A77355:610
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.
But suppose now, Quest. that it be Persecution that a man is to be exercised with? and that is bitter: is a Christian to be Thankful then, even in that condition?
Yes, ye know what the Apostle says; To you it is given, Answ. 1not only to believe, but to suffer. Gods gift is worth our thanks. And says the Apostle, All shall turn to the furtherance of the Gospel. Is it not a great matter, and worth our praise, thankfulness; that we should be trusted by God to bear witness to his Truth? For this came I into the world (says Christ) that I might bear witness to the Truth: It was his design; thereby ye are like to him, and so honour him. When were the Churches, and people of God more pure than under Persecution? and is it not a great mercy to be kept pure? The more you suffer for any Truth, the more that Truth shall be spread by you: you die, but the Truth lives: your Estate dies, and your Name dies, and your Liberty dies; but your dying Estate, gives a living testimony unto the Truth. When I am lift up says Christ, 2(meaning upon the Cross) I will draw all men after me: And so shall you do, when you are lift up upon the Cross for any Truth, ye shall draw all men after that Truth that ye are ⟨p. 310⟩lift up for. When have ye more communion with Jesus Christ, than when ye suffer most for his Truth? Is it not a great mercy for a man to be glorified on this side heaven? pray look upon that expression which ye have in the 13. of John, the 30. and the 31. verses, 'Tis said concerning Christ himself, that when Judas went out, having received the sop Jesus saith, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. Verse the 30. Judas, having received the sop, went immediately out, and it was night: therefore when he was gone out, Jesus saith, Now is the son of man glorified. Judas went out to betray him, to bring him to the Cross, a false brother was gone out: Now is the son of man glorified (says he) Not only, because the cross was the way to glory; but the truth is, he was glorified upon the Cross, there was a glory there. You may observe it, He did many miracles: and when he had done those miracles, he did not say then, Now is the son of man glorified. He was Transfigured: and he did not say upon his Transfiguration, Now is the son of man glorified: But now he comes to suffer, now he comes to the Cross; now (says he) is the son of man glorified. And indeed, now is his love to poor sinners glorified.