A75287:2622
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.
The second head was, Places that in reading, he found rebuke of corruption in his nature or practice: The use hereof, is to open his eyes, and to let him see the Anatomy of his corruptions, and plainly to perceive what things are in his nature, that God hath a quarrel against; so that now it is time, that as such a one is guided by the finger of God to know his corruptions, so he should go to the Spirit of God for mortification.
The third head was, Places that directed him in his particular calling: The use hereof, is to consider the several Texts, as the crowing of Cocks, which ring in his ears: When wilt thou arise? why tarriest thou so long? why stirrest thou so slowly? See how the Sun rejoiceth as a Giant to run his race, why then dost not thou sharpen thy self to the work which God hath laid on thee? it may be thou meetest with many troubles, disgraces, oppositions, ⟨p. 381⟩but what then? is not this Gods command? is not this a service to the Lord Jesus? doth not the Lord assist? and is not he Pay-master sufficient? it may thy labour is in vain, thy work is without fruit, and what then? is not labour thy duty? and good success Gods work? what hast thou to do with thoughts about the blessing and success of thy labours? look thou to the duty, view the Texts well, and obey them, and leave the blessing of thy endeavours to the good will and pleasure of God; lay aside all care of the event, and roll thy burden upon the Lord, who will sustain thee: 1Thus these Texts cry upon him to submit to Gods direction, and to depend therein upon his help and assistance. This is the double duty we all owe, First, To ask counsel at the word, and to follow the determination of it; for a true heart is ever obediential, subjecting it self to the will of God, as the rule of holiness, acknowledging his sovereignty, subscribing to his wisdom as most absolute, and to his ways as most true, just and merciful. Secondly, To put over all our businesses into Gods hands, and in a manner out of our own, trusting in him for ability to the work, and for good success to come by them.