A41668:91
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.
3. Though thy Neighbours and Companions may outwardly scoff at thy holy walking; yet know, that at the same time they may inwardly reverence and honour thee: for there sits a kind of Majesty in the face of holiness, which draws even from carnal men fear and reverence.
Obj. 2. Should I now in my Youth bid adieu to my fleshly, and betake my self to a godly life, I shall lose my Friends, and make them mine Enemies.
Answ. If thou shouldst lose thy carnal friends upon such an occasion, thy loss will prove thy gain: Thou shalt gain Christ for thy Friend, who will be better to thee than all thy Relations. Can they obtain the pardon of thy sins? procure thy peace and reconciliation with God? quiet thy troubled Conscience? support thy fainting Soul? and cheer up thy drooping Spirit? Miserable helps, and miserable Comforters will they all be to thee. Whereas Christ is both able and willing to do all this, and much more for thee. Mark that notable promise in Matth. 19. 29. Every man that hath forsaken Brethren or Sisters, Father or Mother, Wife or Children, or any near and dear Relation for my sake, shall receive an hundred fold. Christ will be instead of all Relations unto him, who is infinitely more than all worldly comforts whatsoever: Yea, such shall be rewarded with everlasting happiness, according to that of our Saviour; ⟨p. 19⟩Luk. 6. 22, 23. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company: Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in Heaven.
Answ. If thou shouldst lose thy carnal friends upon such an occasion, thy loss will prove thy gain: Thou shalt gain Christ for thy Friend, who will be better to thee than all thy Relations. Can they obtain the pardon of thy sins? procure thy peace and reconciliation with God? quiet thy troubled Conscience? support thy fainting Soul? and chear up thy drooping Spirit? Miserable helps, and miserable Comforters will they all be to thee. Whereas Christ is both able and willing to do all this, and much more for thee. Mark that notable promise in