A75287:152
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.
The meaning is, Except ye be implanted into me, ye can do nothing: The word [Without me] signifieth, Separate from me, or apart from me; and intimateth this only, That till we are knit unto Christ, we are but dead, and barren branches, and so Christ explains himself, As the branch cannot bring forth fruit of it self, except it abide in the Vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
The meaning is, Except ye be implanted into me, ye can do nothing: The word [Without me] signifieth, Seperate from me, or apart from me; and intimateth this onely, That till we are knit unto Christ, we are but dead, and barren branches, and so Christ explains himself, As the branch cannot bring forth fruit of it self, except it abide in the Vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Sol. This denies not that the Saints have in them A seed, a spring, a principle of life, a power; but on the contrary, it affirms, That they have a power, only that this power is of God: We should work ⟨p. 27⟩out our salvation in humility, not boasting in our own selves, for all is received of God: More fully, God is said to work the will and the deed, 1. By giving a principle of Spiritual life, habitual grace, a renewed frame of heart. 2. By exciting and strengthening this grace: and both these are ever afforded to the Saints, only the latter is more or less, according to his pleasure: So that in the worst times, a Believer hath power to do good, though not alike at all times; and this power we must use, and put forth our selves as we are able, or we cannot with reason expect his help. A Ship hath instruments of motion (though not an internal principle) and if the Mariner would have help by the winds, he must loose his Cables, and hoist his Sails; so must we, or else we may lie still.