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William Gouge
William Gouge (November 1, 1575 – December 12, 1653) was an English Puritan preacher, scholar, and author whose 45-year ministry at St. Ann Blackfriars in London made him a leading voice in 17th-century Reformed theology. Born in Bow, Middlesex, to Thomas Gouge and Elizabeth Calton, he grew up in a devout family tied to the merchant class—his father a liveryman of the Wax Chandlers. Educated at Felsted School, Eton College (1590–1595), and King’s College, Cambridge (B.A. 1598, M.A. 1602), Gouge excelled in classics and theology, mastering Hebrew and Greek. Ordained around 1607, he married Elizabeth Calton (possibly a cousin) in 1604, fathering 13 children, seven of whom survived infancy, despite losing her to childbirth complications in 1626. Gouge’s preaching career began in 1608 when he succeeded Stephen Egerton as rector of St. Ann Blackfriars, a Puritan stronghold near St. Paul’s Cathedral, where he served until his death. Known for his methodical, practical sermons—delivered twice on Sundays and once midweek—he drew diverse crowds with expositions of Scripture, notably a 15-year series on Hebrews published posthumously as A Learned and Very Useful Commentary on the Whole Epistle to the Hebrews (1655). His most famous work, Of Domestical Duties (1622), outlined Christian family roles, sparking debate for its strict views on wifely submission. A Westminster Assembly member from 1643, he helped draft the Westminster Confession, advocating Presbyterian governance over episcopacy.
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William Gouge preaches about the manifestation of covetous practices in spending, highlighting two ways: being too sparing and niggardly in all things, neglecting necessities for oneself and others, and being too prodigal in certain areas while neglecting works of charity and contributions. He references Ecclesiastes 6:2 to illustrate the imbalance of wealth and lack of satisfaction, and examples from 1 Samuel 25 and Luke 16 to depict individuals who were lavish in personal indulgence but lacked generosity towards those in need.
Of the Practice of Covetousness in Spending
A covetous practice in spending is manifested two ways: 1. By spending too sparingly and too niggardly in all things, as when men live under their degree and place, when they regard not decency in apparel or other like things, when they afford not necessaries to themselves or to those that are under their charge- these are pinch-pennies. Thus doth the wise man set out such a one, 'A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth: yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof,' Eccles. vi. 2. 2. By being too prodigal in some things, as in housekeeping, in apparel, in their pleasures on themselves, wives, and children, but are too strait-handed in all works of charity, and in contributions to church and state. Nabal was such a one. He made a feast in his house 'like the feast of a king,' but yet refused to refresh David's soldiers in their necessity with any part of his provision, 1 Sam. xxv. 11, 36. And such a one was Dives; he was 'clothed himself in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day,' yet refused to feed Lazarus with the crumbs that fell from his table, Luke xvi. 19, etc. These may be counted pound-prodigal, and penny-covetous.
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William Gouge (November 1, 1575 – December 12, 1653) was an English Puritan preacher, scholar, and author whose 45-year ministry at St. Ann Blackfriars in London made him a leading voice in 17th-century Reformed theology. Born in Bow, Middlesex, to Thomas Gouge and Elizabeth Calton, he grew up in a devout family tied to the merchant class—his father a liveryman of the Wax Chandlers. Educated at Felsted School, Eton College (1590–1595), and King’s College, Cambridge (B.A. 1598, M.A. 1602), Gouge excelled in classics and theology, mastering Hebrew and Greek. Ordained around 1607, he married Elizabeth Calton (possibly a cousin) in 1604, fathering 13 children, seven of whom survived infancy, despite losing her to childbirth complications in 1626. Gouge’s preaching career began in 1608 when he succeeded Stephen Egerton as rector of St. Ann Blackfriars, a Puritan stronghold near St. Paul’s Cathedral, where he served until his death. Known for his methodical, practical sermons—delivered twice on Sundays and once midweek—he drew diverse crowds with expositions of Scripture, notably a 15-year series on Hebrews published posthumously as A Learned and Very Useful Commentary on the Whole Epistle to the Hebrews (1655). His most famous work, Of Domestical Duties (1622), outlined Christian family roles, sparking debate for its strict views on wifely submission. A Westminster Assembly member from 1643, he helped draft the Westminster Confession, advocating Presbyterian governance over episcopacy.