A77357:608
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.
A Second Evidence, §2I take from Christs willingness for to save sinners. There is an infinite willingness in our dear Saviour for to save poor sinners. He came from Heaven for that end and purpose: If a man come a thousand miles upon a business; will ye not think he is willing to do it? Jesus Christ came from Heaven for this business, for to save sinners; Is He not then willing to do it? I may say that Jesus Christ is more willing to save sinners, than sinners are to be saved by him. The Prodigal goes home to his father; but when the father sees him after off, he runs: the Prodigal goes, and the father runs to meet him with mercy.
Yea, and our Saviour Christ seems to be most willing to save the greatest sinners: the greatest Saints have bin made up out of the greatest sinners. When the Lord Jesus Christ was upon the earth, did he not carry his grace, and mercy, and the doctrine of free remission to the greatest sinners? Peloved, consider of it I pray you, The greater the sinner is, the more is Christ honoured in getting out his Pardon, and in satisfying for such a sinner, and so he will love Christ the more. Look I pray into the 7 Chap. of Luke, Simon (says Christ) I'll propound thee a parable. Master, say on (says he) Then says, our Saviour (at the 41 vers) There was be certain Creditor, that had two Debtors; the one ought five hundred ⟨p. 225⟩pence, and the other fifty: And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, thou hast rightly judged. Those that he forgives most unto, will love most. Jesus Christ loves to be greatly honoured, and loved, and therefore he is willing to save the greatest sinners. But now, the greatest sinners are most opposite unto what is good, they don't seek after what is good: Surely therefore, if Jesus Christ would save sinners, and the greatest sinners; of necessity the Kingdom of Heaven, and of Grace, must approach unto us, before we draw near to it.