A77357:176
The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College in CambridgeThe vvorks of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge
The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College in Cambridge: now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The second volume. [sic] Viz. 1. Grace for grace; or, The overflowing of Christs fullness received by all saints. II. The spiritual actings of faith through natural impossibilities. III. Evangelical repentance.The vvorks of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge: now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The second volumn. [sic] Viz. 1. Grace for grace; or, The overflowing of Christs fulness received by all saints. II. The spiritual actings of faith through natural impossibilities. III. Evangelical repentance.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1649
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
In general, all is by way of Receiving.1 As ye have Received the Lord Christ (says the Apostle) see that ye walk in Him. And in another place:2 What hast thou, that thou hast not Received? What hast thou, that thou hast not Received; All in a way of Receiving. He shall come down (says the Psalmist in the 72. Psalm speaking concerning our Lord and Saviour Christ, and His Grace at the 6. verse) He shall come down like rain upon the mowen grass. Or as some write it (for so the Original will bear it) He shall come down like rain upon the Fleece: having relation to Gideons Fleece. He shall come down like rain upon the mowen grass: as showers that water the earth. A Psalm for Solomon: (says the Title.) But there are many things in this Psalm, that cannot properly, be understood of Solomon; but in a type, properly belonging to Jesus Christ. For as Strigelius does well observe: (at the 7. verse, the verse next following this text) it is said: In his days shall the righteous flourish: and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. Solomon did not live so long as the moon endures. This therefore, is to be understood of Christ. And at the 5. verse, it is said: They shall fear thee as long as the Sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. They did not fear Solomon; men did not fear Solomon as long as the Sun and moon endures, through all generations. This therefore, must be understood of Christ. Now, see therefore, what is said of Christ, and concerning His ⟨p. 48⟩Grace: (says the Text, in the 6. verse:) He shall come down like rain upon the mowen grass. Like rain: rain (you know) is that that does make the earth fruitful. Non ager sed annus facit fructum: 'Tis not the sowing, but 'tis the Year that causes fruit: 'tis the rain that causeth fruit: And so, 'tis the Grace of Jesus Christ that does make us fruitful; His Grace the cause of our Grace. I will be as a dew (says the Lord, in the 14. of Hosea) unto Israel: and then follows fruitfulness.
In general, all is by way of Receiving.1 As ye have Received the Lord Christ (saies the Apostle) see that ye walk in Him. And in another place:2