A41649:945
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.
O Eternal and ever-living Lord God, the fountain of all blessing, the Father of Mercy, and God of all Consolation. I thy poor creature altogether unworthy to appear in thy sight, to present my Prayer and supplication unto thee: do yet in the name and mediation of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ prostrate my self at the footstool of thy grace, looking for acceptance and assistance in and through him. For his sake look graciously upon me, pardon my sins, which are many and heinous. Lord, I cannot but acknowledge, that besides the guilt of Adam's sin, there is in me a fountain of corruption, which I brought with me into the World: from whence hath plentifully flowed many poisonous streams of actual transgressions, and that in evil thoughts, evil words, and evil actions; which I have committed through the whole course of my life, from my tender infancy to this present time. I have been alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in me. I have walked after the course of this World, fulfilling the desires of my flesh and of my mind, minding earthly things. I have broken thy Law, neglected thy Gospel, refused the offers of Christ, and am in great doubt that to this day there hath been no good work wrought upon me; but that I continue in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity. Lord, I cannot but acknowledge, I ⟨image 144⟩have shamefully abused the ric•es of thy goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, which should have led me to repentance; as also thy Fatherly corrections and chastisements, laid upon me in love, and for my good; oh how little have I been bettered thereby! How do I spend my time and strength for the getting of earthly riches; and satisfying my self with sensual pleasures, and in the mean time am careless of my precious and immortal soul? Lord, I have often for my profit and pleasure sake omitted, and put off the holy exercises of Religion, which ought to have been performed by me; and have been exceeding dead and dull, lifeless and heartless in performing those good duties I have taken in hand. I have been unfruitful under a plentiful dispensation of the means of grace, unthankful under those favours and mercies thou hast conferred on me, unfaithful to those manifold vows and promises, I have made unto thee my God. Truth, Lord, my sins are many and heinous:
O Eternal and ever-living Lord God, the fountain of all blessing, the Father of Mercy, and God of all Consolation. I thy poor creature altogether unworthy to appear in thy sight, to present my Prayer and supplication unto thee: do yet in the name and mediation of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ prostrate my self at the footstool of thy grace, looking for acceptance and assistance in and through him. For his sake look graciously upon me, pardon my sins, which are many and hainous. Lord, I cannot but acknowledge, that besides the guilt of Adam's sin, there is in me a fountain of corruption, which I brought with me into the World: from whence hath plentifully flowed many poisonous streams of actual transgressions, and that in evil thoughts, evil words, and evil actions; which I have committed through the whole course of my life, from my tender infancy to this present time. I have been alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in me. I have walked after the course of this World, fulfilling the desires of my flesh and of my mind, minding earthly things. I have broken thy Law, neglected thy Gospel, refused the offers of Christ, and am in great doubt that to this day there hath been no good work wrought upon me; but that I continue in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity. Lord, I cannot but acknowledge, I