The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College in CambridgeThe vvorks of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge

The difficulty that lies upon the Proposition is this: Who are meant here by this All We. Some there are that conceive, that by those words we are to understand all the Creatures in Heaven, and Earth; because 'tis said before, in the beginning of the Chapter; That He is the light, that lighteth every one that cometh into the world. But though the thing be true, that there is no Creature, either in Heaven, or Earth, but more or less is beholding to Jesus Christ: for if Christ had not stepped in upon the fall, Gods displeasure was so great against man, that he would presently have broke up house: and the sin of the fall was so heavy, that it would have broken the very Axle-tree of the World, if Jesus Christ had not put to His shoulder; according to that of the Apostle:¹ He bears up all with the Word of His Power: yet notwithstanding, all the Creatures in Heaven or Earth, cannot be meant here, by this, All We: for all the creatures in Heaven and Earth, do not receive Grace: they may be said to receive of the Fullness of Christ; but not Grace for Grace. But (at the 12. verse, 'tis said) as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe in his Name. Now in Scripture phrase, those are said to receive Christ Himself, that do receive His Grace: and those that receive His Grace, receive Christ Himself. Understand therefore, by this, All We, those that receive Him; as ye have it in the 12. verse, which is explained to be, Them that believe in His Name.

The difficulty that lies upon the Proposition is this: Who are meant here by this All Wee. Some there are that conceive, that by those words we are to understand all the Creatures in Heaven, and Earth; because 'tis said before, in the beginning of the Chapter; That He is the light, that lighteth every one that cometh into the world. But though the thing be true, that there is no Creature, either in Heaven, or Earth, but more or lesse is beholding to Jesus Christ: for if Christ had not stept in upon the fall, Gods displeasure was so great against man, that he would presently have broke up house: and the sin of the fall was so heavie, that it would have broken the very Axel-tree of the World, if Jesus Christ had not put to His shoulder; according to that of the Apostle:¹ He bears up all with the Word of His Power: yet notwithstanding, all the Creatures in Heaven or Earth, cannot be meant here, by this, All Wee: for all the creatures in Heaven and Earth, do not receive Grace: they may be said to receive of the Fulnesse of Christ; but not Grace for Grace. But (at the 12. verse, 'tis said) as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of God, euen to them that beleeve in his Name. Now in Scripture phrase, those are said to receive Christ Himself, that do receive His Grace: and those that receive His Grace, receive Christ Himself. Understand therefore, by this, All Wee, those that receive Him; as ye have it in the 12. verse, which is explained to be, Them that beleeve in His Name.