A75287:947
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.
1. Description.
O my soul, what is this Eternity whereof thou studiest? It is the entire and perfect possession of a life (together and at once) that never shall have end: The description may be imperfect, and ⟨p. 152⟩no wonder; For how can that be defined, which hath no bondage or limits: Whatsoever is said of eternity, comes infinitely short of it, no words can utter it, no figures number it, no time can measure it: Eternity is of this nature, take from it what you will, it is still the same, it is neither increased by addition, nor diminished by subtraction: What is Eternity? it is a circle running back into it self, whose centre is always, and circumference, without all end: What is Eternity? it is a duration always present, it is one perpetual day, which is not divided into that which is past, and that which is to come: What is Eternity? it is an age of ages, never expiring, but always like it self, without all change: What is Eternity? it is a beginning without beginning, middle or ending, or a beginning never ending, always beginning: and this, O my soul is Eternity.
O my soul, what is this Eternity whereof thou studiest? It is the entire and perfect possession of a life (together and at once) that never shall have end: The description may be imperfect, and ⟨p. 152⟩no wonder; For how can that be defined, which hath no bondage or limits: Whatsoever is said of eternity, comes infinitely short of it, no words can utter it, no figures number it, no time can measure it: Eternity is of this nature, take from it what you will, it is still the same, it is neither encreased by addition, nor diminished by subtraction: What is Eternity? it is a circle running back into it self, whose centre is always, and circumference, without all end: What is Eternity? it is a duration always present, it is one perpetual day, which is not divided into that which is past, and that which is to come: What is Eternity? it is an age of ages, never expiring, but always like it self, without all change: What is Eternity? it is a beginning without beginning, middle or ending, or a beginning never ending, always beginning: and this, O my soul is Eternity.