A41668:112
The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…
The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan showing him how to carry himself Christian-like in the whole course of his life / by Tho. Gouge ...The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan shewing him how to carry himself Christian-like in the whole course of his life / by Tho. Gouge ...
London: printed by S. and B.G. for Nevil Simmons, 1676
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.
5. Obj. I have time enough before me; and therefore may for a while longer allow my self my liberty. Hereafter may be time enough to turn from my sins unto God, and to mind the eternal welfare of my Soul.
A. 1. Consider as the shortness, so the uncertainty of thy life. How many have we known in our own experience, who when they have promised themselves life for many years, have then been suddenly taken away! Thou who sayest thou hast time enough before thee, canst thou upon good ground assure thy self of another day? If not, what folly, yea what madness must it needs be, to live one day longer in such a condition, in which if thou shouldst die, thou art miserably undone to all Eternity! True it is, God hath promised pardon and forgiveness to such, as in truth and sincerity, turn from their sins unto him, but he hath not promised the morrow to him that deferreth.
If thou sayest, though I am not sure to live another day, yet I am likely, being in good health and strength.
I answer, Peradventure thou mayest live another day▪ But what man, in his right senses, would put his Everlasting Salvation upon a Peradventure? Peradven thou mayest die the next day, even whilst thou art […] in sensual pleasures and delights, and then […] sad is thy case like to be to all Eternity! The possi of a sudden and unexpected death, should, me, be an effectual argument to persuade every man speedily, without farther delay, to reform and amend his life. The Merchant having a fair Wind, will not defer to hoist up sail, saying, we have time enough, because it is possible the Wind may turn, and he lose his opportunity. The Husbandman having a fair day, will not defer the carrying home his Corn, when it is fit to take it in, because it is possible the next day may prove […]. In all cases about our worldly affairs, a possibility of danger hath the force of an argument for present care: And why should it not as well awaken our Souls to a speedy amendment of our ways?