A Lifting Up For The Downcast

Weight 0.7 lbs
Dimensions 7.13 × 4.75 × 0.8 in
ISBN 9781848716858
Topic

Assurance, Encouragement, Salvation

Format

Book

Original Pub Date

1649

Banner Pub Date

Sep 7, 2021

Binding

Paperback, eBook (ePub & Kindle), Paperback & eBook (ePub & Kindle)

Page Count

384

Scripture

Psalms

Series

Puritan Paperbacks

ISBN

9781848716858

Book Description

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 humbled; then beat and drive up all your sin to 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 twenty-first century can find help here as surely as did past generations.

Related Articles

  • ‘Resting On the Promises’, an excerpt from the sermon titled ‘Saints should not be discouraged whatever their condition be’ in A Lifting Up for the Downcast.

Table of Contents Expand ↓

Thirteen Sermons, on Psalm 42. 11
THE GOOD MAN'S PEACE 7
TRUE PEACE MAY BE INTERRUPTED 29
SAINTS SHOULD NOT BE DISCOURAGED WHATEVER THEIR CONDITION BE 47
A LIFTING UP IN THE CASE OF GREAT SINS 67
A LIFTING UP IN THE CASE OF WEAK GRACE 88
A LIFTING UP IN THE CASE OF MISCARRIAGE OF DUTIES 106
A LIFTING UP IN THE LACK OF ASSURANCE 128
A LIFTING UP IN THE CASE OF TEMPTATION 152
A LIFTING UP IN THE CASE OF DESERTION 173
A LIFTING UP IN THE CASE OF AFFLICTION 192
A LIFTING UP IN THE CASE OF UNSERVICEABLENESS 213
A LIFTING UP IN THE CASE OF DISCOURAGEMENTS DRAWN FROM THE CONDITION ITSELF 235
THE CURE OF DISCOURAGEMENTS BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST 262

2 testimonials for A Lifting Up For The Downcast

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  1. Benjamin Campbell

    I cannot say enough of the excellence of this work and how it has benefited my soul. Martyn-Lloyd Jones’ “Spiritual Depression is also excellent on this subject but Mr. Bridge almost exhausts it. He begins with the Christian should never be discouraged no matter what the circumstances. He anticipates every instance imaginable. Even if you have sinned you should not be discouraged. Take this excerpt from page 69: “And if you look into Scripture, you will find that the Lord does not condemn a man, no not a wicked man, barely for the act of his former sin , but because he will not turn from it.psalm 7.11,12…The Lord has prepared instruments of death against every wicked man; but yet, notwithstanding, though a man be never so wicked, if he turn unto the Lord, God will not discharge those instruments of death upon him, yea, though his sins have been never so great; but says the text, ‘If he turn not’ (not because he hath sinned before, only, but because he turns not from his sin), ‘ He will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.’ Now there is, always, in the saints and people of God, a turning disposition , although they do sin against God; there is always, I say, a turning disposition in them, and therefore the Lord will not discharge the instruments of death upon them: surely, then, they have no reason to be quite discouraged in this respect.”
    Bridge finishes the chapter on discouragements due to sin with: “Now therefore , if at any time you find your soul in any sin, then say, This has my unbelief done.” He says to trace all your sins to unbelief.
    Bridge concludes with the remedy for discouragement to be faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This work is a true balm to the soul and anyone suffering from this affliction should read it and highlight. There is also a long explanation of the doctrine of election starting on page 249 and explains why it is a comfort to the afflicted soul. There is just so much good spiritual food to feed on. Please read it for yourself.

  2. Robert Norman

    This book has been a wonderful comfort to me in a very difficult time of my life. I thank the Lord for this little book and recommend it to anybody who is struggling with waiting on the Lord.

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