A01975:128
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.
A. 1. A dignity of Gods children. 2. A duty of Gods children.
A. 1. A dignitie of Gods children. 2. A dutie of Gods children.
Q. What is that dignity?
Q. What is that dignitie?
A. Such a familiarity with God, as face to face to speak to him. For this title, Father, is so set down as directed to God himself in his own presence. David doth excellently set forth this privilege,1 where he saith, Lord I pour my whole desire before thee. All have not this liberty: as an evidence where of they have not ability thus to come into Gods presence, They upon whom God poureth the Spirit of grace, 2he poureth also the Spirit of supplication: but upon no other. It is therefore a gift appropriated to the Saints, to call upon God in faith: by which* stile they are described. Others may use this word,4 and with their lips say to God,5 ô Father: but their supposed prayers are but mere iip-labour. At the best their inward desires are but wishes. Now there is a great difference betwixt wishing and praying. 6A wish may intimate some sense of that which a man wants, and some desire of having it: but small care in using the means to get it, and less faith in obtaining it. But the faithful prayers of the Saints argue Sense, Desire, Care, Faith and all. Balaam