A75287:226
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.
4. Resist and crush we every exorbitant thought which draws to sin, at the very first rising: Is the temptation strong? encounter it with this dreadful Dilemma, If I commit this sin, either I must repent, or not repent; if I repent, it will cost me more heart-break and spiritual smart, before I can purchase assurance of pardon and peace of Conscience, then the sensual pleasure can ⟨p. 46⟩be worth; if I never repent, it will be the death and damnation of my soul.
5. Lodge we not so much as light thoughts, unprofitable or vain thoughts in our hearts; they will still be entering in, whilst we are in these houses of clay, yet lodge they must not. Hence the Apostle,1 Let not the Sun go down upon your wrath; q. d. if thoughts of anger come in, in the morning or day time, they must be turned out ere night; or if idle thoughts offer to come to bed to thee, let them not lodge with thee. I deny not but many good thoughts and motions may pass, as strangers through a bad mans heart, and multitudes of vain thoughts and motions may make a through-fare of a Believers heart, and disturb him in good Duties, by knockings, and interruptions, and breakings in upon his heart, but still they lodge not there, they are not there fostered and harboured.
5. Lodge we not so much as light thoughts, unprofitable or vain thoughts in our hearts; they will still be entring in, whilest we are in these houses of clay, yet lodge they must not. Hence the Apostle,1 Let not the Sun go down upon your wrath; q. d. if thoughts of anger come in, in the morning or day time, they must be turned out ere night; or if idle thoughts offer to come to bed to thee, let them not lodge with thee. I deny not but many good thoughts and motions may pass, as strangers through a bad mans heart, and multitudes of vain thoughts and motions may make a through-fare of a Believers heart, and disturb him in good Duties, by knockings, and interruptions, and breakings in upon his heart, but still they lodge not there, they are not there fostered and harbored.