A77355:397
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.
And beloved in the Lord; Labour to keep the sense of his love warm upon your hearts; Look as it is with water in winter; so with your hearts in this respect: So long as the fire is under the water, and the water is hot, it freezes not; but when the heat goes off, and the water is cold, then ice comes upon it. And so long as your heart is kept up in the sense of Christs love, and warm with Christs love; so long the ice comes not, the temptation comes not. The slumber of grace, is a preparation to sin, and a preparation to temptation. When once our hearts grow cold, and grow remiss; then way is made to temptation: and therefore, if you would answer Jesus Christ; Oh! labour to keep the sense of his love still upon your hearts.
And beloved in the Lord; Labour to keep the sence of his love warm upon your hearts; Look as it is with water in winter; so with your hearts in this respect: So long as the fire is under the water, and the water is hot, it freezes not; but when the heat goes off, and the water is cold, then ice comes upon it. And so long as your heart is kept up in the sence of Christs love, and warm with Christs love; so long the ice comes not, the temptation comes not. The slumber of grace, is a preparation to sin, and a preparation to temptation. When once our hearts grow cold, and grow remisse; then way is made to temptation: and therefore, if you would answer Jesus Christ; Oh! labour to keep the sence of his love still upon your hearts.
And when the temptation is come: Then look upon Jesus Christ. No temptation so violent, or fierce, but a thought may steal out, and get a look upon Jesus Christ. The sight of Christ on the Cross, is a Judge upon the Bench against all temptation. The consideration of Three things, keeps one from the power of temptation. The worth of a soul: The heinousness of sin: And the love of Christ. And you see all these in Christ upon the Cross. When temptation comes, stand & look upon him. You know, that when the Israelites were stung, they were then to look upon the brazen serpent, and by their very looking upon it, they were cured thereby. The Lord Jesus Christ is our brazen-serpent, lift up upon Gospel poles, having more excellency than any brazen-serpent: That was but a piece of brass: he is the God of glory. That for a time: he is our High-Priest, and lives for ever. That for the Jews only: but he for Jew and Gentile. That for those that could see; and if any poor, blind man was stung, it was a case, what should become of the blind man, how should he look upon the brazen serpent? how should he be cured; but this our brazen serpent, is able to give you an eye. Beloved! this Ordinance is still on foot spiritually. And therefore Christ says by the Prophet Isaiah, Look unto me from all the ends of the earth, and be saved. Oh! when a temptation comes; poor tempted soul, address