Gouge, Thomas 1605 - 1681

Thomas Gouge, English Puritan, was the son of William Gouge and a noted minister in his own right. He was ejected from his pulpit for nonconformity in 1662. He was known for his generosity and charity throughout his ministry and one of his greatest contributions was his sermon on charity. At the age of 57 he was removed from his pulpit for nonconformity and spent his latter years in “evangelism and acts of charity.” He was known for his faithful attendance of the sick and his generosity to the poor, distributing alms among them once a week. He provided hemp and flax for the unemployed to spin, and even sold their products for them!…Gouge lost many possessions to London’s Great Fire, but he bore the loss with patience and humility. He had a large estate from his father, which he used to help the poor. After giving portions of the estate to his children, he was left with an income of 150 pounds per year (roughly $40,000 per year by today’s standards). Of that amount, he gave two-thirds to charity and lived on 50 pounds (around $13,000 per year by today’s standards). Again, having wealth is not bad but can be good, the love of money is what is wrong. Many of us are richer than we realize. We have more money than we need to supply our needs. Even many who have debt and do not feel financial freedom, have this debt because of extra wants and not basic needs. Some may think they do not struggle with the issue of wealth because they don’t have much, but seated deep within the love of money drives them. Learn from Thomas Gouge that our riches are increased by giving.

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The works of the late reverend and pious Mr. Thomas Gouge. In six parts...to which is prefixed an account of the author's life (1815)

I. A word to sinners, and a word to saints. --

1) A Word to Sinners, and a Word to Saints: or, The Nature and Necessity of Regeneration, and the New Birth, from John iii. 2, 3. ("which prods the consciences of the saved and unsaved to perform their moral duties," Joel R. Beeke & Randall J. Pederson, Meet the Puritans, pp. 281-282);

II. Christian directions. --

2) Christian Directions, shewing how to walk with God all day long. ("an influential guide to prayer, Bible reading, Sabbath observance, and Christian conduct," Joel R. Beeke & Randall J. Pederson, Meet the Puritans, p. 281);

III. The Christian householder. --

3) The Christian Householder, wherein are many useful Direction for Parents and Masters of Families, from Joshua xxiv. 15.;

IV. The young man's guide. --

4) 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, from Ecclesiastes xii. 1. ("a primer on behavior and spiritual duties for apprentices," Joel R. Beeke & Randall J. Pederson, Meet the Puritans, p. 282);

V. The principles of the Christian religion explained. --

5) The Principles of the Christian Religion explained to the meanest: with practical Applications to each Head. ("a practical catechism based in part on the Westminster Shorter Catechism," Joel R. Beeke & Randall J. Pederson, Meet the Puritans, p. 282);

VI. The surest and safest way of thriving

6) The surest and safest Way of Thriving, from Matth. x. 41, 42. (reprinted as Riches Increased by Giving); and a memoir of his life.

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Riches Increased by Giving to the Poor, or The Surest and Safest Way of Thriving. With prefatory remards by Dr. Owen, Dr. Manton, Dr. Bates, and Mr. Richard Baxter. Also, with a recommendatory preface, including a sketch of the life of the author; written expressly for this edition, by the Rev. Thomas Binney. Reprinted from the original edition. (1856)

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