A29371:913
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. 1 No, not yet: For first, it is usual with the Saints in affliction, to think that God is gone, and will return no more: there is no affliction which the People of God meet withal (and they meet with many) wherein they are so apt, and prone, and ready to write a [Never] upon their condition, as in this case of Spiritual Desertion. If a godly, gracious man fall sick, he doth not say presently, or conclude, I shall never recover again; if he be persecuted by Enemies, he doth not conclude presently, that he shall never be delivered: but if God hide his Face at any time, then comes out this [Never] I shall Never be delivered, I shall never be restored to comfort again. So Psal. 13. How long wilt thou hide thy face? what, for ever! So Psal. 77. Will the Lord cast off for ever? ver. 7. Will he be favourable no more? is his mercy clean gone for ever? and doth his Promise fail for ever more? This is the proper place, and ground, where this unbelieving conclusion grows; when they are in this condition, they rise to a [Never;] O! it will never be otherwise with me; Christ is gone, Mercy is gone, and I shall never see the face of God again: This is usual, and most usual with the Saints in this Condition.
Answ. 1 No, not yet: For first, it is usual with the Saints in affliction, to think that God is gone, and wil return no more: there is no affliction which the People of God meet withal (and they meet with many) wherein they are so apt, and prone, and ready to write a [Never] upon their condition, as in this case of Spiritual Desertion. If a godly, gracious man fal sick, he doth not say presently, or conclude, I shal never recover again; if he be persecuted by Enemies, he doth not conclude presently, that he shal never be delivered: but if God hide his Face at any time, then comes out this [Never] I shal Never be delivered, I shal never be restored to comfort again. So Psal. 13. How long wilt thou hide thy face? what, for ever! So Psal. 77. Will the Lord cast off for ever? ver. 7. Will he be favorable no more? is his mercy clean gone for ever? and doth his Promise fail for ever more? This is the proper place, and ground, where this unbeleeving conclusion grows; when they are in this condition, they rise to a [Never;] O! it wil never be otherwise with me; Christ is gone, Mercy is gone, and I shal never see the face of God again: This is usual, and most usual with the Saints in this Condition.