A01975:2505
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.
1. To attend diligently to that which is uttered.1 The people that said Amen to Ezra his blessing, are said to stand up, while he spake. That gesture implieth a diligent attention. If our minds be wandering, and not attentive to that which is uttered, what ⟨p. 335⟩assent, what desire, what faith can there be? And if there be none of these, to what end is Amen said? Surely it is a plain mockage of God.
1. To attend diligently to that which is vttered.1 The people that said Amen to Ezra his blessing, are said to stand vp, while he spake. That gesture implyeth a diligent attention. If our minds be wandring, and not attentiue to that which is vttered, what ⟨p. 335⟩assent, what desire, what faith can there be? And if there bee none of these, to what end is Amen said? Surely it is a plaine mockage of God.
2. To give assent thereto. If with the mouth Amen be uttered and no assent given with the heart, heart and tongue are repugnant, and no better censure can be given of such an Amen, then that it is the Amen of an hypocrite, which is odious and detestable to God?1 The Apostle under this phrase (How shall we say Amen?) implieth assent: for a man may utter this word Amen to that which he understandeth not: but with assent of mind & heart he cannot say Amen.