A25247:130
Prima the first things, in reference to the middle and last things
Prima the first things, in reference to the middle and last things: or, the doctrine of regeneration, the new birth, the very beginning of a godly life. Delivered by Isaac Ambrose, minister of the Gospel at Preston in Amounderness in Lancashire.
London: printed by J.F. for I.A., 1650
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Nor is this feast without music, Gods word and his actions make a blessed harmony, and he endeavours to continue ⟨p. 46⟩it by keeping peace and a good conscience towards God and man.
Nor is this feast without musick, Gods word and his actions make a blessed harmony, and he endeavors to continue ⟨p. 46⟩it by keeping peace and a good conscience towards God and man.
Thirdly, from this peace issueth joy in the holy Ghost; no sooner is a man at peace with man, with God, with himself, but he is filled with joy that no man can take from him; this joy I take to be those blessed stirrings of the heart, when the seal of remission of sins is first set unto the soul by the spirit of Adoption; For thus it is, the soul having newly passed the pangs of the new birth, it is presently bathed in the blood of Christ, lulled in the bosom of Gods mercies, secured by the Spirit of its inheritance above; and so ordinarily follows a Sea of comfort, a sensible taste of everlasting pleasures, as if the man had already one foot in heaven. But I hear some object, They have felt the pangs, cast themselves on Christ, resolved against all sin, and yet no comfort comes. It may be so, though not ordinarily; certain it is, whosoever hath this joy is new born, yet not every one new born hath this joy; if any then be in such case, let him hear what the Spirit of truth saith, Since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, besides thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him, Isaiah 64.4. 1Waiting patiently (saith a Modern) for the Lords coming to comfort us, either in temporal or spiritual distresses, is a right pleasing and acceptable duty and service unto God, which he is wont to crown with multiplied and overflowing refreshings when he comes. To this end saith the Prophet, They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint,