A41649:926
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.
Part › Chapter 10: Of Exemplary lives in Parents and Masters of Families.
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. Your holy and righteous lives will draw honour and reverence from your Children and Servants. For, the Image of God, which consisteth in true holiness and righteousness, carrieth such a Majesty in it, that it commandeth honour and reverence from others. If therefore you who are Parents and Masters will with David, walk within your houses with perfect and upright hearts, showing your selves patterns of piety, and Godliness, your Children, and Servants cannot but honour and respect you;1 For them that honour me, saith God, I will honour, that is, I will make them to be held in honourable esteem by others. I grant indeed some are therefore despised, because they walk holily and unblameably. Yet such, as they are truly honourable in themselves, so are they honourable in the eyes and esteem of many others. For there is more true worth in the least grace,2 than in all earthly glory. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, saith God of his despised people. Such Parents therefore, ⟨p. 255⟩and Masters, as by their Godly lives and conversations are precious in the sight of God, they shall be honoured by their Children and Servants. But on the other side such Parents and Masters of Families as by their wicked li•es and ungodly conversations are vile in the sight of God, they shall be despised, and lightly esteemed by their Children and Servants. For if Children and Servants perceive their Parents and Masters to be Liars, Swearers, Drunkards, Sabbath-breakers, and the like; How can they honour and respect them?3 That which is said of Jerusalem, All that honoured her, despised her, because they have seen her nakedness; may be applied to wicked and profane Parents and Masters of Families; Their Children and their Servants who should most have honoured them, cannot but despise them; because they have seen their nakedness. And this questionless is one special reason why most Parents and Masters have so little reverence and honour from their Children and Servants.
2. Your holy and righteous lives will draw honour and reverence from your Children and Servants. For, the Image of God, which consisteth in true holiness and righteousness, carryeth such a Majesty in it, that it commandeth honour and reverence from others. If therefore you who are Parents and Masters will with David, walk within your houses with perfect and upright hearts, shewing your selves patterns of piety, and Godliness, your Children, and Servants cannot but honour and respect you;