A77357:306
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.
For although in the beginning God made a Covenant of works with man, and then gave that Grace, that he had a power to bring forth it's like: Yet now the Lord, hath brought us under a better Covenant, a better Covenant than the former was. In the First Covenant that God made with us, and with Adam; the Lord gave man a great stock of Grace, but gave him no promise of perseverance; but now he hath. In the First (indeed) God gave man a great stock of Grace; but Satan being a stronger than man, came upon him, and beguiled him of it. Now though the Lord does give a Christian less grace in his hand for the present; yet He hath laid it up in so safe a hand, that though Satan, a stronger than he, does come down upon him, he is ⟨p. 102⟩not able to wrest it from him, or beguile him of it, because 'tis in the hand of Christ, that is a stronger than he: And Jesus Christ, by a Compact with the Father from all Eternity, hath engaged Himself to do it, to give forth Grace, and Assistance to all the Elect, according to all their needs. So that (I say) now, all Grace is from Jesus Christ in regard of fresh assistance. Therefore the Psalmist prays thus: Lord open thou my lips, 1and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. Lord, though thou hast given me habitual Grace, yet if I have not fresh assistance from thee, for to open my lips, my mouth will not show forth thy praise.2 And so again, Lord open mine eyes, that I may see the wonders of thy Law. And to this purpose 'tis in the 17. Psalm, and the 5. verse, (says David) Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my foot-steps slip not. (Mark I pray) David ye know was a godly man, he had a habit of grace: Now Lord (says David) as for the business that is between Saul and me, thou knowest I am in thy way: yet Lord (says he) though I be in thy way, and have a habit of Grace, yet if thou dost not hold up my steps; if thou dost not give me fresh assistance, I shall fall, I shall slip: Hold up my going in thy paths, that my foot-steps slip not. Does not the Apostle say,3 The Will, and the Deed is from God? You may observe, that the Graces of Gods People, they are called in the new Testament,4