A75287:138
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.
4. That they that use and exercise Duties may obtain the Promises:1 Godliness is profitable unto all things (saith the Apostle) having the promises of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. There are many Promises scattered up and down in the Word, and hereby if God be not a debtor unto thee, yet he is to himself, and to his own faithfulness. Reddis debita, nulli debens, cried Augustine; Thou Lord payest debts, and owest to none; it was free for thee before thou hadst promised, whether to to give me heaven, or no: but now the word is out of thy mouth, I use Duties as means, though I adhere only to thee, and to thy faithfulness, who hast promised. To prevent mistake, Duties are considered in a double relation: First, as services, in respect of the command; and Secondly, as means to obtain and procure blessings at Gods hands, in relation to his promise: Now the most in the world perform Duties as acts of obedience only, and so rest in the present performance; but if we do them in Faith, we shall have an eye to the Promise, and look on Duties as means to obtain some mercy, yea, Salvation it self at Gods hands, Phil. 2.12.2 Romans 10.10.3 2 Cor. 7.10.4 1 Pet. 1.9.5
4. That they that use and exercise Duties may obtain the Promises:1 Godliness is profitable unto all things (saith the Apostle) having the promises of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. There are many Promises scattered up and down in the Word, and hereby if God be not a debtor unto thee, yet he is to himself, and to his own faithfulness. Reddis debita, nulli debens, cryed Austine; Thou Lord payest debts, and owest to none; it was free for thee before thou hadst promised, whether to to give me heaven, or no: but now the word is out of thy mouth, I use Duties as means, though I adhere onely to thee, and to thy faithfulness, who hast promised. To prevent mistake, Duties are considered in a double relation: First, as services, in respect of the command; and Secondly, as means to obtain and procure blessings at Gods hands, in relation to his promise: Now the most in the world perform Duties as acts of obedience onely, and so rest in the present performance; but if we do them in Faith, we shall have an eye to the Promise, and look on Duties as means to obtain some mercy, yea, Salvation it self at Gods hands,