A01975:348
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. For our understanding, 1we desire knowledge of God: that (as the Apostle prayeth) God would give to us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 2This we may the more confidently pray for,3 because it is absolutely promised; and we ought the more earnestly to desire it, because it is the groundwork of all other graces. Before the understanding be well enlightened, neither can the will be made subject to God, nor the heart set upon God, nor any other power of soul or part of body be serviceable to him.4 The light of the body is the eye: that is, the understanding in man, the little world, is as that great light the Sun in the great world. If therefore thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light. If the understanding be well illuminated and do clearly discern the truth, the whole man throughout will be well ordered. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If the understanding be blind, the whole man must needs be out of order. The knowledge here desired,5 ought to be a particular and distinct understanding of all the things whereby God is made known unto us: as of his Nature, Persons, Titles, and Attributes: yea also of his Word whereby all these, together with his whole will are plainly revealed: and of his ordinances, wherein and whereby he is worshipped: and finally of his works, whereby his wisdom, power, justice and mercy, are evidently made known.6 Yea further we ought to desire that knowing God to be the only true Jehovah, we may acknowledge him to be worthy of all honour, as the celestial spirits do.
1. For our vnderstanding, 1we desire knowledge of God: that (as the Apostle prayeth) God would giue to vs the Spirit of wisedome and reuelation in the knowledge of him.