A75287:2626
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 sixth head was, Places that establish his heart against the fear of falling away: The use hereof is, in case of any such doubt, to learn and think upon these precious places, that we may be settled in believing our perseverance. This will encourage and quicken us in our Christian course, stablish us in well-doing, and hearten us against the greatest difficulties: Their objection, who say, The doctrine of assurance of not falling away, doth set open a door to all licentiousness, is most false; for the more assurance of salvation in a mans soul, the more fear and trembling in a mans course; he who is best assured, hath most power of Gods Spirit, and the stronger the Spirit of God is within, the more holiness and fruits of grace are without.
The sixth head was, Places that establish his heart against the fear of falling away: The use hereof is, in case of any such doubt, to learn and think upon these precious places, that we may be setled in believing our perseverance. This will incourage and quicken us in our Christian course, stablish us in well-doing, and hearten us against the greatest difficulties: Their objection, who say, The doctrine of assurance of not falling away, doth set open a door to all licentiousness, is most false; for the more assurance of salvation in a mans soul, the more fear and trembling in a mans course; he who is best assured, hath most power of Gods Spirit, and the stronger the Spirit of God is within, the more holiness and fruits of grace are without.
The seventh head is, Promises that comforted him against outward crosses: The use hereof, is to live by faith in afflictions; for then is faith in these promises the only stay and support of the heart:1 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living:—This is my comfort in my affliction, for thy word hath quickened me: In daily and lighter trials, a man of mild and patient temper, may hold up the head, ⟨p. 383⟩but when one deep calleth unto another, and the waves flow over our head, when nature yieldeth, and the heart fainteth, then to stand fast, and be of good courage, is the only property of faith, which is grounded upon the rich mercy of God, made over to us in these precious promises. I cannot deny, but distrust many times wrings from a Christian such voices as these, Were it any thing but this I could bear it; but now if in conscience of his impotency, he will seek to Christ to make him able, and he will fasten himself upon him by a true and lively saith in these promises, he may find strength enough through his might, whereby to bear that comfortably, which otherwise he may find most intolerable. Faith drives a man out of himself, as not able to bear the least cross as he ought, and through the power of God, it enableth him to bear that best with which God is pleased to try him.