Works of John Bunyan Volume II Part 169

Q. How is self-denial a proof of the truth of a man's affections to G.o.d?--A. In that for the sake of his service, he leaveth all his enjoyments in this world. Thus he proved Abraham's affections (Gen 22:12). Thus he proved Peter's affections (Matt 4:18-22) and thus he proved their affection that you read of in the gospel (Luke 9:57-73).

Q. What reason else can you produce why G.o.d requireth self-denial?--A.

Self-denial is one of the distinguis.h.i.+ng characters by which true Christians are manifested from the feigned ones: for those that are feigned, flatter G.o.d with their mouths, but their hearts seek themselves; but the sincere, for the love that he hath to Christ, forsaketh all that he hath for his sake (Psa 78:36,37; Eze 33:31,32).[23]

Q. Is there yet another reason why G.o.d requireth self-denial of them that profess his name?--A. Yes; because by self-denial the power and goodness of the truths of G.o.d are made manifest to the incredulous world. For they cannot see but by the self-denial of G.o.d's people, that there is such power, glory, goodness, and desirableness in G.o.d's truth as indeed there is (Dan 3:16,28; Phil 1:12,13).

Q. Have you another reason why G.o.d requireth self-denial?--A. Yes; because self-denial prepareth a man, though not for the pardon of his sin, yet for that far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, that is laid up only for them that deny all that they have for the Lord Jesus, his name, and cause in this world (2 Cor 4:8-10,17; 2 Thess 1:5,6).

Q. Before you conclude, will you give me a few instances of the severity of G.o.d's hand upon some professors, that have not denied themselves when called thereto by him?--A. Yes, willingly; Lot's wife for but looking behind her towards Sodom, when G.o.d called her from it, was stricken from heaven, and turned into a pillar of salt; therefore remember Lot's wife (Gen 19:17,26; Luke 17:31,32).

Q. Can you give me another instance?--A. Yes; Esau for not denying himself of one morsel of meat was denied a share in the blessing, and could never obtain it after, though he sought it carefully with tears (Gen 25:32-34; Heb 12:16,17).

Q. Have you at hand another instance?--A. Yes; Judas for not denying himself, lost Christ, his soul, and heaven: and is continued the great object of G.o.d's wrath among all d.a.m.ned souls (John 12:5,6; Luke 22:3-6; Matt 26:14-16; Acts 1:25).

Q. Will you give me one more instance, and so conclude?--A. Yes; Ananias and Sapphira his wife, did for the want of self-denial, pull upon themselves such wrath of G.o.d, that he slew them, while they stood in the midst before the apostles (Acts 5:1-11).

The Conclusion.

Before I wind up this discourse, I would lay down these few things for you to consider of, and meditate upon.

I. Consider, that seeing every one by nature are accounted sinners; it is no matter whether thy actual sins be little or great, few or many, thy sinful nature hath already lain thee under the curse of the law.

II. Consider, That therefore thou hast already ground for humiliation, sins to repent of, wrath to fly from, or a soul to be d.a.m.ned.

III. Consider, That time stays not for thee, and also that as time goes, sin increaseth; so that at last the end of thy time, and the completing of thy sin, are like to come upon thee in one moment.

IV. Bring thy last day often to thy bedside, and ask thy heart, if this morning thou wast to die, if thou be ready to die or no.

V. Know it is a sad thing to lie a dying, and to be afraid to die; to lie a dying and not to know whither thou art going; to lie a dying, and not to know whether good angels or bad must conduct thee out of this miserable world.

VI. Be often remembering what a blessed thing it is to be saved, to go to heaven, to be made like angels, and to dwell with G.o.d and Christ to all eternity.

VII. Consider how sweet the thought of salvation will be to thee when thou seest thyself in heaven, whilst others are roaring in h.e.l.l.[24]

The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit.

FOOTNOTES:

1. How awful the thought that persons should sit under so faithful and searching a ministry, and still remain in their sins. Is it so to the present day under a faithful ministry? then, Oh my soul, how is it with thee?--Ed.

2. A painful recollection of his long and cruel imprisonment for conscience sake led Bunyan to feel the value of liberty. Still he forcibly appeals to his reader on the necessity of private judgment in divine things. His twelve years' converse with G.o.d and his word in prison had confirmed his principles; while divine love had swallowed up the fear of man.--Ed.

3. Faith is the only principle that, by the power of the Holy Ghost, can purify the heart. It leads the soul into holy communion with a pure and holy G.o.d, and thus cleanses the heart.--Ed.

4. All mankind, as born into the world, show, as soon as the mental powers open, aversion to G.o.d, to his purity, his law, his gospel; the doctrines of grace and the work of the Spirit upon the heart.

A solemn proof of the universal taint given by original sin.--Ed.

5. By the word 'public' is to be understood a federal head, or the representative of all his posterity. Adam's faith can only save his own soul; his sin taints all his seed.--Ed.

6. A state of hostility to G.o.d plunges the soul into mental darkness, rage, horror, anguish, despair, and endless and unutterable misery and woe. How ought we to love the Lord Jesus for his GREAT salvation!--Ed.

7. It is a very modern custom to have the place of execution within a city--formerly they were always without--their position being still noted by the name 'Gallow Knowe,' the knoll or mound of the gallows; 'Gallowgate,' the gate or way leading to the gallows; and so on. Happily for the well-being of society, these exhibitions are less frequent than they formerly were.

8. 'That servant which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes' (Luke 12:47)--Ed.

9. Which is the greatest sinner; he who invents scandal, or he who encourages the inventor to retail it? If there were no receivers, there would be no thieves.--Ed.

10. The terms in which this question is put, shows that the little children here intended were capable of repentance and faith. That Bunyan believed, as Toplady did, the salvation of all that die in infancy by the atonement of Christ, there can be no doubt. 'In my remarks on Dr. Rowell, I testified my firm belief that the souls of all departed infants are with G.o.d in glory.' See the Introduction to Toplady's Historic Proof.--Ed.

11. The knowledge of ourselves as vile and abominable, hopeless and helpless, is an essential step towards our recovery. The next step that leads to heaven, and lands us there, is to 'know the only true G.o.d, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent,' as revealed in the word of truth. 'This is eternal life.'--Ed.

12. The unrenewed heart is the sink of sin, the fountain of pollution.

'Out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies; these defile a man.' Create in us a clean heart, O G.o.d!--Ed.

13. No poor soul was more severely visited with these feelings than Bunyan. 'Now I beheld the condition of the dog and toad; and counted the state of every thing that G.o.d had made far better than this state of mine.'--Grace Abounding, No. 104.--Ed.

14. How pointed and forcible is this ill.u.s.tration of the absurdity of neglecting the Physician of souls, when the malady of sin is felt. The more desperate our disease, the faster we should fly to Christ for cure.--Ed.

15. The awful condition of the unconverted consists in their being in a state of separation from G.o.d, insensible of that dismal state, utterly unable to extricate themselves out of it, and loathsome to G.o.d while they continue in it. Reader, do you recollect when this was your state; if not, what hope is there that you have pa.s.sed from death unto life?--Ed.

16. The operation of faith is by steps. 'To open their eyes,' 'to turn them from darkness to light,' 'from power of Satan to G.o.d,'

'forgiveness of sins,' 'the heavenly inheritance' (Acts 26:18).--Ed.

17. Under a fear lest he had spoken against Christ, Bunyan thus expresses his misery; 'I fell into a very deep pause about the most fearful state my sin had brought me to; and, lifting up my head, I saw as if the sun did grudge to give me light, and as if the very stones in the street, and tiles upon the houses, did bend themselves against me.'--Grace Abounding, No. 186.--Ed.

18. 'The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord; but the prayer of the upright is his delight. He loveth him that followeth after righteousness' (Prov 15:8,9). That our prayers may be heard, the heart should be right with G.o.d, and our souls at peace with him through the Son of his love.--Mason.--Ed.

19. These are parts of a Christian's experience, admirably ill.u.s.trated in that extraordinary book by Bunyan, 'Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.'--Ed.

20. All-prevailing prayers must be offered up through the mediation of Christ, in obedience to G.o.d's command, with an eye to his glory, and for what is agreeable to his will and heavenly wisdom to grant.

'Lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting' (1 Tim 2:8).

G.o.d's service must be in faith, love, and purity of heart.--Ryland.--Ed.

21. How debased is the human heart, to delay one moment in giving up its poor all for Christ. In him dwells the fulness of the G.o.dhead; he has unsearchable riches of wisdom and knowledge to bestow; all-sufficient grace and strength, to enable us to do and suffer his will; and everlasting glory at the close of our pilgrimage.--Ed.

22. No tongue can utter, or heart conceive, the unspeakable reward which an unwearied, unfainting diligence in well-doing, attends the humble believer; it begins in this world, and is consummated in endless glory.--Ed.

23. Christian, you are not your own, you are bought with a price far above all the treasures of the earth. You must not do as you please, but study to do the will of your heavenly Father. The man who is bent upon doing his own will, renounces the name of Christian. REBEL against G.o.d is inscribed upon all who do not his will.--Ed.

24. How blessed is the hope of the Christian; full of life, power, and much a.s.surance. The salvation by Christ is infinitely precious; it redeems the souls from all possible misery, and introduces it to the favour, love, and protection of almighty G.o.d, who will save it from the ruins of time, till possessed of the riches of eternity.--Ed.

SEASONABLE COUNSEL: OR, ADVICE TO SUFFERERS.