A75287:2011
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.
1. When the Ordinances are a leading way unto some end that suits with corrupt nature: Thus Jehu showed abundance of zeal in destroying the house of Ahab, and the Idolatry of Baal, that thereby he might establish the kingdom to his Posterity, and get himself a great name;1 Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord: he was so full of vain-glory, that he could not hold in, but was forced to burst out.
1. When the Ordinances are a leading way unto some end that suits with corrupt nature: Thus Jehu shewed abundance of zeal in destroying the house of Ahab, and the Idolatry of Baal, that thereby he might establish the kingdom to his Posterity, and get himself a great name;1 Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord: he was so full of vain-glory, that he could not hold in, but was forced to burst out.
2. When the manner of dispensation of the Ordinances doth suit with their disposition: An understanding judicious man may love preaching that is judicious and understanding; A man of meekness, may delight in a Sermon of Peace, peace; a temperate man may like a Sermon that is tart and bitter against drunkenness, uncleanness; the liberal man may delight in severe preaching against covetousness; as a man musically affected, may delight in singing of Psalms, because these things suit with their dispositions: The gifts of Ministers may have an affecting pleasingness; they may express their minds in such fit terms, or so pathetically, or they may have such a grace in utterance, as may affect:1 Lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song, of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear thy words, but do them not.