A41668:143
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.
IV. Another encouragement is taken by many from the example of the converted Thief on the Cross, who had spent all the former part of his life in wickedness, and profaneness.
IV. Another incouragement is taken by many from the example of the converted Thief on the Cross, who had spent all the former part of his life in wickedness, and profaneness.
A. 1. It is a single example of extraordinary mercy, there being not one more in all the Bible. It is the saying of S. Austin, Unus misericordiam invenit hora ultima, ne quis desperet, & unicus, ne quis praesumat. That one man was received to mercy at the last hour, that none should despair, and but one, that none should presume. For this one man that repented at the last, many thousand instances might be brought of such, who putting off their amendment from day to day, have at last perished in their sins. What folly then must it needs be ⟨p. 35⟩in any, to put himself in a way wherein so many have miscarried!
2. Christ wrought this rare Miracle of Mercy upon an extraordinary occasion; namely, to honour the ignominy of his Cross. When his Humane Nature was lowest, then would he manifest the power of his Divine Nature; whereby Christ showed what he could do, not what ordinarily he would do. And being an extraordinary act of Christs Mercy and Power, it can make no general rule: What ground of hope then can this afford to thee who wilfully spendest thy Youth and younger years in the service of sin and Satan, in hope to find mercy at the last.
2. Christ wrought this rare Miracle of Mercy upon an extraordinary occasion; namely, to honour the ignominy of his Cross. When his Humane Nature was lowest, then would he manifest the power of his Divine Nature; whereby Christ shewed what he could do, not what ordinarily he would do. And being an extraordinary act of Christs Mercy and Power, it can make no general rule: What ground of hope then can this afford to thee who wilfully spendest thy Youth and younger years in the service of sin and Satan, in hope to find mercy at the last.