A77357:410
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.
That a mans comforts therefore may not slide, but may be more sure, and steadfast; God takes this course with his people, putting a sentence of death upon the mercy, and upon all the means that do lead unto it, before he gives it out unto the soul.
That a mans comforts therefore may not slide, but may be more sure, and stedfast; God takes this course with his people, putting a sentence of death upon the mercy, and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it, before he gives it out unto the soule.
I but you will say, Object. This shakes the very foundation of all my comfort: for it this be true. That when God intends any special mercy to the children of Abraham, he does first put the sentence of death upon it, and upon all the means that do lead unto it: then surely, I am none of the children of Abraham, I never had any special mercy yet given unto me; I do not find that it hath been so with me.
I but you will say, Object. This shakes the very foundation of all my comfort: for it this be true. That when God intends any speciall mercy to the children of Abraham, he does first put the sentence of death upon it, and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it: then surely, I am none of the children of Abraham, I never had any skpeciall mercy yet given unto me; I do not find that it hath been so with me.
No, what then? Because your experience don't speak it, Answ. is it not therefore true? Some would have the Sun set by their watch, and not their watch set by the Sun: some measure the truth of all the doctrines that they hear by their own experience, and if their own experience speak them true, then they are true; otherwise not, But I say, what then? It may be thou art a man, or woman, that the Lord never gave out a promise to thee, not a promise to thy soul: some there are in prayer, that by the strength of their memory can reach in a promise; and when Art, and memory reaches in a promise into prayer, the sentence of death, does not then pass indeed: but when the Lord gives out a promise to the soul, then the sentence of death passes upon the business, upon the mercy, and upon the means that do lead unto it. I appeal unto all the Saints here: Whether ever had ye any great mercy in all your life; but first of all, there was a sentence of death past upon it, and upon all the means that did lead unto it? And therefore, thought thou sayest, this shakes the foundation of thy comfort, truly, better a rotten foundation should be shaken, then stand.