A75287:99
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.
SECT. 1. Of Duties in general: And first, of the Equity of Duties.
NO sooner is the soul translated into the state of grace, and crowned with those glorious Privileges, but immediately it cries out, O Lord, what shall I now do for thee? how shall I now live to thee? Good reason, the soul should now give up her self to Christ, for she knows, she is not her own, but Christs. Can there be such a heart in any Christian, as now to cast off Duty, and to continue in sin, because so much grace hath abounded? O no! The love of Christ constrains us (saith the Apostle) because we thus judge, 1— That he dyed for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which dyed for them, and rose again. There is a Principle of love now in the hearts of believers, and this love of Christ constrains them to live to Christ: Ye are now a chosen Generation, a royal Priesthood, a holy Nation, 2a peculiar People, that ye should show forth the praises of Christ, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: What blessed Titles are these? and to what end? but that they who are so ennobled by Christ, may now adorn the Gospel of Christ, and show forth the praises of him who hath called them? 3Dearly beloved (saith the Apostle) I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain now from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul, having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil doers, 4they may by your good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. But what duties must they fall on? 1. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake. 2. Honour all men. 3. Love the Brotherhood. 4. Fear God. 5. Honour the King. 6. Suffer wrongs: You have herein Christ for example, and you must do all for Christs sake; or if these Duties will not contain all, Zechariah tells us,