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…

Answ. 1 First, I grant, That where Christ comes into the soul, he does cause the soul to do great things for God, greater than it could do before. So it was with Zacheus, so with ⟨p. 89⟩the Jailer, so with Paul, and so with divers others. But then ye must know, That a work is great or small, according to the opposition that it does meet withal. Though a Work or Duty, be small in it self, yet if it meet with great opposition, and break through it, it is a great work. It was no great matter, for the poor Woman to give one or two mites into the Treasury: but she having no more, and it being all her livelihood, it was a great matter. It is no great matter, for a man to pray, and to pray constantly, and to frequent the Ordinances: but when a poor creature shall meet with all opposition from his Relations, then it may be a great matter to do this. It is no great matter (comparatively) for to stay ones soul upon Jesus Christ. But in the time of temptation, when ones soul is full of Fears, and a man does look upon Christ as his enemy, then to cast himself into the arms of Christ, and to stay the soul upon Christ then, this is a greater work. So that the work is great, though small in it self, it is meet with great opposition, and break through all.

Answ. 1 First, I grant, That where Christ comes into the soul, he does cause the soul to do great things for God, greater than it could do before. So it was with Zacheus, so with ⟨p. 89⟩the Jailor, so with Paul, and so with divers others. But then ye must know, That a work is great or small, according to the opposition that it does meet withal. Though a Work or Duty, be small in it self, yet if it meet with great opposition, and break through it, it is a great work. It was no great matter, for the poor Woman to give one or two mites into the Treasury: but she having no more, and it being all her livelihood, it was a great matter. It is no great matter, for a man to pray, and to pray constantly, and to frequent the Ordinances: but when a poor creature shall meet with all opposition from his Relations, then it may be a great matter to do this. It is no great matter (comparatively) for to stay ones soul upon Jesus Christ. But in the time of temptation, when ones soul is full of Fears, and a man does look upon Christ as his enemy, then to cast himself into the arms of Christ, and to stay the soul upon Christ then, this is a greater work. So that the work is great, though small in it self, it is meet with great opposition, and break through all.