A77358:184
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 indeed, we read of Three Degrees, that the more moderate Papists do make of Self-Denial, and Humility. The first Degree (says Granatensis, and divers others) is, for a man to acknowledge, That all comes from God, and nothing from himself. The Second Degree of Humility is, to acknowledge, That whatsoever a man hath from God, he hath it not from Merit, but from Grace, and mere Mercy. The Third Degree of Humility or Self-Denial is, for ⟨p. 56⟩a man, To be Eagle-eyed, and quick sighted, in beholding another mans excellency; but Mole-eyed, and not seeing his own Excellency. Even thus far the Papists. So that I grant, men may seem to go very far herein. But I speak of Self-Denial in Spiritual things: and do we read of Moral, Heathen men, and the like; that do deny themselves, (it may be in Words, but I say, in Practice) that do Deny, or have Denied themselves in Spiritual things?
And indeed, we reade of Three Degrees, that the more moderate Papists do make of Self-Denial, and Humility. The first Degree (saies Granatensis, and divers others) is, for a man to acknowledge, That all comes from God, and nothing from himself. The Second Degree of Humility is, to acknowledge, That whatsoever a man hath from God, he hath it not from Merit, but from Grace, and meer Mercy. The Third Degree of Humility or Self-Denial is, for ⟨p. 56⟩a man, To be Eagle-eyed, and quick sighted, in beholding another mans excellency; but Mole-eyed, and not seeing his own Excellency. Even thus far the Papists. So that I grant, men may seem to go very far herein. But I speak of Self-Denial in Spiritual things: and do we reade of Moral, Heathen men, and the like; that do deny themselves, (it may be in Words, but I say, in Practice) that do Deny, or have Denyed themselves in Spiritual things?
Take a Moral, Civil man; and though he may seem to be very Humble, and Deny himself; yet he is proud of his Humility. Says one Philosopher, when he came unto Plato's house, and saw his house lie very neat: I trample upon Plato's pride (says he:) But Plato answered again, Not without your own pride. But now, take a Believer, and he doth not only Deny himself, but is sensible of his own pride, when he is most Humble, in that very thing wherein he is Humble.