Works of John Bunyan Volume I Part 99

13. To divert or turn aside from an intended course; not to divert or amuse.--Ed.

14. Bunyan, in his Creation Spiritualized, or Exposition on Genesis, has shown that the fig-leaf ap.r.o.ns are a type of man's attempt to cover his sins by his own good works, which soon fade, become dung, or are burned up. But the righteousness that G.o.d provides endureth for ever. See vol. i., p. 440.--Ed.

15. The marginal notes to the Bible are exceedingly valuable, especially to the unlearned. There we find that Jedidiah means 'beloved of the Lord.'--Ed.

16. The birth of a babe is a period of excitement. Parents should hope that the new comer is a Jedidiah. On such occasions, it is a delightful service when the father, mother, and family specially attend public worship, to bless G.o.d for his mercies, and to beseech grace that they may train up the child for heaven. Such is the practice among the Baptists. But even in this, watchfulness is requisite, lest it degenerate into mere parade.--Ed.

17. The non-imputation of sin, and the imputation of Christ's righteousness, always go together. David knew this; while he describes the blessedness of the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin, he, at the same time, describes the blessedness of the man to whom G.o.d imputeth Christ's righteousness.--Mason.

18. However excellent the conduct of Zaccheus, still he was a sinner, and under the curse. His curiosity leads him to climb a tree to see Jesus, and most unexpectedly salvation is brought to one who sought it not. Christ called, and he instantly obeyed. O may our hearts be so inclined to receive the invitations of his gospel!.--Ed.

19. We are all, by nature and practice, in a spiritual sense, robbers, idolaters, and murderers. G.o.d make us to know and feel it! We may adopt the language of the poet, and say--

'Sinful soul, what hast thou done?

Murder'd G.o.d's eternal Son!'--Mason.

20. Works justify us from such accusations of men as will deny us to have justification by faith--not as being our righteousness, or conditions of our having Christ's righteousness, or as qualifying us for it.--Mason.

21. Every edition of Bunyan's works calls this a 'void of words,'

and gives a false reference to Hebrews 12:14.--Ed.

22. The law condemns all sinners, and strikes them dead as with a thunderbolt; adjudging them to shame and misery, instead of glory and happiness. None can fulfil its strict terms, neither Jew nor Gentile. There is no hope, if free grace restore them not. Romans 3:20, 2:6-29; 8:7.--Mason.

23. Hagar, by which is meant the law or covenant of works. This is said to gender unto bondage, because it makes them bondmen who look to be saved and justified thereby. It is called the 'ministration of death' (2 Cor 3:6). Whereas the gospel and new covenant is a dispensation of liberty and life.--Mason.

24. We will hold and extol this faith which doubteth not of G.o.d, nor of the Divine promises, nor of the forgiveness of sins through Christ; that we may dwell sure and safe in this our object Christ, and may keep still before our eyes the pa.s.sion and blood of the Mediator and all his benefits.--Luther on Galatians 3:11.

25. Mult.i.tudes of professors set up their rest in outward duties, and repose a carnal confidence in ordinances, without endeavouring after any lively communion with Father, Son, or Holy Spirit, in the exercise of faith and love.--Mason.

26. Conscience, if resisted, is little case, whether rightly or wrongly informed. By little ease, is meant a prison not large enough either to lie down or stand upright in, with spikes in the walls; places of torment well known in former times of persecution for conscience sake.--Ed.

27. Ye cannot serve G.o.d and mammon. We must either, as lost sinners, fall into the arms of Divine mercy, and receive pardon as a free gift through the merits of the Saviour, or we must perish. It is a solemn, searching consideration.--Ed.

28. Difficult at any time, and impossible without Divine power; but most difficult when all the faculties of the soul become harrowed by a 'certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation'

(Heb 10:27).--Ed.

29. If we seek salvation by works, such as sincere obedience or Christian perfection, we thereby bring ourselves under the law, and become debtors to fulfil all its requirements, though we intended to engage ourselves to fulfil it only in part (Gal 5:3). Let this be seriously considered.--Mason.

30. These 'foolish men' were a sect which sprung up in Bunyan's time, and soon became extinct. They believed that the sufferings of Christ, to his death on Calvary, were only typical of what he suffers in the body of every believer. This was as contrary to the express declaration of Holy Writ, 'He was ONCE offered' (Heb 9:28), as is the absurd notion of the Papists in the ma.s.s, or continual sacrifice of Christ. What impious mortal dares pretend to offer up Christ to his Father.--Ed.

31. As the carnal Adam, having lost his original righteousness, imparts a corrupt nature to all his descendants; so the spiritual Adam, Christ Jesus, by his obedience unto death, conveys spiritual life to us; believers are made 'the righteousness of G.o.d in him.'--Mason.

32. 'Neck' is from hniga, to bend or incline. In Bunyan's time, these ancient words were well understood by the peasantry. To have the neck turned, so as to bend the back of the head towards the back of the body, would be as absurd as for faith to look to its own works for justification. This would indeed be bowing backward, instead of bending before, and looking to Jesus and his finished work for justification.--Ed.

33. Modern editors have altered this to 'imperfections,' but Bunyan would have us look to the most perfect of our works, and see how polluted they are.--Ed.

34. Faith looks at things which be not, as though they were. Sense judges from what it sees and feels, faith from what G.o.d says; sense looks inward to self, faith looks outward to Christ and his fullness.--Mason.

35. How strangely does the world mistake the source of good works!

The common and fatal error is, that if salvation is all of faith, then good works will fail; whereas faith is the prolific fountain, yea, the only source of really good works and holy obedience.--Ed.

36. How universal to fallen nature is that soul-destroying heresy--the attempt to justify ourselves partly by our own good works, and to make up the deficiency by the merits of the Saviour! Ye might as well attempt to serve G.o.d and mammon, as to unite our impure works with those of the pure and holy Jesus. We must, as perishing sinners, fall into the arms of Divine mercy, and receive pardon as a free gift, wholly through the merits of the Saviour, or we must for ever perish. It is an awful consideration.--Ed.

37. 'The civilian'; one who is versed in law and government. See Imperial Dictionary.--Ed.

38. When the pilgrims Christian and Hopeful had wandered in By-path Meadow, one that walked before them said that the way led to the celestial gate. 'He therefore that went before, Vain-confidence by name, not seeing the way before him, fell into a deep pit, which was on purpose there made by Giant Despair to catch vain-glorious fools withal, and was dashed in pieces with his fall.' Beware, O legalist, civilian, or formalist!--Ed.

39. How deplorably and inexcusably they will perish, who perish by their own willful unbelief under the gospel! It will be dreadful indeed to be driven, as it were, from the very gate of heaven to the lowermost and hottest h.e.l.l. Lord, send forth thy light, truth, and power, that sinners may be saved and comforted by coming unto thee for life and peace!--Mason.

40. This is a striking and soul-searching appeal. O that the Holy Spirit may 'search me and try me, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,' before we go hence into the eternal state!--Ed.

SAVED BY GRACE;

OR,

A DISCOURSE OF THE GRACE OF G.o.d:

SHOWING--

I. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED. II. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED BY GRACE.

III. WHO THEY AEE THAT ABE SAVED BY GRACE. IV. HOW IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE SAVED BY GRACE. V. WHAT SHOULD BE THE REASON THAT G.o.d SHOULD CHOOSE TO SAVE SINNERS BY GRACE RATHER THAN BY ANY OTHER MEANS.

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

THIS admirable Treatise upon the most important of all subjects, that of the soul's salvation, was first published in a pocket volume, in the year 1675. This has become very rare, but it is inserted in every edition of the author's collected works. Our copy is reprinted from the first edition published after the author's decease, in a small folio volume of his works, 1691. Although it is somewhat enc.u.mbered with subdivisions, it is plain, practical, and written in Bunyan's strong and energetic style; calculated to excite the deepest attention, and to fix the mind upon those solemn realities which alone can unite earth with heaven.

Ho extensive is the meaning of that little sentance, 'Saved by Grace!' It includes in it redemption from the curse of sin, which oppresses the poor sinner with the fears of everlasting burnings; while it elevates the body, soul, and spirit, to an eternal and an exceeding weight of glory--to the possession of infinite treasures, inconceivable, and that never fade away.

Bunyan, in opening and deeply investigating this subject, shows his master hand in every page. It was a subject which, from his first conviction of sin, while playing a gat at cat on a Sunday, ahd excited his feelings to an intense degree, absorbing all the powers of his soul. It was eminently to him the one thing needful--the sum and substance of human habbiness. He felt that it included the preservation and re-structure of the body--raised from filth and vileness--from sickness, pain, and disease--from death and the grave--to be perfected in immortality like the Saviour's glorious body. That included in this salvation, is the death ofdeath, and the swallowing up of the grave, to be no more seen for ever. The soul will be perfect, and, re-united with the body, be filled 'with bliss and glory, as much as ever it can hold;' all jars and discord between sould and body will be finished; and the perfect man be clothed with righteousness; in a word, be like Christ and with him.

All this is the work of grace, performed by the ever-blessed Trinity.

In displaying the feelings and experience of the inquiring, alarmed, quickened sinner, we are instructed by a continual ill.u.s.tration of the Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. He manifests profound knowledge of the devices of Satan--the workings of unbelief--the difficulties thrown by the wicked one in the way of the sinner, to prevent his approach to Christ. He fastens conviction upon conviction--gives blow upon blow to human pride; proving that there can be found nothing in our fallen nature to recommend the sinner to G.o.d--all is of grace--from the foundation to the top-stone of a sinner's salvation. And above all, he clearly shows that salvation by grace is the most sin-killing doctrine in the world, as well as the most consoling tidings that can be brought to a sin-sick soul.

'O, when a G.o.d of grace is upon a throne of grace, and a poor sinner stands by and begs for grace, and that in the name of a gracious Christ, in and by the help of the Spirit of grace, can it be otherwise but that such a sinner must obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need? O, then, COME BOLDLY!' p. 360.

But I must not detain the reader from entering upon this solemn subject; only for a moment, while I quote another pa.s.sage conceived in all the ardour of Bunyan's feelings:--'O Son of G.o.d! grace was in all thy tears--grace came out where the. whip smote thee, where the thorns p.r.i.c.ked thee, where the nails and spear pierced thee! O blessed Son of G.o.d! Here is grace indeed!' Unsearchable riches of grace! Grace to make angels wonder, grace to make sinners happy, grace to astonish devils! And what will become of them that trample under foot this Son of G.o.d?'

Reader, may this searching, comforting, reviving subject be blessed to our well-grounded consolation!

GEO. OFFOR.

TO THE READER.

COURTEOUS READER,