Works of John Bunyan Volume I Part 138

A word to hypocrites.

Hypocrites, my last word is to you; the hypocrite is one that would appear to be that in men's eyes that is nothing of in G.o.d's--thou hypocrite, that wouldest be esteemed to be one that loves and that fears G.o.d, but does not; I have this to say to thee, thy condition is d.a.m.nable, because thou art a hypocrite, and seekest to deceive both G.o.d and man with guises, vizards, masks, shows, pretences, and thy formal, carnal, feigned subjection to the outside of statutes, laws, and commandments; but within thou art full of rottenness and all excess.

Hypocrite, thou mayest by thy cunning s.h.i.+fts be veiled and hid from men, but thou art naked before the eyes of G.o.d, and he knoweth that his fear is not in thy heart (Luke 16:15).

Hypocrite, be admonished that there is not obedience accepted of G.o.d, where the heart is dest.i.tute of this grace of fear. Keeping of the commandments is but one part of the duty of man, and Paul did that, even while he was a hypocrite (Phil 3). To "fear G.o.d and keep his commandments, this is the whole duty of man" (Eccl 12:13).

This--fear G.o.d--the hypocrite, as a hypocrite, cannot do, and therefore, as such, cannot escape the d.a.m.nation of h.e.l.l.

Hypocrite, thou must fear G.o.d first, even before thou dost offer to meddle with the commandments, that is, as to the keeping of them.

Indeed, thou shouldest read therein, that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord, but yet, "fear G.o.d" goes before the command to keep his commandments. And if thou dost not fear G.o.d first, thou transgressest, instead of keeping of the commandments.

Hypocrite, this word, FEAR G.o.d, is that which the hypocrite quite forgets, although it is that which sanctifies the whole duty of man. For this is that, and nothing without it, that can make a man sincere in his obedience; the hypocrite looks for applause abroad, and forgets that he is condemned at home, and both these he does because he wanteth the fear of G.o.d.

Hypocrite, be admonished that none of the privileges that are spoken of in the former part of the book belongs to thee, because thou art a hypocrite; and if thou hope, thy hope shall be cut off, and if thou lean upon thy house, both thou and it shall fall into h.e.l.l-fire. Triumph then, thy triumph is but for awhile. Joy then, but the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment (Job 8:13,15, 20:4-6).

Perhaps thou wilt not let go now, what, as a hypocrite, thou hast got; but "what is the hope of the hypocrite, when G.o.d taketh away his soul?" (Job 27:8). Hypocrite, thou shouldest have chosen the fear of G.o.d, as thou hast chosen a profession without it, but thou hast cast off fear, because thou art a hypocrite; and because thou art such, thou shalt have the same measure that thou metest; G.o.d will cast thee off, because thou art a hypocrite. G.o.d hath prepared a fear for thee because thou didst not choose the fear of G.o.d, and that fear shall come upon thee like desolation, and like an armed man, and shall swallow thee up, thou and all that thou art (Prov 1:27).

Hypocrite, read this text and tremble--"The sinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" (Isa 33:13,14).

Hypocrite, thou art not under the fatherly protection of G.o.d, because thou art a hypocrite, and wantest his fear in thine heart.

The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, to deliver them.

But the fearless man or hypocrite is left to the snares and wiles of the devil, to be caught therein and overcome, because he is dest.i.tute of the fear of G.o.d.

Hypocrite, thou art like to have no other reward of G.o.d for thy labour than that which the goats shall have;[36] the hypocrite, because he is a hypocrite, shall not stand in G.o.d's sight. The gain of thy religion thou spendest as thou gettest it. Thou wilt not have one farthing overplus at death and judgment.

Hypocrite, G.o.d hath not intrusted thee with the least dram of his saving grace, nor will he, because thou art a hypocrite: and as for what thou hast, thou hast stolen it, even every man of you from his neighbour; still pilfering out of their profession, even as Judas did out of the bag. Thou comest like a thief into thy profession, and like a thief thou shalt go out of the same. Jesus Christ hath not counted thee faithful to commit to thee any of his jewels to keep, because thou fearest him not. He hath given his "banner to them that fear him, that it may be displayed because of the truth"

(Psa 60:4).

Hypocrite, thou art not true to G.o.d nor man, nor thine own soul, because thou art a hypocrite! How should the Lord put any trust in thee? Why should the saints look for any good from thee? Should G.o.d give thee his Word, thou wilt sell it. Should men commit their souls to thee, thou wilt destroy them, by making merchandise of them, for thy own hypocritical designs. Yea, if the sun waxes hot, thou wilt throw all away, and not endure the heat, because thou art a hypocrite!

FOOTNOTES:

[1]This is a very remarkable ill.u.s.tration of G.o.dly fear. Jacob does not swear by the omnipresence or omniscience of G.o.d--nor by his omnipotence--nor by his love or mercy in his covenant--nor by the G.o.d of Abraham, but by the "fear of his father Isaac"--the sole object of his adoration. A most striking and solemn appeal to Jehovah, fixing upon our hearts that Divine proverb, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"--the source of all happiness, both in time and in eternity.--Ed.

[2] It is of solemn importance that we feel the vast difference between holy and unholy familiarity with G.o.d. Has he adopted us into his family? Can we, by a new birth, say "Our Father?" Still he is in heaven, we on earth. He is infinite in purity; Holy, Holy, Holy is his name. We are defiled, and can only approach his presence in the righteousness of the Saviour and Mediator. Then, O my soul, if it is thy bliss to draw near to the throne of grace with holy boldness, let it be with reverence and G.o.dly fear.--Ed.

[3] It is an awful thing to appeal to G.o.d for the truth of a lie!

All appeals to G.o.d, not required by law, are worse than useless; they are wicked, and cast a doubt on the veracity of those who make them--Ed.

[4] "To give the back"; to forsake, to depart, to treat with contempt. See Imperial Dictionary, vol. i. p. 145.--Ed.

[5] The genuine disciple "who thinketh no evil" will say, Can this be so now? Yes, reader, it is. Some go to G.o.d's house to wors.h.i.+p their ease and forgetfulness in sleep; some for worldly purposes; some to admire the beauty of the frail body; but many to wors.h.i.+p G.o.d in spirit and in truth. Reader, inquire to which of these cla.s.ses you belong.--Ed.

[6] They wors.h.i.+pped G.o.d, not according to his appointment, but their own inventions--the direction of their false prophets, or their idolatrous kings, or the usages of the nations round about them. The tradition of the elders was of more value and validity with them than G.o.d's laws by Moses. This our Saviour applies to the Jews in his time, who were formal in their devotions, and wedded to their own inventions; and p.r.o.nounces concerning them that in vain do they wors.h.i.+p G.o.d. How many still in wors.h.i.+p regard the inventions of man, and traditions of the church, more than the commands of G.o.d.--Ed.

[7] The Word is the decree upon which we must depend or perish. In vain, poor sinner, is any reliance upon churches or men; neither Papist nor Protestant have any power "committed unto them" to forgive sins. If they claim it, believe them not, but pity their pride and delusion. Christ is the Rock, and not poor erring Peter, as some have vainly imagined. Peter is dead, awaiting the resurrection of his body, and the great day of judgment; but Christ ever liveth at all times, and in all places, able to save unto the uttermost.

Put no trust in man, but in thy broken spirit seek the blessing of Christ, that he may pardon thy sins.--Ed.

[8] The fear of the wicked arises from a corrupt, sinful, self-condemning conscience; they fear G.o.d as an angry judge, and therefore consider him as their enemy. As they love and will not part with their sins, so they are in continual dread of punishment.--Mason.

[9] "To-elbow all his days in his lord's vineyard"; to sit or stand idly resting upon his elbows, instead of labouring in the vineyard.

"A sovereign shame so elbows him."--King Lear, Act iv, Scene 3.--Ed.

[10] "Gear"; apparel, furniture, implements. "The apostles were not fixed in their residence, but were ready in their gears to move whither they were called."--Barrow.--Ed.

[11] G.o.d does not limit himself as to his mode of calling poor sinners. The three thousand he convinced at one hour, and they immediately made a profession, but Bunyan was for years in a state of alarming uncertainty; some are driven by fiery terrors, others by a still small voice. Reader, our anxious inquiry should be, Have we entered in by Christ the gate? Are our fruits meet for repentance? Let no one vaunt of his experience, because he go well bedaubed with the dirt of the slough. Every soul that enters the gate is equally a miracle of grace.--Ed.

[12] This is remarkably instanced in Bunyan's Grace Abounding.--Ed.

[13] Those who are adopted into the family of heaven are "justified from all things"; being delivered from sin, the curse, and wrath, "there is now no condemnation for them"; and trusting to Jesus'

precious blood of pardon, to his righteousness for acceptance, and to his grace for sanctification, they are, by the indwelling of the Spirit which adopted them, possessed of that love which casteth out fear, and rejoiceth in hope of the glory of G.o.d. And to those who, through their manifold infirmities and departures, are often beset with unbelieving fears, the Lord says, for their encouragement, "Fear thou not, for I am with thee; I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isa 41:10).--Mason.

[14] Effectual grace in the soul is accompanied by doubts and fears, owing to the remains of indwelling corruption; hence arises a continual warfare. Believer, how needful is it ever to retain your confidence and a.s.surance of your Lord's love to you! Rely on his faithfulness, persevere steadfastly in the way of duty, looking to Jesus, and living upon his fulness.--Mason. How does all this reasoning remind us of Bunyan's own experience, recorded in his Grace Abounding; he was not ignorant of Satan's devices.--Ed.

[15] Alas! how few attain to this most blessed state. To delight so in the Word--to make it so much our daily study, and the object of our meditations at night, as to have "its very form engraven upon the face of our souls." Happy is the man that is in such a case. O my soul, why is it not thy case?--Ed.

[16] The filial fear of G.o.d is most prevalent when the heart is impressed with a lively sense of the love of G.o.d manifested in Christ. As a dutiful and obedient child fears to offend an affectionate parent, or as a person of grateful heart would be extremely careful not to grieve a kind and bountiful friend, who is continually loading him with favours and promoting his true happiness; so, and much more, will the gracious soul be afraid of displeasing the Lord, his bountiful and unwearied benefactor, who is crowning him with loving kindness and tender mercies.--Mason.

[17] It is no new thing for those who are in public places, to seek themselves more than the public welfare; nay, and to serve themselves by the public loss.--Henry.

[18] How does this remind us of the character of By-ends in the "Pilgrim's Progress" !--Ed.

[19] So Ainsworth understands, p. 134, vol. 10. He renders it, "lurking lions, which are l.u.s.ty, strong-toothed, fierce, roaring, and ravenous. And hereby," says he, "may be meant the rich and mighty of the world, whom G.o.d often bringeth to misery." "They that are ravenous, and prey on all about them, shall want, but the meek shall inherit the earth; they shall not want who, with quiet obedience, work and mind their own business; plain-hearted Jacob has pottage enough, when Esau, the cunning hunter, is ready to perish."

Henry.--Ed.

[20] "The conduct of angels" means not merely their guiding pilgrims in the way, but also, in a military sense, a guard, or what is now called a convoy.--Ed.

[21] See margin, Genesis 41:43, and 40:8.--Ed.

[22] To publish by sound of trumpet, to trumpet good tidings. In Bunyan's time it was never used ironically.--Ed.

[23] This if from the Bible, and not from the inferior version in the Book of Common Prayer, commonly called the reading Psalms.--Ed.

[24] Sternhold and Hopkin's edit. 1635.--The propriety of singing in public wors.h.i.+p was strongly debated by some of the Nonconformists.

There were very weighty reasons, in persecuting times, for meetings being held as quietly as possible. The Quakers to this day do not admit singing in their a.s.semblies. The introduction of this psalm proves that Bunyan was acquainted with the "singing" Psalms, and, in all probability, practised singing in public wors.h.i.+p. When James I. improved this version for church use, called the Psalms of KING David, translated by KING James, his last four lines are--

Thou of Jerusalem shalt see While as thou liv'st the good, Thou shalt thy children's children see, And peace on Israel's brood.

How blessed are we in our day with the poetry of Watts, Wesley, and a host of others, who have supplied the church with beautiful soul-inspiring compositions, without fear to restrain us in using them.--Ed.

[25] No one can charge Bunyan with a superst.i.tious notion of dreams, whether asleep or as if asleep. Such a mode of interpretation as he recommends is both rational and scriptural. To dream awake is thus explained--"They dream on in a course of reading without digesting."--Locke.--Ed.

[26] Whoever thou art, beseech the Lord to weigh thee in the balances of the sanctuary. No fear of G.o.d--no grace in the soul.

Of this cla.s.s is the proud, the covetous, the glutton, the liar, the apostate, the perverter of G.o.d's people from the right way; obstinate and incorrigible backsliders; those who neither mourn nor sigh for the wickedness of the land; they that prefer their own fancies, dreams, frames, and feelings, to the Word of G.o.d; swearers, adulterers, perjured persons, and oppressors of the poor; they that insult the G.o.dly, and rejoice at their sufferings; they that have no love, grat.i.tude, nor sense of duty to G.o.d, as the fountain of their unmerited mercies. O reader, give G.o.d no rest until, by his Word and Spirit, he imparts to thee this holy fear as the earnest of glory hereafter; without it you are peris.h.i.+ng.--Mason.--Ed.

[27] "Snaffle"; a loose bridle with a curb. "To snaffle"; to be easily led.