A77355:508
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.
But then again Thirdly, let him say thus: §3If I be more godly now, than I was when Satan told me, that the Threatening did not belong to me; and the Promise did belong to me, then there is no reason for this temptation. When I went on in a way of sin, then Satan told me, the Threatening did not belong to me; and then he told me, the Promise did belong to me: Oh! but now I am more godly than I was then, I have more of Christ than I had then I am sure, & therefore Satan, Didst thou tell me, that the Promise did belong to me then? 'therefore it belongs much more to me now. Thou toldst me heretofore, when I went on in a way of sin, the Threatening ⟨p. 274⟩did not belong to me: now then the Threatening does less belong to me, for now I am more godly than I was then.
But then again Thirdly, let him say thus: §3If I be more godly now, than I was when Satan told me, that the Threatning did not belong to me; and the Promise did belong to me, then there is no reason for this temptation. When I went on in a way of sin, then Satan told me, the Threatning did not belong to me; and then he told me, the Promise did belong to me: Oh! but now I am more godly than I was then, I have more of Christ than I had then I am sure, & therfore Satan, Didst thou tel me, that the Promise did belong to me then? 'therefore it belongs much more to me now. Thon toldst me heretofore, when I went on in a way of sin, the Threatning ⟨p. 274⟩did not belong to me: now then the Threatning does less belong to me, for now I am more godly than I was then.
But above all things, remember that of the Command to believe. Luther was a man that laboured under great temptations: and being once sorely tempted, and the tears trickling down his cheeks; says he my friend (my spiritual father) came unto me, and said, O my son! why doest thou mourn? doest thou not know that God hath commanded thee to believe? When (says Luther) I heard that word, Command, that God hath Commanded me to believe; it prevailed more with my heart, than all that was said, or thought on before. So say I now unto ye, Does Satan come with this temptation, and tell thee, the Promise don't belong to thee? Answer, I but the Lord hath Commanded me to believe (Satan) God hath Commanded me to believe, 'tis my duty now at this time to believe; but I cannot believe unless I apply the Promise, therefore I may go by commission from God unto the Promise, and the Promise does belong to me. Thus, give in these answers, so shall ye be able to stand, and to rely upon God, and your faith of Reliance shall not fail. This is the first thing, The faith of Reliance.