William Bridge (1600–1670)

Amazed at the age of this book, first published in 1679, four years after the death of the author, William Bridge.

Some parts of the book show that human nature and the human conditon of old age have not changed... speaking of the aged.. "too covetous... too timorous and fearful.. touchy peevish,angry and forward.. unapt to be taught...they are hard to please...full of complaints of the present times, praising the days of old."

Two evils afflict the age, ill health and moral afflictions.

"But the informaties of old age are generally the decays of nature, not of grace. They are warnings of our change approaching, and by them we die daily, that at last we may die graciously and comfortably."

As old men are full of experience, so they should be full of faith, both of their own eternal future through knowing Christ and detachment from the concerns of the world.

Where faith is perfected, when it comes time to die, all one has to do is die. Death itself is his own possession, it is his means of riding home to Christ. Though the ride home be painful, because one is going home who would be unwilling to take the journey.

He should live and die by faith. "Let him leave a good example to his posterity; a good example is a great legacy."

A brief but thoughtful read, 19 pages in total.… (mer)

Bridge, William, A Lifting Up for the Downcast (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust). 30951
"These thirteen sermons on Psalm 42:11, preached at Stepney, London, in the year 1648 are the work of a true physician of souls. In dealing with believers suffering from spiritual depression, Bridge manifests great insight into the causes of the saints' discouragements, such as, great sins, weak grace, failure in duties, want of assurance, temptation, desertion, and affliction. A correct diagnosis is more than half the cure but Bridge does not leave his readers there. He gives directions for applying the remedy. For example, in dealing with great sins' he says, "If you would be truly humbled and not be discouraged; not be discouraged and yet be bumbled; then beat and the drive up up all your sin in your unbelief, and lay the stress and weight of all your sorrow upon that sin.'
"The general causes of spiritual depression are the same in every age. Downcast Christians of the twentieth century can find help here as surely as did past generations." -- Publisher's Annotation
"Here is true help for those suffering from spiritual depression. Better than a room filled with psychologists." -- GCB. A Christian classic.… (mer)