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…

But, I speak of Self-Denial in Spiritual things: and what Moral, Civil man, does deny himself in Spiritual things?¹ I remember one makes mention of a certain godly ⟨p. 58⟩man, that was sorely tempted by Satan, in his time: the man was much in Duty, and Satan comes unto him, and says, Why doest thou take thus much pains? thou doest Fast, and Watch; but, O man, what is there that thou doest more than I do? Art thou no Drunkard? or no Adulterer? Says Satan, I never was Drunk, nor I never committed Adultery: What? doest thou Watch? Says Satan, I never slept. Doest thou Fast? Says Satan, I never ate any Meat, or drank any Beer or Wine. What therefore, O man, (says Satan) doest thou do more than I do? Yes, (says he) Satan, I will tell thee what I do: I Pray, and I Serve the Lord, and walk Humbly, and Deny my self. True indeed then (says Satan) I confess herein thou doest go beyond me; for I am Proud, and I have Exalted my self; and therefore, that thou doest Deny thy self, and walk Humbly with thy God; herein indeed, thou goest beyond me. And know, a Christian does not only go beyond Satan, but he goes beyond Moral, Civil, Legal men: and where ever the Gospel comes in power, it works this disposition and frame of heart, there it is wrought indeed.

But, I speak of Self-Denial in Spiritual things: and what Moral, Civil man, does deny himself in Spiritual things?¹ I remember one makes mention of a certain godly ⟨p. 58⟩man, that was sorely tempted by Satan, in his time: the man was much in Duty, and Satan comes unto him, and saies, Why doest thou take thus much pains? thou doest Fast, and Watch; but, O man, what is there that thou doest more than I do? Art thou no Drunkard? or no Adulterer? Saies Satan, I never was Drunk, nor I never committed Adultery: What? doest thou Watch? Saies Satan, I never slept. Doest thou Fast? Saies Satan, I never ate any Meat, or drank any Beer or Wine. What therefore, O man, (saies Satan) doest thou do more than I do? Yes, (saies he) Satan, I will tell thee what I do: I Pray, and I Serve the Lord, and walk Humbly, and Deny my self. True indeed then (saies Satan) I confesse herein thou doest go beyond me; for I am Proud, and I have Exalted my self; and therefore, that thou doest Deny thy self, and walk Humbly with thy God; herein indeed, thou goest beyond me. And know, a Christian does not only go beyond Satan, but he goes beyond Moral, Civil, Legal men: and where ever the Gospel comes in power, it works this disposition and frame of heart, there it is wrought indeed.