A77355:547
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 measure out their temptations according to their abilities: So he does also, mortify their temptations, and weaken them as they come through his hand. Mortify them before they do come at his Disciples, and people, before they do come at you. And upon this account (partly) it is said, That we are more than conquerors, through Christ that giveth victory. Because our enemy is overcome before he strikes, and his blow is broken as he strikes. And therefore says the Apostle, concerning our Saviour, That he hath spoiled principalities, and powers, and made a show of them openly upon the cross. All your temptations, the power and strength of them were spoiled upon the cross. There's no temptation befalls any of Gods people, but it is mortified, and weakened before it does come it them, the sting, teeth, and the poison being taken out.
Secondly, §2As he does measure out their temptations according to their abilities: So he does also, mortifie their temptations, and weaken them as they come through his hand. Mortifie them before they do come at his Disciples, and people, before they do come at you. And upon this account (partly) it is said, That we are more than conquerers, through Christ that giveth victory. Because our enemy is overcome before he strikes, and his blow is broken as he strikes. And therefore saies the Apostle, concerning our Saviour, That he hath spoil'd principalities, and powers, and made a shew of them openly upon the crosse. All your temptations, the power and strength of them were spoil'd upon the crosse. There's no temptation befals any of Gods people, but it is mortified, and weakned before it does come it them, the sting, teeth, and the poison being taken out.
Thirdly, He does not only thus mortify, §3and weaken a temptation before it does come at us: But he does cause Satan so to lay his temptations, as that he may be discerned, and so overcome, Satan tempted Adam and Eve; but he tempted in a serpent, and so Adam might easily have discerned the hand of Satan in it: for Adam knew all the creatures; he gave them their Names, & he knew their Natures: and he knew well enough the serpent could not speak to him; he might easily have known, that the hand of Satan was in the business. And so now, though God does suffer Satan to tempt his people, yet he does cause Satan so to lay his