A75287:1356
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.
2. We must entertain such Graces as will fitly prepare us for this Christian Society, and they are such as these:—
1. Humility: Humble men contend not, censure not, quarrel not, disdain not: They can meet with unequal respects of age, sex, state and parts; they can discern even in women what is to be honoured, and if there be not always so profound a judgement, yet many times there is more holy, and more sweet affections: They have not the faith of Christ in respect of persons, but can say to the poor man (if he be of the poor whom God hath chosen, rich in Grace, and heir of the Kingdom) Sit thou here in a good place; they can prefer Grace before parts, and delight in the sweet scent of creeping Violets: They can make use of, and improve all other mens gifts,1 For in honour they prefer one another, and so they come to be kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly love; they can spy out Graces of all sorts, in all sorts and ranks of people: They observe the sweet affability and courtesy of some great ones, the honest diligence and patience of some poor ones, the blushing modesty and humility of some solidly learned, the cheerful activity of Gods worship of some illiterate, that love Christ in sincerity, though they cannot dispute for him: Several sorts of men, have several lustres: now the humble learn of all, and so receive much benefit in communion from all: This Grace then gives him a fitness for this Society.
1. Humility: Humble men contend not, censure not, quarrel not, disdain not: They can meet with unequal respects of age, sex, state and parts; they can discern even in women what is to be honored, and if there be not always so profound a judgement, yet many times there is more holy, and more sweet affections: They have not the faith of Christ in respect of persons, but can say to the poor man (if he be of the poor whom God hath chosen, rich in Grace, and heir of the Kingdom) Sit thou here in a good place; they can prefer Grace before parts, and delight in the sweet scent of creeping Violets: They can make use of, and improve all other mens gifts,