A41668:201
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.
In which respects you may discern the transcendent excellency of Grace above riches.
How should the consideration thereof prevail with you to labour in the use of all means God hath sanctified for the attainment thereof.
To help you therein take these Directions.
1. Mourn and weep (if possibly) for thy graceless condition; take up a lamentation and say, Woe and alas, that ever I was born, especially that I have lived thus long in a graceless condition, without God and without Christ in the World! O what will become of me, if I die in this estate? Surely hell and damnation must needs be my portion to all Eternity. Thus make thy closet an House of mourning, and know that the mourning of thy Soul will cause the earnings of God's bowels towards thee; so that he will not deny grace to a mourning Soul.