William Gouge

The Lord nourishes and cherishes his church…When he first created man, he provided beforehand all things needful to nourish him…When he was moved deeply to destroy the earth…he had care of his church and provided an ark to keep her out of the water and stored up in the ark all things needful for her. When he purposed to bring a famine on the world, he sent a man beforehand to lay up a provision for his church. When his church was in a barren and dry wilderness, he gave them bread from heaven, water out of the rock…After this he brought his church into a land flowing with milk and honey…Neither has he merely nourished her with temporal blessings, but also with needful spiritual blessings–his Word and sacraments, his Spirit and grace… With his own flesh and blood he has fed her, and with his own righteousness he clothed her.
–William Gouge

It is especially noted of Christ, that as there was ocassion, he slept, he ate, he rested and otherwise refreshed  himself… Against this good instinct of nature do many offend. Covetous misers who so dote upon their wealth and so delight in abundance of goods treasured up, they afford not themselves things needful to nourish their bodies… Such men make their riches to be snares and hindrances, to keep them from eternal life… Others are too intent upon their businesses, even the affairs of their lawful callings… In this, many students, preachers, lawyers, tradesmen, farmers, labourers and others offend [for in good things their may be excess]…. They who by such means disable themselves to make themselves guilty of the neglect of so much good as they might have done, if they had nourished and cherished their bodies.
—William Gouge “Domestical Duties”

None but the upright, who are indeed renewed by the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, will in all things make Christ’s will their rule and in everything hold close to it, preferring it before their pleasure, profit, preferment or any other outward allurement. They who do so, give good evidence that they belong to the body of Christ, and maybe sure that Christ is their Saviour.
Christ became a King to govern us, a Prophet to instruct us, a Priest to make atonement for us…He wholly sets us apart  for our use and benefit.
–William Gouge “Domestical Duties”

That love which naturally parents bear to their children ought in equity to breed in children a love to their parents. For love deserves love, and most unworthy are they to be loved who cannot love in return. The love of parents above all others is to be answered with love on the children’s part, to the uttermost of their power, because it is free, great, and constant.
Besides there is a necessity of love in children to their parents, lest for lack thereof, their subjection (which above all ought to be most free) should turn into slavish servitude.
William Gouge “Domestical Duties”

Justification goes before sanctification… The grace of justification is a most free grace. It is not wrought upon any righteousness of ours, but it is before it… Let none, therefore, boast of their cleansing by Christ’s blood till they find themselves renewed and sanctified by the Spirit of Christ… To whom there is no condemnation? To them that are in Christ Jesus. Who are they? They who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Sanctification presupposes Justification… Sanctification is a fruit of Justification.
Admirable is the comfort, which the saints in this world reap hereby… Since their sanctification is a fruit and evidence of their Justification, they take heart… Thus upheld and comforted, they continue to strive against sin till it be clean rooted out of them as well as remitted.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties”

The title “head” is given to Christ in two respects: in regard of his dignity and dominion over the Church, and in regard to the close union between him and the church… Much comfort and great confidence must this minister to all such as have assurance of belonging to this body. For having so mighty, so wise, so merciful a head… so sufficient in every way, who can instruct, direct, guide, govern, protect, and help them in all their needs whatsoever. Why should they be afraid?
Oh how happy a thing it is for the Church that it has such a head! A head that does not tyrannize over it, nor trample it under foot… but procures peace and safety for it.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties”

Piety is the best thing that a parent can teach a child, for as reason makes a man differ from a beast, and as learning and civility makes a wise and sober and sober man differ from savages and swaggerer’s, so piety makes a sound Christian much more to differ from the most civil and well ordered natural man that can be. Learning, civility, calling, portion, are all nothing without piety..
There is a necessity that children be taught piety, because they are not born but made christians… Parents are by God made watchmen over their children… They must therefore nurture them in the adominition of the Lord.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties”

The title “head” is given to Christ in two respects: in regard of his dignity and dominion over the church, and in regard to the close union between Him and the church… Much comfort and great confidence must this minister to all such as have assurance of belonging to his body. For having so mighty, so wise, so merciful a head… so sufficient in every way, who can instruct, direct, guide, govern, protect, and help them all in in all their needs whatsoever. Why should they be afraid?
O how happy a thing is it for the church that it has such a head! A head that does not tyrannize over it, nor trample it underfoot… but procures a peace and safety for it.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties”

After the good of the soul, follows the good of the body, wherein husband and wife must show their provident care of each other; and do what lies in them to procure the welfare of another’s person… This duty extends itself to to all estates of prosperity and adversity, of health and sickness, even as they mutually covenant and promise when they are first joined in marriage…Wherefore they ought both to rejoice in the welfare of one another, and also in all distress to succour and comfort each other, putting their shoulders under one another’s burden, and  helping to ease one another as much as they can.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties”

The union between Christ and the church is a great mystery… Let us not presume to measure it with the line of our own reason. It being a great mystery, it is above our capacity. Yet because it is revealed, we must believe it, as we do the mystery of the Trinity, of Christ’s eternal generation, of the personal union of his two natures, of the proceeding of the Holy Ghost… because the Word has revealed them… Here we must believe what we know but in part; there, we shall perfectly know whatsoever is to be believed. Preachers can but in part make known this mystery, and hearers can in part conceive  it. Let us, therefore, wait for perfect understanding of it…  but meantime believe without doubting that which is revealed…
—Wiliam Gouge “Domestic Duties”

Piety is the best thing that a parent can teach a child, for as reason makes a man differ from a beast, and as learning and civility make a wise and sober man differ from savages and swaggerers, so piety makes a sound Christian much more to differ from the most civil and well-ordered natural man that can be. Learning, civility, calling, portion, are all nothing without piety…
There is a necessity that children e taught piety, because they are not born but made Christians… Parents are by God made watchmen over their children… They must therefore nurture them in the admonition of the Lord.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

None but the upright, who are indeed renewed by the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, will in all things make Christ’s will their rule and in everything hold close to it, preferring it before their pleasure, profit, preferment, or any other outward allurement. They who do so give good evidence that they belong to the body of Christ, and may be sure that Christ is their Saviour.
Christ became a King to govern us, a Prophet to instruct us, a Priest to make atonement for us… He wholly set himself apart for our use and benefit.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

Christ is the only Saviour of man… None is able, none is worthy, to work so great a work. Jesus must do it or it cannot be done. But he is so able, and so worthy, that he can do it of himself and needs none to assist him… Let us, for our part, turn to this Saviour alone, and wholly rely on him since we desire to be saved. So shall we honour him, by preferring him above all–yes, by rejecting all but him. Thus shall we be sure to bring, help, ease, and comfort to our souls.
—-William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

Christ in his death aimed at our good. He was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of  God in Him….This proves Christ’s giving of himself t be a fruit of his love…Let us learn to apply all that Christ did to ourselves…Let us also learn how to manifest love—namely, by seeking and procuring the good of others…If this were practiced, would there be such oppressing, such undermining, such deceiving, such wronging of on another as there is?
Let that mind be in us which was in Christ Jesus, and thus manifest our love….
—-William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

If parents have been persons of good bearing in their lifetime, as religious towards God, just in their dealings with man, merciful to such as stood in need of their help, doing much good in their place, and so ended their days with much credit, it is an especial means to maintain and continue the credit, for children to walk in their steps and endeavour to be like them.
Thus is a blessed memory of their parents kept fresh and green though their bodies be rotten. For when they who knew the parents behold the like good qualities and actions in their children, they will be put in mind of the parties deceased, and say, Oh how much parents yet live! Behold a lively and living image of them.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

It is especially noted of Christ, that as there was an occasion he slept, he ate, he rested and otherwise refreshed himself …Against this good instinct of nature do many offend. Covetous misers, who so dote upon their wealth and so delight in abundance of goods measured up, that they afford not themselves things needful to nourish their bodies…Such men make their riches to be snares and hindrances, to keep them from eternal life. Others are too intent upon their businesses, even the affairs of their lawful callings…In this, many students, preachers, lawyers, tradesmen, farmers, labourers and others offend [for in good things there may be excess]…They who by such means disable themselves make themselves guilty of the neglect of so much good as they might have done, if they had nourished and cherished their bodies.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

All who are once incorporated into Christ shall be saved. The body comprises not only arms, shoulders, breast, back, and such like, but also hands, fingers, feet, toes and all. Christ their head being their Saviour, who can doubt of their salvation?
Adam conveys sin and death to all who descend from him …Christ conveys grace and life to everyone who is given to him…This is a point of admirable comfort to such as have assurance of their incorporation into Christ, since they may rest upon the benefit of the office of Christ, that he is a Saviour.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

There is a double-loving of a man’s self. One good and commendable, the other evil and damnable. Spiritual self-love is supernaturally wrought in man by God’s Spirit, so that he is both enlightened to discern what is most excellent and best for him, and also moved to choose the same …Hence it comes to pass that their chiefest care is for their souls and for their eternal salvation.
–William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

continue

Christ is the only Saviour of man…None is able, none is worthy, to work so great a work. Jesus must do it, or it cannot be done. But he is so able, and so worthy, that he can do it of himself and needs none to assist him…Let us, for our part, turn to this Saviour alone, and wholly rely on him since we desire to be saved. So shall we honour him, by preferring him before all–yes, by rejecting all but Him. Thus shall we be sure to bring help, ease and comfort to our own souls.
–William Gouge “Domestic Duties”
continue

St Peter requires such a bearing of man and wife one towards another that their prayers be not hindered. He takes it for granted that prayer is a mutual duty which one owes to the other. In this may man and wife be helpful to each other in all things needful to either of them…By many it is counted a slight duty and of small use. But the truth is that to perform it aright…. is both difficult in the deed and powerful in the effect. It is the best duty that one can perform for another, and the least to be neglected.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties”

continue

The ends for which marriage was ordained…are especially three. First, that the world might be increased…with a legitimate brood and distinct families which are the seminaries of cities and commonwealths; also that in the world the Church might be preserved and propagated by an holy seed. Second, that men might avoid fornication… Against this hereditary disease no remedy is so effective as this…For those that have not the gift of continence, this is the only warranted and sanctified remedy …Third, that man and wife might be a mutual help to one another… in health and sickness.
–William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

continue

Self-love is evil when it is cast upon our corruptions, our lust, our evil humours, when we affect and love them, and for them pursue whatever may satisfy them…Evil self-love is a most detestable vice, but it is both lawful and commendable to love oneself aright.
—William Gouge

continue

None but the upright, who are indeed renewed by the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, will in all things make Christ their rule and in everything hold close to it, preferring it before their pleasure, profit, preferment, or any other outward allurement. They who do so give good evidence that they belong to the body of Christ, and may be sure that Christ is their Saviour.
Christ became a King to govern us, a Prophet to instruct us, a Priest to make atonement for us…He wholly set himself apart for our use and benefit.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

continue

As there are two vocations to which it has pleased God to call everyone—one general, by virtue of which certain common duties are required to be performed by all [such as knowledge, faith, obedience, repentance, love, mercy, justice, truth, etc], the other particular, by virtue of which certain specific duties are required of several persons, according to those distinct places wherein the Divine Providence has set them in the Commonwealth, Church, or family, so ought God’s ministers to be careful in instructing God’s people in both kinds of duties–both those which concern their general and those also which concern their particular calling.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

continue

It is the duty of Christians to set forth the praise of God and to be serviceable to one another. For this purpose in the Decalogue, to the first table which prescribes the duty we owe to God, is added the Second Table which declares the service that we owe to one another.
The service which in the fear of God we perform one to another, is an evident and real demonstration of the respect we bear to God…This discovers of hypocrisy of those make great pretence of praising God, and yet are scornful and disdainful to their brothers, and slothful to do any service to mankind …Surely the outward service they pretend to perform to God does not so much wipe out the spot of profanity as their neglect of duty to man brands their foreheads with the stamp of hypocrisy.
—William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

continue

Learn to consider Christ’s death, not as the death of a private man, but of a public person–of a surety, of a pledge–that in our place and stead was made sin, and was made a curse, to redeem us from our sins and from the curse which has fallen upon us on account of sin. The comfort and benefit of Christ’s death is lost if this be not known and believed. In this consists a main difference between the death of Christ and all other men–not even the most righteous martyr excepted. Their death was but a duty, no ransom, as Christ’s was.
–William Gouge “Domestic Duties.”

continue

So long as men remain destitute of the  Spirit of  Christ, and are possessed of a contrary spirit, they may well be judged for the present to be none of his body, nor to have any part in Christ.  Their future estate, however, is referred to him who only knows what it shall be.
The extent of the Church’s subjection to Christ is unlimited…For there is nothing which Christ requires of her, but that she may with a good conscience—and must in obedience—accept. Just, pure and perfect are all his commandments.There is no error in any of them. No mischief or unseemliness can follow the keeping of them.
—William Gouge, “Domestic Duties.”

continue

The family is a seminary of the church and commonwealth. It is like a beehive in which is the stock and out of which are sent many swarms of bees. In families are all sorts of people bred and brought up, and out of families are they sent into the Church and Commonwealth… A family is a little church, and a little commonwealth, whereby trial maybe made of such as are fit for any place of authority…It is a school, wherein the first grounds of government and submission are learned.
—William Gouge, “Domestical Duties.”

continue

It is the course of a man’s life, not this or that particular action, which makes a man blameworthy or blameless—just as the flock of swallows, and not one here or another there makes a springtime. Now because the constant bearing of those who are the Church, is before men blameless, they may just be so accounted, notwithstanding some particular things blameworthy do sometimes come from them… True saints may boldly lift up their faces before God and man. The soundness of their faith produces confidence before God. The testimony of their conscience produces courage before men. Let all who desire this boldness join a sound faith and a good conscience together and labour for assurance of their cleansing by the blood of Christ, and sanctifying Spirit of Christ.
—William Gouge — “Domestical Duties.”

continue

The mystery of our union with Christ is a matter of great comfort and encouragement… It is also a matter of direction and instigation for us for the performing of sundry duties… Some of the most principal are there: Confidence in Christ.. our head, so mighty, wise, tender… Subjection answerable to his manner of governing us… willing and readily.. Cleansing our souls for all filthiness of flesh and spirit… Conformity to the image of Christ in true holiness and righteousness… Heavenly affections… where our head is, there also ought our heart to be… Courage against death. Seeing that in death we are Christ’s, what cause have we to fear death?
—William Gouge, “Domestical Duties.”

continue