A77355:649
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
Part 3: THANKFULNESS Required in every CONDITION.Part 3: THANKFVLNES Required in every CONDITION.
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.
And if you do desire much, §4let your eye be as much upon what ye have: as upon what ye want. The Covetous rich man, having a desire to have more is not Thankful for what he hath: if you come to borrow money of him: (says he) I have need to borrow of you, I am a very beggar, I have nothing. His eye is so much upon what he would have, he forgets what he hath. So many times it falls out spiritually: let your eye therefore be as well upon what you have, as upon what you want.
And if you do desire much, §4let your eye be as much upon what ye have: as upon what ye want. The Covetous rich man, having a desire to have more is not Thankful for what he hath: if you come to borrow money of him: (saies he) I have need to borrow of you, I am a very beggar, I have nothing. His eye is so much upon what he would have, he forgets what he hath. So many times it fals out spiritually: let your eye therefore be as well upon what you have, as upon what you want.
Lastly, Be sure of this, §5that you maintain the sense of your own unworthiness. No man more Thankful than David; no man more sensible of his unworthiness than David: Continually thankful; Continually sensible of his unworthiness. There is a Two-fold unworthiness: Creature-unworthiness: and Sinful-unworthiness. Accordingly a Two-fold sense of unworthiness: One that arises from the apprehension of creature-unworthiness, of the emptiness that is in us as Creatures: And another that arises from sense of guilt of sin. See them both in the 8. Psalm: The Psalmist there praises the Lord: O Lord our God, (verse the 1.) how excellent is thy Name in all the Earth! when I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, what is man that thou art mindful of him? and the Son of man that thou visitest him. He praises the Lord, this Thankfulness was raised from the sense of unworthiness, it was Creature-unworthiness: Lord, what is man? O Lord our God, how excellent is thy Name in all the earth! Lord, what is man? Look into the 116. Psalm: and there ye find the Psalmist praising God upon the sense of unworthiness too: Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea,