A75287:976
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. Wish.
O that I could find this Eternity! that I could taste or relish this Eternity! that I were fitted and prepared for Eternity! O that I were wise, that I understood this, 1that I considered my latter end! O that now while it is called to day, while it is the accepted time, and the day of salvation, I had a diligent and intent eye upon this Eternity! O that I could still reason thus, What if I endure hunger and thirst, emptiness and injuries, sickness and poverty? What if I were beaten with rods, 2or suffered shipwreck? what if I were stoned to death? all these are nothing to that Eternity of woes; on the contrary, What if I had Croesus riches, Solomons Wardrobe, Belshazzars Cup-board, Samsons strength, Absaloms beauty? What if an Angel should take me up into an exceeding high mountain, and show me all the Kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, and say unto me, All these will I give thee? all these are nothing to Eternal glory: O when shall this day come, that I shall enter into these confines of Eternity, and solace my self in my God? As the Hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God: My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: O when shall I come and appear before God?
O that I could finde this Eternity! that I could taste or relish this Eternity! that I were fitted and prepared for Eternity! O that I were wise, that I understood this, 1that I considered my latter end! O that now while it is called to day, while it is the accepted time, and the day of salvation, I had a diligent and intent eye upon this Eternity! O that I could still reason thus, What if I indure hunger and thirst, emptiness and injuries, sickness and poverty? What if I were beaten with rods,