A75287:2231
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. Quietly to rest in the good will and pleasure of God, not doubting but the Lord hath heard our Prayers, and in good time shall grant that which shall be most for his glory and our good; and this is the meaning of the word Amen, wherewith we seal up our prayers.
2. Diligently to use all good means for the obtaining of our suits; as if I pray for faith, or any other spiritual Grace, I must besides prayer, use all good means carefully, which the Lord hath ordained for the begetting and increasing of those graces in us, as hearing the Word preached, receiving the Sacrament, reading the Word, and meditating on it, otherwise our prayers are a tempting of God, as if he must grant, not by means, but by miracles.
3. Carefully to look after our prayers, and to cast up our comings in, and gainings by prayers, otherwise we are like foolish ⟨p. 317⟩Venturers, who have a great stock a going, but look not after their returns: In the morning I will direct my prayers, 1and look up:] There are two military words in the verse, David would not only pray, but marshal up his prayers, put them in array; and when he had done so, he would be as a spy upon a tower, to see whether he prevailed, whether he got the day: For the better unfolding this mystery of grace, I shall propound and give Answer to some Queries or cases of Conscience as:—
3. Carefully to look after our prayers, and to cast up our comings in, and gainings by prayers, otherwise we are like foolish ⟨p. 317⟩