A29371:695
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.
If nothing have befallen you, but what may possibly befall a true Believer, then you have no reason to be cast down as without hope. Now ye know how it was with Sampson; he was strong, and of great strength inward and outward; yet his strength was taken away, and he became as one of us: How so? why, he had laid his head in Delilah's Lap, and so he lost his strength, and was weakened by it; but it cost him dear, both his Eyes, and his Life too: And if you have so laid your head in Delilah's Lap, that your strength is abated, it may, and it is likely it will cost you dear; yet this case is no other than what may befall one recorded for a true Believer.
If nothing have befallen you, but what may possibly befal a true Beleever, then you have no reason to be cast down as without hope. Now ye know how it was with Sampson; he was strong, and of great strength inward and outward; yet his strength was taken away, and he became as one of us: How so? why, he had laid his head in Dalilah's Lap, and so he lost his strength, and was weakened by it; but it cost him dear, both his Eyes, and his Life too: And if you have so laid your head in Dalilah's Lap, that your strength is abated, it may, and it is likely it will cost you dear; yet this case is no other than what may befal one recorded for a true Beleever.
And though your strength be abated, and your Grace weakened, through your own sin; yet being true saving Grace, it shall never ⟨p. 86⟩be annihilated, for it is the new Creation; and nothing created by God, can be annihilated by us. Man is created by God; he may be killed by man, but he cannot be annihilated, and brought to nothing: The Tree and Wood, may be burnt to Ashes, but it cannot be annihilated and brought to nothing, for it is part of the Creation. Now your Grace was created by God also, if true, though small; and therefore though it may be weakened by your sin, yet it cannot be annihilated, and brought to nothing.
And though your strength be abated, and your Grace weakened, through your own sin; yet being true saving Grace, it shall never