A29369:305
Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons
Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons ... by that learned and judicious divine, Mr. William Bridge ...
London : Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock Senior and Junior ..., 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermons › Sermon 5: THE CARNALITY OF Professors.Sermons › Sermon 5: THE CARNALITY OF Professours.
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.
Answ. The more any mans judgment is defiled •nd dabbled with corrupt Opinions, contrary to the Grace of the Gospel; the more carnal he is, especially if he father them on the Spirit, or on the Gospel; ⟨p. 114⟩for the Gospel is the Ministration of the Spirit. The words that I speak, saith Christ, are spirit and life Now two sorts of Doctrines there are that are contrary to the Gospel; The Doctrine of Natural Free-will, and the Doctrine of Legal and Jewish Ordinances. The Doctrine of Natural Free-will is contrary to the substance of the Gospel, which is the Word of Grace. The Doctrine of Legal and Jewish Ordinances is contrary to the dispensation of the Gospel; and both carnal. The Doctrine of Natural Free-will is a carnal Doctrine; for saith John, chap. 1.13. Which are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man. The will of the flesh, and the will of man go together. Was it not a carnal thing for Abraham to go in to his Maid Hagar? So is it also a carnal thing for a Professor of the Gospel to turn into a Covenant of Works, whereof Hagar was a Type. And I appeal to your selves, saith Austin to the Pelagians, pleading for the power of Nature, and for Natural Free-will, What is that which makes an outward difference between one man and another?1 one is rich, and another is poor; doth •ans Will make that difference, or Gods Providence? saith Austin: One man is strong, and another weak; doth Mans Will make the difference, or Gods Providence? One man or woman is fair, and another ⟨p. 115⟩deformed, doth Mans Will make the difference, or Gods Providence? I suppose you will say, that it is Gods Providence, not Mans Will that doth make the difference. And if you say that Mans Will makes the difference in these outward things, and not Gods Providence, Are ye not carnal? How much more if you say, Mans Will, and not Gods Grace doth make the difference between one man and another in spiritual things? As for the Doctrines of Legal and Jewish Ordinances, they are expressly called carnal Commands, Heb. 9