A41668:494
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 19: Of the well▪ ordering and governing our Words.
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.
That your discourses may be the more profitable, have ever in your mind some useful questions to propound to others: but therein be sure to have respect to the abilities and capacities, and the edifying of your selves, or them, to whom you propound your doubts. If they be Learned Divines, or experienced Christians, then you may desire the opening and clearing some difficult place of Scripture, or the resolving some Case of Conscience, or the explaining some hard point in Divinity. If they be your Equals in understanding, then suit your discourse to their capacities; and let it be your wisdom to observe wherein mens abilities ⟨p. 109⟩chiefly consist, and to apply your selves to them accordingly; whereby you will much advantage your selves, and give others occasion to improve those gifts and talents which God hath bestowed on them.
3. When others are talking of worldly or common matters, labour to turn the stream of their discourses to some spiritual and savoury subject, to talk of God, or Christ, or Heaven, or of the way and means that lead thereunto. It is much to be lamented, that professing Christians should so often meet together to so little purpose. How is their time generally taken up with discourses of worldly matters, without a word of God, or Heaven! whereas if we are furnished with skill and resolution to embrace all opportunities which might minister matter of digression from worldly to spiritual and heavenly discourses, we might make our meetings far more profitable than they are.
3. When others are talking of worldly or common matters, labour to turn the stream of their discourses to some spiritual and savoury subject, to talk of God, or Christ, or Heaven, or of the way and means that lead thereunto. It is much to be lamented, that professing Christians should so often meet together to so little purpose. How is their time generally taken up with discourses of worldly matters, without a word of God, or Heaven! whereas if we are furnished with skill and resolution to imbrace all opportunities which might minister matter of digression from worldly to spiritual and heavenly discourses, we might make our meetings far more profitable than they are.