A77355:93
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 again, Answ. 2 (in the Second place) that we may see how this do conduce to our Holiness: Strengthen faith, and we strengthen all: if faith be weakened, all grace is weakened: Strengthen your faith, and you strengthen all your Holiness, and all your Graces. The way to strengthen a bough, or a branch of the tree, is not to carry dung up into the tree, but to lay it to the root: Strengthen the root, ⟨p. 20⟩and ye strengthen all the branches. Faith is the Root-grace: now the knowledge, and the thorough digesting of this truth, That the Lord Jesus Christ is our great High-Priest, in this point of satisfaction, it does wonderful strengthen our faith. For, the more I know that God is willing, and and Christ willing to show mercy unto me, the more my faith is strengthened: I know this, That every man is willing to do the work of his office, if he be faithful: A Porter is willing to carry a burden; why? because it is his office to do it. It is the office of Jesus Christ, for to bear our sins: It is his Office to be the great High-Priest, that does satisfy God the Father for our sins: Surely therefore, he is willing to do it, for he is faithful in his office. But besides, Answ. 3 The more I see an holy Necessity upon Christ Jesus, for to show mercy to me, the more my faith rises. (It's very remarkable) The Lord Jesus Christ, as God, he may refuse, and might refuse, whether he would show mercy to us or no: But now, as a High-Priest, he cannot refuse a poor sinner that does come unto him. If I know that Christ is able to satisfy, is able to show mercy to me, my faith stirs a little, at the sight of Christs ability; If I know that Christ be willing to show mercy to me, my faith rises higher: but if I know, that Christ cannot refuse me, if I do come unto him, then my faith rises up to a great height indeed. When a poor sinner amongst the Jews, had sinned, and brought his sacrifice to the High-Priest, the Priest might not refuse it: Our Lord Jesus Christ is our great High-Priest; I say, as God he may refuse, but now, he being our great High-Priest, therefore when a poor sinner comes to Jesus Christ, as a High-Priest he cannot refuse: Oh! what a great strengthening is this to faith! Strengthen faith, and you strengthen all: the right understanding of this truth, doth wonderfully strengthen faith.
But again, Answ. 2 (in the Second place) that we may see how this do conduce to our Holiness: Strengthen faith, and we strengthen all: if faith be weakened, all grace is weakened: Strengthen your faith, and you strengthen all your Holiness, and all your Graces. The way to strengthen a bough, or a branch of the tree, is not to carry dung up into the tree, but to lay it to the root: Strengthen the root,