A29371:791
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.
Secondly: If there be such an over-ruling hand of Grace, and mercy, upon the want of the Saints Assurance, as that it shall work to their, and to others good; then they have no reason to be quite discouraged, although they do want Assurance.
Secondly: If there be such an over-ruling hand of Grace, and mercy, upon the want of the Saints Assurance, as that it shal work to their, and to others good; then they have no reason to be quite discouraged, although they do want Assurance.
1As for their own good: Thereby they do gain experience; thereby they come to see the emptiness, and nothingness, of all their own righteousness. David saith, (ye know the Scripture) Psal. 116. I said in my hast, all men are Liars. The words in the Hebrew, may be read, I said in my shaking; I said in my shaking, all men are Liars. David was shaken by men, and then he saw that men were Liars. So, when a man is shaken in his own righteousness, then he sees the emptiness, and the lying disposition of it; and, I pray, when is a mans own righteousness more shaken, than when he doth want assurance of Gods Love? Thereby also, a man comes to get more, and stronger assurance of Gods Love; Certissimum est, quod certum est post incertitudinem; That is most certain, that is certain after uncertainty: The shaken Tree grows the strongest. It is observed of Thomas, that of all the Apostles, he cried out, and said, My Lord, and My God. Two My's, not one My; My Lord, or My God: but two My's, My Lord, and My God. Two My's, Why? Because he had had two No's before, Unless I may put my finger into his side, I will not ⟨p. 115⟩believe. So you read it; but in the Original, there are two No's, I will not, not believe; a double Not. And as there was two No's of Unbelief, so there is two My's of Faith. So far as a good man is sunk in Unbelief, so far he will rise in Faith; so much as a man is shaken by Unbelief, and in the want of Assurance, so much he will rise unto Assurance, and be confirmed, and settled in it.