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

Again thirdly, §3True saving, justifying, faith, it shows a man greater excellencies in Christ, then all difficulties, and nature all Discouragements can amount unto on the other side. You know how 'tis with a dog, the Grey-hound, if he sees the game a great way off, he gives it over: but when he comes near, he will rush through the very bushes for to take the Hare, throw himself upon his back that he may take it, a natural hope makes him do it: Faith, it raises a mighty hope in the soul, presents the soul with many Excellencies, and raises a mighty hope in the soul for the obtainment of them: it does spread more Excellencies before the soul, then can be lost by the hand of Difficulties: for example: If a man hath been a Prodigal, and now is returning to Christ: the world says, friends say, if you take this course, you will lose all; you will lose all your acquaintance, lose your liberty, lose your estate, may be lose your life: Be it so (says faith) though thou losest thy friends, thou shalt gain better: and though thou losest thy liberty, thou shalt gain better: and though thou losest thy life it self, thou shalt gain a better; 'tis but a while neither (says faith) that thou shalt lose these things, and thou shalt have them better, in a better Edition. When a mans eyes are open to behold the Excellencies of Christ, then they are shut to outward Discouragements. When a man hath beheld the Sun in its glory, his eyes dazzle to the things that are below: Now Faith opens a mans eyes to see the Excellencies of Jesus Christ, and so the soul is carried through Difficulties and Discouragements, though they be never so many.

Againe thirdly, §3True saving, justifying, faith, it shewes a man greater excellencies in Christ, then all difficulties, and natur all Discour agements can amount unto on the other side. You know how 'tis with a dog, the Grey-hound, if hee sees the game a great way off, he gives it over: but when he comes neare, he will rush through the very bushes for to take the Hare, throw himselfe upon his back that he may take it, a naturall hope makes him do it: Faith, it raises a mighty hope in the soule, presents the soule with many Excellencies, and raises a mighty hope in the soule for the obtainment of them: it does spread more Excellencies before the soule, then can be lost by the hand of Difficulties: for example: If a man hath beene a Prodigall, and now is returning to Christ: the world sayes, friends say, if you take this course, you will lose all; you will lose all your acquaintance, lose your liberty, lose your estate, may be lose your life: Be it so (saies faith) though thou losest thy friends, thou shalt gaine better: and though thou losest thy liberty, thou shalt gaine better: and though thou losest thy life it selfe, thou shalt gaine a better; 'tis but a while neither (sayes faith) that thou shalt lose these things, and thou shalt have them better, in a better Edition. When a mans eyes are open to behold the Excellencies of Christ, then they are shut to outward Discouragements. When a man hath beheld the Sunne in its glory, his eyes dazle to the things that are below: Now Faith opens a mans eyes to see the Excellencies of Jesus Christ, and so the soule is carried through Difficulties and Discouragements, though they be never so many.