A41668:495
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.
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.
4. Be not over-forward either in revealing that which another hath committed to thy trust, or in revealing thine own secrets to another, lest in the end, he proving to be unfaithful, thou be enforced (but too late) to repent thy folly. That which thou wouldst not have told to another, tell no body; for if thou canst not, why shouldst thou think another will conceal what concerns thee?
4. Be not over-forward either in revealing that which another hath committed to thy trust, or in revealing thine own secrets to another, lest in the end, he proving to be unfaithful, thou be inforced (but too late) to repent thy folly. That which thou wouldst not have told to another, tell no body; for if thou canst not, why shouldst thou think another will conceal what concerns thee?