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…

Yea, let me tell you further, (and I pray observe it warily) Possibly a man may see a greater beauty in the things of the world, after conversion, than ever he saw before. As now, in the case of the Law: while a man is in the state of nature, then he is under the Law; but when a man is converted and drawn to Christ, then he is free from the Law; and then when he is freed from the Law; he sees a greater excellency in the Law, then ever he saw before conversion; for then says he; Now I see, that the Commandments is holy, just, and good: indeed, as to the point of justification, he sees a greater emptiness in the Law than ever he did before; but as to the point of Rule of life, he sees a greater beauty in the law than ever he did before. So Paul did, as ye read in the 7. of the Romans. So in this case: though as to the point of Satisfaction, a man after he is converted sees less in the creature than ever he did before; yet as to the point of Christs purchases, looking upon the creature as the purchase of Jesus Christ, Christ hath purchased these for me; he sees a greater beauty in them now than ever before: for (says he) Christ hath purchased these, and all these are mine in Christ, & Christ hath paid for me; Christ is mine, and I am Christs, and these are mine, and all is Christs: Though as to the matter of Satisfaction, his soul cannot be satisfied, he sees less in the world than ever he did before; yet as to the matter of Christs purchase, a man after his conversion may see a greater beauty in the things of the world than ever he did before.

Yea, let me tell you further, (and I pray observe it warily) Possibly a man may see a greater beauty in the things of the world, after conversion, than ever he saw before. As now, in the case of the Law: while a man is in the state of nature, then he is under the Law; but when a man is converted and drawn to Christ, then he is free from the Law; and then when he is freed from the Law; he sees a greater excellency in the Law, then ever he saw before conversion; for then saies he; Now I see, that the Commandements is holy, just, and good: indeed, as to the point of justification, he sees a greater emptiness in the Law than ever he did before; but as to the point of Rule of life, he sees a greater beauty in the law than ever he did before. So Paul did, as ye reade in the 7. of the Romans. So in this case: though as to the point of Satisfaction, a man after he is converted sees lesse in the creature than ever he did before; yet as to the point of Christs purchases, looking upon the creature as the purchase of Jesus Christ, Christ hath purchased these for me; he sees a greater beauty in them now than ever before: for (saies he) Christ hath purchased these, and all these are mine in Christ, & Christ hath paid for me; Christ is mine, and I am Christs, and these are mine, and all is Christs: Though as to the matter of Satisfaction, his soul cannot be satisfied, he sees lesse in the world than ever he did before; yet as to the matter of Christs purchase, a man after his conversion may see a greater beauty in the things of the world than ever he did before.