A77355:550
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.
Fifthly. §5He hath not only the Timing of our temptations: But he does also Sanctify our temptations, and does make them blessed means of our Sanctification. And therefore says Paul, I received the messenger Satan for to buffet me, that I might not be exalted. Twice he hath that, That he might not be exalted out of measure. But for this I need go ⟨p. 289⟩no further than the instance of Peter; before Peter was tempted; what abundance of carnal confidence was there in Peter? Lord (says he) though all men for sake thee, yet will not I. But now, I pray look upon him after his temptation, and you shall see how this carnal confidence was laid down: for, our Saviour says unto him, Peter, lovest thou me more than these? Lord (says he) thou knowest I love thee: but not a word of the comparative, More than these, he had left comparing now, having been under temptation, and having fallen, his carnal confidence was gone; and he don't say now, Lord, though all men forsake thee, yet will not I: the comparison is left out now: he answers to the other part, but not a word to that. So that I say, If the Lord Jesus Christ do measure out all our temptation for us: And mortify them before they come at us: And does cause Satan to lay them, as we may most easily discover them: And if the Lord Christ does Time our temptations for us: And sanctify them unto us: Then certainly, there is much of Oh rists love and mercy at work for his people under their temptations.
Fiftly. §5He hath not only the Timeing of our temptations: But he does also Sanctifie our temptations, and does make them blessed means of our Sanctification. And therefore saies Paul, I received the messenger Satan for to buffet me, that I might not be exalted. Twice he hath that, That he might not be exalted out of measure. But for this I need go ⟨p. 289⟩no further than the instance of Peter; before Peter was tempted; what abundance of carnal confidence was there in Peter? Lord (saies he) though all men for sake thee, yet will not I. But now, I pray look upon him after his temptation, and you shall see how this carnall confidence was laid down: for, our Saviour saies unto him, Peter, lovest thou me more than these? Lord (saies he) thou knowest I love thee: but not a word of the comparative, More than these, he had left comparing now, having been under temptation, and having fallen, his carnal confidence was gone; and he don't say now, Lord, though all men forsake thee, yet will not I: the comparison is left out now: he answers to the other part, but not a word to that. So that I say, If the Lord Jesus Christ do measure out all our temptation for us: And mortifie them before they come at us: And does cause Satan to lay them, as we may most easily discover them: And if the Lord Christ does Time our temptations for us: And sanctifie them unto us: Then certainly, there is much of Oh rists love and mercy at work for his people under their temptations.
Secondly, If you ask me yet further, Quest. 2 Wherein is the love of Christ expressed, or drawn out unto his people under their temptations?
Secondly, If you ask me yet further, Quest. 2 Wherein is the love of Christ exprest, or drawn out unto his people under their temptations?
I answer, It is seen and expressed in this: In teaching of them, Answ. in, and by their temptations. Tempting times, are teaching times unto Gods people: the school of temptation is a great school. Luther said, that the temptations of Satan, were the embracings of Christ: meaning, that then Christ did embrace his people most, and discover most of his love unto them. Three things (he said) there were that made a Preacher: Meditation, Prayer, and Temptation. And indeed, when, or where does God or Christ reveal himself more fully unto his people, than in the times of their temptations? 'Tis said, that at Massab and Meribah, the waters of strife and of temptation, there the Lord gave Israel his statutes. How many experiences do Gods people get, in, and by their temptations? tempting times are teaching: ⟨p. 290⟩and Christ teaches his people by their temptations. Satan's Buffetings, are the Saints schoolings.
I answer, It is seen and exprest in this: In teaching of them, Answ. in, and by their temptations. Tempting times, are teaching times unto Gods people: the school of temptation is a great school. Luther said, that the temptations of Satan, were the imbracings of Christ: meaning, that then Christ did imbrace his people most, and discover most of his love unto them. Three things (he said) there were that made a Preacher: Meditation, Prayer, and Temptation. And indeed, when, or where does God or Christ reveal himselfe more fully unto his people, than in the times of their temptations? 'Tis said, that at Massab and Meribah, the waters of strife and of temptation, there the Lord gave Israel his statutes. How many experiences do Gods people get, in, and by their temptations? tempting times are teaching: ⟨p. 290⟩and Christ teaches his people by their temptations. Satans Buffetings, are the Saints schoolings.
Yea, §3Thirdly, He does not only teach his people; But he does also bear up, and uphold their hearts with new supplies of his grace, and Spirit, in the times of their temptations. Christ does not suffer his people to go into new temptations, with old strength: but as a new temptation does come from Satan, so new supply of grace and strength does come from Christ. Says David, in the 94. Psalm, and the 18. verse. When I said, my foot slippeth: thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. He does not say thus: when my foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord held me up: but when I said, my foot slippeth; when I thought I was quite rejected, cast off, and forsaken: when I said, my foot slippeth: then thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. As new temptations do come in, so new strength comes in.
Yea, §3Thirdly, He does not only teach his people; But he does also bear up, and uphold their hearts with new supplies of his grace, and Spirit, in the times of their temptations. Christ does not suffer his people to go into new temptations, with old strength: but as a new temptation does come from Satan, so new supply of grace and strength does come from Christ. Saies David, in the 94. Psalm, and the 18. verse. When I said, my foot slippeth: thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. He does not say thus: when my foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord held me up: but when I said, my foot slippeth; when I thought I was quite rejected, cast off, and forsaken: when I said, my foot slippeth: then thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. As new temptations do come in, so new strength comes in.
Yea, and supplies of grease in Proportion to our temptations. My grace is sufficient for thee (says the Lord to Paul) my grace is Fit for thee.
Yea, and supplies of greace in Proportion to our temptations. My grace is sufficient for thee (saies the Lord to Paul) my grace is Fit for thee.
Yea, he does not only give out Proportionable strength; but an Cverplus of strength. As the woman, that had oil given her, not enough barely to pay her debt, but an Overplus to live on the rest. So Gods people in the time of their temptations, have not only strength given them to stand out against their temptations, but an Cverplus to live on the rest.
Yea, he does not only give out Proportionable strength; but an Cverplus of sirength. As the woman, that had oyle given her, not enough barely to pay her debt, but an Overplus to live on the rest. So Gods people in the time of their temptations, have not only strength given them to stand out against their temptations, but an Cverplus to live on the rest.
Yea, and they have not only in-comes of Assisting grace; but of Accepting grace too; more Accepting grace. God doth and will then Accept lesser than at another time. Though the prayer be weak, and the faith low; yet, says the Lord, it is the time of temptation with this my poor servant; and therefore I will take the Duty, though it be never so little, because it is the time of temptation, it's a time of darkness, and a time of sadness. Ye know what our saviour said unto Thomas: Reach hither thine hand, and put it into my side: Come Thomas, if thou wilt not believe without it, I'll take thy faith, even upon these terms, for ⟨p. 291⟩I know it is a time of temptation with thee. What grace! what love and mercy is here!
Yea, and they have not only in-comes of Assisting grace; but of Accepting grace too; more Accepting grace. God doth and will then Accept lesser than at another time. Though the prayer be weak, and the faith low; yet, saies the Lord, it is the time of temptation with this my poor servant; and therefore I will take the Duty, though it be never so little, because it is the time of temptation, it's a time of darkness, and a time of sadness. Ye know what our saviour said unto Thomas: Reach hither thine hand, and put it into my side: Come Thomas, if thou wilt not beleeve without it, I'le take thy faith, even upon these termes, for ⟨p. 291⟩I know it is a time of temptation with thee. What grace! what love and mercy is here!
Yea, Fourthly. §4The Lord Jesus Christ does not only come in thus, with supplies of grace, & strength in the times of temptation: But he does give his people an Ease, and a Remedy, a breathing time under their temptations, though they be never so sad, and never so great. Indeed, Job said, That God was his enemy, and would not suffer him to swallow his spittle, he followed him so close: but the good man was mistaken much: for at the same time, the time of his temptation, he could say, I know that my Redeemer liveth; and he could bless the Lord: he had his breathing time in the midst of all. When David was persecuted by Saul, he was under temptation, for, as the Devil casts some men into prison; so the Devil persecutes in wicked men: yet David had his breathing time, now and then, Saul given into his hands, as a pledge of that full deliverance that David should have afterwards. And this is no other than that which the Apostle speaks of, in that same 1 of the Corinthians, the 10. Chap. at the 13. verse, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also, make a way to escape. Make an Out-let, (so the word is;) He will make an Out-let. Though the smoke be very offensive, yet there shall always be some window open for to let it out, or some door open for a poor tempted soul to go out at: still an out-let, some breathing time in the midst of these temptations.
Yea, Fourthly. §4The Lord Jesus Christ does not only come in thus, with supplies of grace, & strength in the times of temptation: But he does give his people an Ease, and a Remedy, a breathing time under their temptations, though they be never so sad, and never so great. Indeed, Job said, That God was his enemy, and would not suffer him to swallow his spittle, he followed him so close: but the good man was mistaken much: for at the same time, the time of his temptation, he could say, I know that my Redeemer liveth; and he could blesse the Lord: he had his breathing time in the midst of all. When David was persecuted by Saul, he was under temptation, for, as the Devil casts some men into prison; so the Devil persecutes in wicked men: yet David had his breathing time, now and then, Saul given into his hands, as a pledge of that ful deliverance that David should have afterwards. And this is no other than that which the Apostle speaks of, in that same 1 of the Corinthians, the 10. Chap. at the 13. verse, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also, make a way to escape. Make an Out-let, (so the word is;) He will make an Out-let. Though the smoke be very offensive, yet there shall alwaies be some window open for to let it out, or some door open for a poor tempted soul to go out at: stil an out-let, some breathing time in the midst of these temptations.
Fifthly, and lastly. §5As the Lord Jesus Christ liveth for ever to make intercession for us; So he doth it especially when his people are under temptation; then he prays for them, and then especially. I will not determine, whether Christ now in Heaven does intercede Vocally, or Really: but when Satan lies hard upon a poor tempted soul, and fetches blood from it, then does the Lord Jesus step in unto his Father, and present his wounds, and his blood, and says unto his Father, O Father, I have prayed unto thee, that this poor man or woman, may not fail in the time of temptation. ⟨p. 292⟩Thus it was with Peter here; I have prayed for thee: and yet this was not the time of his full intercession, when he was here on earth. There are two parts of Christs Priestly Office: Satisfaction, and Intercession. The proper place for him to make satisfaction for sin, was here on earth: and in Heaven, the holy of holiest, he does make intercession; there he does do it fully, but he could not for bear while he was here on earth, but he says unto Peter, I have prayed for thee. Though my great work in Heaven be to intercede, and my special work here on earth be to satisfy: yet notwithstanding, I have prayed for thee already Peter. And the Lord Jesus Christ was heard in all that he prayed for. Now then, if the Lord Christ doth intercede here on earth for his poor tempted servants, and was heard here; how much more, when his Disciples are tempted, does he intercede, and pray for them in Heaven, and is heard there. Satan may come running in upon you with his temptation: but when Satan runs in upon you with his temptation, Christ runs into the presence of God the Father, and spreads his blood, and his satisfaction for you, and there he says unto the Father, Father, I have prayed that this man or woman's faith may not fail. Oh! what grace and mercy, and love is here! Thus, in all these respects, (and many others that I might mention) is the love of Christ, and his mercy drawn out unto his people in the time of their temptation.
Fiftly, and lastly. §5As the Lord Jesus Christ liveth for ever to make intercession for us; So he doth it especially when his people are under temptation; then he prayes for them, and then especially. I will not determine, whether Christ now in Heaven does intercede Vocally, or Really: but when Satan lies hard upon a poor tempted soul, and fetches blood from it, then does the Lord Jesus step in unto his Father, and present his wounds, and his blood, and saies unto his Father, O Father, I have prayed unto thee, that this poor man or woman, may not fail in the time of temptation. ⟨p. 292⟩Thus it was with Peter here; I have prayed for thee: and yet this was not the time of his full intercession, when he was here on earth. There are two parts of Christs Priestly Office: Satisfaction, and Intercession. The proper place for him to make satisfaction for sin, was here on earth: and in Heaven, the holy of holiest, he does make intercession; there he does do it fully, but he could not for bear while he was here on earth, but he saies unto Peter, I have prayed for thee. Though my great work in Heaven be to intercede, and my special work here on earth be to satisfie: yet notwithstanding, I have prayed for thee already Peter. And the Lord Jesus Christ was heard in all that he prayed for. Now then, if the Lord Christ doth intercede here on earth for his poor tempted servants, and was heard here; how much more, when his Disciples are tempted, does he intercede, and pray for them in Heaven, and is heard there. Satan may come running in upon you with his temptation: but when Satan runs in upon you with his temptation, Christ runs into the presence of God the Father, and spreads his blood, and his satisfaction for you, and there he saies unto the Father, Father, I have prayed that this man or womans faith may not fail. Oh! what grace and mercy, and love is here! Thus, in all these respects, (and many others that I might mention) is the love of Christ, and his mercy drawn out unto his people in the time of their temptation.
Well, Quest. 2 But how may it appear, that Christs mercy is most at work, when his people are most assaulted by Satan? Christ deals by His, Answ. as God the Father did deal by Him. Now ye shall find, that Gods love was never more towards Christ, than when Christ was under temptation. When Christ came to die, Satan was very busy; it's called, The hour of darkness: so busy was Satan with all his malice against him; yet then was the Fathers love towards Christ, then especially; for says Christ, Therefore does the Father love me, because I lay down my life. If the Father did therefore love him, because he laid down his life, then his love ⟨p. 293⟩was most at work towards Christ when this hour of darkness was. And so I say, when you hour of darkness is, the hour of temptation; Christs love is then most at work because he deals by His, as the Father did deal by Him.
Well, Quest. 2 But how may it appear, that Christs mercy is most at work, when his people are most assaulted by Satan? Christ deals by His, Answ. as God the Father did deal by Him. Now ye shall find, that Gods love was never more towards Christ, than when Christ was under temptation. When Christ came to die, Satan was very busie; it's called, The hour of darkness: so busie was Satan with all his malice against him; yet then was the Fathers love towards Christ, then especially; for saies Christ, Therefore does the Father love me, because I lay down my life. If the Father did therefore love him, because he laid down his life, then his love ⟨p. 293⟩was most at work towards Christ when this hour of darkness was. And so I say, when you hour of darknese is, the hour of temptation; Christs love is then most at work because he deals by His, as the Father did deal by Him.
The truth is, Christs dealing with his Disciples, was a pattern and plot-form of his dealing with all his people, to the end of the world. Now ye shall observe, that Christs love was never more let out towards his Disciples, than from this time, after he had said these words, Satan hath desired to sift you as wheat. After this time they were all offended because of Christ, and they all forsook him: Peter denied him; some doubted whether he were the Messiah or no: and another would not believe his Resurrection; & as sheep, they were all scattered, and shattered; great was their temptations: yet from this time, do but observe the love of Christ towards them: after this speech, then Christ preaches a most excellent, and sweet Sermon to them, in the 14, 15, and 16. chapters of John. Then he takes water and a towel, and washes and wipes his Disciples feet. Then he appoints the Lords Supper. Then he spends a whole chapter (the 17. of John) in prayer for them, makes a most excellent, and sweet prayer for them. Then he calls them his friends: Ye are no longer my servants, but my friends: Yea, his Children: Yea, his Little children. Never was his love more drawn out, or expressed towards them, than after this time. And (I say) this was a pattern, and a plot-form of his dealing with all his people unto the end of the world. And therefore, though Christ do suffer his own people to be tempted, yet his love and mercy is never more at work than when they are most assaulted by Satan.
The truth is, Christs dealing with his Disciples, was a pattern and plat-form of his dealing with all his people, to the end of the world. Now ye shall observe, that Christs love was never more let out towards his Disciples, than from this time, after he had said these words, Satan hath desired to sift you as wheat. After this time they were all offended because of Christ, and they all forsook him: Peter denied him; some doubted whether he were the Messiah or no: and another would not beleeve his Resurrection; & as sheep, they were all scattered, and shattered; great was their temptations: yet from this time, do but observe the love of Christ towards them: after this speech, then Christ preaches a most excellent, and sweet Sermon to them, in the 14, 15, and 16. chapters of John. Then he takes water and a towel, and washes and wipes his Disciples feet. Then he appoints the Lords Supper. Then he spends a whol chapter (the 17. of John) in prayer for them, makes a most excellent, and sweet prayer for them. Then he cals them his friends: Ye are no longer my servants, but my friends: Yea, his Children: Yea, his Little children. Never was his love more drawn out, or exprest towards them, than after this time. And (I say) this was a pattern, and a plat-form of his dealing with all his people unto the end of the world. And therefore, though Christ do suffer his own people to be tempted, yet his love and mercy is never more at work than when they are most assaulted by Satan.
Thirdly, You will say, Quest. 3 What is there in the heart of Jesus Christ, that does incline him to this indulgence toward his people, that his love and mercy is then most at work when they are most assaulted by Satan?
My beloved, Answ. There is the quintessence of all the excellency of loving relations in Jesus Christ. A Father, a Mother, a Brother, a Friend; He is the everlasting Father. And his ⟨p. 294⟩soul was in travel (says the Prophet) He is not ashamed to all you his brethren. And he is a Friend: I call you my friends. Now though parents be tender of their children at all times, yet especially when they are sick; then there's a chair of love stands by the child's bed-side. And so, though Christ be always tender of his people, yet then especially, when their souls are sick; and labour under temptation. There is the greatest pity in Christ that can be, the most pitiful disposition in Christ; which is always laid out where he sees a fit object for it: pray what is the object of pity? The object of pity is, One whom ye love in misery. If ye see a man in misery, yet if ye don't love him, ye don't pity him; if ye see a man whom ye love, yet if ye don't see him in misery, ye don't pity him, ye love him, but ye don't pity him: but a person whom ye love in misery, is the object of pity. Now all the Saints and people of God, are the beloved of Christ; and when they are in temptation, that is their greatest misery; and therefore, when they are most tempted, then is the love and mercy of Christ drawn out unto them especially.
My beloved, Answ. There is the quintescence of all the excellency of loving relations in Jesus Christ. A Father, a Mother, a Brother, a Friend; He is the everlasting Father. And his ⟨p. 294⟩soul was in travel (saies the Prophet) He is not ashamed to all you his brethren. And he is a Friend: I call you my friends. Now though parents be tender of their children at all times, yet especially when they are sick; then there's a chair of love stands by the childs bed-side. And so, though Christ be alwaies tender of his people, yet then especially, when their souls are sick; and labour under temptation. There is the greatest pity in Christ that can be, the most pitiful disposition in Christ; which is alwaies laid out where he sees a fit object for it: pray what is the object of pity? The object of pity is, One whom ye love in misery. If ye see a man in misery, yet if ye don't love him, ye don't pity him; if ye see a man whom ye love, yet if ye don't see him in misery, ye don't pity him, ye love him, but ye don't pity him: but a person whom ye love in misery, is the object of pity. Now all the Saints and people of God, are the beloved of Christ; and when they are in temptation, that is their greatest misery; and therefore, when they are most tempted, then is the love and mercy of Christ drawn out unto them especially.
Besides, The Lord Jesus Christ hath a great Interest, and share in every believer, a share going in every believer. As the member hath an interest and a share in the head; so the head hath also in every member. Thine they were (says Christ) and thou gavest them me. Christ hath a special and great interest in all his people, and he will not lose his interest. The truth is, when Satan does assault a believer, he does rather strike at Christ, than at a believer. And therefore says Gregory well, The Devil in tempting Job, did not so much strike at Job, as at God; for the Lord had said, That Job was an upright man: and now the Devil would go about to make Job an Hypocrite; so that the Devil would fain have made God a liar; and he did not so much strike at Job, as at Gods testimony of Job, he did strike at God. And so now in all the temptations of the Saints, he strikes at Christ, and they bear those temptations because of Christ. Let a man go on in a wicked, and ungodly way, ⟨p. 295⟩Satan won't vex him with temptations; but let a man once become godly, and be in Christ, and then, how many temptations will Satan vex him with? Now (says Christ) shall this poor soul endure all this for me? and shall not I help? shall not I assist? shall not I deliver? If a man break his Arm, or his Leg before the, you will pity him: but if he break his Arm, or his leg in your work, or service, in a work that you set him about, you count your self engaged then to help him. 'Tis the work of Christ that the Saints are about, and Christ sets them on work, and when Satan comes to tempt, 'tis to disturb them in the work that Christ sets them about: Now therefore, (says Christ) shall they endure all this because of me, and because of my work? and shall not I assist, and defend them, and help them? Surely I will. Oh! my beloved, if ye did but know what an Interest Jesus Christ hath in every believer, you would easily see the reason of this, so great tenderness in him, that his love and mercy is never more at work, than when they are most assaulted by Satan.
Besides, The Lord Jesus Christ hath a great Interest, and share in every beleever, a share going in every beleever. As the member hath an interest and a share in the head; so the head hath also in every member. Thine they were (saies Christ) and thou gavest them me. Christ hath a special and great interest in all his people, and he will not lose his interest. The truth is, when Satan does assault a beleever, he does rather strike at Christ, than at a beleever. And therefore saies Gregory well, The Devil in tempting Job, did not so much strike at Job, as at God; for the Lord had said, That Job was an upright man: and now the Devil would go about to make Job an Hypocrite; so that the Devill would fain have made God a lyar; and he did not so much strike at Job, as at Gods testimony of Job, he did strike at God. And so now in all the temptations of the Saints, he strikes at Christ, and they bear those temptations because of Christ. Let a man go on in a wicked, and ungodly way, ⟨p. 295⟩Satan won't vex him with temptations; but let a man once become godly, and be in Christ, and then, how many temptations will Satan vex him with? Now (saies Christ) shall this poor soul endure all this for me? and shall not I help? shall not I assist? shall not I deliver? If a man break his Arme, or his Leg before ye, you will pity him: but if he break his Arme, or his leg in your work, or service, in a work that you set him about, you count your self ingaged then to help him. 'Tis the work of Christ that the Saints are about, and Christ sets them on work, and when Satan comes to tempt, 'tis to disturbe them in the work that Christ sets them about: Now therefore, (saies Christ) shall they endure all this because of me, and because of my work? and shall not I assist, and defend them, and help them? Surely I will. Oh! my beloved, if ye did but know what an Interest Jesus Christ hath in every beleever, you would easily see the reason of this, so great tenderness in him, that his love and mercy is never more at work, than when they are most assaulted by Satan.
For Application.1
- 1Applic.
What abundance of Comfort is here unto all those that are the true Disciples of Jesus Christ! you are not alone in your temptations, Christ is with you; and he is in Heaven too, interceding, and praying for you: he hath sent his Spirit into your hearts, to make intercession for you there; and he himself is in Heaven, making intercession and praying for you there: when you are in temptation, Christ is at prayer for you. Yea, he does not only pray for you, but his love and his mercy is most of all at work then, when you are most assaulted. Oh! what Comfort is this!
What abundance of Comfort is here unto all those that are the true Disciples of Jesus Christ! you are not alone in your temptations, Christ is with you; and he is in Heaven too, interceding, and praying for you: he hath sent his Spirit into your hearts, to make intercession for you there; and he himself is in Heaven, making intercession and praying for you there: when you are in temptation, Christ is at prayer for you. Yea, he does not only pray for you, but his love and his mercy is most of al at work then, when you are most assaulted. Oh! what Comfort is this!