A75287:182
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.
Ans. I answer, In every regenerate man there is both Flesh and Spirit; It may be the Flesh lies uppermost, and the Spirit lies in the bottom, so that a man, though a Saint, may hear carnally, receive carnally, pray carnally, that is, when the flesh hath gotten the upper hand, as in some fits it may, when the mind is filled with worldly sorrow, worldly rejoicing, and worldly desires; such Duties the Lord regards not, be the man never so holy: But if the regenerate part be acted and stirred up by Gods Spirit, and the Flesh that always hinders, be removed by the same Spirit, then are the Saints able to do their Duties to God in Christ Jesus Spiritually.
Ans. I answer, In every regenerate man there is both Flesh and Spirit; It may be the Flesh lies uppermost, and the Spirit lies in the bottom, so that a man, though a Saint, may hear carnally, receive carnally, pray carnally, that is, when the flesh hath gotten the upper hand, as in some fits it may, when the minde is filled with worldly sorrow, worldly rejoycing, and worldly desires; such Duties the Lord regards not, be the man never so holy: But if the regenerate part be acted and stirred up by Gods Spirit, and the Flesh that always hinders, be removed by the same Spirit, then are the Saints able to do their Duties to God in Christ Jesus Spiritually.
2. Through Christ: For Christ perfects, perfumes, and presents our Duties to his heavenly Father; as Duties come from us, they savour of flesh, but the Angel of the Covenant mingleth much Incense with them, 1and so he offers them upon the golden Altar, which is before the Throne. Here is sweet comfort (O my soul) What though thy Duties are weak, and cold, and confused, full of distempers, and damps? yet through Christ they are fortified, and enlivened, with his pacifying perfection, and intercessory Spirit: Through Christ they are perfumed with the precious odours of his fresh-bleeding Merits, and blessed Mediation, and so they are made acceptable to God, that he may receive them, that he may not refuse and reject them.