A41668:211
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.
Therefore, O young man, how doth it concern thee to take the first and present season? Now hearken, now accept and submit to mercy, now give thy self unto God, be his faithful servant, to obey and serve him with all thy heart and strength, or the day may be lost, and thy soul lost for ever. Behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. Thou knowest not what a day may bring forth, thou mayest suddenly be taken from the means of grace, or the means of grace may be suddenly taken from thee. The Sun of heavenly light, which now shineth, may set, and thou be left in darkness. The gate of mercy now opened to thee, may be shut against thee. The things belonging to thy peace may be hid from thee. There is a time coming, and we know not how near it is, in which, (as Christ saith) many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able, Luke 13. 24. Oh what woeful yelling, what pitiful crying, and earnest knocking will there be then at the gate, with Lord, Lord, open to us? But all in vain, having slighted, and neglected their day of grace, when they should have got Oil into their Lamps and grace into their hearts,
Therefore, O young man, how doth it concern thee to take the first and present season? Now hearken, now accept and submit to mercy, now give thy self unto God, be his faithful servant, to obey and serve him with all thy heart and strength, or the day may be lost, and thy soul lost for ever. Behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. Thou knowest not what a day may bring forth, thou maist suddenly be taken from the means of grace, or the means of grace may be suddenly taken from thee. The Sun of heavenly light, which now shineth, may set, and thou be left in darkness. The gate of mercy now opened to thee, may be shut against thee. The things belonging to thy peace may be hid from thee. There is a time coming, and we know not how near it is, in which, (as Christ saith) many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able, Luke 13. 24. Oh what woful yelling, what pitiful crying, and earnest knocking will there be then at the gate, with Lord, Lord, open to us? But all in vain, having slighted, and neglected their day of grace, when they should have got Oyle into their Lamps and grace into their hearts,