diff options
Diffstat (limited to '3613-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 3613-0.txt | 1179 |
1 files changed, 1179 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/3613-0.txt b/3613-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..af787c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/3613-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1179 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Miscellanous Pieces, by John Bunyan + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + + + + +Title: Miscellanous Pieces + + +Author: John Bunyan + + + +Release Date: April 29, 2015 [eBook #3613] +[This file was first posted on June 15, 2001] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISCELLANOUS PIECES*** + + +Transcribed from the 1845 Thomas Nelson “Works of the Puritan Divines +(Bunyan)” edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org + + [Picture: Bunyan’s cottage at Elstow] + + + + + + MISCELLANEOUS PIECES + + +CONTENTS + + Page +Of the Trinity and a Christian 245 +Of the Law and a Christian 251 +Bunyan’s Last Sermon 257 +Bunyan’s Dying Sayings 267 + + + + +OF THE +TRINITY AND A CHRISTIAN. + + + _How a young or shaken Christian should demean himself under the weighty + thoughts of the Doctrine of the Trinity or Plurality of Persons in the + eternal Godhead_. + +THE reason why I say a _young_ or _shaken_ Christian, is, because some +that are not young, but of an ancient standing, may not only be assaulted +with violent temptations concerning gospel-principles, but a second time +may become a child, a babe, a shallow man, in the things of God: +especially, either when by backsliding he hath provoked God to leave him, +or when some new, unexpected, and (as to present strength) over weighty +objection doth fall upon the spirit, by means of which great shakings of +mind do commonly attend such a soul in the most weighty matters of the +concerns of faith, of which this is one that I have supposed in the +above-mentioned question: Wherefore passing other things, I will come +directly to that, and briefly propose some helps to a soul in such a +case. + +I. The first preparative. + +_First_, Then, be sure thou keep close to the Word of God for that is the +revelation of the mind and will of God, both as to the truth of what is +either in himself or ways, and also as to what he requireth and expecteth +of thee, either concerning faith in, or obedience to, what he hath so +revealed. Now for thy better performing of this, I shall give thee in +brief these following directions. + +1. Suffer thyself, by the authority of the Word, to be persuaded that +the Scripture indeed is the Word of God the Scriptures of truth, the +words of the Holy One; and that they therefore must be every one true, +pure, and for ever settled in heaven. + +2. Conclude therefore from the former doctrine, that that God whose +words they are, is able to make a reconciliation and most sweet and +harmonious agreement with all the sayings therein, how obscure, cross, +dark, and contradictory soever they seem to thee. To understand all +mysteries, to have all knowledge, to be able to comprehend with all +saints, is a great work; enough to crush the spirit, and to stretch the +strings of the most capacious, widened soul that breatheth on this side +glory, be they notwithstanding exceedingly enlarged by revelation. Paul, +when he was caught up to heaven, saw that which was unlawful, because +impossible, for man to utter. And saith Christ to the reasoning +Pharisee, “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how +shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?” It is great +lewdness, and also insufferable arrogancy, to come to the Word of God, as +conceiting already that whatever thou readest must either by thee be +understood, or of itself fall to the ground as a senseless error. But +God is wiser than man, wherefore fear thou him, and tremble at his word, +saying still, with godly suspicion of thine own infirmity, What I see +not, teach thou me; and, Thou art God only wise; but as for me, I am as a +beast before thee. + +3. Take heed of taking a part of the Word only, lest thou thereby go +away with the truth as mangled in pieces. For instance, where thou +readest, “The Lord our God is one Lord,” there take heed that thou dost +not thence conclude, then there are not three persons in the Godhead: +when thou readest of “the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” then +take heed of concluding there must therefore either be three Gods, or +else that Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are not true God, but the +Father only. Wherefore to help thee here, observe, + +II. The second preparative. + +1. That the Christian religion requireth credit concerning every +doctrine contained in the Word; credit, I say, according to the true +relation of every sentence that the Holy Ghost hath revealed for the +asserting, maintaining, or vindicating that same truth. + +2. And therefore, hence it is that a Christian is not called a doer, a +reasoner, an objector, and perverse disputer, but a believer. Be thou an +example to “the believers;” and, “believers” were “added to the church,” +&c. + +3. Therefore, know again, that the Word, if it saith and expresseth that +this or that is so and so, as to the matter in hand, thou art bound and +obliged, both by the name, profession, and the truth, unto which thou +hast joined thyself, to assent to, confess, and acknowledge the same, +even then when thy carnal reason will not stoop thereto. “Righteous art +thou, O God,” saith Jeremiah, “yet let me plead with thee; Wherefore do +the wicked live?” Mark, first he acknowledgeth that God’s way with the +wicked is just and right, even then when yet he could not see the reason +of his actions and dispensations towards them. The same reason is good +as to our present case: and hence it is that the apostle saith, the +spiritual armour of Christians should be much exercised against those +high towering and self-exalting imaginations, that within our own bosoms +do exalt themselves against the knowledge of God; that every thought or +carnal reasoning may be not only taken, but brought a captive into +obedience to Christ; that is, be made to stoop to the Word of God, and to +give way and place to the doctrine therein contained, how cross soever +our thoughts and the Word lie to each other. And it is observable that +he here saith, “they exalt themselves against the knowledge of God;” +which cannot be understood, that our carnal, natural reason doth exalt +itself against an eternal deity, simply considered; for that nature +itself doth gather from the very things that are made, even his eternal +power and Godhead: it must be then that they exalt themselves against +that God as thus and thus revealed in the Word, to wit, against the +knowledge of one God, consisting of three persons, Father, Son, and +Spirit; for this is the doctrine of the Scriptures of truth: and +therefore it is observable these thoughts must be brought captive, and be +made subject in particular to the Lord Jesus Christ, as to the second +person in the Godhead: for the Father is ever acknowledged by all that +profess the least of religion; but the Son is that stumbling-stone and +rock of offence, against which thousands dash themselves in pieces; +though in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and in +him dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily. + + + + +OF THE +LAW AND A CHRISTIAN. + + +THE law was given twice upon Mount Sinai, but the appearance of the Lord, +when he gave it the second time, was wonderfully different from that of +his, when at the first he delivered it to Israel. + +1. When he gave it the first time, he caused his terror and severity to +appear before Moses, to the shaking of his soul and the dismaying of +Israel; but when he gave it the second time, he caused all his goodness +to pass before Moses, to the comfort of his conscience and the bowing of +his heart. + +2. When he gave it the first time, it was with thunderings and +lightnings, with blackness and darkness, with flame and smoke, and a +tearing sound of the trumpet; but when he gave it the second time, it was +with a proclamation of his name to be merciful, gracious, long-suffering, +and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, +forgiving iniquity, transgressions, and sins. + +3. When he gave it the first time, Moses was called to go up to receive +it through the fire, which made him exceedingly fear and quake: but when +he went to receive it the second time, he was laid in a clift of the +rock. + +4. From all which I gather, that, though as to the matter of the law, +both as to its being given the first time and the second, it binds the +unbeliever under the pains of eternal damnation (if he close not with +Christ by faith); yet as to the manner of its giving at these two times, +I think the first doth more principally intend its force as a covenant of +works, not at all respecting the Lord Jesus; but this second time not (at +least in the manner of its being given) respecting such a covenant, but +rather as a rule or directory to those who already are found in the clift +of the rock Christ; for the saint himself, though he be without law to +God, as it is considered the first or old covenant, yet even he is not +without law to him as considered under grace; not without law to God, but +under the law to Christ. + +5. Though, therefore, it be sad with the unbeliever, because he only and +wholly standeth under the law as it is given in fire, in smoke, in +blackness, and darkness, and thunder; all which threaten him with eternal +ruin if he fulfil not the utmost tittle thereof; yet the believer stands +to the law under no such consideration, neither is he so at all to hear +or regard it, for he is now removed from thence to the blessed mountain +of Zion—to grace and forgiveness of sins; he is now, I say, by faith in +the Lord Jesus, shrouded under so perfect and blessed a righteousness, +that this thundering law of Mount Sinai cannot find the least fault or +diminution therein, but rather approveth and alloweth thereof, either +when or wherever it find it. This is called the righteousness of God +without the law, and also said to be witnessed by both the law and the +prophets; even the righteousness of God, which is by faith in Jesus +Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no +difference. + +6. Wherefore, whenever thou who believest in Jesus, dost hear the law in +its thundering and lightning fits, as if it would burn up heaven and +earth, then say thou, I am freed from this law, these thunderings have +nothing to do with my soul; nay, even this law, while it thus thunders +and roars, it doth both allow and approve of my righteousness. I know +that Hagar would sometimes be domineering and high, even in Sarah’s +house, and against her; but this she is not to be suffered to do, nay, +though Sarah herself be barren; wherefore, serve it also as Sarah served +her, and expel her out from thy house. My meaning is, when this law with +its thundering threatenings doth attempt to lay hold on thy conscience, +shut it out with a promise of grace; cry, The inn is taken up already; +the Lord Jesus is here entertained, and here is no room for the law. +Indeed, if it will be content with being my informer, and so lovingly +leave off to judge me, I will be content, it shall be in my sight, I will +also delight therein; but otherwise, I being now made upright without it, +and that too with that righteousness which this law speaks well of and +approveth, I may not, will not, cannot dare not make it my Saviour and +judge, nor suffer it to set up its government in my conscience; for by so +doing, I fall from grace, and Christ Jesus doth profit me nothing. + +7. Thus, therefore, the soul that is married to him that is raised up +from the dead, both may and ought to deal with this law of God; yea, it +doth greatly dishonour its Lord and refuse its gospel privileges, if it +at any time otherwise doth, whatever it seeth or feels. “The law hath +power over the wife so long as her husband liveth, but if her husband be +dead she is freed from that law; so that she is no adulteress though she +be married to another man.” Indeed, so long as thou art alive to sin, +and to thy righteousness which is of the law, so long thou hast them for +thy husband, and they must reign over thee; but when once they are become +dead unto thee—as they then most certainly will when thou closest with +the Lord Jesus Christ—then, I say, thy former husbands have no more to +meddle with thee; thou art freed from their law. Set the case: A woman +be cast into prison for a debt of hundreds of pounds; if after this she +marry, yea, though while she is in the jailor’s hand, in the same day +that she is joined to her husband, her debt is all become his; yea, and +the law also that arrested and imprisoned this woman, as freely tells +her, go: she is freed, saith Paul, from that; and so saith the law of +this land. + +The sum, then, of what hath been said is this—The Christian hath now +nothing to do with the law, as it thundereth and burneth on Sinai, or as +it bindeth the conscience to wrath and the displeasure of God for sin; +for from its thus appearing, it is freed by faith in Christ. Yet it is +to have regard thereto, and is to count it holy, just, and good; which, +that it may do, it is always, whenever it seeth or regards it, to +remember that he who giveth it to us “is merciful, gracious, +long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” &c. + + + + +BUNYAN’S LAST SERMON: +PREACHED JULY 1688. + + + “_Which were born_, _not of blood_, _nor of the will of the flesh_, + _nor of the will of man_, _but of God_;” John i. 13. + +THE words have a dependence on what goes before, and therefore I must +direct you to them for the right understanding of it. You have it +thus,—“He came to his own, but his own received him not; but as many as +received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to +them which believe on his name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the +will of the flesh, but of God.” In the words before, you have two +things— + +_First_, Some of his own rejecting him when he offered himself to them. + +_Secondly_, Others of his own receiving him, and making him welcome. +Those that reject him he also passes by; but those that receive him, he +gives them power to become the sons of God. Now, lest any one should +look upon it as good luck or fortune, says he, “They were born, not of +blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” +They that did not receive him, they were only born of flesh and blood; +but those that receive him, they have God to their father, they receive +the doctrine of Christ with a vehement desire. + +_First_, I will shew you what he means by “blood.” They that believe are +born to it, as an heir is to an inheritance; they are born of God; not of +flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God; not of blood—that is, not by +generation; not born to the kingdom of heaven by the flesh; not because I +am the son of a godly man or woman. That is meant by blood, Acts xvii. +26, “He has made of one blood all nations.” But when he says here, “not +of blood,” he rejects all carnal privileges they did boast of. They +boasted they were Abraham’s seed. No, no, says he, it is not of blood; +think not to say you have Abraham to your father, you must be born of God +if you go to the kingdom of heaven. + +_Secondly_, “Nor of the will of the flesh.” What must we understand by +that? + +It is taken for those vehement inclinations that are in man to all manner +of looseness, fulfilling the desires of the flesh. That must not be +understood here; men are made the children of God by fulfilling their +lustful desires; it must be understood here in the best sense. There is +not only in carnal men a will to be vile, but there is in them a will to +be saved also—a will to go to heaven also. But this it will not do, it +will not privilege a man in the things of the kingdom of God. Natural +desires after the things of another world, they are not an argument to +prove a man shall go to heaven whenever he dies. I am not a free willer, +I do abhor it; yet there is not the wickedest man but he desires some +time or other to be saved. He will read some time or other, or, it may +be, pray; but this will not do—“It is not in him that wills, nor in him +that runs, but in God that shews mercy;” there is willing and running, +and yet to no purpose; Rom. ix. 16, “Israel, which followed after the law +of righteousness, have not obtained it.” Here I do not understand as if +the apostle had denied a virtuous course of life to be the way to heaven, +but that a man without grace, though he have natural gifts, yet he shall +not obtain privilege to go to heaven, and be the son of God. Though a +man without grace may have a will to be saved, yet he cannot have that +will God’s way. Nature, it cannot know anything but the things of +nature; the things of God knows no man but by the Spirit of God; unless +the Spirit of God be in you, it will leave you on this side the gates of +heaven—“Not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of +man, but of God.” It may be some may have a will, a desire that Ishmael +may be saved; know this, it will not save thy child. If it were our +will, I would have you all go to heaven. How many are there in the world +that pray for their children, and cry for them, and ready to die; and +this will not do? God’s will is the rule of all; it is only through +Jesus Christ, “which were born, not of flesh, nor of the will of man, but +of God.” Now I come to the doctrine. + +Men that believe in Jesus Christ to the effectual receiving of Jesus +Christ, they are born to it. He does not say they _shall_ be born to it, +but they _are_ born to it; born of God, unto God, and the things of God, +before they receive God to eternal salvation. “Except a man be born +again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Now unless he be born of God, +he cannot see it. Suppose the kingdom of God be what it will, he cannot +see it before he be begotten of God; suppose it be the Gospel, he cannot +see it before he be brought into a state of regeneration; believing is +the consequence of the new birth, “not of blood, nor of the will of man, +but of God.” + +_First_, I will give you a clear description of it under one similitude +or two. A child, before it be born into the world, is in the dark +dungeon of its mother’s womb; so a child of God, before he be born again, +is in the dark dungeon of sin, sees nothing of the kingdom of God, +therefore it is called a new birth; the same soul has love one way in its +carnal condition, another way when it is born again. + +_Secondly_, As it is compared to a birth, resembling a child in his +mother’s womb, so it is compared to a man being raised out of the grave; +and to be born again is to be raised out of the grave of sin—“Awake, thou +that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee life.” +To be raised from the grave of sin is to be begotten and born; Rev. i. 5. +There is a famous instance of Christ—“He is the first-begotten from the +dead, he is the first-born from the dead;” unto which our regeneration +alludeth,—that is, if you be born again by seeking those things that are +above, then there is a similitude betwixt Christ’s resurrection and the +new birth; which were born, which were restored out of this dark world, +and translated out of the kingdom of this dark world into the kingdom of +his dear Son, and made us live a new life; this is to be born again; and +he that is delivered from the mother’s womb, it is the help of the +mother; so he that is born of God, it is by the Spirit of God. I must +give you a few consequences of new birth. + +First of all, a child, you know, is incident to cry as soon as it comes +into the world; for if there be no noise, they say it is dead. You that +are born of God, and Christians, if you be not criers, there is no +spiritual life in you; if you be born of God, you are crying ones; as +soon as he has raised you out of the dark dungeon of sin, you cannot but +cry to God, What must I do to be saved? As soon as ever God had touched +the jailor, he cries out, “Men and brethren, what must I do to be saved?” +Oh! how many prayerless professors are there in London that never pray? +Coffee-houses will not let you pray, trades will not let you pray, +looking-glasses will not let you pray; but if you were born of God, you +would. + +_Secondly_, It is not only natural for a child to cry, but it must crave +the breast, it cannot live without the breast; therefore Peter makes it +the true trial of a new-born babe; the new-born babe desires the sincere +milk of the Word, that he may grow thereby. If you be born of God, make +it manifest by desiring the breast of God. Do you long for the milk of +promises? A man lives one way when he is in the world, another way when +he is brought unto Jesus Christ; Isa. lxvi., “They shall suck, and be +satisfied.” If you be born again, there is no satisfaction till you get +the milk of God’s word into your souls; Isa. lxvi. 11, “To suck, and be +satisfied with the breasts of consolation.” O what is a promise to a +carnal man; a whorehouse, it may be, is more sweet to him; but if you be +born again, you cannot live without the milk of God’s word. What is a +woman’s breast to a horse? But what is it to a child? There is its +comfort night and day, there is its succour night and day. O how loath +is he it should be taken from him. Minding heavenly things, says a +carnal man, is but vanity; but to a child of God, there is his comfort. + +_Thirdly_, A child that is newly born, if it have not other comforts to +keep it warm than it had in its mother’s womb, it dies. It must have +something got for its succour; so Christ had swaddling clothes prepared +for him; so those that are born again, they must have some promise of +Christ to keep them alive. Those that are in a carnal state, they warm +themselves with other things; but those that are born again, they cannot +live without some promise of Christ to keep them alive, as he did to the +poor infant in Ezekiel xvii., “I covered thee with embroidered gold.” +And when women are with child, what fine things will they prepare for +their child! O but what fine things has Christ prepared to wrap all in +that are born again! O what wrappings of gold has Christ prepared for +all that are born again! Women will dress their children, that every one +may see them how fine they are; so he in Ezekiel xvi. 11—“I decked thee +also with ornaments, and I also put bracelets upon thine hands, and a +chain on thy neck. And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and ear-rings in +thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head;” and, says he in the +13th verse, “thou didst prosper to a kingdom.” This is to set out +nothing in the world but the righteousness of Christ, and the graces of +the Spirit, without which a new-born babe cannot live, unless he have the +golden righteousness of Christ. + +_Fourthly_, A child when it is in its mother’s lap, the mother takes +great delight to have that which will he for its comfort; so it is with +God’s children, they shall he kept on his knee; Isaiah lxvi. 11, “They +shall stick and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolation.” Ver. +13, “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.” There is +a similitude in these things that nobody knows of but those that are born +again. + +_Fifthly_, There is usually some similitude betwixt the father and the +child; it may be the child looks like its father; so those that are born +again, they have a new similitude, they have the image of Jesus Christ +(Gal. iv.), every one that is born of God has something of the features +of heaven upon him. Men love those children that are likest them most +usually; so does God his children; therefore they are called the children +of God. But others do not look like him, therefore they are called +Sodomites. Christ describes children of the devil by their features; the +children of the devil, his works they will do; all works of +unrighteousness, they are the devil’s works. If you are earthly, you +have borne the image of the earthly; if heavenly, you have borne the +image of the heavenly. + +_Sixthly_, When a man has a child, he trains him up to his own liking, he +learns the custom of his father’s house; so are those that are born of +God; they have learned the custom of the true church of God, there they +learn to cry, My Father and my God; they are brought up in God’s house, +they learn the method and form of God’s house for regulating their lives +in this world. + +_Seventhly_, Children, it is natural for them to depend upon their father +for what they want. If they want a pair of shoes, they go and tell him; +if they want bread, they go and tell him; so should the children of God +do. Do you want spiritual bread? go tell God of it. Do you want +strength of grace? ask it of God. Do you want strength against Satan’s +temptations? go and tell God of it. When the devil tempts you, run home +and tell your heavenly Father; go pour out your complaints to God. This +is natural to children; if any wrong them, they go and tell their father; +so do those that are born of God, when they meet with temptations, go and +tell God of them. + +The first use is this, to make a strict inquiry whether you be born of +God or not. Examine by those things I laid down before of a child of +nature and a child of grace. Are you brought out of the dark dungeon of +this world into Christ? have you learned to cry, My Father? Jer. iii. 16, +“And I said, Thou shalt call me thy Father.” All God’s children are +criers. Can you be quiet without you have a bellyful of the milk of +God’s word? Can you be satisfied without you have peace with God? Pray +you consider it, and be serious with yourselves. If you have not these +marks, you will fall short of the kingdom of God, you shall never have an +interest there; there is no intruding. They will say, “Lord, Lord, open +to us; and he will say, I know you not.” No child of God, no heavenly +inheritance. We sometimes give something to those that are not our +children, but not our lands. O do not flatter yourselves with a portion +among the sons, unless you live like sons. When we see a king’s son play +with a beggar, this is unbecoming; so if you be the king’s children, live +like the king’s children. If you be risen with Christ, set your +affections on things above, and not on things below. When you come +together, talk of what your Father promised you; you should all love your +Father’s will, and be content and pleased with the exercises you meet +with in the world. If you are the children of God, live together +lovingly. If the world quarrel with you, it is no matter; but it is sad +if you quarrel together. If this be amongst you, it is a sign of +ill-breeding, it is not according to rules you have in the Word of God. +Dost thou see a soul that has the image of God in him? Love him, love +him; say, This man and I must go to heaven one day. Serve one another, +do good for one another; and if any wrong you, pray to God to right you, +and love the brotherhood. + +_Lastly_, If you be the children of God, learn that lesson: “Gird up the +loins of your mind as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves +according to your former conversation; but be ye holy in all manner of +conversation.” Consider that the holy God is your father, and let this +oblige you to live like the children of God, that you may look your +Father in the face with comfort another day. + + + + +BUNYAN’S DYING SAYINGS. + + +OF SIN. + + +SIN is the great block and bar to our happiness, the procurer of all +miseries to man, both here and hereafter; take away sin, and nothing can +hurt us; for death temporal, spiritual, and eternal, is the wages of it. + +Sin, and man for sin, is the object of the wrath of God. How dreadful +therefore must his case be who continues in sin; for who can bear and +grapple with the wrath of God? + +No sin against God can be little, because it is against the great God of +heaven and earth; but if the sinner can find out a _little_ God, it may +be easy to find out little sins. + +Sin turns all God’s grace into wantonness: it is the _dare_ of his +justice; the _rape_ of his mercy; the _jeer_ of his patience; the +_slight_ of his power; and the _contempt_ of his love. + +Take heed of giving thyself liberty of committing one sin, for that will +lead thee to another; till by an ill custom it become natural. + +To begin sin is to lay a foundation for a continuance; this continuance +is the mother of custom, and impudence at last the issue. + +The death of Christ giveth us the best discovery of ourselves; in what +condition we were, so that nothing could help us but that; and the most +clear discovery of the dreadful nature of our sins. For if sin be such a +dreadful thing as to wring the heart of the Son of God, how shall a poor +wretched sinner be able to bear it? + + + +OF AFFLICTION. + + +Nothing can render affliction so heavy as the load of sin; would you +therefore be fitted for afflictions, be sure to get the burden of your +_sins_ laid aside, and then what afflictions soever you meet with will be +very easy to you. + +If thou canst hear and bear the rod of affliction which God shall lay +upon thee, remember this lesson, thou art _beaten_ that thou mayst be +better. + +The Lord useth his _flail_ of tribulation to separate the chaff from the +wheat. + +The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world’s +vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God’s mind. +Out of dark affliction comes a spiritual light. + +In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of +the love of God. + +Did we heartily renounce the pleasures of this world, we should be very +little troubled for our afflictions; that which renders an afflicted +state so insupportable to many, is because they are too much addicted to +the pleasures of this life; and so cannot endure that which makes a +separation between them. + + + +OF REPENTANCE AND COMING TO CHRIST. + + +The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of _that_ to bring us +to the Saviour; let us therefore, with the prodigal, return unto him, and +we shall find ease and rest. + +A returning penitent, though formerly bad as the worst of men, may by +grace become as good as the best. + +To be truly sensible of sin, is to sorrow for _displeasing_ of God: to be +afflicted, that he is displeased _by us_ more than that he is displeased +_with_ us. + +Your intentions to repentance, and the neglect of that soul-saving duty, +will rise up in judgment against you. + +Repentance carries with it a _divine rhetoric_, and persuades Christ to +forgive multitudes of sins committed against him. + +Say not to thyself, to-morrow I will repent; for it is thy duty to do it +daily. + +The gospel of grace and salvation is above all doctrine the most +dangerous, if it be received in _word_ only by graceless men; if it be +not attended with a sensible need of a Saviour, and bring them to him; +for such men only as have the _notion_ of it, are of all men most +miserable; for by reason of their knowing more than heathens, this shall +only be their final portion, that they shall have greater stripes. + + + +OF PRAYER. + + +Before you enter into prayer, ask thy soul these questions, 1. To what +_end_, O my soul! art thou retired into this place? Art thou come to +converse with the Lord in prayer? Is he present, will he hear thee? Is +he merciful, will he help thee? Is thy business slight, is it not +concerning the welfare of thy soul? What words wilt thou use to move him +to compassion? + +To make thy preparation complete, consider that thou art but _dust_ and +_ashes_; and he the great God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, _that +clothes himself with light as with a garment_; that thou art a vile +sinner, and he a holy God; that thou art but a poor crawling worm, and he +the omnipotent Creator. + +In all your prayers, forget not to thank the Lord for his mercies. + +When thou prayest, rather let thy heart be without _words_ than thy words +without _heart_. + +Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease +from prayer. + +The spirit of prayer is more precious than thousands of gold and silver. + +Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a +scourge for Satan. + + + +OF THE LORD’S-DAYS, SERMONS, AND WEEK-DAYS. + + +Have a special care to sanctify the Lord’s-day; for as thou keepest it, +so will it be with thee all the week long. + +Make the Lord’s-day the _market_ for thy soul; let the whole day be spent +in prayer, repetitions, or meditations; lay aside the affairs of the +other parts of the week; let the sermon thou hast heard be converted into +_prayer_: shall God allow thee six days, and wilt thou not afford him +one? + +In the church, be careful to serve God; for thou art in his eyes, and not +in man’s. + +Thou mayst hear sermons often, and do well in practising what thou +hearest; but thou must not expect to be told in a pulpit all that thou +oughtest to do, but be studious in reading the Scriptures, and other good +books; what thou hearest may be forgotten, but what thou readest may +better be retained. + +Forsake not the public worship of God, lest God forsake thee; not only in +public, but in private. + +On the week-day, when thou risest in the morning, consider, 1. Thou must +die; 2. Thou mayst die that minute; 3. What will become of thy soul. +Pray often. At night consider, 1. What sins thou hast committed; 2. +How often thou hast prayed; 3. What hath thy mind been bent upon; 4. +What hath been thy dealing; 5. What thy conversation; 6. If thou +callest to mind the errors of the day, sleep not without a confession to +God, and a hope of pardon. Thus, every morning and evening make up thy +account with Almighty God, and thy reckoning will be the less at last. + + + +OF THE LOVE OF THE WORLD. + + +Nothing more hinders a soul from coming to Christ than a vain love of the +_world_; and till a soul is freed from it, it can never have a true love +for God. + +What are the honours and riches of this world, when compared to the +glories of a crown of life? + +Love not the world, for it is a moth in a Christian’s life. + +To despise the world is the way to enjoy heaven; and blessed are they who +delight to converse with God by prayer. + +What folly can be greater than to labour for the meat that perisheth, and +neglect the food of eternal life? + +God or the world must be neglected at _parting_ time, for then is the +time of trial. + +To seek yourself in this life is to be lost; and to be humble is to be +exalted. + +The epicure that delighteth in the dainties of this world, little +thinketh that those very creatures will one day witness against him. + + + +ON SUFFERING. + + +It is not every suffering that makes a man a martyr; but suffering for +the Word of God after a right manner; that is, not only for +_righteousness_, but for righteousness’ sake; not only for _truth_, but +out of love to truth; not only for God’s Word, but according to it: to +wit, in that holy, humble, meek manner, as the Word of God requireth. + +It is a rare thing to suffer aright, and to have my spirit in suffering +bent against God’s enemy, sin. Sin in doctrine, sin in worship, sin in +life, and sin in conversation. + +Neither the devil, nor men of the world, can kill thy righteousness, or +love to it, but by thy own hand; or separate that and thee asunder, +without thy own act. Nor will he that doth indeed suffer for the sake of +it, or out of love he bears thereto, be tempted to _exchange_ it for the +good will of the whole world. + +I have often thought that the best of Christians are found in the worst +times: and I have thought again, that one reason why we are not better +is, because God purges us no more. Noah and Lot, who so _holy_ as they +in the time of their afflictions! and yet, who so _idle_ as they in the +time of their prosperity? + + + +OF DEATH AND JUDGMENT. + + +As the devil labours by all means to keep out other things that are good, +so to keep out of the heart as much as in him lies, the thoughts of +passing out of this life into another world; for he knows if he can but +keep them from the serious thoughts of _death_, he shall the more easily +keep them in their sins. + +Nothing will make us more earnest in working out the work of our +salvation than a frequent meditation of mortality; nothing hath a greater +influence for the taking off our hearts from vanities, and for the +begetting in us desires for holiness. + +O! sinner, what a condition wilt thou fall into when thou departest the +world; if thou depart unconverted, thou hadst better have been +_smothered_ the first hour thou wast born; thou hadst better have been +plucked one limb from the other; thou hadst better have been made a dog, +a toad, a serpent, than to die unconverted; and this thou wilt find true +if thou repent not. + +A man would be counted a fool to slight a judge before whom he is to have +a trial of his whole estate. The trial we are to have before God is of +_otherwise_ importance; it concerns our eternal happiness or misery, and +yet dare we affront him. + +The only way for us to escape that terrible judgment is to be often +passing a sentence of condemnation upon ourselves here. + +When the sound of the trumpet shall be heard, which shall summon the dead +to appear before the tribunal of God, the righteous shall hasten out of +their graves with joy to meet their Redeemer in the clouds; others shall +call to the mountains and hills to fall upon them, to cover them from the +sight of their judge; let us, therefore, in time be _posing_ ourselves +which of the _two_ we shall be. + + + +OF THE JOYS OF HEAVEN. + + +There is no good in this life but what is mingled with some evil: honours +perplex, riches disquiet, and pleasures ruin health. But in heaven we +shall find blessings in their purity, without any ingredient to imbitter; +with everything to sweeten it. + +O! who is able to conceive the inexpressible, inconceivable joys that are +there! None but they who have tasted of them. Lord, help us to put such +a value upon them here, that in order to prepare ourselves for them, we +may be willing to forego the loss of all those deluding pleasures here. + +How will the heavens echo for joy, when the bride, the Lamb’s wife, shall +come to dwell with her husband for ever! + +Christ is the desire of nations, the joy of angels, the delight of the +Father; what solace then must the soul be filled with, that hath the +possession of him to all eternity! + +O! what acclamations of joy will there be, when all the children of God +shall meet together, without fear of being disturbed by the +anti-Christian and Cainish brood. + +Is there not a time coming when the godly may ask the wicked, what profit +they have in their pleasure? what comfort in their greatness? and what +fruit in all their labour? + +If you would be better satisfied what the beatifical vision means, my +request is, that you would live _holily_ and go and see. + + + +OF THE TORMENTS OF HELL. + + +Heaven and salvation is not surely _more_ promised to the godly, than +hell and damnation is threatened to, and shall be executed on, the +wicked. + +Oh! who knows the power of God’s wrath? None but damned ones. + +Sinners’ company are the devil and his angels, tormented in everlasting +fire with a curse. + +Hell would be a kind of paradise, if it were no worse than the _worst_ of +this world. + +As different as grief is from joy, as torment from rest, as terror from +peace; so different is the state of sinners from that of _saints_ in the +world to come. + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISCELLANOUS PIECES*** + + +******* This file should be named 3613-0.txt or 3613-0.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/6/1/3613 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part +of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, +and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive +specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this +eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook +for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, +performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given +away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks +not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the +trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. + +START: FULL LICENSE + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full +Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at +www.gutenberg.org/license. + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or +destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your +possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a +Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound +by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the +person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph +1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this +agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the +Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection +of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual +works in the collection are in the public domain in the United +States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the +United States and you are located in the United States, we do not +claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, +displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as +all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope +that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting +free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm +works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the +Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily +comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the +same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when +you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are +in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, +check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this +agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, +distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any +other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no +representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any +country outside the United States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other +immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear +prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work +on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, +performed, viewed, copied or distributed: + + This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and + most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no + restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it + under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this + eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the + United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you + are located before using this ebook. + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is +derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not +contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the +copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in +the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are +redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply +either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or +obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm +trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any +additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms +will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works +posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the +beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including +any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access +to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format +other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official +version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site +(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense +to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means +of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain +Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the +full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +provided that + +* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed + to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has + agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project + Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid + within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are + legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty + payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project + Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in + Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg + Literary Archive Foundation." + +* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all + copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue + all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm + works. + +* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of + any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of + receipt of the work. + +* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than +are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing +from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The +Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm +trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project +Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may +contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate +or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or +other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or +cannot be read by your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium +with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you +with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in +lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person +or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second +opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If +the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing +without further opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO +OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of +damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement +violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the +agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or +limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or +unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the +remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in +accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the +production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, +including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of +the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this +or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or +additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any +Defect you cause. + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of +computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It +exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations +from people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future +generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see +Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at +www.gutenberg.org + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by +U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the +mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its +volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous +locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt +Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to +date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and +official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND +DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular +state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To +donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project +Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be +freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and +distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of +volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in +the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not +necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper +edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search +facility: www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + |