A77355:561
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.
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.