A77358:131
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.
Object. But by way of Objection, it will be said, (In the Third place) This Doctrine of Free-remission, and Justification by faith alone, seems to carry somewhat with it, that is opposite unto Grace and Holiness; for the more a man is bound unto the Law, and takes himself to be so, the more obedient he will be to the Law: but now, a man never takes himself more to be bound unto the Law, than when he seeks to be justified by the works of the Law, and so he will be most obedient.
Object. But by way of Objection, it will be said, (In the Third place) This Doctrine of Free-remission, and Justification by faith alone, seems to carry somwhat with it, that is opposite unto Grace and Holiness; for the more a man is bound unto the Law, and takes himself to be so, the more obedient he will be to the Law: but now, a man never takes himself more to be bound unto the Law, than when he seeks to be justified by the works of the Law, and so he will be most obedient.
Answ. For Answer, Ye must know that the word Law, in the new Testament is taken Two ways: Either it is taken for the Covenant of Works, thus: If you keep the Ten Commandments perfectly, you shall live for ever; this is the Covenant of Works; Sometimes the Law is taken for the Ten Commandments, the Rule of mans life. In the first sense a Christian is dead unto the Law, and is freed from it: but in the second sense, a Believer, a Justified person, is more bound to the Law, to observe it as a Rule of life, than ever he was. Only you must know, there is a Twofold Bond: There is the bond of Love; and there is the bond of Fear: as there is the Law of Love; and the Law of Fear. Love, and the bond of Love; is stronger than Fear, and the bond of Fear: for Fear is servant to Love, Fear is the hand maid to Love; for ye never Fear the losing of any good thing, but what ye first Love; Fear is the servant to Love, and therefore Love is stronger than Fear, and the bond of Love stronger than the bond of Fear. Now though a Justified person be not bound unto the Law, with the bond of a servile-Fear; yet he is bound unto the Law, with the bond of Love; and so he is more obedient, as the bond of Love, is ⟨p. 35⟩