A77355:326
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.
First, Take heed that you don't yield to any thing, §1that you may be rid of; that you don't yield to any part of the temptation, that you may be delivered from. It is more easy to keep the Enemy out of the town, than to get him out when he is come into it: if he get into the town, and get into the marketplace, it will be a more hard thing to get him out again. It is an easy thing to keep a stone on the top of an hill, while it lies there; but when once it begins to roll down, it is a hard thing to stay it, and you cannot say how far it shall go: How many are there that say when they are tempted, I'll yield but once, I'll yield but a little, and I'll never yield again, this is the last time: Oh! but, your once yielding, and your yielding but a little, engages your heart to the whole work. you should watch and pray against temptation; Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: he does not say, Watch and pray, that you be not tempted; but watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation. 'Tis one thing for temptation to knock at the door, and another thing to come in: When temptation enters you, you enter into temptation; take heed of that.
First, Take heed that you don't yeeld to any thing, §1that you may be rid of; that you don't yeeld to any part of the temptation, that you may be delivered from. It is more easy to keep the Enemy out of the town, than to get him out when he is come into it: if he get into the town, and get into the marketplace, it will be a more hard thing to get him out again. It is an easie thing to keep a stone on the top of an hill, while it lies there; but when once it begins to roul down, it is a hard thing to stay it, and you cannot say how far it shall go: How many are there that say when they are tempted, I'le yeeld but once, I'le yeeld but a little, and I'le never yeeld again, this is the last time: Oh! but, your once yeelding, and your yeelding but a little, ingages your heart to the whole work. you should watch and pray against temptation; Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: he does not say, Watch and pray, that you be not tempted; but watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation. 'Tis one thing for temptation to knock at the door, and another thing to come in: When temptation enters you, you enter into temptation; take heed of that.