A77358:136
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.
Answ. 1 First. The more a man does forsake any good thing of his own for Christ, the more Christ is engaged to give a man his good things. There is no losing, in losing for Jesus Christ: what ye lose for Christ, ye shall gain by Christ: And the greater, and sweeter any blessing is that ye lose for Christ, the greater blessing will Christ give unto ye in the room thereof. Now what nearer thing is there to a man, than his own Righteousness? In Justification by faith alone, a man lays down all his own Righteousness at the feet of Jesus Christ; and therefore Christ is engaged to give him a better Righteousness, the Righteousness of God.
Answ. 1 First. The more a man does forsake any good thing of his own for Christ, the more Christ is engaged to give a man his good things. There is no losing, in losing for Jesus Christ: what ye lose for Chirst, ye shal gain by Christ: And the greater, and sweeter any blessing is that ye lose for Christ, the greater blessing will Christ give unto ye in the room thereof. Now what neerer thing is there to a man, than his own Righteousness? In Justification by faith alone, a man laies down al his own Righteousness at the feet of Jesus Christ; and therfore Christ is engaged to give him a better Righteousness, the Righteousness of God.
Secondly. God does never cause any man to pass under any Relation, but he does write the Law of that Relation upon his heart. For example, If the Lord does cause a man to pass under the Relation of a Magistrate: God will write the Law of that Relation upon him, and give him ability to it. If God do cause a man to pass under the Relation of a Minister; God will write the Law of that Relation on him. If God do cause a man to pass under the Relation of a Husband, or a Father; God will cause the Law of that Relation to be written upon his heart. Now when a man is justified by faith alone, then he becomes the Son of God; To as many as receive him, he gives power to be called the Sons of God; even to as many as believe on his Name. John, 1.12. I say When a man is justified by faith alone, he becomes the Son of God, he passes under that Relation; therefore then does the Lord write the Law of that Relation of a Son upon his heart, and thereby he is made more Son-like by his obedience.