A77357:427
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.
Now my beloved, its a hard thing for a poor Soul to give an Affirmative with the bare Promise, when all else gives a Negative: but the reason is, because this truth that now I am upon, is not by you; were but this truth by you, it were easy to give an Affirmative with the bare Promise, when death sits upon all the means. As for example: Suppose our Army by in the field, engaged with the enemy; a Troupe routed, a Regiment routed, a Wing routed; Come, (says a carnal Soldier) fellow Soldiers, shift for your lives, for we are all undone and spoiled: Nay, not so, stay (says the believing Soldier) this is Gods way; when God intends any great Mercy to his people, he does first of all put the sentence of death upon it, and upon all the means that do lead unto it: and therefore, come, fall on, fall on, brave hearts, fall on; for this is Gods way: ans so it proves many times.
Now my beloved, its a hard thing for a poor Soule to give an Affirmative with the bare Promise, when all else gives a Negative: but the reason is, because this truth that now I am upon, is not by you; were but this truth by you, it were easy to give an Affirmative with the bare Promise, when death sits upon all the meanes. As for example: Suppose our Army by in the field, engaged with the enemy; a Troupe routed, a Regiment routed, a Wing routed; Come, (sayes a carnall Souldier) fellow Souldiers, shift for your lives, for we are all undone and spoil'd: Nay, not so, stay (sayes the beleeving Souldier) this is Gods way; when God intends any great Mercy to his people, he does first of all put the sentence of death upon it, and upon all the meanes that do lead unto it: and therefore, come, fall on, fall on, brave hearts, fall on; for this is Gods way: ans so it proves many times.
Or suppose a man be in some personal strait or affliction: the Devil, the Tempter he comes; ye see in what strait ye are; there's no means at all for your deliverance, you had as good take such and such an indirect course; why should you wait any longer? Nay, says the Soul, but I have ⟨p. 166⟩