A75287:30
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.
To the Christian Reader.
Amongst the multitude of Books in this Age, superlatively above our ability to buy or read, those seem to me most worthy of thy choice, which compendiously, in a methodical, plain and familiar way, set forth to us totum hominis, the whole duty of man, the service of God in holiness and righteousness, the right use, and wise improvement of the means of Grace: These being wells of Salvation to quench our thirst, and breasts of Consolation, to strengthen, revive, and comfort us in our Pilgrimage from Earth to Heaven: Voluminous Controversies may clear the understanding, and help to deliver and preserve that light from the poisoning clouds of Heretical darkness; but they do not quicken us to duty, to the love, and life of Christ, to the hope of Glory; they do not increase, but rather weaken the power of godliness. Diligence in reading of tedious Disputes, is not the way to possess that fatness and fullness of true life, peace and joy, which are treasured up for us in the Meritorious sufferings of our Redeemer. The Promises are the life of that faith, whereby the just do live; and good Works, uniform, steadfast and abundant, are the trial and glory thereof; whereunto not Speculative, and Polemical, but Practical Discourses are an useful manuduction. In the reading of these with fervent Prayers, with serious and settled Meditations, many poor burdened sinners have been raised up out of the depths of a wounding, condemning Conscience, and brought to a transfigured Mountain, and Heaven on Earth in ravishing Consolations. Such a Discourse is here presented to thy view, by a Reverend and Religious Author, who hath experimentally learned, and ⟨image 9⟩doth daily copy out in his life the precious Truths of Jesus Christ, the Mysteries of Godliness. It is an high privilege, and great advantage to the Souls welfare, to learn of those, who have what they teach, not only in their lips, but also in their hearts and lives; who are able to say, In these ways we have found rest; as ye have heard or seen us do, so do ye. When the Conversation of Pastors preacheth Christ and Heaven, as well as their Doctrine; when vocal, real, and experimental Sermons go together, that's likely to be a successful Preaching.