A01975:97
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. Gods goodness and greatness are both to be thought on when we pray to God. Read the Prefaces of the Prayers before quoted §. 4. and of other like Prayers in Scripture, and ye shall find those two properties of old usually joined together. The heathen by the light of nature observed these two to be the most principal attributes of God, and thereupon styled him Optimus Maximus. The one of these showeth how ready God is to hear: the other how able he is to help: so as these are two strong pillars to support our faith.
A. Gods goodnesse and greatnesse are both to be thought on when we pray to God. Reade the Prefaces of the Prayers before quoted §. 4. and of other like Prayers in Scripture, and ye shall find those two properties of old vsually ioyned together. The heathen by the light of nature obserued these two to be the most principall attributs of God, and thereupon stiled him Optimus Maximus. The one of these sheweth how ready God is to heare: the other how able he is to helpe: so as these are two strong pillars to support our faith.
A due consideration of them both together,1 is an especial means to preserve in us a blessed mixture of Confidence and Reverence: both which are necessary, because the place before which we present our selves in Prayer is a throne, at the footstool whereof we must with all reverence fall: and a throne of Grace, to which with all confidence we must approach. And thus shall we be kept in the golden mean, betwixt two dangerous extremes, the gulf of despair, and the rock of presumption: by either of which Prayer is made altogether, fruitless. For God turneth not to the doubting mind, 2and turneth from the proud heart: 3so as both must needs return empty from God.4 And no marvel: for he that believeth not maketh God a liar: