A77358:118
The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, now preacher…The vvorks of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, now preacher…
The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The third volume. [sic] Viz. 1. The spiritual life, and in-being of Christ in all believers. 2. The woman of Canaan.The vvorks of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The third volumn. [sic] Viz. 1. The spiritual life, and in-being of Christ in all believers. 2. The woman of Canaan.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1649
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 so when a man goes up into this hill of justification, this high mountain, he takes only his faith with him, and he says unto all his works, and unto all his duties, stay you below at the bottom of the hill; and there they attend. So that faith, justifying faith, though it hath always works, yet they come not into this matter of Justification. 'Tis Faith alone that justifies. This by way of Explication.
And so when a man goes up into this hil of justification, this high mountain, he takes only his faith with him, and he sayes unto all his works, and unto all his duties, stay you below at the bottom of the hil; and there they attend. So that faith, justifying faith, though it hath alwaies works, yet they come not into this matter of Justification. 'Tis Faith alone that justifies. This by way of Explication.
Quest. 2 But Secondly. You will say, How may it appear now, that this free-justification of a poor sinner by Faith alone, is the original of all our Holiness and Spiritual life?
Answ. 1 Thus, it appears by contraries: Contraries, have contrary Consequences. If the Law, and Justification thereby, be no ⟨p. 29⟩friend, but a real enemy unto all our Grace and Holiness, then Justification by faith alone is a friend to it. But now take the Law, and you shall find, that justification thereby, is no friend, but a real enemy unto all our Holiness, and the power of godliness. What greater enemies had the world ever to the power of godliness, than the Jews were? and they sought to establish their own Righteousness, and to be justified by the Law. And now a days, What more bitter, & more fell enemy unto the power of godliness, than a Moral Civil man? Why? Because though he do not understand himself, yet he doth secretly seek his acceptance with God, by his own doing, and good meaning. A man can never live to God, that lives in himself: So long as a man seeks Justification by his own doing, & working, he lives in himself. Therefore says the Apostle,