1706 THOMAS GOUGE. Practical Works of Influential Puritan in Original Paneled Calf Binding. Rare.

Thomas Gouge (1605–1681) was an influential English Puritan clergyman, author, and philanthropist whose writings played a major role in shaping 17th-century devotional practice and practical theology. Following his ejection from St. Sepulchre’s in London under the Act of Uniformity in 1662, Gouge turned his attention to writing, including such classics as The Christian Householder, Principles of Christian Religion, and Riches Increased by Giving to the Poor. His works were deeply influential devotionally and emphasized family worship, personal piety, and systemic Christian charity. They were widely read across Britain and New England, highly praised by contemporaries as diverse as Richard Baxter and John Tillotson, and praised for turning abstract Puritan doctrine into clear, actionable guidelines for daily living and social responsibility.

Beyond his devotional books, Gouge’s written output was intimately tied to his pioneering work in literacy and charity in Wales during the 1670s. Recognizing the lack of Welsh-language religious resources, he organized and funded the translation, printing, and distribution of essential texts, including the Bible, The Book of Common Prayer, and his own catechisms, while establishing hundreds of charity schools across Wales. 

A superb volume, and now quite scarce on the market. 

Gouge, Thomas. The Works of the Late Reverend and Pious Mr. Tho. Gouge: Collected into One Volume for the Use of Families, Viz.

I. A Word to Sinners and a Word to Saints, the Former Tending to the Awakening the Consciences of Secure Sinners, unto a Lively Sense and Apprehension of the Dreadful Condition they are in, so long as they Live in their Natural and Unregenerate Estate. The Latter Tending to the Directing and Persuading of the Godly and Regenerate unto Several Singular Duties. 

II. The Principles of Christian Religion, Explained to the Capacity of the Meanest, with Prayers for Families, and on other Occasions. 

III. The Surest and Safest Way of Thriving, or, a Conviction of that Grand Mistake in many, that what is given to thePoor, is a Loss to their Estate; which is Directly Contrary as to the Experiences of the Charitable; so to the Testimony of God's Spirit in Divers Places of Scripture.

IV. Christian Directions, Shewing how to Walk with God all the Day Long. 

V. The Christian Householder.

VI. The Young Man's Guide through the Wilderness of the World to the Heavenly Canaan, Shewing Him how to Carry Himself Christian Like in the Whole Course of His Life; Drawn up for the Use and Benefit of Young Men, Especially such as have Served their Apprenticeship, and are Setting up for Themselves. 

VII. The Principles of Christian Religion, Explained to the with Practical Applications to each Head, in Two Parts, design'd as an Help to Family-Catechising; with Prayers for Families and Particular Persons. 

VIII. A Sermon of Good Works, wherein Several Cases of Conscience concerning Alms-giving are Resolved. 

To which is Prefixed the Author's Funeral Sermon, and a Large Account of his Life and Charitable Deeds, by Arch-Bishop Tillotson. With a Preface to the whole, by Timothy Rogers. London. Printed by T. B. and are to be Sold by S. and J. Sprint in Little Brittain, J. Taylor and J. Wyat in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1706. xxviii + 622 + contents. 

A good + to very good first edition in original paneled calf. Small loss at foredge of front board, just through at the corners, rear board has an old leather repair with minor loss. First few leaves have some minor dampstaining and spotting and pastedown lifted. Final leaf [the contents page] with a vertical tear up the center of the page, with no losses. Textually generally very clean. Very handsome on the shelf. No engraved portrait. It is unclear whether it was ever bound in.