A01975:1556
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.
The folly of most men is hereby discovered.1 For their care is wholly and only for the things of this life. They neglect their souls, as if they had no souls at all to care for, or cared not what became of them. Their own Proverb verifieth as much against them, which is this, Let God take care for my soul, and I will take care for my body. A cursed Proverb. In both the parts thereof it savoureth rank of Atheistical profaneness. The latter part implieth a desperate casting off Gods care for their bodies: the former, a presumptuous thrusting of their souls on God, against that course which he hath expressly prescribed.
The folly of most men is hereby discouered.1 For their care is wholly and onely for the things of this life. They neglect their soules, as if they had no soules at all to care for, or cared not what became of them. Their owne Prouerbe verifieth as much against them, which is this, Let God take care for my soule, and I will take care for my bodie. A cursed Prouerbe. In both the parts thereof it sauoureth ranke of Atheisticall prophanenesse. The latter part implyeth a desperate casting off Gods care for their bodies: the former, a presumptuous thrusting of their soules on God, against that course which he hath expresly prescribed.
- 11. Reproof.1. Reproofe.
Let us learn wisdom from this ground of wisdom taught by him that is the wisdom of God.1 Let us not disjoin the care of these two sweet companions, which God hath so nearly linked together, our body and soul. Let both in their place and due manner be cared for. Let spiritual things be provided for the soul, which is a spiritual substance, as well as earthly things for the body which is of the earth. By that care which nature moveth us to take for the temporal good of our bodies, we ought to be so far from resting therein, as we ought rather to be raised up thereby to seek how we may procure good to our souls. Surely Christ by inferring the Petitions for our souls good, immediately upon that which concerneth the good of our bodies, intendeth thereby, that by sense of our bodies need we should be made sensible of the souls need.