A01975:1409
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.
How many be there, whose forgiveness if it be tried by this Touch-stone of truth, will be found to be plain counterfeit, and so nothing worth? Counterfeit forgiveness is far unlike Gods. It cannot be pleaded in prayer: nor can it give assurance of Gods forgiving us. Yet the forgiveness of most is no better.
How many be there, whose forgiuenesse if it be tryed by this Touch-stone of truth, will be found to bee plaine counterfeit, and so nothing worth? Counterfeit forgiuenesse is farre vnlike Gods. It cannot be pleaded in prayer: nor can it giue assurance of Gods forgiuing vs. Yet the forgiuenesse of most is no better.
Some think they do very well, if they forbear to take outward revenge, though they retain an inward grudge, and secret hatred. This may be something to man, who knoweth not the thoughts of the heart: but to God, the searcher of hearts, it is as nothing. And if as nothing to him, to whom (if to any) it ⟨p. 184⟩is pleaded in prayer,1 in what stead will it stand? Surely in no other stead, then to be as a witness against him, at the judgement seat of God. For when a man outwardly restraineth that which inwardly he retaineth, his outward forbearance showeth, that in his judgement he disalloweth that which he keepeth in his heart. Thus he is made a witness against himself. Is not his secret corruption the more aggravated hereby? and shall not his condemnation be the more increased?
Some thinke they doe very well, if they forbeare to take outward reuenge, though they retaine an inward grudge, and secret hatred. This may be something to man, who knoweth not the thoughts of the heart: but to God, the searcher of hearts, it is as nothing. And if as nothing to him, to whom (if to any) it ⟨p. 184⟩is pleaded in prayer,