Assurance of His Love

 "Only, by the way, let no man misapply this doctrine, saying, If we should not be discouraged, although we do want assurance, then I will neglect the getting of my assurance. Beloved, ye see into what times we are now fallen, times of war, and rumors of war; times of blood; these are dying times: and is this a time for any of you to want assurance of God’s love?

--William Bridge

I will not question

 I will not question my spiritual estate and condition for every sin.

—Puritan William Bridge, Works 4:237

Expect great things from God

If Christ be in you, then why should you not venture upon any work or service for God, although it do lie beyond you, and beyond your strength, and expect large and great things from him? You say, sometimes, you would do such or such a thing for God, but you have no strength to do it. But if Christ be in you, and really united unto your soul, then surely you shall have strength enough, and you may expect large and great things from him. Therefore, venture upon work and service for God; yea, although they do lie beyond your present strength, be not unwilling thereunto, but expect great things from God, because Christ is really in you. William Bridge

CONSTANTLY HUMBLED

“Though God could have wholly delivered his people from the filth of sin, as well as from the guilt of it, and as well from lesser sins, as from great and scandalous; yet he hath left these infirmities and weaknesses in the hearts and lives of his people, that they may be constantly humbled in themselves, and prize Christ the more.” 

 —William Bridge, Works 4:230

Now in the covenant of works, the 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 sin breaks the covenant; but in the covenant of grace, the 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 sin doth not break the covenant between God and the soul. 

 —Puritan William Bridge, Works 4:232

“I will not question my spiritual estate and condition for every sin; I will grieve for every sin of infirmity because it is a sin, but I will not question my condition, because it is but a sin of infirmity.” —Puritan William Bridge, Works 4:237

He is called your Advocate.

 "For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me."

―Psalm 51:3

“Are you accused by Satan, world, or your own conscience? He is called your Advocate. Are you ignorant? He is called the Prophet. Are you guilty of sin? He is called a Priest, and High Priest. Are you afflicted with many enemies, inward and outward? He is called a King, and King of kings. Are you in straits? He is called your way. Are you hungry or thirsty? He is called Bread and Water of Life. Are you afraid you shall fall away, and be condemned at the last? He is our second Adam, a public person, in whose death we died, and in whose satisfaction we satisfied; as there is no temptation or affliction, but some promise or other doth especially suit therewithal: so there is no condition, but some name, some title, some attribute of Christ doth especially suit with it: and as you do not look on Christ, but in reference to your condition, so you are not to look upon your condition alone, but with Christ's attribute suitable thereunto; if you look upon Christ's attribute of love without your condition, you may presume; if on your condition without Christ's attribute of love, you may despair: think on both together and you will not be discouraged.”

―William Bridge, A Lifting Up for the Downcast