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 ...

THE CONTENTS OF THIS TREATISE.

• THe Text opened and explained. Page 1
• The Doctrine, That it is a Duty incumbent upon all Young Men, to consecrate the prime and strength of their days to the service of God. 4
• The Reasons of the Point. 5
• 1 Use. Reproof of those who devote the Flower of their Age to the service of Satan, and their sinful Lusts, and reserve their decayed strength for God, and his ser∣vice. 13
• 2 Use. Exhortation unto all Young Men to offer unto God the First-fruits of their lives. 15
• Several Objections of many Young Men against their ear∣ly seeking and serving of God answered. 17
• Several Directions suitable to Young Men. 36
  • 1. That they labour to be well rooted and grounded in the Principles of Religion. 36
  • 2. That they return to the Lord. The Nature of Con∣version opened, with some Arguments thereunto. 37
  • 3. That at their first setting up they content not them∣selves with a competent Stock of Money to begin the World withal, but that they likewise get a good Stock of Grace. 46
    • Helps thereunto. 48
  • 4. That they live godly and gracious lives; with Di∣rections thereunto. 53
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• I. At thy first awaking in the Morning, lift up thine heart to God in a thankful acknowledgment of his mercy to thee in the night past. 53
• II. So soon as thou art ready, before thou goest about the works of thy Calling, withdraw thy self into some pri∣vate place, and there pour out thy Soul unto God by Fervent Prayer. 54
• III. Having begun the day with Prayer, then betake thy self to the duties of thy particular Calling. 57
• In following whereof, special regard ought to be had to the ENDS and MANNER of performing them. 57
  • For the Manner of following thy Calling, these Rules are to be observed. 58
• I. Be diligent therein; but with these two Cautions. 58
  • 1. Beware of laying out the strength of thy heart and spirit upon thy worldly businesses, which ought to be reserved for Communion with God. 58
  • 2. Beware that thy worldly businesses and imployments do not ingross thy whole time, but allow thy Reli∣gious Duties their proper and sufficient season. 59
• II. Follow thy worldly businesses with an heavenly mind. 60
  • 1. By raising matter of Heavenly Meditations from the same. 60
  • 2. By oft lifting up thine heart to God in short Ejacu∣latory Prayers for his direction, assistance, and blessing on thy pains and endeavours. 61
• III. Be Iust and Honest in thy dealing with men, a∣voiding all guile and deceit. 62
• The Heads of several frauds and deceits to frequently acted in matters of Commerce and Trading. 63
• For the preventing of which several Rules are given. 66
• Motives and Arguments to Iust and Honest dealing. 67
• The h•…•…inousness of sundry Vices whereunto Young Men are addicted, is set forth, with several preservatives a∣gainst them.

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  The Vices mentioned are,
  • 1. Rash and hasty Anger. 70
  • 2. Drunkenness, 75
  • 3. Wantonness and Uncleanness. 83
  • 4. Prophane and rash Swearing. 91
  • 5. Lying. 95
  • 6. Back-biting, and Tale-bearing, 100
• IV. Another Direction for the leading a godly and gra∣cious life, is to keep a strict watch over thy self in those things which concern thine own person.
  For help therein several Rules are given.
  • 1. Be careful of thy thoughts in well ordering them. 103
    • Helps thereunto. 103
  • 2. Be careful of thy words that they be well governed. 107
  • 3. Be careful of thy actions, concerning which are given, 111
    • 1. Some General. 112
    • 2. Some Particular Directions:
  General Directions are these:
  • 1. Ingage thy self in a deep design for Eternity. 112
  • 2. Let thy whole life be a prosecuting and serving thy godly design. 113
• That thou mayst the more effectually proseeute it, and prosper in it.
  • 1. Let Faith and Love be the root of thy life, and the several actions of it. 113
  • 2. Let the Word and Will of God be the Rule of thy actions. 115
  • 3. Let the glorifying and enjoying of God be the end of thy life, and of all the duties of it. 116
• Particular Directions for ordering our lives and actions according to Godliness, are these.
  • 1. Beware of living in the wilful omission of any known Duty. 117
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  • 2. Live not in the practice of any known sin. 119
  • 3. If thou hast been overtaken with any sin, and thereby made a wound in thy Conscience, seek an healing Plaister by sound Repentance, and Faith in the Blood of Christ. 121
  • 4. When through Grace thou art recovered, take heed of falling back again. 122
  • 5. Be moderate in all things, more particularly,
    • 1. In the use of Meats and Drinks. 123
    • 2. In Sports and Recreations. 125
    • 3. In the pursuit of Worldly Wealth, and seeking after riches. 128
• V. Directions in reference to your Carriage towards o∣others.
  • 1. Be peaceable towards all men. 138
  • 2. Be affable and courteous to others. 142
  • 3. Be humble towards all men. 143
  • 4. Be as serviceable to others as thou canst. 144
  • 5. Be merciful towards such as are in misery. 146
  • 6. Be careful to restore what thou hast stoln, or unjust∣ly got. 150
  • 7. Have special regard to thy Relative Duties 153
• The special Relative Duties incumbent on Governonrs, and Masters of Families, are these:
  • 1. Let your Houses be daily perfumed by a Morn∣ing and Evening Sacrifice of Prayer and Praise unto God. 154
  • 2. Let the Word of God be frequently read in your Families. 155
  • 3. Set some time apart in every Week to Cate∣chise those under your Charge, teaching them the chief Principles of Religion. 156
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  • 4. Be careful that thy self and Family keep the Lords Day holy. 156
• For a Conclusion of the whole.
• In a careful observation of all these Directions, give diligence to make thy Calling and Election sure. 158