A85486:193
The right wayThe right vvay
The right way: or A direction for obtaining good success in a weighty enterprise. Set out in a sermon preached on the 12th of September, 1648. before the Lords on a day of humiliation for a blessing on a treaty between His Majesties and the Parliaments commissioners. / By W. Gouge.The right vvay: or A direction for obtaining good successe in a weighty enterprise. Set out in a sermon preached on the 12th of September, 1648. before the Lords on a day of humiliation for a blessing on a treaty between His Majesties and the Parliaments commissioners. / By W. Gouge.
London: printed by A. Miller for Joshua Kirton, 1648London: printed by A. Miller for Ioshua Kirton, 1648
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
1.1 We show thereby that we take notice of Gods foot-steps, that is, of his carriage towards us, and of his dealing with us.
1.1 We shew thereby that we take notice of Gods foot-steps, that is, of his carriage towards us, and of his dealing with us.
- 11 Thereby is showed how we are affected with Gods dealing with us1 Thereby is shewed how we are affected with Gods dealing with us
2. We give evidence that we are answerably affected: In that according to the need wherein we stand of his favour, we do the more earnestly seek it: and the more heavily we feel his hand lying upon us, the more deeply we are humbled, and do the more earnestly desire that it may be removed from us. Surely such a disposition cannot be but very acceptable unto God. God much approves those who prize his favour and blessing above all other things, and who are much grieved upon the apprehension of his displeasure against them. Now extraordinary ⟨p. 26⟩prayer, for obtaining his favour and blessing, or for removing his wrath and judgements, gives proof of such a disposition.1 There are many who (like mill horses still going round in their usual tract) content themselves with an ordinary manner of praying: and never take the occasions which by the divine providence are offered for extraordinary prayer. So cold are their prayers and lifeless, as they are never troubled at the fruitlessness of them, but think all is well in that they are not such Atheists as never call upon God. These plainly discover that small, or no notice at all, that they take of Gods dealing with them. Yea they do further discover a senseless and wretched disposition, in that they care not to use the means that are sanctified for obtaining the good things whereof they stand in need, or removing the evils, which lie heavy upon them. Thus it comes to pass that they want many blessings, which otherwise they might have: and lie long under many judgements, which might have been removed, if the fore-said means had been duly used.