A77357:471
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.
Take this for the reason: Reas. Such a Faith is to be exercised unto God, as is suitable unto that God in whom we do believe. If the God in whom we do believe were a God that did help only by means, then we were to trust so unto him: but being he is such a God as works beyond means, we are to exercise a faith towards him, suitable to this God in whom we do believe. So in regard of our Love; We must love God with a love worthy of God. Now if a man should only love God, for benefits and blessings that he receives from him: and not for the holiness, and excellency that is in God himself; this love were not worthy of God. So in regard of our faith: if we should only believe God in regard of the reason, and experiences, and means; this faith were no way worthy of God. I will believe a man, I will believe the worst of men, the vilest man, so far as I can see him, and shall I believe God no further? We must believe with a faith worthy of God; faith is not worthy of God, unless we believe beyond means; this is the faith that is worthy of God; this is the faith required, and commended. Take but one Scripture for it more. In the seventeenth of Luke, there were ten Lepers came unto Christ, desiring cure, saying, Jesus, Master have mercy on us (at the thirteenth verse) When he saw them, he said to them go show your selves unto the Priests. And it came to pass as they went they were cleansed. It seems they were not cleansed then as he spake, they were not cleansed when Christ says, Go and show your selves to the Priests: ⟨p. 180⟩for it is said, as they went they were cleansed. Why then should they show themselves to the Priests? They were to show themselves to the Priests, to bring an offering for their cleansing: yet, says our Saviour, go show your selves to the Priests: They were to believe that they should be cleansed, although they saw themselves full of Leprosy.
Take this for the reason: Reas. Such a Faith is to be exercised unto God, as is sutable unto that God in whom we do beleeve. If the God in whom we do beleeve were a God that did helpe onely by meanes, then we were to trust so unto him: but being he is such a God as workes beyond meanes, we are to exercise a faith towards him, sutable to this God in whom we do beleeve. So in regard of our Love; We must love God with a love worthy of God. Now if a man should onely love God, for benefits and blessings that he receives from him: and not for the holinesse, and excellency that is in God himselfe; this love were not worthy of God. So in regard of our faith: if we should onely beleeve God in regard of the reason, and experiences, and means; this faith were no way worthy of God. I will beleeve a man, I will beleeve the worst of men, the vilest man, so farre as I can see him, and shall I beleeve God no further? We must beleeve with a faith worthy of God; faith is not worthy of God, unlesse we beleeve beyond meanes; this is the faith that is worthy of God; this is the faith required, and commended. Take but one Scripture for it more. In the seventeenth of Luke, there were ten Lepers came unto Christ, desiring cure, saying, Jesus, Master have mercy on us (at the thirteenth verse) When he saw them, he said to them go shew your selves unto the Priests. And it came to passe as they went they were cleansed. It seems they were not cleansed then as he spake, they were not cleansed when Christ sayes, Go and shew your selves to the Priests: