A75287:2278
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.
2. If thou findest Gods dealings with thee, to be a kindly motive, to cause thee to rejoice in God, more then in the thing obtained, it is a sign it was a fruit of thy prayer. Hanna blessing God for her child,1 My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, saith she: She rejoiceth not so much in the gift, as in the giver, not so much in her child, as in his favour that answered her prayer.
2. If thou findest Gods dealings with thee, to be a kindely motive, to cause thee to rejoyce in God, more then in the thing obtained, it is a sign it was a fruit of thy prayer. Hanna blessing God for her childe,1 My heart rejoyceth in the Lord, saith she: She rejoyceth not so much in the gift, as in the giver, not so much in her childe, as in his favor that answered her prayer.
2. If the mercy obtained by thy prayer, enlarge thy heart with thankfulness: Self-love makes us more forward to pray, then to give thanks, for nature is all of the craving and taking hand; but where Grace is, there will be no eminent mercy gotten with much struggling, but there will be a continual, particular thankful remembrance of it a long while after, with much enlargement: Great blessings won with prayer, are worn with thankfulness; such a man will not ask new, but withal, he will give thanks for old: Thankfulness of all duties proceeds from pure Grace, therefore if thy spirit stirs thee to it, it is a sign he made the prayer: See Hanna's song when she had her desire, 1 Sam. 2.1.