A41649:94
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 2: The Exposition and Observations arising out of verse 3.
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.
But questionless in this place the word signifieth ⟨p. 15⟩again: 1for so Nicodemus taketh it, verse 4. how can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his Mothers Womb, and be born? So that the word here hath respect to the time more than to the place, and implieth the necessity of a second birth, that a man be born of the spirit, as well as born of the flesh, otherwise it had been better for him, he had never been born at all.
But questionless in this place the word signifieth ⟨p. 15⟩again: 1for so Nicodemus taketh it, verse 4. how can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his Mothers Womb, and be born? So that the word here hath respect to the time more than to the place, and implyeth the necessity of a second birth, that a man be born of the spirit, as well as born of the flesh, otherwise it had been better for him, he had never been born at all.
- 1[Greek or Hebrew] here signifieth as much as [Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉 here signifieth as much as 〈non-Latin alphabet〉
He cannot see the Kingdom of God] Kingdom is here taken for that happy estate whereunto God bringeth his elect in Christ, the entrance thereunto is in this life, which is commonly called the Kingdom of grace. The full possession, is in the life to come, called the Kingdom of glory. These are not two distinct Kingdoms, but two degrees of one and the same Kingdom. Now whereas Christ faith, He cannot see the Kingdom of God, it's in effect as much as, He cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, as our Saviour clearly explaineth, verse 5. Except a man be born of water, and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, that is, He cannot be saved.