A25247:55
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.
The natural man cannot discern the operations of grace, he knows not that dark and fearful passage, which leads from the state of nature (through strange terrors and torments of soul) into the rich and glorious happiness of the kingdom of Christ; whereas on the contrary, the regenerate man (that hath had the experience of the power of godliness upon his own soul) he can see and judge of the light of grace, he can taste and relish of the fruits of the Spirit; and hence it is, that many a silly one (man and woman) whom the worldly-wise pass by with scorn and contempt, are often in spiritual affairs more wise and learned then the learnedst Doctors.
The natural man cannot discern the operations of grace, he knows not that dark and fearful passage, which leads from the state of nature (through strange terrors and torments of soul) into the rich and glorious happiness of the kingdom of Christ; whereas on the contrary, the regenerate man (that hath had the experience of the power of godliness upon his own soul) he can see and judge of the light of grace, he can taste and rellish of the fruits of the Spirit; and hence it is, that many a silly one (man and woman) whom the worldly-wise pass by with scorn and contempt, are often in spiritual affairs more wise and learned then the learnedst Doctors.
Secondly, 1the Will must be renewed; and this will of the regenerate contains two things, Rightness and Readiness: It is first rectified, when it is conformed to the will of God. Secondly, it is so inflamed with the love of goodness, that willingly he pursues it with alacrity of spirit. If we consider the first (the Rectitude of the will) we see by experience the will of the unregenerate is all out of course, 2he wills nothing but that which is evil: How should he, considering his want of ⟨p. 13⟩Gods image, his blindness of heart, his proneness to evil, together with the vehemency of his affections, which draw the will after them, and trouble the judgement? But in the man that is regenerate, the will being moved, it afterwards moves it self, Gods grace that concurs with it, quickens it, and revives it; so that now his will is nothing but Gods will: if it may appear that God bids him, or forbids him to do this, or that he chooseth above all to follow his commands, whatsoever becomes of him; why, this is the very heart and marrow of regeneration; you may be sure, the man that chooseth above all to please God,