A77358:173
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.
Quest. 1 First, If ye ask me, What it is for a man to deny himself in Spiritual things?
Quest. 1 First, If ye aske me, What it is for a man to deny himself in Spiritual things?
Answ. Ye know, that there is a Three-fold Self mentioned by Divines. A Natural Self: as, a mans Parts, Wit, Reason, Will, Affections, and Inclination, are called ones Self. Then there is a Sinful Self: and so a mans Corruption, Lust, and Sinful Disposition, is called ones Self. And then ⟨p. 51⟩there is a Religious Self: and so a mans Duties, Graces, Obedience, Righteousness, and Holiness, are called ones Self. Now though a man is to deny all these; yet I am not at this time to speak of the Common-place of Self-Denial, this Scripture does not lead me to it: but only of Self-Denial in Spiritual things, Denial of Religious Self. There is a great difference between a mans denying of his Sinful, and of his Religious Self. When a man does deny his Sinful Self for Christ; then he is wholly to leave, and forsake his sin, and that Self. But when a man is to deny his Religious Self for Christ; he is not to leave, and forsake his Duty: only, in point of Justification, he is to renounce all; and in point of Sanctification, he is to attribute the strength, the power, and the glory of all his Graces, and Duties, unto Jesus Christ, and to himself nothing: and when a man in point of Justification, does renounce all; and in point of Sanctification, does attribute the strength, the power, and the glory of all unto Jesus Christ, and unto himself nothing; then he denies himself in Spiritual things.
For there is a Two-fold denial of ones self, even in Spiritual things. One that is opposed to Self-Seeking: And another that is opposed to Self-Advancing. When a man seeks himself, he makes himself his End: When a man does Advance himself, he makes himself his Prey. Now though a man be to deny himself in opposition to all Self-Seeking; yet that is not the Argument that lies here, it is not the Argument of this Scripture; but a man is called upon by this Scripture, to deny himself in opposition to Self-Advancing: I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.