A41649:862
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.
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.
1. The knowledge of the Scriptures will be an excellent means to keep up your authority in your Families, over your Children and Servants. For therein they cannot but hear, and understand, it is their duty to be obedient to you in all things. Your own commands and threatenings may perhaps cause them to serve you with eye-service, as menpleasers• ; but to hear the commands and threatenings of God in his Word, may cause them to serve you in singleness ⟨p. 242⟩of heart. So that if nothing else, yet policy, methinks, should prevail with you to cause the Word of God to be read frequently in your houses.
1. The knowledge of the Scriptures will be an excellent means to keep up your authority in your Families, over your Children and Servants. For therein they cannot but hear, and understand, it is their duty to be obedient to you in all things. Your own commands and threatnings may perhaps cause them to serve you with eye-service, as menpleasers• ; but to hear the commands and threatnings of God in his Word, may cause them to serve you in singleness ⟨p. 242⟩of heart. So that if nothing else, yet policy, methinks, should prevail with you to cause the Word of God to be read frequently in your houses.
2. Some by reading the Scriptures, others by hearing it read in the Family, have been converted from the state of nature, to the state of grace. For faith may be wrought in us by hearing the Word read, as well as hearing it Preached. St. Augustine reports of an Egyptian Monk who living in a Christian-family,