A41668:619
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.
Never expect to be one of Christs true Disciples, till thou leave that accursed Fellowship. Hadst not thou better say to them, Depart from me, I will know you no more, than have Christ say to thee at the Great Day, Depart from me into everlasting fire, I know you not. For one of these will certainly be, if thou dost not here depart from thy lewd Companions, leaving their Society, thou must hereafter depart from Christ into Hell fire; where instead of roaring and singing, there will be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
But it is not only the company of dissolute, scandalous persons; as Drunkards, Swearers, and Scoffers of Religion that I would advise thee to shun; but even persons merely civil, dead-hearted, formal Professors of Religion: Let not these be the Companions of thy choice, or thy Bosom Friends, who being unacquainted with the Mysteries of the Gospel, and the Power of Godliness, cannot minister any savoury profitable discourse to their hearers: So that whosoever shall frequently associate himself with such, neglecting the Communion of Saints, he will soon find his zeal for God, and the ways of godliness much cooled; his ⟨p. 137⟩fervency in holy duties much abated; his love to God, and his people much lessened; yea, and an universal decay of his Graces insensibly to grow upon him. So that a Christian instead of proceeding forward in Religion, and growing in Grace, he will go backward, and find a spiritual decay in himself.
But it is not only the company of dissolute, scandalous persons; as Drunkards, Swearers, and Scoffers of Religion that I would advise thee to shun; but even persons meerly civil, dead-hearted, formal Professors of Religion: Let not these be the Companions of thy choice, or thy Bosom Friends, who being unacquainted with the Mysteries of the Gospel, and the Power of Godliness, cannot minister any savoury profitable discourse to their hearers: So that whosoever shall frequently associate himself with such, neglecting the Communion of Saints, he will soon find his zeal for God, and the ways of godliness much cooled; his ⟨p. 137⟩