A77355:569
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.
First, §1A true Disciple does deny himself. So long as a man is in the state of Nature, he is always in the Circle of self, and Satan keeps him in it: but when Christ comes, he gets out of that Circle, and then he denies himself. Self says, (whether Natural-self, Civil-self, or Sinful-self) Thou art now minding Christ, and the ways of Christ: but mind thy Estate more, and thy Name more, and thy Friends and Relations more, and thy Health more, and thy Pleasures and Recreations more. Nay, (says a true Disciple) but I must mind Christ more, I must mind mine own Soul more, I must mind mine Eternity more; so he denies himself; his sinful-self, and Civil-self, and Religious-self too: his self-reason, and his self-will, and his self-affection.
First, §1A true Disciple does deny himself. So long as a man is in the state of Nature, he is alwaies in the Circle of self, and Satan keeps him in it: but when Christ comes, he gets out of that Circle, and then he denies himself. Self saies, (whether Natural-self, Civil-self, or Sinful-self) Thou art now minding Christ, and the waies of Christ: but mind thy Estate more, and thy Name more, and thy Firends and Relations more, and thy Health more, and thy Pleasures and Recreations more. Nay, (saies a true Disciple) but I must mind Christ more, I must mind mine own Soul more, I must mind mine Eternity more; so he denies himself; his sinful-self, and Civil-self, and Religious-self too: his self-reason, and his self-will, and his self-affection.
Secondly, §2He does take up his Cross: A true Disciple takes up his cross. 'Tis not said, He does bear his cross with patience; there is a great deal of difference between these; Bearing of a mans cross with patience when it is laid upon him, and taking up his cross when it is laid before him. Properly a man is said to take up his cross, when there is Sin laid on one side; and there is a Cross, and an Affliction laid on the other side: Now, either you must commit this Sin; or else you must endure this Cross, or Affliction: Nay then, (says a true Disciple) rather than I will commit that sin, I will endure this affliction; and so he takes up his cross.