A41668:663
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.
2. We are not so much Lords of our Estates, as Stewards; and therefore ought not to appropriate all unto our selves, but to communicate some part thereof to the Poor, unto whom something out of our Estate doth belong.
3. All profession of Religion, without works of Charity, is but hypocritical. For this is pure Religion, and undefiled before God, to visit the Fatherless and Widows in their afflictions, 1 Jam. 1. 27. that is, the comforting and supporting such as are in want and misery, doth evidence the truth of our Religion.
4. Consider the benefits which follow and accompany our works of Charity. For thereby we bring glory to God, adorn our Christian Religion and Profession; and not only make glad the hearts of the poor, whom we relieve, but likewise refresh our own Souls, in that our works of Charity will evidence, as the truth of our Religion, so likewise of our Faith; for Faith without works is dead, it's not a living, but a dead Faith, which manifests not its life by working.
Therefore, O Young Man, be persuaded for the time to come to be more charitable, knowing it is not so much a mercy to have wherewithal to do good, as to do good with what we have. And let thy giving out be proportionable to what the Lord hath given unto thee.