A75287:861
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.
Sol. I Answer, Gross sins, grievous sins, are not compatible with the hope and assurance of a Christian, especially reigning sins committed with delight, or indulgence: This spot is not the spot of Gods children, and yet such sins as we call infirmities, blemishes, remainders of Original corruption, under which the Regenerate must labour so long as they live: These are not altogether incompatible with Assurance, nor do they hinder the lively workings of faith, in receiving the promises; it is good therefore to distinguish betwixt sins, which administer matter of humiliation, and such as may give occasion to the Soul to question its Regenerate estate: As — 1. There are sins of simple ignorance, unavoidable infirmity, sins of forgetfulness, inconsideration, passion, pettishness, inordinate fear, whereto there is no advised consent, and these may stand with Assurance. But 2. There are foul sins, enormous crimes (not to speak of sins wilfully committed with full consent, delight and contentment, to the utter extinguishing of the Spirit of Grace, which shall never befall them that are called according to the purpose of God) and those sins hinder Assurance, so that the sinner cannot for the present lay actual claim to any one privilege of Grace formerly enjoyed; I deny not but he may still retain his right and title to eternal life, but he is in this condition suspended from actual claim, until he rise again by Repentance, and so recover not a new right and title, but a new claim by virtue of the old title.
Sol. I Answer, Gross sins, grievous sins, are not compatible with the hope and assurance of a Christian, especially reigning sins committed with delight, or indulgence: This spot is not the spot of Gods children, and yet such sins as we call infirmities, blemishes, remainders of Original corruption, under which the Regenerate must labor so long as they live: These are not altogether incompatible with Assurance, nor do they hinder the lively workings of faith, in receiving the promises; it is good therefore to distinguish betwixt sins, which administer matter of humiliation, and such as may give occasion to the Soul to question its Regenerate estate: As — 1. There are sins of simple ignorance, unavoidable infirmity, sins of forgetfulness, inconsideration, passion, pettishness, inordinate fear, whereto there is no advised consent, and these may stand with Assurance. But 2. There are foul sins, enormous crimes (not to speak of sins wilfully committed with full consent, delight and contentment, to the utter exstinguishing of the Spirit of Grace, which shall never befal them that are called according to the purpose of God) and those sins hinder Assurance, so that the sinner cannot for the present lay actual claim to any one priviledge of Grace formerly enjoyed; I deny not but he may still retain his right and title to eternal life, but he is in this condition suspended from actual claim, until he rise again by Repentance, and so recover not a new right and title, but a new claim by vertue of the old title.