A77355:513
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.
Secondly, §2As he does labour to weaken the faith of Assurance, By telling the Saints that they have no faith: So also, by telling them, That they have no Obedience, that they don't profit under the means, that they are not fruitful: where ever there is true faith, there will be Obedience, and men will profit under the means, and be fruitful; but you are Unfruitful, and you are barren, and where's your Obedience? here's no Obedience, therefore no faith: So no Assurance, your Assurance is wrong.
Secondly, §2As he does labour to weaken the faith of Assurance, By telling the Saints that they have no faith: So also, by telling them, That they have no Obedience, that they don't profit under the means, that they are not fruitfull: where ever there is true faith, there will be Obedienee, and men will profit under the means, and be fruitful; but you are Unfruitful, and you are barren, and where's your Obedience? here's no Obedience, therefore no faith: So no Assurance, your Assurance is wrong.
Well, But how may we ward, Quest. and keep off this blow in the time of temptation, that our faith of Assurance may not fail?
Well, But how may we ward, Quest. and keep off this blow in the time of temptation, that our faith of Assurance may not faile?
Truly, this blow is not to be warded off, Answ. if this be true; ⟨p. 276⟩That ye never were Obedient, never Fruitful, never profited by the means of grace; this blow falls dead upon the soul, this blow is not to be warded off, this is no temptation. But now, if ye have ever been fruitful, if ye have ever been obedient, if ye have ever profited by the means of grace; though for the present ye may seem dead: yet remember what Job says, There is hope of a tree, though it be cut down, that by the scent of waters it will flourish again. And so, there is hope of thy soul, that by the scent of the Gospel-waters thou mayest flourish again. But though there be no obedience in your own eye, though ye don't profit under the means in your own eye; yet your obedience may be in the eye of others: and in time of temptation, another mans eye is a better judge than your own.