A77355:574
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.
For Answer, Answ. 1 First, There is a great deal of difference between the failing of your Faith, and the failing of your Heart. Possibly, your Heart may fail in time of temptation, and yet not your Faith. Look I pray into the 73. Psalm, the 26. verse, and you shall find as much. Says the Psalmist there, My flesh and my heart faileth. I but did not his Faith fail now? See what he says; his faith stands notwithstanding this; But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever: here's his faith. So that though his flesh failed, and his heart failed; yet his faith did not fail. There is a great deal of difference between a recoiling fit of a heart-failing in time of temptation, and the failing of ones faith.
For Answer, Answ. 1 First, There is a great deal of difference between the failing of your Faith, and the failing of your Heart. Possibly, your Heart may fail in time of temptation, and yet not your Faith. Look I pray into the 73. Psalm, the 26. verse, and you shall find as much. Saies the Psalmist there, My flesh and my heart faileth. I but did not his Faith fail now? See what he saies; his faith stands notwithstanding this; But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever: here's his faith. So that though his flesh failed, and his heart failed; yet his faith did not fail. There is a great deal of difference between a recoyling fit of a heart-failing in time of temptation, and the failing of ones faith.
Secondly, §2It is one thing for you to fail in your faith in our own opinion; and another thing for your faith to fail in the opinion of Jesus Christ. When Peter denied his Lord and Master, in his own opinion he could not but think that his faith failed; and yet in the opinion of Jesus Christ his faith did not fail; for Christ prayed that his faith should not fail, and it did not fail, for Christ was heard in what he prayed for.