A77355:512
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.
Sometimes Satan does labour to weaken the Assurance of the Saints, §1By telling them that they have no faith. Assurance is the flower of faith, it grows upon faith; but you have no faith (says Satan) and therefore your assurance is naught. But how unreasonable is this temptation! for, observe I pray, in what rounds Satan goes: He tempts us to believe that we have no faith, because we have no Assurance; and he tempts us again, to believe we have no Assurance, because we have no faith. For answer hereunto, I shall only turn unto that 4. to the Romans: It is said of Abraham ⟨p. 275⟩(at the 21. verse) Being fully persuaded, that what God had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore (at the 22.) it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him: but for us also to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. Abraham was justified by faith, it was imputed to him for righteousness: and says the Apostle here, it was not written for his sake, but for us also. We are justified as Abraham was, by the same faith, what faith is that? is it the faith of Assurance? Yes! he was Assured indeed, but I pray of what? He was Assured that God was able to perform: He being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Abraham believed that God was able, and so relied upon God, and hereby he was justified. So it shall be with men and women now: if they be Assured, and Persuaded, that God is able, and so rely upon God; this is the faith that justifies. When therefore this temptation comes, Answer unto Satan: Satan, thou sayest I have no Assurance, because I have no faith; but I have this Assurance that Abraham had, whereby he was justified, I believe God is able to help me, and so I rely upon God, and therefore (Satan) I am now justified, and stand righteous through Jesus Christ in the sight of God.
Sometimes Satan does labour to weaken the Assurance of the Saints, §1By telling them that they have no faith. Assurance is the flower of faith, it grows upon faith; but you have no faith (saies Satan) and therefore your assurance is naught. But how unreasonable is this temptation! for, observe I pray, in what rounds Satan goes: He tempts us to beleeve that we have no faith, because we have no Assurance; and he tempts us again, to beleeve we have no Assurance, because we have no faith. For answer hereunto, I shall only turn unto that 4. to the Romans: It is said of Abraham