A77355:556
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.
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.