Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons

But secondly, If you would do Gods work with all your might, Then you must observe where your true strength lies, and apply your self thereunto, Now your strength lies in Christ the Lord our Righteousness and our strength. Under Christ your strength lies in your call to your work. Go in this thy might, said the Lord to Gideon, when he gave him a call. Under Christ your strength lies in the promise, for Lex jubet, Gratia juvat: The Law commands, and the Promise helps. Under Christ your strength lies in your comfort: He works faintly, that doth work uncomfortably. The joy of the Lord is our strength, It's true in this sense; and under Christ your strength lies in dependence upon God for strength. Our strength is to sit still; That is to depend and wait on God for his strength. Herein lies your true strength. Would you therefore do Gods work with all your might, then away to your true strength.

But secondly, If you would do Gods work with all your might, Then you must observe where your true strength lyes, and apply your self thereunto, Now your strength lyes in Christ the Lord our Righteousness and our strength. Under Christ your strength lyes in your call to your work. Go in this thy might, said the Lord to Gideon, when he gave him a call. Under Christ your strength lyes in the promise, for Lex jubet, Gratia juvat: The Law commands, and the Promise helps. Under Christ your strength lyes in your comfort: He works faintly, that doth work uncomfortably. The joy of the Lord is our strength, It's true in this sense; and under Christ your strength lyes in dependance upon God for strength. Our strength is to sit still; That is to depend and wait on God for his strength. Herein lyes your true strength. Would you therefore do Gods work with all your might, then away to your true strength.

And thirdly, If you would do Gods work with all your might; then take heed that you do not think the way to Heaven is easy; nor that any thing ⟨p. 153⟩is small that lies between God and you. Difficultas acuit conatum. Difficulty sharpens diligence. But if a man thinks a thing is easy, he will not put his full strength and might to the work. Greg. de Valentia tells of a Merchant, that professed he would be a Papist, and no Protestant; For said he, If I be a Papist, my work is short and easy; 'tis but, Believe as the Church believes: But if I be a Lutheran, then I must learn Catechisms, and search the Scriptures, but I have no time for that; therefore I will be a Papist, for that way is easy. But we know, that the way to Heaven is up hill. Nulla virtus sine lapide. Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life. And the more ye see these difficulties of your Salvation, the more you will put your whole strength to it, and will work with all your might.