A25247:52
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.
First, 1the understanding, that in the old man is blind and ignorant about heavenly things, or howsoever it may know many things, 2yet never can attain to saving knowledge; in the new man it must be anointed with the eye-salve of the Spirit, inspired with the knowledge of Divine truths, especially with those sacred and saving mysteries which concern the kingdom of God. Again, the will that in the old man affects nothing but vile and vain things, is froward and perverse in the ways of godliness; 3in the new man it must prove and approve what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God; yea, it must attend and be subordinate to the grace of God, 4sith God indeed, and God only works in us both the will and the deed, Phil. 2.13. Again, the memory that in the old man is slippery in the things of God, or if naturally good, yet not spiritually useful, in the new man it must be sanctified to good performances; and although it cannot ⟨p. 11⟩increase to a greater natural perfection (for grace doth not this) yet the perfections it hath must be straight, and right, and guided to God-ward, Remember the Lord thy God, saith Moses, Deut. 8.18. Again, 5the conscience that in the old man sleeps and slumbers, or if it be awake, tears and roars, as if a legion of Devils now possessed it; in the new man it must be calm and quiet, and yet not sleep or slumber, but rather in a friendly loving manner check and control wheresoever sin is, yea never be quiet, till with kind and yet earnest expostulations, it draw the sinner before God to confess his fault, and to seek pardon for it. Again, the affections that in the old man are sensual, inordinate, bewitched, and set on wrong objects; in the new man they must be turned another way. Mary Magdalene (you know) was given to unclean lusts, but the Lord diverted this sinful passion, and so she became penitent, and thirsted after grace: To sum up all, all must be renewed, the understanding, will, memory, conscience, affections.