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…

Again, Though your Obedience as you think is very little, and very small: Do you oppose those that have much? do you oppose those that have the power of godliness? and those that have more than your self? A man that seeks Justification by Works, he does oppose those men that have more Holiness than himself. See I pray, how it was with the Jews in that 9. of the Romans, and the 31. vers. But Israel which followed after the Law of righteousness, hath not attained to the Law of righteousness: Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the Law: for they stumbled at that stumbling stone. They stumbled at Christ, they stumbled at Christianity, they stumbled at the corner stone. And so now, Moral and Civil men, that seek acceptance (though they do not understand themselves) in a way of working; they oppose those that are more godly that have the power of godliness. But ye know, a spark ⟨p. 43⟩of fire, though it be but a spark of fire, it will not oppose the flame; though it be not so great as the flame, yet it will not oppose the flame: it opposes the water, but it doth not oppose the flame of fire. And so, if a man have grace, though it be but a spark of grace, yet notwithstanding, if it be in truth, it will not oppose a flame: But now Civil and Moral men, that walk in a way of works, and are under the Law; Oh! how do they oppose those that have the power of godliness! that have more grace than themselves! that are in a flame for Christ! them they oppose. Is it so with you that make this Objection? Oh! No, I praise the Lord (your soul will say, if it speak in truth) though I have but little, the Lord knows, I do not oppose them that have much: I rejoice rather in those that have more than my self, yea, I rejoice in those that have the power of godliness. And Lord! thou knowest, I do not stint, and limit my self: Oh! I can never be godly enough, and I can never Repent enough, and I can never mourn for my sins enough: Well, be of good comfort, this may be no other stream, then what flows from this blessed fountain, Free-remission, and Justification by faith alone.

Again, Though your Obedience as you think is very little, and very small: Do you oppose those that have much? do you oppose those that have the power of godliness? and those that have more than your self? A man that seeks Justification by Works, he does oppose those men that have more Holiness than himself. See I pray, how it was with the Jews in that 9. of the Romans, and the 31. vers. But Israel which followed after the Law of righteousness, hath not attained to the Law of righteousnesse: Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the Law: for they stumbled at that stumbling stone. They stumbled at Christ, they stumbled at Christianity, they stumbled at the corner stone. And so now, Moral and Civil men, that seek acceptance (though they do not understand themselves) in a way of working; they oppose those that are more godly that have the power of godliness. But ye know, a spark