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

Again, As Repentance is a fruit of faith: So also it does flow from love. Amor doloris causa; Love is the cause of grief. The more a man loves another, or apprehends that he is loved of him; the more he grieves, if he hath any way injured him. If you at un-awares do strike another, and one tell you that he is your enemy; ye grieve not, ye are not troubled; unless it be in regard of some mischief that may come to your self: But if one tell you, that he is a friend, a special friend; that grieves you. So now if by my sins I have stricken at God: if I look upon God as an enemy, I am not grieved much, I am not troubled much: ⟨p. 247⟩But when I consider him as my father, the best friend I have in the world; and consider how by my sins I have stricken at him; this makes me grieve: Oh! that ever I should wound the name of him whom my soul loves! She loved much (says our Saviour concerning the weeping woman) she loved much, for much was forgiven her: He does not say, she wept much, for much was forgiven her: there was no mention before of her love, but only of her weeping; and yet says our Saviour, she loved much: because he would show what it was that drew up the sluice of these tears: it was her love. And what causeth love? Love causeth love. The more a man sees, and apprehends the love of Christ towards him, the more his heart is drawn out in love towards Christ again. And what greater act of love than this? That the Kingdom of Heaven approaches, that the Kingdom of Heaven should come, and make it's approach to such a poor sinner as I am: Surely therefore, the approaching, or drawing near of the Kingdom of Heaven, is the highest, and greatest motive in the world unto true Repentance.

Again, As Repentance is a fruit of faith: So also it does flow from love. Amor doloris causa; Love is the cause of grief. The more a man loves another, or apprehends that he is loved of him; the more he grieves, if he hath any way injured him. If you at un-awares do strike another, and one tell you that he is your enemy; ye grieve not, ye are not troubled; unless it be in regard of some mischief that may come to your self: But if one tell you, that he is a friend, a specialfriend; that grieves you. So now if by my sins I have striken at God: if I look upon God as an enemy, I am not grieved much, I am not troubled much: ⟨p. 247⟩But when I consider him as my father, the best friend I have in the world; and consider how by my sins I have stricken at him; this makes me grieve: Oh! that ever I should wound the name of him whom my soul loves! She loved much (saies our Saviour concerning the weeping woman) she loved much, for much was forgiven her: He does not say, she wept much, for much was forgiven her: there was no mention before of her love, but only of her weeping; and yet saies our Saviour, she loved much: because he would shew what it was that drew up the sluce of these tears: it was her love. And what causeth love? Love causeth love. The more a man sees, and apprehends the love of Christ towards him, the more his heart is drawn out in love towards Christ again. And what greater act of love than this? That the Kingdom of Heaven approaches, that the Kingdom of Heaven should come, and make it's approach to such a poor sinner as I am: Surely therefore, the approaching, or drawing neer of the Kingdom of Heaven, is the highest, and greatest motive in the world unto true Repentance.