Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons

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.

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 easie; nor that any thing ⟨p. 153⟩is small that lyes between God and you. Difficultas acuit conatum. Difficulty sharpens diligence. But if a man thinks a thing is easie, 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 easie; '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 easie. 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.

Yet fourthly, If you would do Gods work with all your might, Then let your eye be much upon them that have done Gods work fully in their day. If you be a Magistrate, think on Moses; If a Minister, think on Paul; If a private person, think on Caleb. It's recorded of Luther, That he did ordinarily spend three hours every day in Prayer; he Preached much, Read Lectures, and Wrote nine or ten great Volumes in Folio. It's recorded of Calvin, That he Preached yearly Two hundred and eighty Sermons, and Read One hundred and eighty Lectures; every Lecture being the length of a Sermon. Once in a Week he met with the Elders of the Church. Much in private Duty, and wrote Letters to all the Churches. So that the Care of all the Churches lay upon him; and he wrote twelve great