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.

SECT. 8. Of some Questions or contraverted Points, which at the Conference were propounded and answered.

THe Questions of contraverted points were these and the like:—

§. 1. Whether doth God see sin in Believers, so as to be offended at it? and how may it appear?

1. IT is answered affirmatively, that God doth see sin in his Saints, as appears by these Texts, Exod. 4.14. 1 Sam. 3.12, 13. 2 Sam. 12.9, 10. Psal. 135.14. Jer. 16.17, 18. Rev. 2.4, 13, 14. though not in reference to their justification, yet in reference to their conversation and sanctification, which is but in part.

2. This appeareth—

1. From the Lords complaining against believers for sin, Isa. 1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Jer. 2.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

2. From his threats if they do not repent, 2 Sam. 7.14. Psal. 89.30, 31, 32. Isa. 1.20. Rev. 2.5, 16.—3.8.

3. From his chastisements of them for sin, 2 Sam. 12.15. Psal. 74.1.—99.8. Amos 3.2. Jer. 30.15. Luke 1.22.

4. From Gods withdrawing the comforts of his Spirit for sin, Psal. 51.12.

5. From the Prayers of Believers to God, for the hiding of his face from their sins, and removing of his anger for their sins, Psal. 6.16.—32.5, 6.—51.9.

6. From the Lords reproving of his people for their sins, 2 Sam. 12.7, 8, 9. Mat. 16.23.

§. 2. Whether are Believers to repent for their sins? and upon what grounds?

1. ANswered, That they are to repent, as appears, Job 42.6. Jer. 31.19. Rev. 2.5.—3.3.

2. The grounds or reasons are these following—

1. Because God looks for repentance from them, Zech. 6.6.

2. Because God commands them to repent, Rev. 2.5, 16.— 3.3, 19.

3. Because it is Gods pleasure that we should feel the bitter∣ness of sin, as well as the sweet of sin, Jer. 2.19.

4. Because believers sin as well as others, 1 King. 8.46. 1 John 1.10.

5. Because in believers there is a proclevity and disposition to all sin, Psal. 51.5. Rom. 7.24.

6. Because repentance is a means for the diverting of judgements from a Land, or a person, 2 Chron. 7.14. Joel 2.13.

7. Because repentance is a means for obtaining mercies, Iudg. 20.26. Neh. 1.9.

8. Because repentance is a means to

• Pardon, 1 Chron. 7.14.
• Salvation, 2 Corinth. 7.10.

9. Because repentance is a necessary fruit of faith, Zech. 12.10. Acts 19.18.

10. Because after repentance we may expect comfort, Psal. 126.5, 6. Mat. 5.4. 2 Cor. 7.9, 13.

11. Because that therein we shall give God the glory of his Justice, Psal. 51.4. Rev. 16.9.

§. 3. Whether are Believers to pray for pardon of sin? and what are the reasons?

1. ANswered, that believers are to pray for pardon, as may appear from these Scriptures, Num. 14.19. 2 Sam. 24.10. Dan. 9.19. Psal. 25.11. Mat. 6.12.

2. The Reasons are these and the like:

1. Because Christ taught his Disciples so to pray, Matth. 6.12.

2. Because believers have renewed infirmities, Numb. 14.11, 19.

3. Because God is ready to pardon them that pray for it, Psal. 86.5.

4. Because God hath promised to pardon the sins of his Saints, 2 Chron. 7.14. Jer. 33.3, 8.

5. Because whatsoever we read in Scripture of pardon, it is always in reference to sins past, Isa. 43.25. Jer. 33.8. Psal. 79.8, &c.

6. Because yet the Judge hath not solemnly pronounced the sentence of pardon, neither will he till the last day, Acts 3.19.

§. 4. Whether is it the duty of Christians to observe the Lords-day (now being the first day of the week) as a Christian Sabbath? and what grounds for it?

1. ANswered, That it is their duty; and proved from Mark 16.2. John 20.19, 26. Acts 1.1, 2, 3.—20.7. 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. Rev. 1.10.

2. The grounds are these and the like:

1. Because Christ as that day did perfect the work of Redem∣ption for our eternal rest, Mat. 28.1, 2.

2. Because Christ did appear to his disciples upon that day more especially, John 20.19, 26.

3. Because (as it is observed generally) the Holy Ghost as that day did fall upon the Apostles, being met together in one place, Acts 2.1.

4. Because upon the same day the Apostles ordinarily dispensed the Word, Sacraments, and other Ordinances, Acts 20.7. 1 Cor. 16.1, 2.

5. Because such things as are named the Lords in Scripture, are ever of the Lords institution; as, The Word of the Lord, 1 Tim. 6.3. The Cup of the Lord, 1 Cor. 11.27. The Supper of the Lord, 1 Cor. 11.20. and so The Lords day, Rev. 1.10.

6. Because God doth seem to honor the first day of the week above any other day, as appears by his great works done upon that day; viz. In the creation he made that day the first fruits of time; and in it he created the highest heavens, the place of the eternal Sabbath; and in it he brought forth the light of the world, answerable to which is the day of Christs Resurrection, wherein the Son of Righteousness, the true light of the world rose up, and became the first fruits of them that sleep, and by vertue thereof will bring all his Saints into eternal rest, Gen. 1.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. compared with Mal. 4.2. Iohn 1.9. 1 Cor. 15.20. Heb. 4.9, 10, 11.

§. 5. Whether may not Christians lawfully sing Davids or Moses Psalms? and how may it appear?

1. ANswered affirmatively: Eph. 5.19. where, under those three heads, of Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual songs, Davids Psalms are contained.

2. This is proved by Precepts, Paterns and Reasons.

1. By Precepts, Ephesians 5.19. Colossians 3.16. Iames 5.13.

2. By Paterns:

• 1. Of Christ himself and his Apostles, Mat. 26.30.
• 2. Of Paul and Silas, Acts 16.25.
• 3. Of the Church, Rev. 15.3.

3. By Reasons, as—

1. Because the people of God have used the very same words of Davids Psalms in singing, 2 Chron. 15.13. compared with

Psal. 136. and Ezra 3.11. compared with Psal. 118. and Rev. 15.4. compared with Psal. 86.9. and Exod. 15.2. compared with Psal. 118.14.

2. Because Paul directing to sing Psalms, gives the very same word or title as David gives in his Psalms, James 5.13. com∣pared with Psal. 95.2.

3. Because Davids Psalms were indicted by the Spirit of God, as well as any others that confessedly may be sung, 2 Sam. 23.2.

§. 6. Whether admitting of or joyning with scandalous persons in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and not endeavoring to keep them back (whiles such) be not sin in the admitters and joyners? and how may it appear?

1. ANswered Affirmatively, That it is sin,

• 1. In the admit∣ters, Mat. 7.6.
• 2. In the joyners, 1 Cor. 5.11. 2 Thess. 3.6.

2. This appears to be sin—

1. In the admitters, by these grounds:—

1. Because it is against the command, of keeping unclean persons from such like holy things, Num. 9.6, 7. 2 Chron. 23.19.

2. Because Christ cast out the man that came without his wedding garment, Mat. 22.11.

3. Because this was the practice of the Apostles, 1 Cor. 5.3, 4, 5. 1 Tim. 1.20.

2. In the joyners, by these grounds:—

1. Because they are forbidden expresly to joyn with such, 2 Thess. 3.14.

2. Because scandalous persons ought to be censured, and so to be esteemed of the joyners as Heathens and Publicans, Mat. 18.17.

3. In both admitters and joyners, by these grounds:—

1. Because God hath forbidden us to eat with such, 1 Cor. 5.11. 2 Thess. 3.6.

2. Because by this means their sins would become ours, 1 Cor. 5.6, 7. Gal. 5.9, 10.

3. Because the Ordinance of the Lords Supper is defiled thereby; which is not to be understood simply in it self, but in some sort (i.) to them who are scandalous, and to them who joyn with such as they know to be scandalous: And this appears—

1. In that the Temple, which had a sacramental signification of Christ, was polluted by the coming of prophane persons in∣to it, Ezek. 23.38, 39.

2. In that the Sacrifices of old were defiled by prophane per∣sons, Haggai 2.11, 12, 13, 14.

3. In that the prophane are as Swine, which trample the pearls under their feet, Mat. 7.6.

See these Proofs inlarged in Gelespi. Aarons Rod blossoming, l. 3. ch. 15.

§. 7. In such a case, what is the duty of admitters and joyners, to keep themselves blameless, and the Ordinance undefiled?

1. IT is the duty of admitters—

1. To eye and observe the flock, over which God hath given them charge, Acts 20.17, 28.

2. If any be observed, or brought in as offenders, it is their duty—

1. To admonish them once or twice, Tit. 3.10. 2 Thess. 3.15.

2. If that prevail not, to suspend them, 1 Cor. 5.11. 2 Thess. 3.6, 14, 15.

3. If that prevail not, then to Excommunicate them by the lesser Excommunication, Matth. 18.17. 1 Cor. 5.4, 5. 2 Cor. 2.6.

4. If that prevail not, then (in some cases) to Excom∣municate them by the greater Excommunication, 1 Cor. 16.22. Gal. 1.8, 9. 1 John 5.16. This is onely when a man is visibly irre∣coverable,

or hath committed the sin against the holy Ghost; the case of Julian the Apostate, whom the Church would not pray for, but prayed against.

2. It is the duty of joyners—

1. To eye and observe one anothers conversation, so much as they may, Heb. 10.24. and 3.12, 13.

2. If upon observation they finde any faulty, then—

1. The Scandal being private, it is the joyners Duty,—

1. To admonish privately betwixt him and the offender alone, Mat. 18.15.

2. If that be not effectual, then to take one or two more with him, Mat. 18.16.

3. If that be not effectual, then to Tell it to the Church, Mat. 18.17.

4. If the Church be corrupt, and neglect its duty, he is then to mourn for it, 1 Cor. 5.2.

2. The Scandal being publike, it is the joyners duty imme∣diately to bring it to the Church, 1 Cor. 5.1. 2 Thess. 3.14.

§. 8. In what cases is it lawful to enter into fellow∣ship, association, confederacy and covenants with scandalous sinners? and in what cases is it not lawful?

1. IT is lawful in some civil affairs to enter into association or Covenants with them, Jer. 29.7. Rom. 12.18. as—

1. For maintaining our own outward peace and quiet with them, Gen. 31.44. 1 Kings 5.12.

2. For commerce and traffique with them, Gen. 23.16.— 47.20, 21. 1 Kings 5.10, 11, 12.

3. For maintenance of the several Orders, Liberties and Pri∣viledges of the Towns and Cities where we live, &c. 1 Cor. 5.9, 10.

2. It is not lawful to enter into association or covenants with them:—

1. In some civil affairs; as—

1. In conjugal covenants, Deut. 7.3. 2 Kings 8.18. 2 Cor. 6.14.

2. In mili••••ry covenants or expeditions, 2 Chron. 18.3. com∣pared with—19.2. 1 Kings 22.49. 2 Chron. 20.35, 36, 37.— 25.7, 10.

2. In Religious affairs; as—

1. In the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 5.11.

2. In private Religious conferences, Mal. 3.2. Acts 2.42. compared with 2 Cor. 6.17. 2 Thess. 3.14.

3. Nor may we enter into any other Religious covenants, of what kinde soever with Hereticks, Blasphemers or Idolaters, Exod. 23.32, 34.12, 13. Judges 2.2.