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

Now this is the condition of all the Saints, of every Believer, he hath all in a way of Receiving: Oh! the infinite care that the Lord hath of every Believer though he be never so mean.

Now this is the condition of all the Saints, of every Beleever, he hath all in a way of Receiving: Oh! the infinite care that the Lord hath of every Beleever though he be never so mean.

Secondly.¹ Is this Doctrine true, All in a way of Receiving? Then behold! what sweet, and comfortable, and pleasant lives the Saints live, Believers have. When you look upon a Godly man, and consider what great works he does, and what hard things he bears, what great Afflictions he goes through: You say, Good Lord! how is a man able to do, or bear all this? Paul and Silas ••nging in the stocks, when they were whipped and scourged, & the blood running down their shoulders; and yet singing: How? how are they able to do all, to bear all? To here, here is the reason: They have all in a way of Receiving. When you see the little Child run by the father in his hand, in a green meadow, you say, the Child hath a ••ne, and a sweet time: but when you see the Child coming at a high gate, or stile to get over, or dirty lane to pass over, now ye say, how will the Child do now? Why, surely the Child will do as well, and better now, if the father takes the child up in his arms, the dirty lane will be the pleasantest place to the child, when 'tis taken up into the fathers arms. Thus 'tis with the Saints great works they do, and hard things they go through: Oh! but they are taken up into Christs Arms, and they have all in a way of Receiving. When you look upon a man that does keep a great Table, hath many servants attending on him; his Purse always full of money; you will say, surely, this man leads a fine, and a sweet life if it do not cost him much for to receive it, or get this money: but if you hear that he hath all his Estate, only for telling his money, his great pains is all in receiving his money: Oh! here's a blessed man indeed, and here's a happy man you think presently! Thus 'tis; the great pains of a Christian is to Receive from Christ, and to spend for Christ. Oh! what a sweet life does the Saints live, that live by Faith in Jesus Christ?