A75287:160
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.
Now the reason why Gods people find such delight in Duties, is, 1. Because in Duties they come to see the face of God in Christ: Hence Duties are called The face or presence of God; 1the Worship of the Jews was called, An appearing before God: David breathes out his desires in the same expression, When shall I come and appear before God? 2The Queen of Sheba counted it an high favour to stand before Solomon, What high favour then is this to stand before Jesus Christ, and to hear wisdom it self speak to our souls? 2. Because in Duties they have converses, and communion with God, who is the God of all Consolation; and with the Spirit of God, who is called the Comforter: Now as a man that walks amongst Perfumes, must needs smell of the Perfume; so they that converse with the God of all joy, must needs be filled with all joy: and therefore David calls God His exceeding joy. The Saints look upon Duties (the Word,3 Sacraments, Prayers, &c.) as Bridges to give them a passage to God, as Boats to carry them into the bosom of Christ, as means to bring them into more intimate communion with their heavenly Father, and therefore are they so much taken with them: When they go to the Word, they go as one goes to hear news of a friend; when they go to Pray, they go to talk with a friend; when they go to Read, they go to read a Letter from a friend; when they go to receive, they go to Sup with a friend: They look upon Duties and Ordinances, as those things whereby they have to do with God and Christ, and therefore are Duties so precious. Indeed, to them who have to do with nothing but Duty in Duty, but Prayer in Prayer, but Hearing in Hearing, to them Duties are dead, and dry, and spiritless things; but they that have to do with God and Christ in Duty, to them Duties are passing sweet and precious. This seems a Riddle to unregenerate men, they wonder what the Saints find in Duties, where the sweetness, what the comfort is, what secret golden Mines they find in these diggings, when themselves find nothing, but burdensome Stones, and Clay: Oh! the Saints meet with Christ in Duties, and therefore they cannot but find great treasure: Davids soul was athirst, not for a Kingdom, but for God, for the living God, Psal. 42.2. It is the highest reward,