Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons

Yes, very well, for doth the Scripture say that we are to use the world as if we used it not? and doth it say here, whatever is in the power of thine hand to do, do it withal thy might; Then put these together, and what is the result but this, That we should use all our skill and might, to use the world as if we used it not. And as for the reason about the Magistrate, though the Magistrate is to do justice, yet he is to show mercy also; if he have righteousness in the one hand he is to have mercy in the other; I will sing of mercy and judgment saith David; Seneca tells us, that many punishments are as much disparagement to the Magistrate, as many Funerals are to the Physician. Ye know that Moses was the first Magistrate that Israel had, and did not he do justice? yes, yet he was the meekest man upon earth; Why so? but to show that the dispensations of justice will grow very well upon the disposition of meekness. And as for our own principles and Judgment who doth not say, and say true, That every man hath power to do more then he doth; and what if I should say with some, That God will condemn no man for that sin, which he hath not a power to avoid. The Heathens ye know are judged by the law of nature, but though they are not able to keep the whole law of nature, yet they are able to avoid these sins against nature, for which they are condemned; so under ⟨p. 145⟩the Gospel, though a man be not able to convert and turn unto God, and to keep the whole law of the Gospel; yet he may be able to avoid the sins against the Gospel, as positive unbelief and resistance, for which he shall be condemned, thus some; But I need not say thus, neither shall I need to enter into this debate here, for whoever liveth under the Gospel is either Godly or ungodly; if he be ungodly, he hath power to do more then he doth; and if he be Godly his will is freed; for whom the son makes free, he is free indeed, though his will be not libera, free, yet his will is liberata freed; as Austin speaks, So that thus now you see there is nothing in this truth that is contrary to Scripture, Reason, or our own Principles; yet give me leave to bound it with two Cautions.

Yes, very well, for doth the Scripture say that we are to use the world as if we used it not? and doth it say here, whatever is in the power of thine hand to do, do it withall thy might; Then put these together, and what is the result but this, That we should use all our skill and might, to use the world as if we used it not. And as for the re•son about the Magistrate, though the Magistrate is to do justice, yet he is to shew mercy also; if he have righteousness in the one hand he is to have mercy in the other; I will sing of mercy and judgment saith David; Seneca tells us, that many punishments are as much disparagement to the Magistrate, as many Funerals are to the Physician. Ye know that Moses was the first Magistrate that Israel had, and did not he doe justice? yes, yet he was the meekest man upon earth; Why so? but to shew that the dispensations of justice will grow very well upon the disposition of meekness. And as for our own principles and Judgment who doth not say, and say true, That every man hath power to do more then he doth; and what if I should say with some, That God will condemn no man for that sin, which he hath not a power to avoid. The Heathens ye know are judged by the law of nature, but though they are not able to keep the whole law of nature, yet they are able to avoid these sins against nature, for which they are condemned; so under