A77357:191
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.
therefore God hath appointed the means that are in themselves short.
Fourthly. §4This Doctrine is further argued, From the work, and nature of Faith. There is no Grace that the Scripture puts more upon, than Faith. (Mark I pray) In the old Testament, all the Victories are put on Faith: In the new Testament, all the Cures: if thou canst but Believe (says Christ) According to thy Faith be it unto thee. Yea, Beloved, if you look into the new Testament, you shall find, that the same works that are given to Christ, are given to Faith, Jesus Christ, He is said for to Sanctify the soul: So doth Faith, Faith purifies the heart (says the Apostle.) Jesus Christ, He is said for to justify a sinner: So does Faith too: Being justified by Faith: Romans, the 5th. Jesus Christ, He is said for to save ⟨p. 57⟩the soul, He is called our Saviour: So doth Faith too: By Faith ye are saved. What's the Reason now, that the Lord does especially set the Crown upon the head of Faith? Some think it is for this Reason; Because that Faith doth unite the soul unto Jesus Christ: But so does Love, Love is an affection of Union; and all Grace unites to Christ; as every sin separates, so every Grace unites. Others think 'tis for this Reason: Because that as Faith sets the Crown upon the head of Christ: So God sets the Crown upon the head of Faith: and this is true. For as the Lord does honour those persons most, that honour Him most: So He will honour those Graces most, that honour Him most. But besides this, I conceive, the great Reason is this; why the Lord does thus set all over upon Faith: (I say) because that Faith, in the nature of it, is a Receiving Grace. And therefore John having said in this 1. Chap. of Joh. and the 12. verse. To as many as received Him, He gave power to be called the Sons of God. Explains himself by this afterward in the same verse; Even to them that Believe on His Name. So that Believing is nothing else but Receiving the Grace of God: the nature of Faith, being to Receive the Truth, or the Receiving of Jesus Christ: the proper work, and nature of Faith being to Receive. Now therefore when the Lord does put all upon Faith, and Faith in it's nature is a Receiving; plainly it holds forth this Truth unto us, That all is in a way a Receiving: all Grace in a way of Receiving.