A77355:484
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.
yet not so, as if the former conversion were made void. And if the faith of a believer would fail totally in the time of a temptation; what should be the meaning of those words, in the 1. of Joh. 5. Chapter, and the 18. verse. We know, that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not: The wicked one: that is Satan, he toucheth him not. But now, if Satan could tempt a godly man, and prevail so far in his temptation, as to make his faith fail totally, then he would touch him to the purpose: but (says the text) he keeps himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not: and therefore his faith cannot fail totally, a regenerate mans faith cannot fail totally. And ye know what is said, in that 7. of Matthew at the 24. and 25. verses. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doth ⟨p. 266⟩them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which hath built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell not, because it was founded upon a rock. Now every Believer is founded upon a rock, (Christ) and therefore, though the rain descend, and the floods come, and the winds blow, and temptations be never so great, he cannot fail totally, because he is built upon a rock. In the 13. of Matthew, ye know it is made the property of the false ground, that in the time of temptation it fell away: Now if the good ground (a regenerate man) should fall away in the time of temptation; what difference were there between the false ground, & the good ground? Plainly therefore, the Scripture holds forth this truth unto us, That a regenerate man, a Believer, though his faith may fail much, yet it does not fail totally in time of temptation. And thus Peters faith failed, and thus it failed not: In regard of the Exercise, and Acting of his faith, it did fail; but in regard of the grace it self, faith it self, so it failed not: and so it is, and may be with others of the Saints also.
yet not so, as if the former conversion were made void. And if the faith of a beleever would fail totally in the time of a temptation; what should be the meaning of those words, in the 1. of Joh. 5. Chapter, and the 18. verse. We know, that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not: The wicked one: that is Satan, he toucheth him not. But now, if Satan could tempt a godly man, and prevail so far in his temptation, as to make his faith fail totally, then he would touch him to the purpose: but (saies the text) he keeps himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not: and therefore his faith cannot fail totally, a regenerate mans faith cannot fail totally. And ye know what is said, in that 7. of Matthew at the 24. and 25. verses. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doth