A69449:101
The doctrine & directions but more especially the practice and behaviour of a man…The doctrine & directions but more especially the practice and behavior of a man…
The doctrine & directions but more especially the practice and behaviour of a man in the act of the new birth A treatise by way of appendix to the former. By Isaac Ambrose, minister of Christ at Preston in Amounderness in Lancashire.The doctrine & directions but more especially the practice and behavior of a man in the act of the nevv birth A treatise by way of appendix to the former. By Isaac Ambrose, minister of Christ at Preston in Amounderness in Lancashire.
London: printed by J.F. for Nathanael Webb and William Grantham, 1650
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Thirdly, he casts away his weapons, and falls down before the Lord, and resigns himself into the sovereign power and command of God. Thus David, when the Lord cast him out of his Kingdom, he said to Zadock, Carry back the Ark of God into the City, if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he 1will bring me back again, and show me both it and his Habitation: But if he thus say to me, I have no delight in thee; behold, here I am, let him do with me as seemeth good in his eyes. This is the frame of a poor soul; when a poor sinner will stand upon his privileges, the Lord saith, Bear my Justice, and defend thy self by all thou hast or canst do: and the soul answereth, I am thy Servant, Lord, do what is good in thine eyes, I cannot succour my self.
Thirdly, he casts away his weapons, and falls down before the Lord, and resigns himself into the soveraign power and command of God. Thus David, when the Lord cast him out of his Kingdom, he said to Zadock, Carry back the Ark of God into the City, if I shall finde favor in the eyes of the Lord, he 1will bring me back again, and shew me both it and his Habitation: But if he thus say to me, I have no delight in thee; behold, here I am, let him do with me as seemeth good in his eyes. This is the frame of a poor soul; when a poor sinner will stand upon his priviledges, the Lord saith, Bear my Justice, and defend thy self by all thou hast or canst do: and the soul answereth, I am thy Servant, Lord, do what is good in thine eyes, I cannot succor my self.
Fourthly, the soul freely acknowledgeth, That it is in Gods power to do with him, and dispose of him as he will; and therefore he lies and licks the dust, and cries, Mercy, mercy, Lord: he thinks not to purchase Mercy at the Lords hands, but only saith, It is in Gods good pleasure to do with him as he will, only he looks for favour, and cries, Mercy, Lord, mercy to this poor distressed soul of mine: O (replies the Lord) dost thou need mercy? Cannot thy Hearing, and Praying, and Fasting, carry thee to heaven without hazard? Gird up now thy loins, and make thy ferventest Prayers, and let them meet my Justice, and see if they can bear my Wrath, or purchase any Mercy: No, no (saith the sinner) I know it by lamentable experience, that all my prayers and performances will never procure peace to my soul. nor give my satisfaction to thy Justice, I only pray for Mercy, and I desire