A77357:358
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.
Secondly. If this Doctrine be true: What a happy,1 and blessed thing is it for a man to be in Christ! Behold! the Dignity of the Saints! Beloved! here's glory on this side glory; 'tis the glory, and the honour of a man to be like to God: 'tis the glory, and honour of a Disciple to be like his Master: 'tis the glory, and honour of a Child to be like his father: 'tis the glory, and honour of a Christian to be like unto Jesus Christ: Every Christian, hath the Image ⟨p. 124⟩of Christ drawn upon him. Had our Lord Jesus, the Great, & Mighty Potentate, only come by a poor soul, and cast His Skirt over him, and said unto the soul, wear thou my Livery: it had bin a great honour to belong to Christ, to wear His Livery: But behold! here's more than so, the Saints do not only wear His Livery, but they have His Grace: and their Grace is of the same nature with the very Grace of Christ; as our Grace should a bin of the same nature with Adams, if Adam had stood. Yea, not only their Grace is of the same nature; but look what Grace Christ had, they have Answerable to it. Had this great and royal Lodestone, that draws all mens hearts after him; only touched our hearts that we might have followed him; what a Mercy had it bin! But behold! here is more than so: the Saints they have Grace for Grace; whatsoever Grace, or holiness there is in Christ, somewhat in a Christian Answerable thereunto. Oh! Dignity! Oh! Dignity! how can a Christian but be welcome to God the Father, that does not come only in the Name of Christ to Him; but brings the Image of Christ too with him, Grace for Grace. Oh! who would not be Encouraged to get into Jesus Christ? Oh! you that are in Christ, do you know what privileges you walk under every day? You, sometimes, are ready to envy at the men of the world: but I pray, Would you now change your condition with them? Such a one, he hath passion for passion; and pride for pride; and sin for sin with the world: and you have, Grace for Grace with Jesus Christ. Here's Dignity! here's Privilege indeed!
Secondly. If this Doctrine be true: What a happy,1 and blessed thing is it for a man to be in Christ! Behold! the Dignity of the Saints! Beloved! here's glory on this side glory; 'tis the glory, and the honor of a man to be like to God: 'tis the glory, and honor of a Disciple to be like his Master: 'tis the glory, and honor of a Child to be like his father: 'tis the glory, and honor of a Christian to be like unto Jesus Christ: Every Christian, hath the Image