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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
THE Young Man's Guide. › Chapter 18: Of the well ordering our Thoughts.
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.
2. Do thine utmost to keep bad thoughts out of thine heart: but if they have entered in, and got possession, suffer them not to lodge and continue there, but thrust them out of doors by head and shoulders, so soon as they appear. We cannot hinder Birds from flying over our heads, yet may we easily prevent their Nestling there. So the ⟨p. 104⟩best of men cannot always hinder the hovering of worldly, wanton thoughts in their hearts, yet must they deny them Harbour there, by a speedy rejecting of them.
3. Make it thy business frequently to raise, and extract holy and useful thoughts, as from all Gods dealings with thee, so from what thou seest or hearest, yea from all accidents and occurrences. As the Philosophers Stone is said to turn all Metals into gold; so by this Heavenly Chemistry mayst thou turn all earthly things into some spiritual advantage, and extract the pure gold of spiritual thoughts from common objects and occurrences.
3. Make it thy business frequently to raise, and extract holy and useful thoughts, as from all Gods dealings with thee, so from what thou seest or hearest, yea from all accidents and occurrences. As the Philosophers Stone is said to turn all Metals into gold; so by this Heavenly Chymistry mayst thou turn all earthly things into some spiritual advantage, and extract the pure gold of spiritual thoughts from common objects and occurrences.
4. In regard the spirits and thoughts of men are very active, always busied; if they be not set upon good objects, they will be working upon bad; it will be thy wisdom to get such a Treasure of Divine Truths, and Gospel Mysteries, as may furnish thy heart with abundance of matter for holy and spiritual thoughts, and to be much in exercising thy self upon them.