A29371:1023
I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…
I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet. I. 19 : II. Christ in travel ... in three sermons on Isai. 53. 11 : III. A lifting up for the down-cast ... delivered in thirteen sermons on Psal. 42, 11 : four several sermons ... / preached by William Bridge ...
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1656
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.
Object. 6 But this is not the matter which doth pinch with me; for according to my poor Abilities, I have laboured, and have been truly ⟨p. 296⟩willing to serve the Lord in my Generation; but I labour, work, and take pains, and all in vain; I labour, and have no success in my labour; I work, and have no success in work; I serve, and have no success in my Service; and therefore I am thus discouraged, have I not cause and reason now?
Object. 6 But this is not the matter which doth pinch with me; for according to my poor Abilities, I have labored, and have been truly ⟨p. 296⟩willing to serve the Lord in my Generation; but I labor, work, and take pains, and all in vain; I labor, and have no success in my labor; I work, and have no success in work; I serve, and have no success in my Service; and therefore I am thus discouraged, have I not cause and reason now?
Answ. 1 No: For possibly you may be mistaken in the matter of success, you may have good and great success, and not know thereof. There is a time when the Seed doth lie dead under the clods; and saith our Saviour, Unless the Seed dies, it abides alone. Should the Husband-man complain in this time, that he hath no success in his sowing? If the Devil do oppose by the World without, and assault you with Temptations within, it argues that there is good success, though you know it not. Now, don't the World oppose you? and don't the Devil assault you with Temptations, discouraging you for want of success? Yes that he doth; then there is some good success, though for the present it be hidden from your Eyes. This is a certain sign, said Luther to Spalatinus, That your Work is neither ungrateful to God, nor unprofitable to the Church, in that you are troubled with these Temptations; for if it were unpleasing to God, you would rather long after it, as they do that run before they be sent. Whereas Satan, when he finds such as are truly sent by God, and pleasing to him, he makes them a weary of their work, by these, and the like Temptations.