A29369:59
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 1: OF MANS BLESSEDNESS, OR THE BLESSED MAN.
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.
2. Will y• instance in Riches, Wealth and this Worlds goods. It is the property of happiness, to be desirable for it self: It is that good thing which all things are desired for, and which is desired for nothing else; but Riches are desired for something else, not for themselves; and if it be a mans duty sometimes to part with them, and to despise them, then our happiness cannot consist in them, but we are sometimes to part with all these things for Christ; Surely therefore our happiness is not to be found therein.
2. Will y• instance in Riches, Wealth and this Worlds goods. It is the property of happiness, to be desireable for it self: It is that good thing which all things are desired for, and which is desired for nothing else; but Riches are desired for something else, not for themselves; and if it be a mans duty sometimes to part with them, and to despise them, then our happiness cannot consist in them, but we are sometimes to part with all these things for Christ; Surely therefore our happiness is not to be found therein.
3. Will ye instance in Honour, Fame and Credit in this World. What more uncertain then that, that is not ones own? Is it not a better thing to deserve honour, then to be honourable? But that is truly blessed which is best of all; and if it be more safe for a ⟨p. 7⟩man to be reproached sometimes, then to be applauded, then our happiness cannot consist in honour; but as Seneca says, Beatus est qui contemnere potest & contemni; He is an happy man that can contemn and be contemned. If I be reproached, then I learn to walk humbly; if I be applauded, then I grow proud thereby. And ye know what was the issue of Hamans honour; Surely therefore our happiness cannot consist therein, Or,
3. Will ye instance in Honour, Fame and Credit in this World. What more uncertain then that, that is not ones own? Is it not a better thing to deserve honou, then to be honourable? But that is truly blessed which is best of all; and if it be more safe for a