed to God alwayes: his constant course of praying with his Family, questionless did season his whole house with the fear of God. As Prayer-less Families are for the most part destitute of the fear of God: so in those Families where a constant course of Praying is kept up, there the hearts of many are seasoned with the true fear of God.