The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College in CambridgeThe vvorks of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge

But for a man to rely upon God for necessities in extraordinary cases, when ordinary cannot be had; this is no presumption, but Faith. Mark, I say, to put God upon extraordinary, when ordinary may be had; this is presumption: But to rely upon God for necessities in an extraordinary case, when it cannot be had in an ordinary; this is no presumption at all. Beloved, 'tis presumption in the highest degree for you and me, (poor creatures) to tie up the hands of God, to labour to do it is dangerous.

But for a man to relie upon God for necessities in extraordinary cases, when ordinary cannot be had; this is no presumption, but Faith. Mark, I say, to put God upon extraordinary, when ordinary may be had; this is presumption: But to rely upon God for necessities in an extraordinary case, when it cannot be had in an ordinary; this is no presumption at all. Beloved, 'tis presumption in the highest degree for you and mee, (poore creatures) to tye up the hands of God, to labour to do it is dangerous.

As for example: one poor Subject to go to his Prince, and tie up his hands and feet, or to go to his Palace, and nail up all his doors, and leave him but one little wicket to come out at; this is presumption. And so, for a man to tie God to means, to tie God to a time, to tie God to this or that means, to tie God to means in general: this is presumption. (Mark) Some there are that tie God to a Time: Oh! if mercy does not come by such a day, or such a time, I am undone for ever. Others they won't tie God to a Time, but they will tie God to this or that particular means: Oh! if mercy come not that way, or by that means, I am gone, I am lost for ever. Others, they won't tie God to time, nor to particular means; but they will tie God to means in general, they won't believe God a whit beyond means, and so tie God to means in general: Ah, what is this but rank presumption? for a poor creature, to tie up the hands of his Creator! the fin that you seek, and think to avoid, you fall into: This is presumption.

As for example: one poore Subject to go to his Prince, and tye up his hands and feet, or to go to his Pallace, and nayle up all his doores, and leave him but one little wicket to come out at; this is presumption. And so, for a man to tye God to meanes, to tye God to a time, to tye God to this or that meanes, to tye God to meanes in generall: this is presumption. (Marke) Some there are that tye God to a Time: Oh! if mercy does not come by such a day, or such a time, I am undone for ever. Others they won't tye God to a Time, but they will tye God to this or that particular meanes: Oh! if mercy come not that way, or by that meanes, I am gone, I am lost for ever. Others, they won't tye God to time, nor to particular meanes; but they will tye God to meanes in generall, they won't beleeve God a whit beyond meanes, and so tye God to meanes in generall: Ah, what is this but ranke presumption? for a poore creature, to tye up the hands of his Creator! the fin that you seeke, and thinke to avoid, you fall into: This is presumption.