A77357:631
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.
And now my beloved, if all our love be upon forgiveness, and forgiveness goes first; Oh! what free-grace is here? We Repent, and we Weep because we love; and we ⟨p. 231⟩love because we are forgiven: but forgiveness goes first: Oh! what grace! and love is here! Paul was so taken with this, that to me he seems to be more taken with it, than with the vision that he had in the third Heaven, says he, I knew a man (whether in the body, 1or out of the body) a man (says he) wrapped up into the third Heaven, and heard unspeakable words, which is not lawful to be uttered. And this Paul speaks of but once. But says Paul, I was a blasphemer, 2I was a persecutor; but I obtained mercy: This story he tells three times: he tells the other story but one time; but this story, this story of free grace; how he was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and how he obtained mercy; this was never out of his mind. As if he were more refreshed with the thought of this, than with the other. And I pray what then? Do but observe Paul, who gracious he is: how humble he is: how thankful he is: how ready to serve Christ: how ready to serve the Churches for Christ: how ready to suffer for Christ upon all occasions: Oh! how gracious did this make him. Thus 'tis with a poor soul, that hath tasted of the free-grace of God in Christ; the heart is more taken herewithal, than with the thoughts of Heaven: Ah, says a poor soul, I was going on in such a sinful way; or I lay sleeping and snorting in my sins; and I know not how, before ever I was aware, the Kingdom of Heaven did approach unto me, and the Lord in his free-grace showed mercy to my family, and to my poor soul: Oh! therefore, any thing for Jesus Christ; Oh! I will spend, and be spent, Oh! any thing for Jesus Christ. The sight of Gods grace, does make one gracious; and therefore Christ does take this way, Causing the Kingdom of Heaven, grace, and free remission, to approach first unto us, before we do draw near to it.
And now my beloved, if all our love be upon forgiveness, and forgiveness goes first; Oh! what free-grace is here? We Repent, and we Weep because we love; and we ⟨p. 231⟩