A77355:249
The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emanuel College in CambridgeThe works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge
The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emanuel College in Cambridge; now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The first volume. Viz. I. The great Gospel-mystery of the saints comfort and holiness, opened and applied from Christs priestly office. II. Satan's power to tempt; and Christs love to, and care of his people under temptation. III. Thankfulness required in every condition.The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge; now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The first volume. Viz. I. The great Gospel-mysterie of the saints comfort and holinesse, opened and applyed from Christs priestly office. II. Satans power to tempt; and Christs love to, and care of his people under temptation. III. Thankfulnesse required in every condition.
London: printed for Peter Cole, 1649
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.
Thirdly, He does not bless as Godly men do bless always; Answ. 3 as Gracious men bless, not always. For, you that are Godly, you pronounce such a man blessed, as hath much Grace, and hath Assurance of the love of God in Christ; and one that hath strong, and great Parts, and able to carry away whole Sermons word for word; and of strong Memory, and large Gifts, that are head and shoulders above their fellows: But the Lord Jesus Christ does not always bless thus: Blessed are the poor in spirit, says he. Blessed are those that mourn. He don't say, Blessed are those that rejoice; or, Blessed are those that have the Assurance of Gods love; or, Blessed are those that are strong in grace: No, but doest thou know a poor, weak Christian, a mourning soul like a dove of the valleys; says the Lord, I bless him.
Thirdly, He does not blesse as Godly men do blesse alwaies; Answ. 3 as Gracious men blesse, not alwaies. For, you that are Godly, you pronounce such a man blessed, as hath much Grace, and hath Assurance of the love of God in Christ; and one that hath strong, and great Parts, and able to carry away whole Sermons word for word; and of strong Memory, and large Gifts, that are head and shoulders above their fellows: But the Lord Jesus Christ does not alwaies blesse thus: Blessed are the poor in spirit, saies he. Blessed are those that mourn. He don't say, Blessed are those that rejoyce; or, Blessed are those that have the Assurance of Gods love; or, Blessed are those that are strong in grace: No, but doest thou know a poor, weak Christian, a mourning soul like a dove of the vallies; saies the Lord, I blesse him.
Thus I say, the Lord Jesus Christ our great High-Priest, he does not Bless as We bless; he does not bless as the World blesses; he does not bless always as Professors bless; he does not bless always as Godly men Bless; and therefore no wonder that his Blessing is hidden. Children when they are very young, are often blest by their Parents, and they don't mind it, or take notice of it; children of two or three year old: And so it is with many a ⟨p. 86⟩