A75287:935
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.
3. Wishing.
And yet, O that I could love the Lord Jesus! O that he had my heart! O that now I could bid adieu to all other lovers! O that the Father of love, and the Spirit of love would strike one spark of love from the Promise, to kindle it in the heart of his poor creature! O that I felt a dilatation of my desires after Christ! that God would stretch them, and widen them to the utmost, that I might love Christ with all my heart, soul and might! O that I were even sick of love! O that I were cast into the melting pangs of a divine Christian love! O my soul, consider the want of Christ, and the worth of Christ! O consider the benefits of Christs death, the sweetness of Christs promises, the pleasantness of his commands, the preciousness of his graces, and above all, the infiniteness of his love, and thou canst not but love him! Consider that soul-ravishing Text, God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 1even when we were dead sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; that in ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus: and thou canst not but cry out with the ardency of affection, with the strength, the zeal of love, 2O! To him, unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, and his Father, To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
And yet, O that I could love the Lord Jesus! O that he had my heart! O that now I could bid adieu to all other lovers! O that the Father of love, and the Spirit of love would strike one spark of love from the Promise, to kindle it in the heart of his poor creature! O that I felt a dilatation of my desires after Christ! that God would stretch them, and widen them to the utmost, that I might love Christ with all my heart, soul and might! O that I were even sick of love! O that I were cast into the melting pangs of a divine Christian love! O my soul, consider the want of Christ, and the worth of Christ! O consider the benefits of Christs death, the sweetness of Christs promises, the pleasantness of his commands, the preciousness of his graces, and above all, the infiniteness of his love, and thou canst not but love him! Consider that soul-ravishing Text, God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,