A01975:1025
A guide to go to GodA guide to goe to God
A guide to go to God: or, An explanation of the perfect pattern of prayer, the Lords prayer. By William Gouge, B. in D. and minister of Gods Word in Black-Friars LondonA guide to goe to God: or, An explanation of the perfect patterne of prayer, the Lords prayer. By William Gouge, B. in D. and minister of Gods Word in Black-Friers London
London: printed by G. Miller for Edward Brewster, 1626
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.
Q. Who may be accounted guilty of neglecting their own welfare.
Q. Who may bee accounted guilty of neglecting their owne welfare.
A. 1. They who care not what hurt they do to their bodies. Many bereaved of their wits, or possessed with a devil, care not to thrust Pins, Knives, Daggers, and such like sharp instruments into their flesh, and toa strike themselves with stones. If any in their right wits do so, they are worse then mad men.
A. 1. They who care not what hurt they doe to their bodies. Many bereaued of their wits, or possessed with a deuill, care not to thrust Pins, Kniues, Daggers, and such like sharpe instruments into their flesh, and toa strike themselues with stones. If any in their right wits doe so, they are worse then mad men.
2. They who over-rigorously punish their bodies. Many blinded with superstition, and besotted with idolatry,b spare not their flesh. Thec Baalites cut themselves with knives and lances. Papists tear their flesh with whips, and sundry other ways macerate their bodies: whereof it may be said, Who required this? They who being better instructed, do, in performing such duties as are in their substance warrantable, impair their health and strength by fasting, watching, or any other kind of not sparing their bodies for duties of piety, are not free from all blame, but come too near to superstition: their devotion carieth them beyond the bounds of this Petition.