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.

The Contents of this Book.

• ...Chap. 1.
  • Sect. 1. THe Proeme, or Entrance into the Book, Page 1
  • Sect. 2. Of the first Priviledge of a Believer, viz. Ju∣stification, Page 1
  • Sect. 3. Of the second Priviledge, viz. Reconciliation, Page 5
  • Sect. 4. Of the third Priviledge, viz. Adoption, Page 8
  • Sect. 5. Of the fourth Priviledge, viz. Sanctification, Page 10
  • Sect. 6. Of the fifth Priviledge, viz. Glorification. Page 12
• ...Chap. 2.
  • Sect. 1. OF Duties in general, and first of the Equity of Duties, Page 13
  • Sect. 2. Of the insufficiency of Duties, Page 15
  • Sec. 3. Of the healing of Duties, Page 16
  • Sec. 4. No resting in Duties, Page 17
  • Sec. 5. Of the ase and ends of Duties, Page 20
  • Sec. 6. Of the Saints abilities, or power to do Duties, Page 26
  • Sec. 7. Of the Saints delights in Duties, Page 28
  • Sec. 8. Of the essential Requisites in Duties, Page 33
  • Sec. 9. Of the kindes of Duties, in several Divisions, Page 36
• ...Chap. 3.
  • Sect. 1. OF Duties in particular, and first of the na∣ture of Watchfulness. Page 38
  • Sec. 2. Of the objects of Watchfulness, ibid.
  • Sec. 3. Of the maner of Watchfulness over Original sins, Page 39
  • Sec. 4. Of the maner of Watchfulness over Actual sins, Page 40
  • Sec. 5. Of the maner of Watchfulness over special sins, Page 41
  • Sec. 6. Of the maner of Watchfulness over our Hearts, Page 45
  • Sec. 7. Of the maner of Watchfulness over our Tongues, Page 48
  • Sec. 8. Of the maner of Watchfulness over our Actions, Page 51
• ...Chap. 4.
  • Sect. 1. OF the nature of Self-Examination, Page 55
  • Sect. 2. Of the objects of Self-Examination, Page 57
  • Sec. 3. Of the maner of Examining our sins in general, Page 58

• ...
  • Sec. 4. Of the maner of Examining our special sins, Page 59
  • Sec. 5. Of the maner of Examining our Hearts, Page 62
  • Sec. 6. Of the maner of Examining our Tongues, Page 65
  • Sec. 7. Of the maner of Examining our Actions, Page 66
  • Sec. 8. Of the time of our Self-Examination, Page 69
  • Sec. 9. The daily Register of a weak unworthy Servant of Christ for some years, Page 71
• ...Chap. 5.
  • Sect. 1. OF the nature of Experiences, Page 86
  • Sect. 2. Of the gathering of Experiences, ibid.
  • Sec. 3. Of the improving of Experiences, Page 87
  • Sec. 4. Of the Sanctification of Experiences in their several uses, Page 89
  • Sec. 5. Of the consideration of Experiences in a Practical course, Page 95
  • Sec. 6. Of the Experiences of a weak Christian cast into me∣thod, Page 98
    • §. 1. Judgements on the wicked, ibid.
    • §. 2. Gods love to his Saints, Page 100
    • §. 3. Several Chastisements or Afflictions on my self and others, Page 102
    • §. 4. Performances of gracious Promises to my self and o∣thers, Page 104
    • §. 5. The temptations of Sin, Satan and the World, Page 106
    • §. 6. Victories of the World, Lusts, Temptations, Corrupti∣ons, Satan, Page 107
    • §. 7. Observations of Gods Providences, Page 109
    • §. 8. The breathings of the Spirit in my soul and others, Page 111
    • §. 9. Deceits of the heart beguiling, Page 113
• ...Chap. 6.
  • Sect. 1. OF the nature of Evidences, Page 117
  • Sect. 2. Of the gathering of Evidences, ibid.
  • Sec. 3. Of the improving of Evidences, Page 125
  • Sec. 4. Of the sanctification of Evidences in their several uses, ib.
  • Sec. 5. Of the Evidences of a weak unworthy Servant of Christ, laid down according to the Rules aforementioned, Page 133

• ...Chap. 7.
  • Sect. 1. OF the nature and kindes of Meditation, Page 136
  • Sect. 2. Of the circumstantials of Meditation, Page 137
  • Sec. 3. Of occasional Meditation, Page 138
  • Sec. 4. Of deliberate Meditation, and the parts thereof, Page 140
  • Sec. 5. An Example of the Souls love to Christ, Page 142
  • Sec. 6. Another Example of Eternity, Page 151
• ...Chap. 8.
  • Sect. 1. OF the nature of the Life of Faith. Page 162
  • Sect. 2. Of the maner of this Life of faith in general, ib.
  • Sec. 3. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in particular, as in Temporal evils, Page 166
  • Sec. 4. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Temporal bles∣sings, Page 171
  • Sec. 5. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Spiritual evils, Page 175
  • Sec. 6. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Spiritual blessings, as derived to us from God, and Christ, and the Spirit of Christ, Page 181
  • Sec. 7. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in spiritual graces, Page 186
  • Sec. 8. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in spiritual duties, Page 190
  • Sec. 9. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in things Eternal, Page 194
  • Sec. 10. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in regard of others, Page 196
• ...Chap. 9.
  • Sect. 1. OF the nature of Family-Duties, Page 199
  • Sect. 2. Of the preparatives to Family-Duties, ibid.
  • Sec. 3. Of the Duties of Governors in general, Page 201
  • Sec. 4. Of the Duties of Parents to their Children, Page 204
  • Sec. 5. Of the Duties of Masters to Servants, Page 208
  • Sec. 6. Of the Duties of Husband and Wife, Page 209
  • Sec. 7. Of the Duties of Children to Parents, Page 216
  • Sec 8. Of the Duties of Servants to their Masters, Page 217
• ...Chap. 10.
  • Sect. 1. OF preparatives to Christian-Society, Page 221
  • Sect. 2. Of a mutual exchange of gifts and graces, Page 225
  • Sec. 3. Of a mutual serviceableness to the Bodies and Souls of one another, Page 226

• ...
  • Sec. 4. Of a mutual walking together, and holding hands in the Ordinances of Christ, Page 229
  • Sec. 5. Of some Orders to which some Christians subscribed before Conference, Page 231
  • Sec. 6. Of some Questions of Practical Divinity, which at the Conference were propounded and answered, Page 232
    • §. 1. What was the happines of mans condition in innocency? ibid.
    • §. 2. What are the miseries of man in state of Nature? Page 233
    • §. 3. What means hath God appointed to come out of this state? Page 234
    • §. 4. What are the signs of a sound humiliation? Page 235
    • §. 5. What are the signs of an hard heart? Page 236
    • §. 6. What means for brokenness of heart? Page 237
    • §. 7. What means for the obtaining, and increase of faith? ibid.
    • §. 8. What are the signs of a true justifying faith? Page 238
    • §. 9. What motives to Evangelical Repentance? Page 240
    • §. 10. What signs of true Evangelical Repentance? Page 241
    • §. 11. How may a Believer Redeemed by Christ, acknowledge his thankfulness to Christ? ibid.
    • §. 12. What are the signs of a sincere love to Christ? Page 242
    • §. 13. What are the causes in us of Christ withdrawing from us? Page 243
    • §. 14. What are the causes for which Christ on his part with∣draws himself from us? ibid.
    • §. 15. What means for the recovery of Christs comfortable pre∣sence? Page 244
    • §. 16. Of what use is Christ to a Believer already justified? Page 245
  • Sect. 7. Of some Questions or Cases of Conscience, which at the Conference were propounded and answered, Page 246
    • §. 1. Whether a Believer may profit more, or be more intent in publ••ke, or in secret Prayer? ibid.
    • §. 2. Whether a Christian in his own apprehension decaying in grace, may not yet grow in grace? and what are the reasons of his mistakes? Page 247
    • §. 3. What signs of true grace, though for the present but weak? Page 248
    • §. 4. Whether is a Christian always bound to reprehend an offen∣der? or in what cases may he forbear? Page 249
    • §. 5. How may we know whether we profit by afflictions? Page 250
    • §. 6. How should a Christian fortifie himself against the re∣proaches

• ...
  • ...
    • of wicked men? Page 251
    • §. 7. Whether a true Believer may not sometimes doubt? and what are the causes? Page 252
    • §. 8. What are the cures or remedies of doubting incident to Be∣lievers? Page 253
    • §. 9. What are those Remora's that hinder the growth of Chri∣stianity, or the spreading of the kingdom of Christ? ib.
    • §. 10. What means to preserve unity and amity amongst Chri∣stians, Page 254
  • Sect. 8. Of some Questions or Controverted Points, which at the Conference were propounded and answered, Page 256
    • §. 1. Whether doth God see sin in Believers, so as to be offended at it? and how may it appear? ibid.
    • §. 2. Whether are Believers to repent for their sins? and on what grounds? Page 257
    • §. 3. Whether are Believers to pray for pardon of sin? and what are the reasons? Page 258
    • §. 4. Whether is it the duty of Christians to observe the Lords day as a Christian Sabbath? and what grounds for it? ibid.
    • §. 5. Whether may not Christians lawfully sing Davids or Moses Psalms? and how may it appear? Page 259
    • §. 6. Whether admiting of, or joyning with scandalous per∣sons in the Lords Supper be sin? and how may it appear? Page 260. & sine o∣peris.
    • §. 7. What is the duty of admitters and joyners to keep themselves blameless, and the Ordinance undefiled? Page 261
    • §. 8. In what cases is it lawful to enter into fellowship, association, confederacy and covenants with scandalous sinners? and in what cases is it not lawful? Page 262
• ...Chap. 11.
  • Sect. 1. OF the necessity of preparation to the Hearing of the Word, Page 264
  • Sec. 2. Of the maner of preparation to hear the Word, Page 265
  • Sec. 3. The duties of the soul in hearing the Word, Page 269
  • Sec. 4. The duties required after hearing, Page 274
• ...Chap. 12.
  • Sect. 1. OF the two Sacraments of the new testament, Page 276
  • Sect. 2. Of the duties in general, before we receive the Lords Supper, ibid.

• ...
  • Sec. 3. Of the manner of Examining our sins before the Lords Supper, Page 277
  • Sec. 4. Of Examination of the wants of graces, Page 278
  • Sec. 5. Of the Examination of the truth of our graces, and first of our Conversion, Page 281
  • Sec. 6. Examination of Knowledge, Page 283
  • Sec. 7. Examination of Faith, Page 284
  • Sec. 8. Examination of Repentance, Page 286
  • Sec. 9. Examination of Love to the Brethren, Page 288
  • Sec. 10. Examination of Obedience, Page 289
  • Sec. 11. Examination of our desires after this Ordinance, Page 290
  • Sec. 12. Examination of the growth of graces, ibid.
  • Sec. 13. Of the duties in Sacrament, of the exercise of Repen∣tance, Page 291
  • Sec. 14. Of the exercise of Faith, Page 293
  • Sec. 15. Of the exercise of Thanksgiving, Page 300
  • Sec. 16. Of the exercise of Love and Mercy, Page 301
  • Sec. 17. Of Examination after Sacrament, and the result, if not a good day, ibid.
  • Sec. 18. Of Thankfulness, if a good day, Page 303
  • Sec. 19. Of Obedience, and faithfulness in our lives, Page 304
• ...Chap. 13.
  • Sect. 1. OF preparation to Prayer, Page 305
  • Sect. 2. The general duties of the soul in Prayer, Page 307
  • Sec. 3. The particular duties of the soul in Prayer, Page 311
  • Sec. 4. The duties of the body in Prayer, Page 314
  • Sec. 5. Duties after Prayer, Page 316
  • Sec. 6. A Case of Conscience: Suppose I prayed, how may I know that God hears and will answer? Page 317
  • Sec. 7. A second Case: Suppose the thing I desire shall not be an∣swered, how may I know that yet God doth hear? Page 319
  • Sec. 8. A third Case: Suppose I cannot discover that God will hear and answer, what shall I do then? Page 321
  • Sec. 9. A fourth Case: Suppose the thing I desire is answered, how may I know it was by my prayers, and not out of common Providence? Page 322
  • Sec. 10. A fifth Case: Suppose others joyned with me in prayers, now answered, how may I know that my prayers had ••n

• ...
  • hand in obtaining those answers? Page 325
  • Sec. 11. A sixth Case: Suppose I am assured that God hath heard and answered my prayers, what must I do then? Page 327
  • Sec. 12. A Directory for Prayer, ibid.
  • Sec. 13. A Form of Prayer in Scripture phrase, Page 331
• ...Chap. 14.
  • Sec. 1. OF the nature of Reading the Scriptures, Page 340
  • Sec. 2. Of fit times and seasons for reading the Scri∣ptures, ibid.
  • Sec. 3. Of the maner of preparation before reading of Scriptures, Page 341
  • Sec. 4. Of the necessary duties in reading of the Scriptures, Page 343
  • Sec. 5. Of duties after reading the Scriptures, Page 345
  • Sec. 6. A Calendar once composed, but now referred to the Rea∣der, to shew how we may read over the Scriptures se∣veral ways once in a year, Page 346
  • Sec. 7. Of the Analysis of the whole Bible, and especially of the Old Testament, Page 347
  • Sec. 8. Of the Pentateuch, or Books of the Law, Page 349
  • Sec. 9. Of the Prophets Historical, Page 355
  • Sec. 10. Of Prophets Dogmatical, Page 362
  • Sec. 11. Of Prophets Prophetical, Page 364
  • Sec. 12. Of the New Testament; and 1. Of books Historical, Page 369
  • Sec. 13. Of Books Doctrinal, Page 373
  • Sec. 14. Of the Book Prophetical, Page 376
  • Sec. 15. Of common places for profitable things, Page 377
  • Sec. 16. Common places observed by one in his private reading of Scriptures, ibid.
  • Sec. 17. Of the use of these Collections, Page 380
• ...Chap. 15.
  • Sect. 1. OF preparatives to Fasting, Page 398
  • Sect. 2. Of the duties required in Fasting, Page 399
  • Sec. 3. Of duties after Fasting, Page 401
• ...Chap. 16.
  • Sect. 1. OF preparatives to feasting or thanksgiving, Page 403
  • Sect. 2. Of the duties required in thanksgiving, ibid.
  • Sec. 3. Of duties after thanksgiving, Page 404
  • Sec. 4. Psalms suitable to this duty, Page 405