A75287:854
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. A cheerful bearing of crosses: Hence Paul eying that object of assurance,1 that weight of glory, he counts all his afflictions light, momentary; he sung in the dungeon, and reckoned it a special favour to be a sufferer for Christ: The fire of divine love so inflames Christians in this condition, that much water of Persecution cannot quench it; yea, such is the nature of this fire, that it feeds on those waters, and grows more fervent by that which would quench it; no wonder: it is but a light affliction, but it causeth unto us a more excellent and eternal weight of glory; and parts of this glory the Christian now receiveth aforehand, as earnests of the whole: This makes him to rejoice (even in the midst of crosses and losses) with a joy unspeakable and glorious: And hence it is that a Christian despiseth the sufferings for the joys, yea, the sufferings are so overcome by the joys, that the sufferings do not turn his joys into sadness, but his assurance turns the sadness of his sufferings into joys,2 for he rejoiceth in his sufferings.
4. A chearful bearing of crosses: Hence Paul eying that object of assurance,1 that weight of glory, he counts all his afflictions light, momentary; he sung in the dungeon, and reckoned it a special favor to be a sufferer for Christ: The fire of divine love so inflames Christians in this condition, that much water of Persecution cannot quench it; yea, such is the nature of this fire, that it feeds on those waters, and grows more fervent by that which would quench it; no wonder: it is but a light affliction, but it causeth unto us a more excellent and eternal weight of glory; and parts of this glory the Christian now receiveth aforehand, as earnests of the whole: This makes him to rejoyce (even in the midst of crosses and losses) with a joy unspeakable and glorious: And hence it is that a Christian despiseth the sufferings for the joys, yea, the sufferings are so overcome by the joys, that the sufferings do not turn his joys into sadness, but his assurance turns the sadness of his sufferings into joys,2 for he rejoyceth in his sufferings.