A29372:160
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by William Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by Willam Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.
London: printed for Nath. Crouch, 1668
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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 that many that are first shall be last in suffering-work, why then should we not walk humbly under all our sufferings? The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. A man who hath prayed a prayer, or performed a duty, he should do as one that hath written a Letter; why he will read over the Letter, and then he mends it, and then he looks over the letter, and throws dust, dust, dust upon the Letter. And so a man when he hath performed any duty, he should look over his duty, and throw dust, I mean humility, and self-denial, upon his duties. So should we do in regard of our sufferings; if ever we be called to suffer, read over our sufferings, and throw dust upon our sufferings, walk humbly ⟨p. 49⟩under them: for many that are first shall be last in point of suffering.
Secondly, if that many that are first shall be last in suffering-work, why then should we not walk humbly under all our sufferings? The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. A man who hath prayed a prayer, or performed a duty, he should do as one that hath written a Letter; why he will read over the Letter, and then he mends it, and then he looks over the letter, and throws dust, dust, dust upon the Letter. And so a man when he hath performed any duty, he should look over his duty, and throw dust, I mean humility, and self-denial, upon his duties. So should we do in regard of our sufferings; if ever we be call'd to suffer, read over our sufferings, and throw dust upon our sufferings, walk humbly ⟨p. 49⟩under them: for many that are first shall be last in point of suffering.
Thirdly, why should we rest in what we suffer, and not press on to that which lies before? The life of a Christian is like the life of a man in a Cooks shop, from one work to another. Like the life of a Husbandman; he ploughs and he harrows, and he sows and reaps, and threshes; and he never stands still. So the life of a Christian, always at work. You know what our Saviour saith, If any man will be my disciple, let him deny himself, and take up his cross. What then? take a stool and sit down? No, let him take up his cross and follow me. Follow me after sufferings, not sit down and rest there. When we have done all, still press on to that which is before.