A41649:861
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.
In the New Testament we have the Apostles command for this duty, for saith he, (a)Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. The Word is sometimes taken for (b)Christ himself, and so it is true, that we should labour that the word Christ should dwell in us. But by the Word of Christ is here meant the written Word of God, which is here called the Word of Christ, both because he is the author of it, and because he is the chief subject of it. And whereas the Apostle saith, Let the Word of Christ dwell in you, it is a Metaphor taken from such as dwell under one and the same roof with us, and noteth two things, 1. That we must get it into our hearts, and houses as well as into our Churches. 2. That by our frequent reading of it, and causing it to be read in our houses, it should be as familiar with us, as one that dwells with us under the same roof.
For the better pressing of this duty upon the Consciences of Parents and Masters of Families; I shall hint only two Motives to quicken you up thereunto.