A75287:105
Media: the middle things, in reference to the first and last things: or, The…
Media: the middle things, in reference to the first and last things: or, The means, duties, ordinances, both secret, private and public, for continuance and increase of a godly life, once begun, till we come to Heaven. Wherein are discovered many blessed medium's or duties, in their right method, manner and proceedings; that so a Christian (the spirit of Christ assisting) may walk on in the holy path, which leads from his new birth to everlasting life. / Drawn, for the most part, out of the most eminently pious, and learned writings of our native practical divines: with additionals of his own, by Isaac Ambrose, minister of the Gospel at Preston in Amoundernes.Media: the middle things, in reference to the first and last things: or, The means, duties, ordinances, both secret, private and publike, for continuance and increase of a godly life, once begun, till we come to Heaven. Wherein are discovered many blessed medium's or duties, in their right method, manner and proceedings; that so a Christian (the spirit of Christ assisting) may walk on in the holy path, which leads from his new birth to everlasting life. / Drawn, for the most part, out of the most eminently pious, and learned writings of our native practical divines: with additionals of his own, by Isaac Ambrose, minister of the Gospel at Preston in Amoundernes.
London: printed by John Field for Nathanael Webb and William Grantham, 1649London: printed by John Field for Nathanaell Webb and William Grantham, 1649
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.
SECT. 2. Of the Insufficiency of Duties.
But alas, what are these Duties to my Lord? or what are these Duties in themselves?
BUt alas, what are these Duties to my Lord? or what are these Duties in themselves?
1. All the Duties of man, they are nothing at all unto God: Can a man be profitable unto God, 1as he that is wise can be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? 2or what receiveth he from thine hand? O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: 3And what then? what recompense to God for this propriety? Nay, David is here non-pluss'd, My goodness extendeth not to thee. All the service of men and Angels, though they run parallel with the longest lines of eternity, are insufficient recompense for my souls deliverance: When we have done all we can, still we must say, We are unprofitable servants.4
1. All the Duties of man, they are nothing at all unto God: Can a man be profitable unto God, 1as he that is wise can be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? If thou be righteous, what givest thou him?