A41668:356
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 Arg. Taken from the hope of Repentance; they flatter themselves with a conceit, that they can repent when they list, and that Heaven-gate will open to them at the first knock.
A. 1. Repentance is the gift of God, from whom every good and perfect gift cometh, Jam. 1. 17. And therefore ought to be accepted by us, when it is offered to us; and not to be delayed, and put off from time to time. For as God is merciful to offer Grace, so he is just to punish the neglect thereof.
2. How many are there, who though they have fully resolved to repent, and turn from their sins unto God in their old age, or in the time of sickness, yet have been prevented, and cut off by some sudden death? One drunken fit may cut off that hope. How many instances have there been in the world, of men that have died Drunken? Some Drunkards have been twice dead at once, dead drunk, and drunken unto death, carried away from the Ale-bench to their Graves, and thence to the ⟨p. 82⟩Judgment. And what if it should be so with thee? where is then thine after-repentance?