Isaac Ambrose

a Ministers Son, descended from those of his name living at Lowick, and they from the Ambroses antiently living at Ambrose Hall in Lancashire, was born in that County, became a Batler of Bras. Coll. in the beginning of the year 1621, aged 17 years, took one degree in Arts, holy Orders, had some little Cure in his own Country confer’d on him, and afterwards relief from William Earl of Bedford, (whereby he and his family were refreshed) who caused him also, if I mistake not, to be put into the list of his Majesties Preachers appointed for the County of Lancaster. Afterwards, upon the change of the times in 1641, he sided with the Presbyterians then dominant, took the Covenant, became a Preacher of the Gospel at Garstang, and afterwards at Preston in Amounderness, in his own Country, a zealous man for carrying on the beloved cause, and active against the orthodox Clergy when he was appointed an Assistant to the Commissioners for the ejecting of such whom they then (1654. 2 Oliv. Protect.) called scandalous and ignorant Ministers and Schoolmasters. He hath written,

Prima, media, & ultima: or, the first, middle and last things; wherein is set forth, 1. The Doctrine of Regeneration, or the new birth. 2. The practice of Sanctification, in the means, duties, ordinances, both private and publick, for continuance and increase of a godly life. 3. Certain Meditations of mans misery, in his life, death, judgment and execution: as also of Gods mercy in our redemption and salvation.—The Prima and Ultima were printed at Lond. in 1640. qu. sometimes bound in two vol. sometimes in one. The Media is chiefly taken out of the most eminently pious and learned Writings of our native practical Divines, with additions added to them of Ambrose’s Composition. It was first printed at Lond. (with his Prima and Ultima) 1650. qu. The Authors whom he doth abridge in the said Media, are mostly Separatists, and ’tis licensed by Mr. Charles Herle, and recommended to the world by John Angier, Thom. Johnson, and Joh. Waite B. D. in their respective Epistles before it. At length all three were printed at London in a large fol. 1674. with the Authors picture before them, aged 59 years, an. 1663, reprinted 1682. and 89. fol.

Redeeming the time; serm. on Ephes. 5.16. Lond. 1658. qu.

Looking unto Jesus. A view of the everlasting Gospel, or the Souls eying of Jesus as carrying on the great work of mans salvation. Lond. 1658. qu. Printed with the former. In the penning of which, he took most delight, as being a subject, as he complains, almost wholly neglected by all others.

Warre with Devils, Ministration of, and Communion with, Angells.—Printed also with the former. At the end of this Treatise, are subjoined two Letters, Clar. 1663. the first written by Rich. Baxter, dat. at Lond. 29 Nov. 1661. and the other by Will. Cole, dat. at Preston 8 Oct. 1661. He hath also a Sermon extant, preached at the funeral of the Lady Houghton, which I have not yet seen, nor others. He died suddenly, of an Apoplexy, as I have heard, but when, I know not.