A29371:1027
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.
Answ. No: For if God have employed you, and trusted you in his Service, in a way of Love and mercy to your self, as well as to others, then you have no reason to be discouraged in this respect. Now, when doth God employ a man in a way of Love and Mercy to himself, as well as for others good?
Answ. No: For if God have employed you, and trusted you in his Service, in a way of Love and mercy to your self, as wel as to others, then you have no reason to be discouraged in this respect. Now, when doth God employ a man in a way of Love and Mercy to himself, as wel as for others good?
When a mans heart is thereby drawn out with Love to God: That which ends in Love, comes from Love; that which ends in your Love to God, came from Gods Love to you. So in outward Blessings; if they end in your Love to God, then they came from Gods Love to you; So in the matter of Afflictions, if I do love God the more by them, then did they come from Gods Love to me. So also in the matter of Employments; if you do love God by them, and they do end in your love to God, then they came from Gods Love to you.
When God doth employ a man in his Service, in a way of Love and Mercy to him, then he doth more or less acquaint him with his design therein; and if God do acquaint me with his design in his Work, then he doth employ me in a way of Love to me. He employed the Assyrian as a Rod in his hand, to scourge the People of Israel; but they knew not Gods Design, they went on upon their own design: therefore saith the Prophet Isaiah, in the Name of the Lord, Cap. 10.6. I will send him against an Hypocritical Nation, howbeit he meaneth not so; neither doth his heart think so: But it is in his heart to destroy Nations, not a few. The Lord employed Peter to open a door to the Gentiles in the Conversion of Cornelius, and though he knew not Gods design at the first, yet he did fully know it afterwards; for says he, and the rest, Now hath God also to the Gentiles, granted Repentance unto Life.