Bridge, William
, one of the most eminent nonconformists of the seventeenth century, was born in 1600, and
educated at Emmanuel college, Cambridge, where he took
his master’s degree, in 1626, and was several years a fellow.
After preaching in Essex for five years, he was called to
Norwich, where he preached in the parish of St. George’s
Tombland, until 1636, when he was silenced by bishop
Wren for nonconformity in some points, and remaining
obstinate, he was excommunicated, and the writ de ca>
pitndo issued against him. On this he quitted Norwich,
where he had a lecture and two cures*, and went into
Holland. At Rotterdam he was chosen pastor to a congregational church, but returned to England in 1642, frequently preached before the long parliament, and was
chosen one of the assembly of divines, although he agreed
with them only in doctrinal matters. At length he fixed
at Yarmouth, where he preached until the Bartholomew
| act took place, when he was ejected. He died
March 12,
1670. He was a man of considerable learning, and possessing a library well furnished with the fathers, schoolmen,
and critics, was a very close student, rising every morning,
both in winter and summer, at four o’clock, and continuing
in his library until eleven. He was inflexibly attached to
the independent party, but too charitable towards men of
opposite sentiments to follow their example in all respects.
His principal works are collected in 2 vols. 4to, 1657, besides which he published many single sermons before the
parliament, and some tracts enumerated by Calamy. In
Peck’s Desiderata are two letters from him to Scobell, the
clerk of the council, by which we learn that he was a
leading man among the independents.
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
A word to the aged. By Mr. Will. Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth. by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
The true souldiers convoy A sermon preached upon the xvjth. day of May 1640, vpon a prayer day, for the Princes good successe in going forth to warre. By William Bridge. (1640) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
Babylons downfall a sermon lately preached at Westminster before sundry of the honourable House of Commons / by William Bridge ... (1641) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
A sermon preached unto the voluntiers of the city of Norwich and also to the voluntiers of Great Yarmovth in Norfolke by William Bridge ... (1642) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
Two sermons viz. I. The diseases that make a stoppage to Englands mercies discovered and attended with their remedies : in a sermon delivered at Margaretson Fish-street-hill, London : II. A preperation for suffering in these plundering times / by William Bridge ...Sermons. Selections (1642) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
The truth of the times vindicated whereby the lawfulnesse of Parliamentary procedings in taking up of arms, is justified, Doctor Fernes reply answered, and the case in question more fully resolved / by William Bridge ... (1643) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
A true relation of a great victory obtained by the Parliament forces in Lincolnshire, under the command of the Lord Willoughby, Colonel Hobart, Colonel Cromwell, Lieutenant Generall Hotham. Declared in severall letters, one from Colonel Cromwell, to Colonel Hobart, dated from Shasten. And another from Master Bridge a minister, to a friend in London. Together with Colonel Hobart his answer to a letter sent him from some gentlemen, who were imprisoned in Crowland. (1643) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
The vvounded conscience cured, the weak one strengthned, [sic] and the doubting satisfied By way of answer to Doctor Fearne. Where the main point is rightly stated, and objections throughly answered for the good of those who are willing not to be deceived. By William Bridge, preacher of Gods Word. It is ordered this 30. day of January, 1642. by the committee of the House of Commons in Parliament, concerning printing, that this answer to Dr. Fearnes book be printed. John White. The second edition, correced and amended. Whereunto are added three sermons of the same author; 1. Of courage, preached to the voluntiers. 2. Of stoppage in Gods mercies to England, with their [sic] remedies. 3. A preparation for suffering in these plundering times. (1643) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
A sermon preached before the Honourable House of Commons, at their publique fast, Novemb. 29. 1643. By VVilliam Bridge, sometimes fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, now preacher of Gods Word at Yarmouth. (1643) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
A copy of a remonstrance lately delivered in to the Assembly. By Thomas Goodwin. Ierem: Burroughs. William Greenhill. [brace] William Bridge. Philip Nie. Sidrach Simson. and William Carter. Declaring the grounds and reasons of their declining to bring in to the Assembly, their modell of church-government. (1645) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
A Copy of a remonstrance lately delivered in to the assembly by Thomas Goodwin, Ierem. Burroughs, William Greenhill, William Bridge, Philip Nie, Sidrach Simson, and William Carter declaring the grounds and reasons of their declining to bring into the assembly their modell of church-government. (1645) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
The Independants declaration delivered in to the Assembly. By Thomas Goodwin, William Greenhill, William Bridge, Philip Nie, Sydrach Simpson, and William Carter. Declaring their grounds and full resolutions concerning church-government. (1647) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
Christs coming opened in a sermon before the honourable house of commons in Margaret's Westminster, May 17, 1648 being the day appointed for Thanksgiving for the great Victory in Wales / by William Bridge ... (1648) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
England saved vvith a notwithstanding: represented in a sermon to the Honourable House of Commons, assembled in Parliament, Novemb. 5. 1647. The day of Thanks-giving for deliverance from the Powder-Plot. / By William Bridge, sometimes fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, now preacher of Gods word at Yarmouth. Published by order of that House. (1648) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
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. (1649) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge; now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The first volume. Viz. I. The great Gospel-mysterie of the saints comfort and holinesse, opened and applyed from Christs priestly office. II. Satans power to tempt; and Christs love to, and care of his people under temptation. III. Thankfulnesse required in every condition. (1649) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
The vvorks of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge: now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The second volumn. [sic] Viz. 1. Grace for grace; or, The overflowing of Christs fulness received by all saints. II. The spiritual actings of faith through natural impossibilities. III. Evangelical repentance. (1649) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet. I. 19 : II. Christ in travel ... in three sermons on Isai. 53. 11 : III. A lifting up for the down-cast ... delivered in thirteen sermons on Psal. 42, 11 : four several sermons ... / preached by William Bridge ... (1656) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
The righteous man's habitation in the time of plague and pestilence being a brief exposition of the XCI. Psalm / by William Bridge. (1665) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
The rare jewel of Christian contentment Wherein is shewed; 1. What contentment is. 2. The holy art or mystery of it. 3. Several lessons that Christ teacheth, to work the heart to contentment. 4. The excellencies of it. 5. The evils of murmuring. 6. The aggravations of the sin of murmuring. By Jeremiah Burroughs. The first of the eleven volumes that are published by Thomas Goodwin, William Greenhil, Sydrach Sympson, Philip Nye, William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly. (1666) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
The sinfulnesse of sinne ; and, The fulnesse of Christ delivered in two sermons / by William Bridge. (1667) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
Christ and the covenant the work and way of meditation. : Gods return to the soul, or nation; together with his preventing mercy. : Delivered in ten sermons, (viz.) 1. Christs personal excellencies, the object of our love. 2. Christ crucified, the object of our faith. 3. The new covenant of grace opened. 4. Christ the mediator of the new covenant. 5. The way and spirit of the new covenant, or New Testament. 6. The blood of sprinkling. 7. The sweetness and profitableness of divine meditation. 8. The work and way of this meditation. 9. Gods return to the soul and nation. 10. Preventing mercy. / By W.B. (1667) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London by Willam Bridge, late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth. (1668) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
The freeness of the grace and love of God to believers discovered in reference to 1. their services and suffering, 2. their consolations, and 3. their salvation and eternal glory : together with the excellency of the fear of God, the goodness and pleasantness of brotherly love, the wisdom of hearing the voice of the rod, repentance the only way to prevent judgements / delivered in several sermons by the late reverend and faithful minister of Christ, Mr. William Bridg ... (1671) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
Bridge's remains, being VIII sermons ... by that learned and judicious divine, Mr. William Bridge ... (1673) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.
A vvord to the aged. By Mr. Will. Bridge, sometime fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and late preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. I commend this to be reprinted as a profitable and serious discourse. James Allen. (1679) by Bridge, William, 1600?-1670.