Works of John Bunyan Volume III Part 149

[46] This word was, by a typographical error, printed 'doctrine,'

in an edition of 1707; this error has been followed in all the after copies.--Ed.

[47] A very considerable portion of the use and application as found in the first edition, was, in the second and subsequent ones, removed to the comment on verse 28; from the words, 'Now then, from what hath been said,' to the end of the comment on that verse. I should have preferred Bunyan's first arrangement, but dared not alter what he had considered an improvement.--Ed.

[48] Of all men most miserable must be those clergymen and religious teachers, who, in the great day, will say, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name,' to whom the Lord will profess, 'I never knew you, depart, ye cursed.'--Matt 7:21-23.--Ed.

[49] The Ranters were a sect of the wildest enthusiasts. It very soon became extinct. An exaggerated account of their sentiments is to be found in Ross's view of all Religions.--Ed.

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL;

or,

SERIOUS MEDITATIONS UPON THE FOUR LAST THINGS: DEATH, JUDGMENT, HEAVEN, AND h.e.l.l

UNTO WHICH IS ADDED EBAL AND GERIZZIM, OR THE BLESSING AND THE CURSE,

by John Bunyan.

London: Printed for Nath. Ponder, at the Peac.o.c.k in the Poultry, 1688.[1]

ADVERTIs.e.m.e.nT BY THE EDITOR.

According to Charles Doe, in that curious sheet called The Struggler for the Preservation of Mr. John Bunyan's Labours, these poems were published about the year 1664, while the author was suffering imprisonment for conscience sake, very probably in separate sheets or tracts, to be sold by his wife or children, to aid in their humble maintenance. They were afterwards united to form a neat little volume, 32 mo. The editor is the fortunate possessor of the third edition, being the last that was printed during the author's lifetime, and with his latest corrections. From this the present edition has been accurately reprinted. The three tracts are distinct as to pages; a strong indication that they were originally separate little volumes. A copy of the fourth edition of this extremely rare book, without date, and somewhat larger in size, is in the British Museum, in which the pages are continued throughout the volume.

These poems are upon subjects the most solemn and affecting to all mankind, and, like all Bunyan's other works, were evidently written, not for display, but to impress upon the heart those searching realities upon which depend our everlasting destiny.

Die we must; yes, reader, you and I must follow our fathers to the unseen world. Heaven forbid that we should be such mad fools, as to make no provision for the journey; no inquiries about our prospects in that eternity into which we must so soon enter. True it is, that unless Heaven stops us in our mad career, we shall plunge into irretrievable ruin.

In the first of these poems, many of the minute circ.u.mstances attendant on death are pressed upon the memory. Very soon, as Bunyan awfully expresses the though, we must look death in the face, and 'drink with him.' Soon some kind friend or relative will close our eyelids, and shut up our gla.s.sy eyes for ever; tie up the fallen jaw, and prepare the corrupting body for its long, but not final resting-place. Our hour-gla.s.s is fast ebbing out; time stands ready with his scythe to cut us down; the grave yawns to receive us. 'Man dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he' (Job 14:10). The answer is ready, sure, certain--he goes to the judgment of the great day. There every thought that has pa.s.sed over his mind, while on earth, will be manifested and scrutinized; every action, every sin, and every supposed good work, however private, will then be published. It is an awful thought. Thousands of works which are thought good will be weighed in the unerring balances of truth, will be found wanting, and proved to be bad, not arising from evangelical motives; while all our thoughts, words, and actions will appear in their real colours tainted by sin. Those only who are clothed in the Redeemer's righteousness, and cleansed by his purifying, sanctifying sufferings, can stand accepted, and will receive the invitation, Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom of your father, and your G.o.d, by adoption into his family; while an innumerable mult.i.tude will be hurried away by the voice of the judge, Go, ye cursed, into everlasting torment. Solemn consideration. Reader, have you fled for refuge to the hope set before you in the gospel? Have you felt the alarm in your soul under a sense of sin and judgment?

Were you dead, and are you made alive? O, then, while you bless the Saviour for such unspeakable mercies, seek with all diligence, as life is prolonged, to extend the blessing to others. There is no work nor device in the grave, whither we are all hastening, that can benefit mortals. The great gulf will be fixed, and our state be finally decided for eternity. O, then, if you have not yet attained that good hope of heavenly felicity, sure and stedfast--hasten--yes,

'Hasten, O sinner, to be blest And stay not for the morrow's sun; For fear the curse should thee arrest Before the morrow be begun.'

GEO. OFFOR.

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL,

OR

SERIOUS MEDITATIONS UPON THE FOUR LAST THINGS--DEATH, JUDGMENT, HEAVEN, AND h.e.l.l

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ENSUING DISCOURSE.

1. These lines I at this time present To all that will them heed, Wherein I show to what intent G.o.d saith, Convert[2] with speed.

2. For these four things come on apace, Which we should know full well, Both death and judgment, and, in place Next to them, heaven and h.e.l.l.

3. For doubtless man was never born For this life and no more: No, in the resurrection morn They must have weal or woe.

4. Can any think that G.o.d should take That pains, to form a man So like himself, only to make Him here a moment stand?

5. Or that he should make such ado, By justice, and by grace; By prophets and apostles too, That men might see his face?

6. Or that the promise he hath made, Also the threatenings great, Should in a moment end and fade?

O! no, this is a cheat.

7. Besides, who is so mad, or worse, To think that Christ should come From glory, to be made a curse, And that in sinners' room, 8. If nothing should by us be had When we are gone from hence, But vanities, while here? O mad And foolish confidence.

9. Again, shall G.o.d, who is the truth, Say there is heaven and h.e.l.l And shall men play that trick of youth To say, But who can tell?

10. Shall he that keeps his promise sure In things both low and small, Yet break it like a man impure, In matters great'st of all?

11. O, let all tremble at that thought, That puts on G.o.d the lie, That saith men shall turn unto nought When they be sick and die.

12. Alas, death is but as the door Through which all men do pa.s.s, To that which they for evermore Shall have by wrath or grace.

13. Let all therefore that read my lines, Apply them to the heart: Yea, let them read, and turn betimes, And get the better part.

14. Mind therefore what I treat on here, Yea, mind and weigh it well; 'Tis death and judgment, and a clear Discourse of heaven and h.e.l.l.

OF DEATH

1. Death, as a king rampant and stout The world he dare engage; He conquers all, yea, and doth rout The great, strong, wise, and sage.

2. No king so great, nor prince so strong, But death can make to yield, Yea, bind and lay them all along, And make them quit the field.

3. Where are the victors of the world, With all their men of might?

Those that together kingdoms hurl'd, By death are put to flight.

4. How feeble is the strongest hand, When death begins to gripe!

The giant now leaves off to stand, Much less withstand and fight.

5. The man that hath a lion's face Must here give place and bend, Yea, though his bones were bars of bra.s.s, 'Tis vain here to contend.

6. Submit he must to feeble ones, To worms who will enclose His skin and flesh, sinews and bones, And will thereof dispose 7. Among themselves, as merchants do The prizes they have got; Or as the soldiers give unto Each man the share and lot, 8. Which they by dint of sword have won, From their most daring foe; While he lies by as still as stone, Not knowing what they do.

9. Beauty death turns to rottenness, And youth to wrinkled face; The witty he brings to distress, And wantons to disgrace.

10. The wild he tames, and spoils the mirth Of all that wanton are, He takes the worldling from his worth, And poor man from his care.

11. Death favours none, he lays at all, Of all sorts and degree; Both old and young, both great and small, Rich, poor, and bound, and free.

12. No fawning words will flatter him, Nor threat'nings make him start; He favours none for worth or kin, All must taste of his dart.

13. What shall I say? the graves declare That death shall conquer all; There lie the skulls, dust, bones, and there The mighty daily fall.

14. The very looks of death are grim And ghastly to behold; Yea, though but in a dead man's skin, When he is gone and cold.

15. How 'fraid are some of dead men's beds, And others of their bones; They neither care to see their heads, Nor yet to hear their groans.

16. Now all these things are but the shade And badges of his coat;[3]

The gla.s.s that runs, the scythe and spade, Though weapons more remote: 17. Yet such as make poor mortals shrink And fear, when they are told, These things are signs that they must drink With death; O then how cold.

18. It strikes them to the heart! how do They study it to shun!

Indeed who can bear up, and who Can from these shakings run?

19. But how much more then when he comes To grapple with thy heart; To bind with thread thy toes and thumbs,[4]

And fetch thee in his cart?

20. Then will he cut thy silver cord, And break thy golden bowl; Yea, break that pitcher which the Lord Made cabin for thy soul.

21. Thine eyes, that now are quick of sight, Shall then no way espy How to escape this doleful plight, For death will make thee die.

22. Those legs that now can nimbly run, Shall then with faintness fail To take one step, death's dart to shun, When he doth thee a.s.sail.

23. That tongue that now can boast and brag Shall then by death be tied So fast, as not to speak or wag, Though death lies by thy side.

24. Thou that didst once incline thine ear Unto the song and tale, Shall only now death's message hear, While he, with face most pale, 25. Doth reason with thee how thy days Hath hitherto been spent; And what have been thy deeds and ways, Since G.o.d thee time hath lent.

26. Then will he so begin to tear Thy body from thy soul, And both from life, if now thy care Be not on grace to roll.

27. Death puts on things another face Than we in health do see: Sin, Satan, h.e.l.l, death, life and grace Now great and weighty be.

28. Yea, now the sick man's eye is set Upon a world to come: He also knows too without let[5]

That there must be his home.

29. Either in joy, in bliss and light, Or sorrow, woe, and grief; Either with Christ and saints in white, Or fiends, without relief.

30. But, O! the sad estate that then They will be in that die Both void of grace and life! poor men!

How will they fear and cry.