A41668:249
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.
1. Be diligent therein. To live without a Calling, or not to labour therein, are both sinful and unwarrantable. Every Son of Adam ought to mind some particular Calling, by virtue of that Command which God laid upon Man immediately after his Fall, Gen. 3. 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground. Which words are to be understood, not only as a Curse, or Judgment; but also as a Charge, and Command. Answerable thereunto is that Precept in the Moral Law, Six days shalt thou labour. So that no man hath a privilege to live idly, but either by the sweat of his Brow, or of his Brain, ought to be serviceable in his Generation.
1. Be diligent therein. To live without a Calling, or not to labour therein, are both sinful and unwarrantable. Every Son of Adam ought to mind some particular Calling, by vertue of that Command which God laid upon Man immediately after his Fall, Gen. 3. 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground. Which words are to be understood, not only as a Curse, or Judgment; but also as a Charge, and Command. Answerable thereunto is that Precept in the Moral Law, Six days shalt thou labour. So that no man hath a priviledge to live idly, but either by the sweat of his Brow, or of his Brain, ought to be serviceable in his Generation.
For thine encouragement unto diligence in thy Calling, Solomon tells thee, Prov. 10. 4. The •and of the diligent maketh rich. And Prov. 13. 4. That the Soul of the diligent shall be made sat. Whereas Idleness is the root both of Beggary, and of all manner of wickedness: yea, the Devils chiefest opportunity and advantage for tempting men unto sin, and therefore may be called, the hour of temptation. For when the Devil findeth men most idle, he will be sure to set them on his work? Therefore it was good counsel which Saint Jerome gave to one of his Friends, Be thou always about some lawful business, that when the Devil comes, he may not find thee idle. If Satan at any time find thee not about that which is good, he will soon set thee about that which is evil.