A77355:419
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, Quest. 1 If ye ask me, What power Satan hath to infest, molest, and thus to tempt the children of men?
First, Quest. 1 If ye aske me, What power Satan hath to infest, molest, and thus to tempt the children of men?
I answer, Answ. 1 First, ye know that Satan is an Angel still; ⟨p. 243⟩and being an Angel, he is a Superior creature to man, and therefore, according to the rank of Creation he hath a great deal of power over man. Man hath a great power over the Beasts, for man is a Superior. The Beasts have a great deal of power over the Herbs, and the grass, for the Beast is the Superior. The Angels by Creation are Superior to man, Satan, though fallen, is an Angel still: according to the rank of Creation, therefore he must needs have a mighty power over the children of men.
I answer, Answ. 1 First, ye know that Satan is an Angel still; ⟨p. 243⟩and being an Angel, he is a Superiour creature to man, and therefore, according to the rank of Creation he hath a great deal of power over man. Man hath a great power over the Beasts, for man is a Superiour. The Beasts have a great deal of power over the Herbs, and the grasse, for the Beast is the Superiour. The Angels by Creation are Superiour to man, Satan, though fallen, is an Angel still: according to the rank of Creation, therefore he must needs have a mighty power over the children of men.
But he is not only a Superior creature, Answ. 2 but also a more Spiritual creature than man, he is a spirit; and upon that account, he is more able to come within a man, to close with a mans soul and spirit: being spirit himself, he is more able to converse with, to close and get within our souls and spirits.