A77355:623
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.
Again, Is it not matter of Praise, and Thanksgiving, That ye have such an Estate that these thieves can never rob you of? A Christian is a Traveller: the Thief meets him, and takes his money that he hath about him: But he hath an Inheritance of Land at home, the Thief cannot take away from him. And Satan by his Temptations possibly may rob you of these Comforts that are about you: But you have an Inheritance, and Estate (Christian) in heaven, that shall never be taken away, that you shall never be robbed of.
Again, Is it not matter of Praise, and Thanksgiving, That ye have such an Estate that these theeves can never rob you of? A Christian is a Traveller: the Thief meets him, and takes his money that he hath about him: But he hath an Inheritance of Land at home, the Theif cannot take away from him. And Satan by his Temptations possibly may rob you of these Comforts that are about you: But you have an Inheritance, and Estate (Christian) in heaven, that shall never be taken away, that you shall never be robbed of.
I'll conclude this, Is it not matter of Praise, and Thanksgiving, That by this mud you shall be more cleansed? Beloved! this is Christs way: he suffers men to be tempted, that they may be freed from more temptations, and he suffers this dirt to be cast upon them, that they may be the more cleansed. Simon, Simon (says our Saviour) Satan hath desired to winnow thee as wheat: How so? Satan goes up and down like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour. True, that is his intent in his Temptations; Satan's intent in the temptation, is not to winnow, that is Christs intent: Satan's intent in the temptation is to devour, but Jesus Christs intent in all those temptations are to winnow. And who more knowing? who more gracious? who more humble? who more thankful than those that have been most assaulted with a temptation? Pray observe what is said in the 2 of the Corinths, 12. Chapter 7. verse. Says Paul. Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger Satan, (so it may be read without, of.) The messenger Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure, again. See how that goes before and follows: it begins the verse, and ends the verse: Lest I should be exalted above measure, at the beginning of the verse: Lest I should be exalted above measure, at the latter end of the verse. As if now, that these temptations were special preservations against spiritual pride: 'tis set down twice, Least I should be exalted above measure; again, and