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.Matth. 12.50.Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.John 13.17.If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.John 15.14.Yea e my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.Luke 17.10.When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do.LONDON: Printed by John Field for Nathanael Webb and William Grantham, at the Greyhound in Pauls Church-yard. 1656.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, maner 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.Matth. 12.50.Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.John 13.17.If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.John 15.14.Yea e my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.Luke 17.10.When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do.LONDON: Printed by John Field for Nathanaell Webb and William Grantham, at the Greyhound in Pauls Church-yard. 1656.Title page of Media: the middle things, in reference to the first and last things: or, The…, London, 1649Media: the middle things, in reference to the first and last things: or, The…Isaac Ambrose, 1649

Chapter 14

pp. 340–397302 passagespart 1 of 8

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.

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CHAP. XIV.

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SECT. 1. Of the nature of Reading the Scriptures, what it is.

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The second Duty in reference both to secret, private and public Ordinances, is Reading the holy Scriptures, which is nothing else but a kind of holy conference with God, wherein we enquire after, and he reveals unto us himself and his will: when we take in hand therefore the Book of Scriptures, we cannot otherwise conceive of our selves then as standing in Gods presence, to hear what he will say unto us: So much the Prophet seems to imply, when he expresseth his consulting with Gods Word, by that phrase of going into the sanctuary of God (i.¹) in going in unto God; as going into the Sanctuary is termed 2 Sam. 7.18.² so by reading the Word we come in unto God, we stand in the presence of God, to enquire at his mouth.

THe second Duty in reference both to secret, private and publike Ordinances, is Reading the holy Scriptures, which is nothing else but a kinde of holy conference with God, wherein we enquire after, and he reveals unto us himself and his will: when we take in hand therefore the Book of Scriptures, we cannot otherwise conceive of our selves then as standing in Gods presence, to hear what he will say unto us: So much the Prophet seems to imply, when he expresseth his consulting with Gods Word, by that phrase of going into the sanctuary of God (i.¹) in going in unto God; as going into the Sanctuary is termed

Chapter 14

CHAP. XIV.

SECT. 1. Of the nature of Reading the Scriptures, what it is.

Chapter 14

CHAP. XIV.

SECT. 1. Of the nature of Reading the Scriptures, what it is.

SECT. 2. Of fit times and seasons for Reading the Scriptures.

SECT. 3. Of the manner of preparation before the Reading of the Scriptures.

SECT. 3. Of the maner of preparation before the Reading of the Scriptures.

SECT. 4. Of the necessary Duties in Reading of the Scriptures.

SECT. 5. Of Duties after reading the Scriptures.

SECT. 6. A Calendar purposed to show how we might read over the Scripture several ways once in a year.

SECT. 6. A Calendar purposed to shew how we might read over the Scripture several ways once in a year.

CHAP. XIV.

SECT. 1. Of the nature of Reading the Scriptures, what it is.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

CHAP. XIV.

SECT. 1. Of the nature of Reading the Scriptures, what it is.

SECT. 2. Of fit times and seasons for Reading the Scriptures.

SECT. 3. Of the manner of preparation before the Reading of the Scriptures.

SECT. 3. Of the maner of preparation before the Reading of the Scriptures.

SECT. 4. Of the necessary Duties in Reading of the Scriptures.

SECT. 5. Of Duties after reading the Scriptures.

SECT. 6. A Calendar purposed to show how we might read over the Scripture several ways once in a year.

SECT. 6. A Calendar purposed to shew how we might read over the Scripture several ways once in a year.