A77358:86
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.
Answ. If this were true, it were ill: for growth (indeed) is a sign of life. But whoever you are that make this Objection, and lie under this fear: Give me leave to propound to ye Two or Three Questions.
First. Do ye not grow more out of Love with your own Righteousness; and with your own Duties, as to the resting on them? The stronger a man grows in grace, the more he ⟨p. 17⟩grows into Christ; and so, the more he grows off from Himself, and his own Righteousness.
Secondly. Do ye not find, that ye are less subject to be offended now than heretofore ye were? When a man is in the state of Nature, and in Spiritual death, then he is apt to be offended against all actions, against the good way of God, and the people of God; This is your Godliness, these are your Professors, and they are all so: very apt to be offended. When a man is converted, and turned to God; while he is weak in grace, he is apt to stumble, and to be offended; but the stronger he grows in grace, the less he will be offended.
Secondly. Do ye not find, that ye are lesse subject to be offended now than heretofore ye were? When a man is in the state of Nature, and in Spiritual death, then he is apt to be offended against all actions, against the good way of God, and the people of God; This is your Godliness, these are your Professors, and they are all so: very apt to be offended. When a man is converted, and turn'd to God; while he is weak in grace, he is apt to stumble, and to be offended; but the stronger he grows in grace, the lesse he will be offended.