A25247:58
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.
in tentation or affliction he remembers and applies, and so remembering to apply, and applying that he remembers, he is thereby enabled to resist evil, or to follow those good things which the Lord hath commanded.
in tentation or affliction he remembers and applyes, and so remembring to apply, and applying that he remembers, he is thereby inabled to resist evil, or to follow those good things which the Lord hath commanded.
Fourthly, the conscience must be renewed, and that two ways; 1either by drawing the soul to good, or from evil: first, to good, by inclining and encouraging; and secondly, from evil, by restraining and bridling. If we consider its first office (in that it draws and leads the soul to good) I confess the unregenerate is not of that conscience, 2for the most part his conscience lies dead in his bosom, or if it stir sometimes, he labours all he can to smother it in his waking: to such an one should men and Angels preach, yet so far is he bewitched with sin, that he hath no mind of goodness, or if ever he do any good act (which is a rare thing with him) it is not out of conscience to do good, but for some sinister end or respect. It is otherwise with the regenerate, his conscience incites him to good, and he doth good out of conscience; he stands not upon terms of pleasure or profit, but his conscience being guided by the rule and square of Gods holy truth, he submits to it merely out of his obedience to God: hence it is, that come what will come, weal or woe, his eye is sixth on God, and if man oppose where God commands, he is quickly resolved out of that in Isaiah 51.12. 3I, even I am he that comforteth ⟨p. 15⟩you; who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass? and forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth? Or if we consider the second office of conscience (in drawing the soul from evil) the unregenerate either hears not,