A77357:85
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.
Secondly,1 If there be such a fullness in Christ; Then let us all trust unto Him, build upon him: And you that are the Servants, and People of God, trust, and trust perfectly: There is no grace would stand us in more stead in these evil times. Beloved! ye all see into what sad times we are now fallen: There is no grace (I say) will stand us in more stead, or more able to turn away the evil that is now upon us, then faith is. Luther hath a notable story to this purpose: There was (saith he) a deadly contest, between a great Bishop, and a Duke of Saxony: The Duke of Saxony prepares for War against him: but before he would come upon him, he sends a Spy to observe what the Bishop was a doing: The Spy went: and being returned again; Come (says the Duke) what is the Bishop a doing? Sir (says he) he is idle, and secure, you may fall upon him, and destroy him when you will: I (says he) but what says the Bishop? Sir, he says thus: I will feed my flock, I will visit the sick, I will preach the Gospel; and as for the War, I will Totius belli molem Deo committere, I will commit the whole weight and bulk of this War to God Himself who fighteth for me. ⟨p. 15⟩I (says the Duke) did the Bishop say so? Bellum ei inferat Diabolus, non ego, then (says he) Let the Devil take up Arms against him if he will, for I will not. Thus, thus faith, faith turns away the Sword, faith turns away War. And my beloved, there is no such way, either to beget, or increase faith, as the sight, and consideration of the fullness of Jesus Christ: Those that know Thy Name, 2(saith the Psalmist) they will trust unto Thee: How excellent is Thy Name, O Lord; therefore do the children of men put their trust in Thee. Beloved! ye have heard of Christs Name, His Name is full of sweetness: Oh! therefore, you servants, and People of God, that have gone fearing, and trembling up and down, drooping under many fears, without assurance of Gods love in Christ; if there be such a fullness in Christ, then trust unto Him: yea, trust, and trust perfectly to Him. If Satan come and tempt you, and says thus unto you; Thou art a poor unworthy creature; and dost thou think to have mercy? Answer, True Satan, I am so indeed, most unworthy. but there is a fullness in Jesus Christ, and I will trust in Him. Does Satan tempt thee, and say unto thee; Thou art a poor guilty creature, and dost thou think to find mercy?