forgetful to entertain strangers_: “Therefore the good of the place is
before you.” So they took them by the hand, and led them to their tents.
After a short refreshment, (it being now late) they all betook them to
their rest.
In the morning they called up _Christian_ and _Hopeful_ to walk with
them upon the mountains. So they went forth and walked with them,
having a pleasant prospect on every side. From thence they led them to
the top of a hill called _Error_, which was very steep on the further
side, and bid them look down to the bottom. They looked down, and saw
at the bottom several men dashed to pieces by a fall from the top.
Then said _Christian_, who are these? “Have you not heard,” said the
shepherds, “of them that were made to err, by hearkening to _Hymenæus_
and _Philetus_, concerning the resurrection of the body? These that you
see lie dashed in pieces are they; and they continue unburied to this
day, for an example to others, that they clamber not too high, nor come
too near the brink of this mountain.”
*Then I saw in my dream, that the shepherds had them to another place,
where was a door in the side of a hill. They opened the door and bad
them look in. They looked, and saw that it was very dark and smoaky;
also they heard a roaring noise, as of fire, and cries and groans,
as of men in torment. Then said _Christian_, what means this? This,
answered the shepherds, is a bye-way to hell; a way that hypocrites go,
and those that did run well, but do not endure to the end. Then said
the pilgrims, looking on each other, _We have need to cry to the strong
for strength_. “True,” said the shepherds, “and you have need to use it
when you have it too.”
When they were about to depart, one of the shepherds gave them a note
of the way. Another bid them, “Beware of the flatterer.” The third said,
“Sleep not on inchanted ground.” So they went down the mountains, along
the highway. Now a little below the mountains, on the left-hand, lies
the country of _Conceit_; from which country a little crooked lane runs
into the way where the pilgrims walked. Here they met with a very brisk
young man, who came out of that country: his name was _Ignorance_. So
_Christian_ asked, “Whence he came, and whither he was going?”
_Ignorance._ Sir, I was born in the country that lies on the left-hand,
and am going to mount _Zion_.
_Christian._ And how do you think to get there?
_Ignorance._ As other good people do.
_Christian._ But what have you to shew at the gate, that it may be
opened to you?
_Ignorance._ Why, I do no harm. I pay every man his own. I work hard
for an honest living. I say my prayers, and keep my church, and go to
the sacrament, and do what good I can.
_Christian._ But you came not in at the strait gate. You came in
through that crooked lane; and therefore I fear, whatever you think of
yourself, you will at that day be judged a thief and a robber.
_Ignorance._ Gentlemen, you are strangers to me; be content to follow
the religion of your country, and I will follow that in which I was
born and bred. I won’t leave the church. As for the gate you talk of,
all the world knows, it is a great way off our country. I cannot think
that any men in all our parts do so much as know the way to it; nor
need they matter, since we have a fine green lane, as you see, that
comes straight down into the way.
_Christian._ This man is wise in his own conceit. There is more hope of
a fool than of him.
_Hopeful._ Perhaps we should not say all to him at once, let us pass on,
and speak to him again by and by.
So they went on, and _Ignorance_ came after. When they had past him a
little way, they came into a very dark lane, where they met a man whom
seven devils had bound with seven strong cords, and were carrying back
to the door on the side of the hill. On his back was a paper with this
inscription, _The just shall live by faith; but if he draw back, my
soul shall have no pleasure in him_.
This puts me in mind, said _Christian_, of what happened to a
pilgrim here, whose name was _Little-faith._ At the entrance of
this passage there comes down, from _Broad-way Gate_, a lane, called
_Deadman’s-Lane_. This _Little-Faith_ chanced to sit down there, and
fell asleep. Three brothers, _Faintheart_, _Mistrust_, and _Guilt_,
were just then coming down that lane as he awaked, and was getting
up to go on his journey. They immediately called to him to stand, and
bid him deliver what he had; which he not doing readily, _Faintheart_
and _Mistrust_ stepped up and took it from him. He then cried out,
Thieves; on which _Mistrust_, with a great club, struck him on the
head, and felled him to the ground: but just then hearing some that
were upon the road, and fearing it might be one _Great-Grace_, they
left _Little-Faith_ to shift for himself, and fled away with all speed.
_Hopeful._ Doubtless these three fellows were mere cowards, or they
would not so soon have run away. Methinks _Little-Faith_ might have
stood one brush with them, if he had yielded at last.
_Christian._ Few have found them cowards. They once set upon _me_; and
though I was cloathed in armour of proof, I found it hard work to quit
myself like a man. No man knows what a combat that is, but he that has
been engaged in it himself.
_Hopeful._ Well, but they ran away as soon as they only supposed that
_Great-Grace_ was a coming.
_Christian._ No marvel; for he is the King’s champion. But all the
King’s subjects are not his champions; nor can they, in the day of
trial, do such feats of war as he.
_Hopeful._ I would I had been _Great-Grace_ for their sakes.
_Christian._ If it had been he, he might have had his hands full. For I
must tell you, although he can deal with them as long as he keeps them
at sword’s point; yet if ever they get within him, it will go hard but
they will give him a sore fall.
Besides, their King is always at their call, ready to come to their
help. And of him it is said, _The sword of him that layeth at him,
cannot hold the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. He esteemeth iron
as straw, and brass as rotten wood. Darts are counted as stubble. He
laugheth at the shaking of the spear._
When therefore we hear of such robbers as these, it behoveth us to go
out well harnessed, and be sure to have a good shield; for indeed if
that be wanting, they fear us not at all: therefore he that hath skill
hath said, _Above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked_.
’Tis good also that we desire the King, that he would go with us
himself; and then we need not be afraid if thousands had set themselves
against us round about: but without him _the proud helpers shall fall
under the slain_.
So they went on till they came to a place where they saw a way put
itself into their way, which seemed to lie as straight as the other,
insomuch that they knew not which to take. As they were standing to
consider, a man of black flesh, but covered with a very light robe,
came smiling to them, and lovingly asked, “Why do you stand here?” They
answered, “We are going to mount _Zion_, but know not which of these
ways to take.” “I am glad, said the man, you are of so good a mind.
Few men are so wise as you. Follow me, my dear friends, and I will
shew you the way. Such as you deserve to be honoured of all men.” So
they followed him, till, by little and little the way turned, and their
faces were set toward the city of _Destruction_. And before they were
aware, they were got within the compass of a net, which he drew upon
them and held them fast. The white robe then fell off the black man’s
back; and they saw where they were, but could not escape.
Then said _Christian_, I see my error now. Did not the shepherds tell
us to beware of the flatterer? How true is that word, _A man that
flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet_!
_Hopeful._ They also gave us a note of direction about the way; but we
forgot to read it, else we should have _kept ourselves from the paths
of the destroyer_. Thus they lay bewailing themselves in the net, when
they saw a shining one coming toward them, with a whip of small cords
in his hand. He asked, What do ye here? They answered, We were led out
of the way by a black man cloathed in white. He is a _flatterer_, said
he, _a false apostle, Satan transformed into an angel of light_. So
he rent the net, and said, “Follow me;” and led them back into the
way they had left. Then he asked them, “Did not the shepherds on the
mountains give you a note of the way? Why did you not read it? And did
they not bid you beware of the flatterer?” They were speechless. So he
commanded them to lie down, and chastised them sore, saying, _As many
as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent_.
I saw then in my dream, that they arose and went on, until they came
into a country, whose air naturally tended to make one drowsy. And
here _Hopeful_ began to be very heavy, and said to _Christian_, “I can
scarce hold open my eyes; let us lie down and sleep awhile.”
_Christian._ By no means, lest we wake no more.
_Hopeful._ Why, my brother? _The sleep of a labouring man is sweet._
_Christian._ Do you not remember the caution of the shepherd, sleep not
on inchanted ground?
_Hopeful._ I acknowledge my fault. I see it is true, as the wise man
saith, _Two are better than one_.
_Christian._ To prevent drowsiness then, let us discourse a little
together. How came you at first to look after the good of your soul?
_Hopeful._ For a long time I delighted in those things which are seen
and sold at our fair, in the riches and pleasures of the world, till I
heard from _Faithful_ and you, that _the end of these things is death_.
_Christian._ But was you fully convinced of this at once?
_Hopeful._ No; I strove to stifle my convictions; and when my mind was
shaken with the word of God, laboured to shut my eyes against the light.
_Christian._ How so?
_Hopeful._ I knew not that this was the work of God upon me, but called
it _lowness of spirits_; and sin was so sweet to me, that I was loth to
leave it; besides, I could not tell how to part with my old companions.
_Christian._ Then it seems you shook off your troubles sometimes.
_Hopeful._ Yes; but it came again worse than before.
_Christian._ What was it that brought your sins to your mind again?
_Hopeful._ Many things: as, if I met but a good man in the street; or
if I heard one read the bible; or, if my head began to ake; or, if I
was told of any that was sick; or, if I heard the bell toll for one
that was dead; or, if I thought of dying myself or heard of a sudden
death: but, above all, when I thought I must quickly come to judgment.
_Christian._ But could you not shake off your thoughts?
_Hopeful._ No; they got faster hold upon me, till I could have no rest
in sin.
_Christian._ And how did you then?
_Hopeful._ I thought I must mend my life; and so I did, leaving my
old sins and company too. Likewise I began to read, and pray, and fast,
and go to church, and to the sacrament, and to do good. And now for a
time I thought all was well; but it was not long before my trouble came
again.
_Christian._ How so? Had you not reformed your life?
_Hopeful._ Yes; but I had not reformed my heart. I found that was still
as bad, or worse than ever; full of anger, pride, lust, and what not?
I found my _inward parts were very wickedness_; that I was _earthly,
sensual, and devilish_, having still a _carnal mind that was enmity
against God_, and _brought me into captivity to sin and death_. I saw
more and more, that there _dwelt in me no good thing_; no love of God;
no true love of my neighbour. Above all, I was convinced I had not
faith; not _that faith which overcometh the world_: and that was always
sounding in my ears, _He that believeth not shall be damned_.
_Christian._ And what effect had this?
_Hopeful._ I then remembered that it is written, _All our righteousness
is as filthy rags_, availing nothing toward our reconciliation with God,
or the forgiveness of our sins. I saw that all I could do all my life
long, would not atone for one sin that was past; nay, though I could
now keep all God’s law, and offend in no point. For if a man (thought
I) runs a hundred pounds into a merchant’s debt, and after that pays
for all that he takes; yet if this old debt stands still in the book
uncrossed, the merchant may sue him, and cast him into prison, till he
shall pay the whole.
_Christian._ How did you apply this to yourself?
_Hopeful._ Why I thought with myself, I have by sin run far in debt
with God, and my reforming now will not pay that debt. How then shall
I be freed from that damnation, to which I know myself to be justly
exposed, by my former transgressions?
Besides, I still saw sin mixing itself with the best actions I could
do: So that I was forced to conclude, that, notwithstanding my former
opinion of myself, I committed sin enough in one day to send me to hell,
though my former life had been faultless.
_Christian._ And what did you do then?
_Hopeful._ I knew not what to do, till I went and talked with
_Faithful_; who told me, unless I had an interest in the righteousness
of one that had never sinned, neither my own righteousness, nor all
the righteousness of the world, could save me. I asked, who it was
that had never sinned? He answered, “the Lord Jesus: and you only can
be forgiven and accepted with God through faith in his blood.” “But
how, said I, can _his_ righteousness justify _me_ before God?” He told
me, he was the mighty God, and did what he did, and died the death
also, not for himself, but for _me_; to whom the merits of all should
be imputed, if I believe on him. I replied, “I did not think he was
willing to save _me_.” He bid me go to him and see. I said, “It was
presumption.” He answered, “No; for I was invited to come.” Then I
asked, what must I do when I come? And he bid me say to this effect:
“God be merciful to me a sinner, and make me to know and believe
in Jesus; for I see, if I have not faith in his blood, I am utterly
cast away. Lord, I have heard, that thou art a merciful God, and hast
ordained him to be the Saviour of the world; and moreover, that thou
art willing to accept, in him, even such a poor sinner as I am. O
magnify thy grace in the salvation of my soul, through thy Son Jesus
Christ!”
_Christian._ And did you do this?
_Hopeful._ Yes, over and over, before I found any relief.
_Christian._ Had you not thoughts then of giving it over?
_Hopeful._ Yes, a hundred times; but I knew not what else to do, being
convinced, that without Christ, all the world could not save me; and
therefore, thought I with myself, if I leave off, I die; and I can but
die, if I continue. And withal this came into my mind, _If it tarry,
wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not tarry_.
_Christian._ And how was you relieved?
*_Hopeful._ One day I was very sad, I think sadder than ever before in
my life, and this sadness was through a fresh sight of the greatness
and vileness of my sins; and I was looking for nothing but hell, when
suddenly I saw (not with my bodily eyes) the Lord look down from heaven
upon me, saying, _Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved_.
Then those scriptures came like a flood into my heart. _He that cometh
to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never
thirst. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one
that believeth. He hath died for our sins, and rose again for our
justification. There is one mediator between God and man, even the
man Christ Jesus. Wherefore he is able to save unto the uttermost
those that come unto God through him; seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them._
_Christian._ And what effect had this upon your spirit and life?
_Hopeful._ I was filled with _a peace that passeth all understanding.
I rejoiced with joy unspeakable. The love of God was shed abroad in my
heart; and sin had no more dominion over me_; but _I ran the way of his
commandments, now he had set my heart at liberty_.
I saw then in my dream, that _Hopeful_ looked back, and saw _Ignorance_,
whom he had left behind, coming after. Then, said he come away, man:
why do you stay behind? Come, how do you do? How stands it now between
God and your soul?
_Ignorance._ I hope well, for I am full of good thoughts.
_Christian._ What good thoughts?
_Ignorance._ Why, I think of God and heaven.
_Christian._ So do the devils and damned souls.
_Ignorance._ But I desire them too.
_Christian._ So do many that never came there. _The soul of the
sluggard desireth and hath nothing._
_Ignorance._ Nay but I leave all for them.
_Christian._ I doubt that. Why dost thou think so?
_Ignorance._ My heart tells me so.
_Christian._ _He that trusteth his own heart, is a fool._
_Ignorance._ Ay if his heart be evil; but mine is good.
_Christian._ How dost thou prove that?
_Ignorance._ Why I lead a good life.
_Christian._ Who told thee thou leadest a good life?
_Ignorance._ Who told me! My own heart.
_Christian._ Ask my fellow if I be a thief. Thy heart tells thee so!
Except the word of God bear witness in this matter, other testimony is
nothing worth.
Hast thou the peace of God? Hast thou joy in the Holy Ghost? Is the
love of God shed abroad in thy heart? Doth his Spirit witness with thy
spirit, that thou art a child of God? Hast thou redemption in Christ’s
blood, the forgiveness of thy sins? Art thou dead unto sin, and alive
unto God? Hast thou crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts?
Hath the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, made thee free from
the law of sin and death?
_Ignorance._ You talk too high for me? I am a poor sinner, and I
believe in Christ, and that is enough.
_Christian._ I fear, hell is full of such poor sinners as thou. But how
dost thou believe in Christ?
_Ignorance._ Why, I believe Christ died for sinners, and that my sins
will be forgiven, through God’s gracious acceptance of my sincerity and
best endeavours to obey his laws.
_Christian._ 1. Thou believest then with a fantastical faith; for
this faith is no where described in the word. 2. Thou believest with
a false faith; because thou takest justification from the blood and
righteousness of Christ, and appliest it to thy own. 3. This first
maketh Christ not a justifier ♦of thy person, but of thy actions; and
of thy person, for the sake of thy actions. Therefore this faith is
utterly deceitful, and will leave thee under wrath in the day of the
Lord.
♦ “rf” replaced with “of”
True justifying faith puts the soul, as sensible of its lost condition
by the law, upon flying for refuge to the blood and righteousness of
Christ. And this righteousness of his is not an act of grace, by which
he maketh thy obedience acceptable to God for thy justification.
No, but Christ did and suffered what was required at our hands; and for
the sake of what he did and suffered, we are pardoned and accepted of
God.
_Ignorance._ And so you would have us do nothing! We may live as we
list; since we are justified by faith alone!
_Christian._ As thy name is, so art thou. Thou art ignorant of the
fruits of faith in the blood of Christ. He that believeth in Christ,
loveth God; and whosoever loveth him keepeth his commandments.
_Hopeful._ Was Christ ever revealed to you?
_Ignorance._ What, you are for new revelations! And receiving the Holy
Ghost, I suppose! I believe what both you and all the rest of you say
about these matters, is all whim and enthusiasm, the effects of mere
imagination, or a distempered brain.
_Hopeful._ Why, man, _None knoweth the Son save he unto whom the Father
revealeth him: and no man calleth Jesus Lord, but by the Holy Ghost_.
_Ignorance._ That is _your_ faith but it is not _mine_: yet mine, I
doubt not is as good as yours; though I have not my head filled with
so many whims and fancies.
_Christian._ Give me leave to put in a word: you ought not to speak
so slightly of this matter: for _no man can know_ Jesus Christ, _save
he to whom the Father revealeth him_: and that faith whereby the soul
layeth hold on Christ, must be wrought by _the exceeding greatness of
his mighty power_. Of this faith I perceive thou art wholly ignorant.
Awake thou that sleepest. Know thyself. See thy own weakness. Fly to
the Lord Jesus, and by his righteousness thou shalt be delivered from
condemnation.
_Ignorance._ You walk so fast, I cannot keep pace with you; go on, I
must stay awhile behind.
Do you think, said _Hopeful_, that such men as these have never any
convictions of sin?
_Christian._ Without doubt they have, more or less, but they
desperately stifle them.
_Hopeful._ Nay, why should they stifle them?
_Christian._ 1. Because they think these fears are wrought by the
devil, which indeed are wrought of God. 2. They think also, they have
no reason thus to fear, and therefore harden themselves in presumptuous
confidence. 3. They see these fears would rob them of their beloved
self-righteousness, and therefore resist them with all their might.
*Now I saw in my dream, that by this time they were got over the
inchanted ground, and entering into the country of _Beulah_, the
way lying directly over it. They were now far beyond the _valley of
the ♦Shadow of Death_, and also out of the reach of giant _Despair_;
neither could they, from this place, so much as see _Doubting-castle_.
In this country there is no darkness at all, the sun shining night and
day; there are no storms or tempests, but the air is always calm and
serene. Here the flowers all the year appear in the earth, throughout
the perpetual spring: and they continually heard the singing of birds,
and the voice of the turtle in the land. They were now within sight of
the city they were going to; and met with several of the inhabitants of
it. Yea, in this land their Lord himself commonly walked. It being on
the borders of heaven. In this land also the contract between the bride
and bridegroom was renewed: and _as a bridegroom rejoiceth over the
bride, so did their God rejoice over them_. Here they had no want of
corn or wine, but abundance of all things, being in a land that flowed
with milk and honey. Mean time they heard voices out of the city, loud
voices, saying, _Say ye to the daughter of Zion, behold thy salvation
cometh_: and all the inhabitants of the country called them, _the holy
people, the redeemed of the Lord_.
♦ “Shadom” replaced with “Shadow”
As they walked in this land, they rejoiced evermore; yea, with joy
unspeakable and full of glory. And drawing near to the city, they had a
more perfect view thereof. It was built of pearls and precious stones,
and the streets were paved with gold. So that _Christian_ with desire
fell sick; nor indeed was _Hopeful_ much better. Insomuch that they
were constrained to cry out, _Feed me with apples, stay me with flagons;
for I am sick of love_.
When they were strengthened a little, they went on their way, and came
nearer and nearer; where were orchards, vineyards and gardens. The
gardener stood in the way, and leading them into the vineyard, bid them
refresh themselves with the fruit. He also shewed them here the King’s
walks and arbours, where they delighted to be; and here they tarried
and slept.
So I saw that when they awoke, they addressed themselves to go up to
the city; but the reflection of the sun (for the city was pure gold)
was so extremely glorious, that they were not able to behold it with
open face; but only thro’ a glass. And as they went on there met them
two men in raiment shining like gold; also their faces shone as the
light.
These asked the pilgrims, Whence they came? Where they had lodged? What
difficulties ♦and dangers, and what comforts they had found in the way?
To all which they answered briefly. Then said they, “You have but two
difficulties more, and you enter into the city.”
♦ duplicate word “and” removed
_Christian_ then and his companion asked them to go with them; they
said, “We will; but you must enter in by your own faith.” So I saw in
my dream that they went on together till they came in sight of the gate.
Now I saw there was a deep river between them and the gate, and there
was no bridge over it: at the sight of this the pilgrims stopt; but the
men said, “You must go through or you cannot come to the gate.”
*They enquired, if there were no other way to the gate: To which they
answered, “Yes; but there hath not any save two, _Enoch_ and _Elijah_,
trod that path since the foundation of the world.” Then they asked,
if the waters were all of a depth? They said, “No: but we cannot help
you in this case; for you will find them either shallower or deeper,
according to your faith.”
Then they went in; but _Christian_ began to sink, and cried out to his
friend, _I sink in the deep waters: the billows go over my head, all
the waves go over me_.
*Then said _Hopeful_, “Be of good cheer, my brother, I feel the bottom,
and it is good.” Oh, my friend, said _Christian_, _The sorrows of
death have compassed me round about_. I shall not _see the land that
floweth with milk and honey_. And with that a great darkness and horror
fell upon him, so that he could not see before him; also he lost in
a great measure, his senses, so that he could not remember any of the
refreshments or deliverances that he had met with before in the way
of his pilgrimage. But all the words that he spake, still tended to
discover the anguish of his spirit, and his fear that he should die
in the river, and never enter into the gate. Here also the sins that
he had committed, both before and after he was a pilgrim, were brought
all together to his remembrance, and terrified him afresh. He was also
troubled with the apparition of evil spirits, as if they would have
torn him in pieces; so that _Hopeful_ here had much ado to keep his
brother’s head above water; yea, sometimes he sunk; and then in awhile
rose up again half dead: however, he still endeavoured to comfort him,
saying, “I see the gate, and men standing to receive us.” “’Tis you,
said _Christian_, whom they stand to receive; I am as a dead man, out
of mind. Surely, if I was right, he would now arise to help me. But for
my sins I am brought into this snare, and now God hath forgotten me.”
“Not so, said _Hopeful_; but he trieth thy faith as with fire.”
Then I saw that _Christian_ was in a muse, and immediately _Hopeful_
said, “Be of good cheer; thy faith hath saved thee. Jesus Christ maketh
thee whole.”
And with that _Christian_ broke out with a loud voice, “I see him, I
see him again!” And he tells me, _When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow
thee_. Then he presently found ground to stand on, and the rest of the
water was but shallow, till they came to land. Upon the bank they saw
the two shining men again, who there waited for them; and as soon as
they were come out of the water, they saluted them saying, _We are
ministring spirits, sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation_.
Thus they went along towards the gate. Now the city stood on a
mighty hill, but the pilgrims went up the hill with ease, having left
their mortal garments behind them in the river. Though therefore the
foundation on which the city was built, was higher than the clouds,
they mounted up with speed, through the regions of the air, flying as
upon the wings of the wind.
The talk they had mean while with the shining ones was concerning the
glory of the place. There, said they, with the innumerable company of
angels, are the spirits of just men made perfect. There is the paradise
of God, wherein you will see the _tree of life_, and eat of the fruits
thereof. You shall be cloathed with light and immortality as with a
garment. All tears will be wiped from your eyes, and you will know no
more pain, or sorrow, or death; for the former things are past away.
You are now going to _Abraham_, _Isaac_, and _Jacob_, to the patriarchs
and prophets, to the righteous men of all ages, whom God in their
generations _took away from the evil to come; and that are now resting
upon their beds, each one walking in his righteousness_.
They asked, and what are we to do when we are there? It was answered,
“You are there to receive the comforts of all your toils that are past,
and to have joy for all your sorrow. You are to reap what you have sown,
even the fruit of all your prayers and tears, and works, and sufferings.
And there you will enjoy the perpetual sight of the Holy One; yea, you
shall _see him as he is_: and shall love, and praise, and serve him,
and magnify his name all the days of eternity.”
“And when the Son of Man shall come in his glory, you shall come with
him in the clouds of heaven; you shall sit with him in the seat of
judgment, when he passeth sentence on all the workers of iniquity. Also,
when he shall return to the throne of his Majesty on high, you shall
go up too, with the sound of the trump, and drink of those rivers of
pleasure, which flow at his right-hand for evermore.”
Now, while they were thus drawing near the gate, behold a company of
the heavenly host came out to meet them; to whom their conductors said,
“These are the men that have loved our Lord while they were in the
world, and that have left all for his sake; and we have brought them
hither, that they may go and see their Redeemer’s face with joy.” Then
the heavenly host gave a great shout, saying, _Blessed are they that
are called to the marriage-supper of the Lamb_.
They then compassed them round on every side, some having trumpets in
their hands, and continually sounding as they went, and praising Him
that liveth for ever and ever. In the mean time both their looks and
gestures shewed how welcome _Christian_ and _Hopeful_ were.
Now when they were come up to the gate, they saw writ over it in
letters of gold, _Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they
may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into
the city_.
Then the shining ones called to them within the gate, saying,
“These are come from the city of _Destruction_, through the love they
bear to our King.” They then gave in their certificates, which they
had received at the beginning. These were carried to the King, who
immediately sent, and commanded to open the gate, that _the righteous
nation_, said he, _that keepeth the truth, may enter in_.
Now I saw in my dream, that these two men went in at the gate, and
lo! as they entered they were transfigured, and their raiment was
glittering, and white as snow. There were also given to them golden
harps, wherewith to praise him that sat upon the throne, and the Lamb
that liveth for evermore. It was then said to them, _Well done, good
and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord_.
Just then _Ignorance_ came to the river-side, and got over with little
difficulty: for one _Vain-hope_, a ferryman happening to be there,
carried him over in his boat. So he ascended the hill, and coming up
to the gate, immediately began to knock. He was asked by them that were
within, “Whence do you come? and what would you have?” He answered,
“I have eat and drank in the presence of the King, and he hath taught
in our streets.” They asked again, “Have you any certificate?” But he
answered never a word. So they told the King, who commanded, and they
bound him hand and foot, and took him up and carried him through the
air, to the door that I saw on the side of the hill, and cast him in
there. Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of
heaven. So I awoke.
A Word of Advice to
SAINTS and SINNERS.
*1. A WORD of advice to my own heart and thine. Thou partakest of the
ordinances of God. Thou dost well. But if thou hast not the blood of
Christ at the root of all, they will prove but painted pageantry to go
to hell in.
Try every day, on what bottom thy hope of glory is built, and whether
it was laid by the hand of Christ. If not it will never be able to
endure the storm that must come against it. Satan will throw it all
down, and great will be the fall thereof.
*_Glorious professor!_ Thou shalt be winnowed; every vein of thy
profession will be tried to the purpose: ’tis terrible to have it all
come tumbling down, and to find nothing to bottom upon.
*_Soaring professor!_ See to thy waxen wings betimes; they will melt
with the heat of temptations. What a misery is it, to trade much, and
break at length; and to have no stock, no foundation laid for eternity!
*_Gifted professor!_ Look there be not a worm at the root that will
spoil all thy fine gourd, and make it die about thee, in a day of
scorching: look over thy soul daily, and ask, Where is the blood of
Christ to be seen upon it? Many eminent professors have come at length
to cry out, _Undone, undone to all eternity_!
2. Consider the greatest sins may be hid under the greatest duties.
See the wound that sin hath made in thy soul be perfectly cured
by the _blood of Christ_; not skinned over with duties, humblings,
enlargements. Apply what thou wilt besides the _blood of Christ_,
it will poison the sore. Thou wilt find that sin was never mortified
truly; nothing can kill it but the beholding _Christ’s righteousness_.
Nature can afford no balsam fit for the cure of a soul. Healing from
_duty_, and not from Christ, is the most desperate disease. Poor ragged
nature, with all its highest improvements, can never spin a garment
fine enough to cover the soul’s nakedness. Nothing is fit for that use,
but _Christ’s perfect righteousness_.
Whatsoever is of nature’s putting on, Satan will come and plunder it,
and leave the soul naked and open to the wrath of God. All that nature
can do will never make up the least dram of grace that can mortify sin,
or look Christ in the face one day.
3. Thou goest on hearing, praying, and receiving, yet miserable mayst
thou be. Look about thee; didst thou ever see Christ to this day in
distinction from all other excellencies and righteousness in the world,
and all of them falling before the majesty of his love and grace!
*If thou hast seen Christ truly, thou hast seen pure grace, pure
righteousness, far exceeding all sin and misery. If thou hast seen
Christ, thou wouldst not do a duty without him for ten thousand worlds.
If ever thou sawest Christ, thou sawest him a _rock_, higher than Satan
or sin; and this _rock_ doth follow thee, and there will be a continual
dropping of honey and grace out of it to satisfy thee. Examine, if ever
thou hast beheld Christ as _the only begotten of the Father_, full of
grace and truth. Be _sure_ thou art come to Christ, that thou standest
upon _the rock of ages_, hast answered to his call to _thy_ soul, hast
closed with him for justification.
*4. Men _talk_ bravely of believing; but few _know_ it. Christ is the
mystery of the scripture. Grace the mystery of Christ. Believing is
the most wonderful thing in the world. Put any thing of thine own to
it, and thou spoilest it; Christ will not so much as look at it for
believing. When thou comest to Christ, thou must leave behind thee
thy _own_ righteousness, and bring nothing but thy _sin_. (Oh that is
hard!) Leave behind all thy holiness, and bring nothing but thy _wants_
and _miseries_, else Christ is not fit for thee, nor thou for Christ.
Christ will be a pure Redeemer, and thou must be an _undone_ sinner, or
Christ and thou will never agree. It’s the hardest thing in the world
to take Christ _alone_ for righteousness: that’s to acknowledge him
Christ. Join any thing to him of _thy own_, and thou _un-Christ’s_ him.
Whatever comes in when thou goest to God for acceptance, (besides
Christ) call it _anti-christ_; bid it be gone; make only Christ’s
righteousness triumphant; all besides that, is _Babylon_, which must
fall if Christ stand; and thou shalt rejoice in the day of the fall
thereof. Christ _alone_ did tread the wine-press, and there was none
with him. If thou join any thing to Christ, Christ will trample upon it
in fury and anger, and stain his raiment with the blood thereof. Thou
thinkest it easy to _believe_: was ever thy faith tried with a thorough
sight of sin? Was it ever put to grapple with Satan, and the wrath of
God lying upon the conscience? When thou wast in the mouth of hell,
then did God shew thee Christ a ransom? If then thou couldst say, _Oh
I see grace enough in Christ_! Thou mayst say that which is the biggest
word in the world, _thou believest_; but untried faith is uncertain
faith.
*5. To believing, there must go a clear conviction of sin, and the
merits of the _blood of Christ_, and of Christ’s willingness to save
upon this consideration merely, _that thou art a sinner_: things all
harder than to make a world. All the power in nature cannot get up
so high, in a storm of sin and guilt, as really to believe there is
any willingness in Christ to save. When Satan chargeth sin upon the
conscience, then to charge it upon _Christ_, that is gospel like.
That is to make him Christ, he serves for that use. To accept his
_blood alone_ for salvation, that is the sum of the gospel. When the
soul, in all duties and distresses, can say, nothing but Christ for
justification, sanctification, redemption; not humblings, not duties,
not graces, that soul hath got above the reach of the billows.
All Satan’s advantages are laid in _self-righteousness_. God pursueth
this by setting Satan upon thee; this must be torn from thee; this
alone hinders Christ from coming in; and till Christ come in, guilt
will not go out; and where guilt is, there is hardness of heart.
6. When guilt is raised up, take heed of getting it allay’d any way but
by Christ’s _blood_. Make Christ thy peace, not thy duties, thy tears:
Christ thy righteousness, not thy graces. Look at Christ and do as much
as thou wilt. Stand with all thy weight upon Christ’s righteousness;
take heed of having one foot on thy _own_ righteousness, another on
Christ’s. Till Christ come and sit on high upon a throne of grace,
there is nothing but guilt and terror, the soul hanging between hope
and fear, which is an un-gospel state.
He that fears to see the utmost hell of his own heart, suspects the
merit of Christ. Be thou never such a sinner, try Jesus Christ _the
righteous_. In all doubtings, fears, storms of conscience, look at
Christ continually. Do not argue with Satan (he desires no better)
bid him go to Christ, and he will answer him; it is his office to be
our advocate, his office to answer justice, and he is sworn to that
office. Put Christ upon it. If thou wilt do any thing thyself, as to
satisfaction for sin, thou renouncest Christ the righteous.
*7. Satan may alledge scripture, but he cannot answer scripture. It is
Christ’s word of mighty authority; Christ foiled Satan with it. In all
the scripture there is not an ill word against a _poor_ sinner, stript
of his _own_ righteousness. Nay, it plainly points out this man for the
grace of the gospel, and none else. Believe but Christ’s willingness,
and that will make _thee_ willing. If thou find thou canst not believe;
remember it is Christ’s work to make thee believe. Put him upon it. He
works to will and to do. Mourn for thy unbelief, which is setting up
guilt above Christ; an undervaluing the merits of Christ, accounting
his _blood_ an unholy, a common, and unsanctifying thing.
Thou complainest much of thyself. Doth thy sin make thee look more
at Christ; less at thyself? That is right; else complaining is but
hypocrisy. To be looking at duties and graces, when thou shouldest be
looking at Christ, that is pitiful: looking at them will but make thee
proud; looking at Christ will make thee humble. In all thy temptations,
be not discouraged. Those surges may be (not to break thee, but) to
heave thee off thyself, on the rock Christ.
Thou mayst be brought low, even to the brink of hell, ready to tumble
in; thou canst not be brought lower than the belly of hell, yet there
thou mayst look towards the holy temple. Into the _old_ temple none
might enter but purified ones, and with an offering too. But now Christ
is our temple, to whom none must come but _sinners_, and that without
any offering, but his _own blood_ once offered.
8. Thou thinkest, oh, what a monument of grace should I be! There
are many thousands as rich monuments as thou. The greatest sinner did
never pass the grace of Christ. When the clouds are blackest, then look
towards Christ, the standing pillar of the Father’s love. His blood
speaks reconciliation, redemption, liberty, nighness to God. Not a drop
of his blood shall be lost. Stand and hearken what God will say, for he
will speak peace to his people, that they return no more to folly. He
speaks grace, mercy, and peace. That is the language of the Father and
of Christ. Wait for Christ’s appearing, as the morning star. He shall
come as certain as the morning, as refreshing as the rain.
*The sun may as well be hindered from rising, as Christ the Son of
righteousness. Look not a moment off Christ. Look not upon sin, but
look upon Christ also. In every duty look at Christ, before duty, to
pardon; in duty, to assist; after duty, to accept. Without this it is
but carnal, careless duty. Let sin break thy heart, but not thy hope in
the gospel.
9. If thou hast looked at works, duties, qualifications, more than
at the merits of Christ, it will cost thee dear. No wonder thou goest
complaining; graces may be evidences, but the merits of Christ must be
the foundation of thy hope.
When we come to God, we must bring nothing but Christ with us. Any
ingredients of our own, will poison faith. He that builds upon duties
or graces, knows not the merits of Christ. This makes believing so hard,
so far above nature; if thou believest, thou must every day renounce
thy obedience, thy sanctification, thy duties, thy graces, and nothing
but Christ must be held up. Thou must take from God’s hand. Christ is
the gift of God. Faith is the gift of God. Pardon a free gift. Ah, how
nature storms, frets, rageth at this, that all is of _gift_, and it
can purchase nothing with tears and duties; that all its workings are
excluded, and of no value in heaven!
Consider, didst thou ever yet see the merits of Christ, and the
infinite satisfaction made by his death? Didst thou see this when the
burthen of sin and the wrath of God lay heavy on thy conscience? That
is grace. The greatness of Christ’s merit is not known but to a poor
soul at the greatest loss. *Slight convictions will but have slight
prizings of Christ’s blood and merits.
*10. _Despairing sinner!_ Thou lookest on thy right hand and on thy
left, saying, _Who will shew us any good_? Look at Christ and be
saved, all ye ends of the earth. There is none else. He is a Saviour,
and there is none besides him. Look any where else, and thou art
undone. God will look at nothing but Christ, and _thou_ must look at
nothing else. Christ is lifted up on high (as the brazen serpent in
the wilderness) that sinners at the ends of the earth, at the greatest
distance may see him. The least sight of him will be saving, the least
touch healing to thee; and God intends thou shouldst look on him, for
he hath set him on a high throne of glory, in the open view of all poor
sinners. Thou hast infinite reason to look on him. For he will bear thy
burdens; he will forgive, not only till seven times, but seventy times
seven. It put the faith of the apostle to it to believe this, _Luke_
xvii. 4, 5. because _we_ are ♦hard to forgive, we think Christ is hard.
♦ “heard” replaced with “hard”
11. Hear what he said, _I have found a ransom. In him I am well
pleased._ God will have nothing else; nothing else will do thee good,
or satisfy conscience but Christ, who satisfied the Father. God doth
all upon the account of Christ. Thy deserts are hell, wrath, rejection.
Christ’s deserts are life and pardon. He will not only _shew_ thee
the one, but he will give thee the other. It is Christ’s own glory
and happiness to pardon. Consider, while Christ was upon earth, he was
more among Publicans and Sinners than among _Scribes_ and _Pharisees_:
and he hath the same love now in heaven; he is God and changeth not.
He went through all temptations, sorrows, desertions; and hath drank
the bitterest of the cup, and left thee the sweet; the condemnation is
out. Christ drank up all the Father’s wrath at one draught; and nothing
but salvation is left for thee. Thou sayst thou canst not believe,
thou canst not repent: fitter for Christ, if thou hast nothing but
sin and misery. Go to Christ with all thy impenitency and unbelief,
to get faith and repentance; that is glorious. Tell Christ, _Lord, I
have brought no righteousness, no grace to be justified by; I am come
for thine, and must have it_. We would be bringing to Christ, and that
must not be; not a penny of nature’s highest improvements will pass in
heaven.
12. To say in compliment, _I am a sinner_, is easy; but to pray with
the Publican indeed, _Lord, be merciful to me a sinner_, is the hardest
prayer in the world. It is easy to say, _I believe in Christ_; but
not to see him full of grace and truth, _of whole fullness thou mayst
receive grace for grace_. It is easy to profess Christ with the mouth;
but to confess him with the heart, that is above flesh and blood. Many
call Christ _Saviour_; few know him so. To see grace and salvation in
Christ is the greatest sight in the world; none can do that, but at
the same time they shall see that glory and salvation are theirs. I
may be ashamed to think that to this day I have known so little of the
blood of Christ, which is the main thing of the gospel. A christless,
formal profession is the blackest sight next to hell. Thou mayst have
many good things, and yet one thing may be wanting, that may make thee
go away sorrowful from Christ. Thou hast never sold all thou hast,
never parted with _all_ thine own righteousness. Thou mayst be high
in duty, and yet a perfect adversary to Christ. In every prayer, in
every ordinance, labour after sanctification to thy utmost; but make
not a Christ of it to save thee; if so, it must come down one way or
other. Christ’s infinite satisfaction, not thy sanctification, must be
justification before God. When the Lord shall appear terrible out of
his holy place, fire shall consume that as hay and stubble. This will
be sound religion, only to bottom all upon the everlasting mountains
of God’s love and grace in Christ, to live continually in the sight
of Christ’s infinite merits (they are sanctifying, without them the
heart is carnal) and in those sights to see the full vileness of sin,
and to see all pardoned; in those sights to pray and hear, seeing all
thy weak performances accepted continually, to trample upon all thy own
righteousness, and be found continually in the righteousness of Christ
only. Without the blood of Christ on the conscience, all is dead
service.
13. Search the scriptures daily, as mines of gold, wherein the heart
of Christ is laid. Watch against constitutional sins; see them in
their vileness, and they shall never break out into act. Keep always
an humble, empty, broken frame of heart, sensible of any spiritual
miscarriage, observant of all inward workings, fit for the highest
communications. Keep not guilt in the conscience, but apply the blood
of Christ immediately. God chargeth sin and guilt upon thee, to make
thee look to Christ the brazen serpent.
Judge not Christ’s love by providence, but by promises. Bless God for
any way whereby he keeps the soul awakened and looking after Christ:
better sickness and temptations, than security and slightness.
*A flighty spirit will turn a profane spirit, and will _sin_ and
_pray_ too. Slightness is the bane of profession. If it be not rooted
out of the heart by constant and serious dealings with, and beholdings
of Christ in duties, it will grow more strong and more deadly, by
being under church ordinances. Be serious and exact in duty, having
the weight of it upon thy heart; but be as much afraid of grounding
thy comfort on duties as on sins. Comfort from any hand but Christ is
deadly. Be much in prayer, or you will never keep up much communion
with God. As you are in closet prayer, so you will be in all other
ordinances.
14. Be true to truth, but not turbulent and scornful; restore such as
are fallen, with all the bowels of Christ. Set the broken disjointed
bones with the grace of the gospel! Despise not the weak; thou mayst
come to wish to be in the condition of the meanest of them. Be faithful
to others infirmities, but sensible of thine own. Visit sick beds and
deserted souls much; they are excellent scholars in experience.
Abide in your calling. Be dutiful to all relations as to the Lord.
Be content with little of the world; little will serve. Think every
little much, because unworthy of the least. Think every one better
than thyself; loathing thyself as one fit to be trampled on by all
saints. See the vanity of the world and love nothing but Christ. Mourn
to see so little of Christ in the world. To a secure soul Christ is but
a fable, the scripture but a story. Mourn to think how many are under
church order that are not under grace. Prepare for the cross; welcome
it; bear it triumphantly like Christ’s cross, whether, scoffs, mockings,
contempt, imprisonments.――But see it be Christ’s cross, not thine own.
15. Sin will hinder from glorying in the cross of Christ. And omitting
little things against light may breed hell in the conscience, as
well as committing the greatest sins. If thou hast been taken out
of the belly of hell into Christ’s bosom, and made sit among princes
in the houshold of God, Oh, how shouldest thou live as a pattern of
mercy!――Redeemed, restored soul, what infinite sums dost thou owe
Christ! With what zeal shouldst thou walk, and do every duty! Sabbaths,
what praising days should they be to thee!――Church fellowship! What a
heaven, a being with Christ, and angels, and saints! What a drowning of
the soul in eternal love, as a burial with Christ, dying to all things
besides him! Every time thou thinkest of Christ be astonished; and when
thou seest sin, look at Christ’s grace, that did pardon it; and when
thou art proud, look at Christ’s grace, that shall strike thee down in
the dust.
*Remember Christ’s time of love. When thou wast naked, then he chose
thee. Canst thou ever have a proud thought? Remember whose arms
supported thee from sinking, and delivered thee from the lowest hell,
and shout in the ears of angels and men, and for ever sing praise,
praise! Grace, grace! Daily repent and pray; and walk in the sight of
grace, as one that hath the anointings of grace upon thee. Remember
thy sins, Christ’s pardonings; thy deserts, Christ’s merits; thy
weakness, Christ’s strength; thy pride, Christ’s humility; thy guilts,
Christ’s new application of his blood; thy wants, Christ’s fulness; thy
temptations, Christ’s tenderness; thy vileness, Christ’s righteousness.
16. Trifle not with ordinances. Be much in meditation and prayer. Wait
diligently upon all opportunities of hearing. We have need of doctrine,
reproof, exhortation, consolation, as the tender herb and the grass
hath of the rain, the dew, the small rain, and showers. Do all thou
dost as unto Christ, as immediately dealing with Christ Jesus, as if he
were looking on thee, and thou on him, and fetch all thy strength from
him.
*Observe what holy motions you find in your souls to duties; prize
the least good thought thou hast of Christ. The least good word thou
speakest of him from the heart, is rich mercy: O bless God for it!
Observe, if every day you have the Day-spring from on high, with his
morning dews of mourning for sin, constantly visiting thee. Have you
the bright morning star, with fresh influences of grace and peace
constantly arising, and Christ sweetly greeting the soul in all duties?
What duties make not more spiritual, will make more carnal; what do not
quicken and humble, will deaden and harden.
17. _Judas_ had a sop: but _John_ leaned on Christ’s bosom; that’s
the posture in which we should pray, and hear, and perform all duties.
Nothing but lying in that bosom will dissolve all hardness of heart,
and make thee to mourn kindly for sin. That will humble indeed, and
make the soul cordial to Christ, and sin vile to the soul. Never think
thou art as thou shouldst be, until thou come to this, always to see
and feel thyself lying in the bosom of Christ, who is in the bosom of
his Father. Come and move the Father for a sight of Christ, and you
shall be sure to speed; you can come with no request that pleaseth him
better; he gave him out of his own bosom for that very end, to be held
up before the eyes of all sinners, as the everlasting monument of his
Father’s love.
Looking at the natural sun weakeneth the eye. The more you look at
Christ, the son of righteousness, the stronger and clearer will the eye
of faith be. Look but at Christ, you will love him, and live on him.
Think on him continually; keep the eye constantly upon Christ’s blood,
or every blast of temptation will shake you. If you will see sin’s
sinfulness, to loath it and mourn, do not stand looking on sin only,
but look upon Christ as suffering and satisfying. If you would see your
grace, your sanctification, do not stand gazing upon them, but look at
Christ’s righteousness first; look at your grace in the second place.
18. *Have nothing to do with thy graces and sanctification till thou
hast seen Christ first. He that looks upon Christ through his graces,
is like one that sees the sun in water, which wavereth and moveth
as the water doth. Look upon Christ as shining in the firmament of
the Father’s love, and you will see him in his own glory. Pride and
unbelief will put you upon seeing somewhat in yourself first; but
faith will have to do with none but Christ, who must swallow up thy
sanctification as well as thy sin. He that sets up his sanctification
to look at first, he sets up the greatest idol, which will strengthen
his doubts and fears. Do but look off Christ, and presently (like
_Peter_) you sink in doubts.
If you would pray and cannot, and so are discouraged, see Christ
praying for you: if you are troubled, see Christ your peace leaving
you peace when he went up into heaven, again and again charging you not
to be troubled, so as to obstruct your comfort or your believing. He
is now upon the throne, having spoiled upon his cross all whatsoever
can hurt or annoy thee: he hath borne all thy sins, sorrows, troubles,
temptations, and is gone to prepare mansions for thee.
19. *Thou who hast seen Christ all, and thyself absolutely nothing, who
makest Christ all thy life, and art dead to all righteousness besides;
do Christ this one favour for all his love to thee, love all his poor
saints, (the meanest, the weakest, notwithstanding any difference in
judgment) they are engraven on his heart, let them be so on thine.
_Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee._
Psalms cxxii. 6.
CHRISTIAN LETTERS.
By Mr. JOSEPH ALLEINE.
To the READER.
THE letters of Mr. _Samuel Rutherford_, have been generally admired
by all the children of God, into whose hands they have fallen, for
the vein of piety, trust in God, and holy zeal, which runs through
them. The same piety, zeal, and confidence in God, shine through all
the letters of Mr. _Alleine_: so that in this respect he may well be
stiled, the _English Rutherford_. But yet there is a very discernible
difference between them: in piety and fervour of spirit they are the
same: but the fervour of the one more resembles that of St. _Paul_, of
the other, that of St. _John_. They were both men of the most intrepid
courage: but in love Mr. _Alleine_ has the pre-eminence. He seems
to excel in bowels of mercies, meekness, gentleness, in tenderness,
mildness, and sweetness of spirit, even to his bitterest enemies. I do
not therefore scruple to give these letters the preference, even to Mr.
_Rutherford’s_: as expressing, in a still higher degree, the love that
is _long-suffering and kind_, which _is not provoked_, which _thinketh
no evil_, and which _hopeth, believeth, and endureth all things_.
JOHN WESLEY.
LONDON,
_March 7, 1767_.
LETTER I.
_To his wife concerning his acceptance of_ Taunton.
_My dear heart_,
BY this time I hope thou hast received mine, touching _Taunton_. I find
my heart much inclining that way. I will tell thee the principles upon
which I go.
_First_, I lay this for a foundation, That a man’s life consists not
in the abundance of the things that he possesseth. It was accounted a
wise prayer that _Agur_ put up, to be fed with food convenient for him.
And certain it is, that where men have least of the world, they esteem
it least, and live more by faith in God, casting their care and burden
upon him. O the sweet breathing of _David_’s soul! The strong actings
of his faith when his condition was low and mean! How fully doth he
rely upon God. And certainly could we that are unexperienced, but feel
the thorns of those cares and troubles, that there are in gathering
and keeping much, and the danger when riches increase of setting our
hearts upon them, we should prize the happiness of a middle condition.
Doubtless, godliness with contentment is great gain. _Seekest thou
great things for thyself_ (said the prophet to _Baruch_) _seek them
not_. Certainly a good conscience is a continual feast, and enough for
a happy life.
*_Secondly_, I take this for an undoubted truth, that a dram of grace
is better than a talent of wealth; and therefore such a place where
we have little to do with the world to take off our thoughts from the
things of eternity, and have the advantage of abundance of means, and
the daily opportunities of warming our hearts with the blessed society
of Christians, is (if we pass a true spiritual judgment) without
comparison before another place, void of those spiritual advantages.
Let us think, what though our purses may thrive better in a place
of large maintenance; yet where are our souls like to thrive any way
answerable to what they are in this? We should have but little in
the world, but what is this, if it be made up to us, in communion
with God and his people? If we thrive in faith, and love, humility,
and heavenly-mindedness, what matter is it, though we do not raise
ourselves in the world? Oh! Who would leave so much grace, and so much
comfort in communion with Christ and his saints, for the probabilities
of living a little more handsomely. ’Tis a strange thing to see how
Christians generally judge. What is it worth a year? Is the maintenance
certain? What charges are there like to be? These are the questions we
commonly ask first, when we speak of settling. But alas, though those
things are to be considered too, yet what good am I like to do? What
good am I like to get? These should be the chief things we should judge
by. What if we have but a little in the world? Why then we must keep
but a short table, and give the meaner entertainment to our friends.
O, but will not this be abundantly made up, if we have more outward and
inward peace? Let others hug themselves in their corn, and wine, and
oil, in their fat livings, and their large tables, if we have more of
the light of God’s countenance, who would change with them?
_Thirdly_, That the surest way to have any outward mercy, is to be
content to want it. When men’s desires are over-eager after the world,
they must have thus much a year, and a house well furnished, and wife,
and children, thus and thus qualified, God doth usually, break their
wills by denying them, as one would cross a froward child of his
stubborn humour: or else puts a sting into them, that a man had been
as well without them. The best way to get riches, is out of doubt to
set them lowest in one’s desires. _Solomon_ found it so: he did not ask
riches, but wisdom, but God was so pleased, that he threw in them into
the bargain. Nothing sets God’s mercies farther off than the want of
free submission to want them. Certainly, God will never be behind hand
with us. Let our care be to build his house, and let him alone to build
ours.
*_Fourthly_, That none ever was, or ever shall be, a loser by Jesus
Christ. Many have lost much for him, but never did, never shall any
lose by him. Take this for a certainty, whatsoever outward comforts we
leave, or outward advantages, that we may glorify him in our services,
and enjoy him in all his ordinances more than other-where we could, we
shall receive an hundred fold in this life. ’Tis a sad thing to see how
little Christ is trusted; men will trust him no farther than they can
see him. Alas, hath he not a thousand ways, both outward and inward, to
make up a little outward advantage to us? Have any ventured themselves
upon him in his way, but he made good every promise to them? Let us
therefore exercise our faith, and stay ourselves on the promise, and
see if ever we are ashamed of our hope.
_Fifthly_, That what is wanting in the means, God will make up in the
blessing. This I take for a certain truth, while a man commits himself
and his affairs to God, and is in any way that God put him into; and
if a man have but a little income, if he have a great blessing, that
will make it up. Alas, we must not account of mercies by the bulk. What
if another have a pound to my ounce, if mine be gold for his silver,
I will never change with him. As ’tis not bread that keeps men alive,
but the word of blessing that proceedeth out of the mouth of God; so
’tis not the largeness of the means, but the blessing of the Lord that
maketh rich. Oh! If men did but believe this they would not grasp so
much of the world as they do. Well, let others take their course, and
we will take ours, to wait upon God by faith and prayer: let others
toil to enlarge their income, we will pray God to enlarge our blessing,
and I doubt not but we shall prove the gainers.
_Sixthly_, That every condition hath its snares, and troubles, and
therefore we may not expect to be without them wherever we be; only
that condition is most eligible that hath fewest and least. I cannot
object any thing against the proposal of _Taunton_, but the meanness
of the maintenance. And let us consider how inconsiderable this
inconvenience is, in comparison of those we must reckon upon meeting
with, if God cast us into another place. Upon these considerations,
I find my heart much inclined to accept of their offer at _Taunton_.
I beseech thee to weigh the matter and tell me thy thoughts, and which
way thy spirit inclines, for I have always resolved the place I settled
in should be to thy content. I have been so large in delivering my
judgment, that I must thrust up my affections into a corner. Well,
though they have but a corner in my letter, I am sure they have room
enough in my heart: but I must conclude; the Lord keep thee my dear,
and cherish thee for ever in his bosom; farewell, mine own soul.
_I am, as ever, thine own heart_,
JOS. ALLEINE.
OXON, _May 27, 1659_.
LETTER II.
_To my most dearly beloved, my Christian friends
in |Taunton|, salvation_.
_Most loving brethren_,
I SHALL never forget your old kindnesses; would I never so fain forget
them, yet I could not, they are so continually renewed; for there is
never a day but I hear of them: nay, more than hear of them, I feel and
taste them. The God that hath promised they that give to a _prophet_
but a cup of cold water, shall receive a _prophet_’s reward: he will
recompense your labour of love, your fervent prayers, your care for my
welfare, and your bountiful supplies. I do and will bless the Lord as
long as I live, that he hath cast my lot in so fair a place, to dwell
in your communion; and especially to go in and out before you, and
to be the messenger of the Lord of hosts to you, to proclaim his law,
and to preach his excellencies, to be his spokesman to you, and to woo
for him, to espouse you to one husband, and to present you as a chaste
virgin unto Christ. Lord! how unworthy am I, of this glorious dignity,
which I verily believe the brightest angels in heaven would be glad of!
I cannot repent, notwithstanding all the difficulties that attend his
despised servants, and that are like to attend them; I have set my hand
to his plough; and when I was entered into the sacred office, I told
you, “Most gladly do I take up this office with all the persecution,
affliction, difficulties and inconveniences that do and may attend it.”
And blessed be God, I am through his goodness of the same mind still;
and my tribulations for Christ, confirm my choice and resolution to
serve him with much more than my labours. *Brethren, let them take up
with the world that have no better portion; be content that they should
bear away the riches, and preferments, and glory, and splendor of the
world. Alas! You have no reason to envy them: verily they have a lie
in their right-hand: Ah! How soon will their hopes fail them! How soon
will the crackling blast be out, and leave them in eternal darkness!
They shall go to the generation of their fathers, they shall never see
light; like sheep they shall be laid in their graves, and the upright
shall have dominion over them in the morning. But for you, my brethren,
I am jealous that none of you should come short of the glory of God.
I am ambitious for you that you should be all the heirs of an endless
life, of the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not
away.
Ah my brethren! Why should you not be all happy? I am jealous for you
with a godly jealousy, lest a promise being left you of entering into
his rest, any of you should come short of it. O look diligently, lest
any man fail of the grace of God! How it grieves me that any of you
should fall short of mercy at last! That any of that flock over which
the Holy Ghost made me overseer, should perish: when Christ hath done
so much for you, and when we, (through his grace,) have done somewhat
to save them. Ah dear brethren! I was in great earnest with you, when I
besought you out of the pulpit, many a time, to give a bill of divorce
to your sins, to accept of the mercy that in the name of God Almighty I
did there offer to you. Alas! how it pitied me to look over so great a
congregation, and to think that I could not for my life, persuade them,
one quarter of them, to be saved? How it moved me to see your diligence
in flocking to the most hazardous opportunities, since the law forbad
my public preaching; and yet to think that many of you that went so far,
were like to perish for ever for want of going farther! How fain would
I carry you farther than the outward profession: O, how loath am I to
leave you there? How troubled to think that any of you should hazard
much for religion, and yet miscarry for ever by the hand of secret
pride or untamed passion, or an unbridled tongue, or which I fear most
of all, a predominant love of the world in your hearts. Alas, is there
no remedy, but I must carry you to heaven’s gate and leave you there?
Oh, that I should leave the work of your souls but half done; and bring
you no farther than the _almost_ of Christianity! Hear, O my people,
hear! Altho’ I may command you, upon your utmost peril, in the name
of the Lord Jesus that shall shortly judge you, I beseech you, I
warn you as a father doth his children: to look to the securing of
your everlasting condition: take heed of resting in the outer part of
religion, but be restless till you find a thorough change within, that
you are quite new in the bent of your hearts; for here is the main of
religion: for Christ’s sake, for your soul’s sake look to it, that you
build upon the rock, that you unfeignedly deliver yourselves to the
Lord to be under his command, and at his disposal in all things. See
that you make no exceptions, no reserve, that you cast over-board all
your worldly hopes, and count upon parting with all for Christ: that
you take him alone for your whole happiness. Wonder not that I often
inculcate this: if it be well here, it is well all; if unsound here,
the error is in the foundation, and you are undone. Brethren, I see
great trials coming, when we shall see professors fall like leaves
in autumn. Therefore is it that I would so fain have you look to your
standing, and to secure the main. O make sure whatever you do; get
and keep your evidences clear! How dreadful would your temptation be,
if you should be called to part with all for Christ, and not be sure
of him neither! Get a clear understanding of the terms of life, which
I have set before you in that form of covenanting with God in Christ,
that I commended to you. I would that none of you should be without a
copy of it: be much in observing your own hearts, and crying mightily
to God for assurance: be strict and watchful in your whole course, and
I doubt not but you will quickly have it.
I cannot conclude till I have given you my unfeigned thanks for your
most kind and gracious letter. Sure it shall be in store with me, and
laid up among my treasures. That God is pleased to make use of me for
your edification, is matter of highest joy unto me: as also to see your
stedfastness in Christ, your unshaken resolutions, notwithstanding all
the tempter’s wiles. Go on, my dearly beloved, and the Lord strengthen
your hands and your hearts, and lift you up above the fear of men.
The Lord strengthen, establish, settle you and after you have suffered
awhile, make you perfect: I leave my brethren in the everlasting arms,
and rest,
_Your embassador in bonds_,
JOS. ALLEINE.
_From the common ♦goal at |Ivelchester|,
June 13th, 1663._
♦ “goal” is an old English form of the word “gaol”
LETTER III.
_To the beloved people, the inhabitants of the town of
|Taunton|, grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father,
and from the Lord Jesus Christ._
_Most endeared and beloved friends_:
I READILY acknowledge myself a debtor to you all, and a servant of all,
and therefore I have sent to salute you all. My lines fell in a fair
place when the Lord cast my lot among you; I remember the tears and
prayers you have sent me hither with. How can I forget how you poured
out your souls upon me; and truly you are a people much upon my heart,
whose welfare is the matter of my continual prayers, care, and study.
And oh! that I knew how to do you good: Ah! how certainly should never
a son of you miscarry. Ah! how it pities me to think, that so many of
you should still remain in your sins. Once more, oh! my beloved, once
more hear the call of the most high God unto you. The prison preaches
to you the same doctrine as the pulpit did. Hear, O people, hear; he
that hath an ear let him hear. The Lord of life and of glory offers you
all mercy, and peace, and blessedness; Oh! why should we die? Whosoever
will, let him take of the waters of life freely! What miss of life,
when it is to be had for the taking! God forbid. O my brethren, my soul
yearns for you, and my bowels towards you. Ah, that I did but know what
arguments to use with you: who shall chuse my words that I may prevail
with sinners not to reject their own mercy? How shall I get within
them? How shall I reach them? O that I could get but between their sins
and them. Beloved brethren, the Lord Jesus hath made me, most unworthy,
his spokesman, to bespeak your hearts for him: and oh, that I knew but
how to woo for him, that I might prevail! These eight years have I been
calling, and yet how great a part remain visibly in their sins, and how
few have I gained to Christ by sound conversion?
Many among you remain under the power of ignorance: ah: how often have
I told you the dangerous, yea, damnable state that such are in. Never
flatter yourselves that you shall be saved though you go on in this;
I have told you often, and now tell you again, God must be false, if
ever you be saved without being brought out of the state of ignorance:
if ever you enter in at the door of heaven, it must be by the key of
knowledge, you cannot be saved, except you be brought to the knowledge
of the truth. A people that remain in gross ignorance, that are without
understanding, the Lord that hath made them, will not have mercy on
them. Oh, for the love of God and your souls, I beseech you awake and
bestir yourselves to get the saving knowledge of God. You that are
capable of learning a trade, are you not capable of learning the way
to be saved? And is it not pity that you should perish for ever for
want of a little pains, and study, and care to get the knowledge of
God? Study the catechism; if possible, get it by heart; if not, read
it often, or get it read to you; cry unto God for knowledge; improve
the little you have by living answerably. Search the scriptures daily,
get them read to you if you cannot read them. Improve your sabbaths
diligently, and I doubt not but in the use of these means, you will
sooner arrive to the knowledge of Christ than of a trade.
Many have escaped the gross pollutions of the world, but stick in the
form of godliness. O I am jealous for you! That you may not lose the
things that you have wrought, for the Lord’s sake put on, and beware
of perishing in the suburbs of the city of refuge. Beg of God to make
thorough work with you; be jealous for yourselves and try your estates,
but only with those marks, that you are sure will abide God’s trial.
But for you that fear the Lord in sincerity, I have nothing but good
and comfortable words: may your souls ever live. What condition can
you devise wherein there will not be matter of joy unspeakable to you.
O beloved, know your own happiness, and live in that holy admiring,
adoring, praising of your gracious God, that becomes the people of his
praise. The good will of him that dwelt in the bush with you all. The
Lord create a defence upon you, and deliverance for you: The Lord cover
you all the day, and make you to dwell between his shoulders! I desire
your constant, instant, earnest prayers for me, and rest,
_A willing labourer, and thankful sufferer for you._
JOS. ALLEINE.
_From the common goal, in |Ivelchester|,
July 4th, 1663._
LETTER IV.
_To my most endeared friends, the servants of Christ
in |Taunton|, grace and peace_.
_Most dearly beloved and longed for,
my joy and crown_:
MY heart’s desire and prayer to God for you is, that you may be saved.
I know that you are the butt of men’s rage and malice: but you may
satisfy yourselves as _David_ in sustaining _Shimei_’s curses: it
may be the Lord will look upon your affliction, and requite good for
their cursing this day. But however that be, hold on your way. Your
name indeed is cast out as evil, and you are hated of all men for
Christ’s sake, for cleaving to his ways and servants: but let not
this discourage you, for you are now more than ever blessed: only
hold fast, that no man take your crown. Let not any that have begun in
the spirit end in the flesh. Do not forsake God, till he forsake you;
he that endureth to the end shall be saved: the promise is to him that
overcometh; therefore think not of looking back: now you have set your
hands to Christ’s plough, though you labour and suffer, the crop will
pay for all: now the Lord is trying who they be that will trust him.
The world are all for a present pay; they must have something in hand,
and will not follow the Lord when there are hazard and hardship in his
service. But now is the time for you, to prove yourselves believers,
when there is nothing visible but hazard and expence, and difficulty in
your Maker’s service. Now, my brethren, stand fast in faith, quit you
like men, be strong: if you can trust in his promises now, when nothing
appears but bonds, and losses, and tribulation, this will be like
believers. *Brethren, I beseech you to reckon upon no other but crosses
here. Let none of you flatter yourselves with dreams of sleeping in
your ease, and temporal prosperity, and carrying heaven too. Count not
upon rest till you come to the land of promise. Not that I would have
any of you to run upon hazards uncalled: no, we shall meet them soon
enough in the way of our duty, without we turn aside: but I would have
you cast over-board your worldly hopes, and be content to wait till
you come on the other side the grave. Is it not enough to have a whole
eternity of happiness? If God throws in the comforts of this life too,
I would not have you throw them back again, or despise the goodness of
the Lord: but I would, that you should use this world, as not abusing
it, that you should be crucified to the world, and the world to you;
that you should declare plainly that you seek a better country, which
is an heavenly. Ah! my dear brethren, I beseech you carry it like
pilgrims and strangers; abstain from fleshly lusts which war against
your souls; for what have we to do with the customs and fashions of
this world, who are strangers in it? Be contented with travellers lots:
know you not that you are in a strange land? All is well as long as it
is well at home; I pray you brethren, daily consider your condition:
Do you not remember that you are at an inn? And what though you be
but meanly accommodated? Though you fare hard, and lie hard! Is this a
strange thing? What should travellers look for else? Indeed if you were
of the world, the world would love his own. But now God hath called you
out of the world; therefore the world hateth you. But remember, it is
your duty to love them, even while they hate you; and to pray for mercy
for them, that will shew no mercy, or justice. This I desire you to
observe as a great duty of the present times: and let not any so forget
their duty, as to wish evil to them that do evil to us, or to please
themselves with the thoughts of being even with them. Let us commit
ourselves to him that judgeth righteously, and shew ourselves the
children of the Most High, who doth good to his enemies, and is kind to
the unkind and unthankful: And what though they do hate us? Their love
and goodwill were much more to be feared, than their hatred. Brethren,
keep yourselves in the love of God; here is wisdom. O happy souls,
that are his favourites! For the Lord’s sake look to this, make sure
of something: look to your sincerity above all things: let not any of
you conclude, that because you are of the suffering party, therefore
all is well: look to the foundation, that your hearts be taken off from
every sin, and set upon God as your blessedness: beware that none of
you have only a name to live, and be no more than almost Christians.
For the love of your souls, make a diligent search, and try upon what
ground you stand; for it pities me to think any of you should hazard
so much, and yet lose all at last. But when once you bear the mark of
God’s favour, you need not fear the world’s frowns: chear up therefore,
brethren, be strong in the Lord, and of good courage under the world’s
usage: fear not, in our Father’s house there is bread enough, and room
enough: this is sufficient to comfort us under all the inconveniences
of the way, that we have so happy a home, so ready a Father, so goodly
an heritage. Oh, comfort one another with these words: let God see that
you can trust in his word: let the world see that you can live upon God.
I shall share my prayers and loves among you all, and commit you to the
almighty God: the keeper of Israel that never slumbereth nor sleepeth,
be your watchman and keeper to the end, farewell. I am,
_A fervent well-wisher of your temporal
and eternal affairs_,
JOS. ALLEINE.
_From the common goal at |Ivelchester|,
July 24, 1663._
LETTER V.
_To my most dearly beloved friends,
in |Taunton|, grace and peace._
_Most endeared Christians._
MY heart is with you, though I am absent. Dear fellow soldiers under
the captain of our salvation, consider your calling, and approve
yourselves men of resolution; be discouraged with no difficulties of
your present warfare. As for human affairs, I would have you to be as
you are, _men of peace_. I would have you _armed, not for resisting_,
God forbid; but for _suffering only_. You should resist, to the
uttermost, striving against sin. Here you must give no quarter! For if
you spare but one _Agag_, the life of your souls must go for the life
of your sin. God will not smile on that soul that smiles on sin, nor
have any peace with him, that is at peace with his enemy. Other enemies
you must forgive, and love, and pray for; but for these spiritual
enemies, all your affections, and all your prayers must be engaged
against them: yea, you must admit no parley: it is dangerous to
dispute with temptations. *Remember what _Eve_ lost by parleying with
Satan: you must fly from temptations, and put them off at first with a
peremptory denial. If you will but hear the devil’s arguments, and the
flesh’s pleas, it is an hundred to one but you are insnared. And for
this present evil world, the Lord deliver you from it. Surely you had
need watch and be sober, or else this _world_ is like to undo you. I
have often warned you not to build upon an external happiness; and to
promise yourselves nothing but hardship here: Oh still remember your
station; soldiers must not count upon rest, and fullness, but hunger,
and hardness. Labour to get right apprehensions of the world. Do not
think these things necessary. One thing is needful: you may be happy
in the want of all outward comforts. Do not think yourselves undone,
if brought to want or poverty: study eternity, and you will see it to
be little material to you, whether you are poor or rich: you may have
never such an opportunity for your advantage in all your lives, as when
you seem to run the vessel upon the rocks. Set your enemies one against
the other; death against the world; no such way to get above the world,
as to put yourselves into the possession of death.
*Look often upon the dust that you shall be reduced to, and imagine you
saw your bones tumbled out of your graves, as they are like shortly to
be, and men handling your skulls, and enquiring whose is this? Tell me,
of what account will the world be then? Put yourselves often into your
graves, and look out from thence upon the world, and see what judgment
you have of it. Must not you shortly be forgot among the dead? Your
places will know you no more, and your memory will be no more among men,
and then what will it profit you to have lived in fashion and repute?
One serious walk over a church-yard, might make a man mortified to the
world. Think upon how many you tread; but ye know them not: no doubt
they had their estates, their friends, their businesses, and kept
as much stir in the world as others do now. But alas, what are they
the better for all this? Know you not that this must be your own case
shortly? Oh the unhappiness of man; how is he bewitched; and befooled,
that he should expend himself for that which he knows shall forever
leave him! Brethren, I beseech you lay no stress upon these perishing
things, but labour to be at a holy indifference about them: is it for
one that is in his wits to sell his God, his soul, for things he is
not sure to keep a day, and which he is sure after a few sleepings and
wakings more, to leave behind him for ever? Go, and talk with dying men,
and see what apprehensions they have of the world? If any should come
to these, and tell them here is such and such preferments for you; you
shall have such titles of honour and delights, if you will now disown
religion, do you think such a motion would be embraced? Brethren, why
should we not be wise in time! Why should we not now be of the mind,
of which we know we shall be all shortly? Woe to them that will not
be wise, till it be to no purpose! Woe to them whose eyes nothing but
death and judgment will open! Woe to them that though they have been
warned by others, and have heard the world’s greatest darlings in
death cry out of its vanity, yet would take no warning; but must serve
themselves too, for warnings to others. Ah! my beloved, beware there be
none among you, that will rather part with their consciences than with
their estates; that have secret reserves to save themselves whole, when
it comes to the pinch; and not to be of the religion that will undo
them in the world. Beware that none of you have your hearts where your
feet should be, and love your _mammon_ before your Maker.
May the Lord of Hosts be with you, and the God of _Jacob_ your refuge.
Farewell my dear brethren, farewell, and be strong in the Lord. I am
_Your’s to serve you in the gospel,
whether by doing or suffering_
JOS. ALLEINE.
_From the common gaol at |Ivelchester|,
August 31, 1663._
LETTER VI.
_To the beloved friends, the flock of Christ
in |Taunton|, salvation._
_Most dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown_:
I MUST say of you as _David_ did of _Jonathan_, Very pleasant have you
been unto me, and your love to me is wonderful. And as I have formerly
taken great content in that my lot was cast among you, so I rejoice in
my present lot, that I am called to approve my love to you by suffering
for you; for you, I say; for you know I have not sought your’s but you;
and that for doing my duty to your souls, I am here in these bonds,
which I chearfully accept through the grace of God that strengtheneth
me: Oh! that your hands might be strengthened, and your hearts
encouraged in the Lord your God by our sufferings! See to it, that you
stand fast in the power of the holy doctrine, which we have preached
from the pulpit, preached at the bar; preached from the prison: it is a
gospel worth suffering for: see that you follow after holiness, without
which no man shall see God! Oh the madness of the blind world, that
they should put from them the only plank upon which they can escape to
heaven! Alas for them! They know not what they do. What would not these
foolish virgins do, when it is too late, for a little of the oil of the
wise! But let not any of you be wise too late: look diligently, lest
any man fail of the grace of God. Beware that none of you be cheated
through the deceitfulness of your hearts, with counterfeit grace. There
is never a grace but hath its counterfeit; and there is nothing more
common, than to mistake counterfeit grace for true. And remember you
are undone for ever, if you should die in such a mistake. Not that
I would shake the confidence of any sound believer, whose graces are
of the right kind: build your confidence sure: see that you get the
certain marks of salvation, and make sure, by observing your own hearts,
that these marks be in you, and then you cannot be too confident. But
as you love your souls, take heed of a groundless confidence. Take heed
of being confident before you have tried. I would fain have you all
secured against the day of judgment; I would that the state of your
souls were all well settled: Oh how comfortably might you think of any
troubles, if you were but sure of your pardons! I beseech you, whatever
you neglect, look to this: I am afraid there are among you that have
not made your peace with God; that are not yet acquainted with that
great work of conversion: such I charge before the living God, to speed
to Christ, and without any more delay to put away their iniquities,
and deliver up themselves to Jesus Christ, that they may be saved. It
is not your profession or external duties, that will save you: no, no,
you must be converted or condemned. It is not enough that you have some
love to God’s ways and people, and are willing to venture something for
them; all this will not prove you sound Christians: Have your hearts
been changed? Have you been soundly convinced of your sins? Of your
damnable and undone condition? And your utter inability to lick
yourselves whole by your own duties? Have you been brought to such a
sense of sin, that there is no sin, but you heartily abhor it? Are you
brought to such a sense of the beauty of holiness, and of the laws and
ways of God, that you desire to know the whole mind of God? Would you
not excuse yourselves by ignorance from any duty, and do not you allow
yourselves in the neglect of any thing conscience charges upon you as
a duty? Are your very hearts set upon the glorifying and enjoying of
God, as your greatest happiness? *Had you rather be the holiest than
be the richest and greatest in the world? And is your greatest delight
in the thoughts of your God, and in your conversings with God in holy
exercises! Is Christ more precious than all the world to you? And
are you willing upon the thorough consideration of the strictness and
holiness of his laws, to take them all for the rule of your thoughts,
words and actions, and though religion may be dear, do you resolve, if
God assist you, to go through with it, let the cost be what it will?
Happy the man that is in such a case. This is a Christian indeed, and
whatever you be and do short of this, all is unsound. But you that bear
in your souls the marks above-mentioned, upon you I lay no other burden,
but to hold fast, and make good your ground, and to press forwards
towards the mark. Thankfully acknowledge the grace of God to your souls;
and live rejoicingly in the hopes of the glory of God; live daily in
the praises of your Redeemer; and study the worthiness, excellency,
and glory of his attributes: let your souls be much taken up in
contemplating his glorious perfection, and blessing yourselves in the
goodly portion you have in him: live like those that have a God, and
then be disconsolate if you can: if there be not more in an infinite
God to comfort you, than in a prison, or poverty or affliction to
deject you, our preaching is vain and your faith is vain. Let the
thoughts of God be your daily repast: and never be satisfied till your
hearts run out as freely, naturally, unweariedly after God, as others
do after the world. Farewell my dear brethren, the Lord God Almighty be
a protection to you, and your exceeding great reward; Farewell in the
Lord.
I am,
_Your’s in the bowels of the Lord Jesus_,
JOS. ALLEINE.
_From the common gaol, in |Ivelchester|,
September 11, 1663._
LETTER VII.
[How to shew love to ministers, and to live joyfully.]
_To the most loving and dearly beloved, my Christian friends
in |Taunton|, grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father,
and from the Lord Jesus Christ_.
_Most endeared brethren_,
I HAVE received your moving letter, and could not look over _such_
tender expressions without some commotion. I may confidently say, I
spent more tears upon those lines, than ever you did ink. Your deep
sense of my labours I cannot but thankfully acknowledge, yet withal,
heartily confessing, that all was but what I owed to your immortal
souls; which God knows was very much short of my duty. The omissions,
imperfections, deadness, that accompanied my duties I own, and the Lord
humble me for them. But all that was of God (and that was all that was
good) be sure that you give to God alone. To him I humbly ascribe both
the will and the deed, to whom alone be glory for ever.
*My dear brethren, my business as I have often told you, is not to turn
your eyes to me, but to Christ: his spokesman I am, will you give your
hands, your names to him? Will you subscribe to his laws, and consent
to his offices, and be at defiance with all his enemies? This do, and
I have my errand. Who will follow Christ’s colours? Who will come under
his banner? This shall be the man that shall be my friend; this is he
that will oblige me for ever. Do these letters come to no loose sinner?
No ignorant sinner? No unsound professor? Would they do me a kindness,
as I believe they would? Then let them come away to Christ! O sinner,
be no more in love with darkness; stick no longer in the skirts and
outside of religion. Waver no more, halt no farther, but strike in
throughly with Jesus Christ; except nothing, reserve nothing, but come
throughly to the Lord, and follow him fully. And then happy man thou
shalt be, for thou wilt be made for ever; and joyful man I shall be;
for I shall save a soul from death. The earnest beggings of a poor
prisoner, use to move some bowels: hear O friends, will you do nothing
for a minister of Christ? Nothing for a prisoner of Jesus Christ?
Methinks I hear you answer, “Yea, what will we not do? He shall never
want while we have it; he shall need no office of love, but we will
run and ride to do it.” Yea, but this is not it that I beg of you; will
you gratify me indeed? Then come in, bow to the name of Jesus; yea, let
your souls bow, let all your powers do him homage. Let that sacred name
be graven into the substance of your hearts. Let me freely speak for
him, for he is worthy for whom you shall do this thing; worthy to be
beloved of you; worthy to have your very hearts, worthy to be admired,
adored, praised, served, glorified to the uttermost by you, and every
creature; worthy for whom you should lay down all, leave all: can any
thing be too much for him? Can any thing be too good for him, or too
great for him? Come give up all, resign all, lay it at the feet of
Jesus, offer all as a sacrifice to him, see that you be universally
the Lord’s; keep nothing from him: I know through the goodness of
God, that with many of you this work is not yet to do. But this set
solemn resignation to the Lord is to be done more than once, and to
be followed with an answerable practice when it is done: see that you
walk worthy of the Lord; but how? In the _fear of the Lord_, and in
the _comfort of the Holy Ghost_; let these two go together. So shall
you adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, and experience the heavenly
felicity of a Christian life: cleave fast to Christ, never let go
your hold; cling the faster, because so many are labouring to loosen
your hold. Hold fast your integrity, hold fast the beginning of your
confidence stedfast to the end: If you do but keep your hold, and
keep your way; all that the world can do, and all that the powers of
darkness can do, can never do you harm. Keep your own vineyard with
constant care and watchfulness, and be sure that there be no inroad
made upon your consciences, that the enemy do not get between your
souls and God; and then let what will assail you without, you need
not fear! Let this be your daily exercise, to keep your consciences
void of offence: keep fair weather at home, however it be abroad. I
would not only that you should walk _holily_, but that you should walk
_comfortably_. I need say the less to this, because the fear of the
Lord and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, lie together. Oh the provision
God hath made for your continual comfort: dear brethren, do but
understand your own blessedness, happy men that you are, if you did but
know and consider it: who would count himself poor that hath all the
fullness of the Godhead for his. O Christians, live like yourselves,
live worthy of your portion, and your glorious prerogatives. That you
may walk worthy of your glorious hopes, and live answerable to the
mercies you have received, is the great desire of
_Your souls fervent well-wisher in bonds_.
JOS. ALLEINE.
_From the prison at |Ivelchester|,
September 18, 1663._
LETTER VIII.
[Remember Christ crucified; and crucify sin.]
_To the faithful and well-beloved people,
the servants of Christ in |Taunton|, salvation_.
_Most dear Christians_,
I AM by office a remembrancer, the Lord’s remembrancer for you, and
your remembrancer in the behalf of Christ. My business is with the
apostle, to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. And who
shall I remember you of, but your intercessor with the Father, who
hath you always in remembrance, appearing in the presence of God
for you? May his memory ever live in your hearts, though mine should
die; Oh, remember his love more than mine; remember in what a case he
found you, and yet nothing could divert the purpose of his love from
you: He loathed not your rags nor your rottenness: he found you in
loathsome filthiness, yet he pitied you. His bowels were moved, and his
compassions were kindled, when one would have thought his wrath should
have boiled and his indignation have burned down to hell against you:
he loathed not, but loved you, and washed you from your sins in his own
blood. Ah polluted captives! Ah vile and putrid carcases! that ever the
Holy Jesus should his ownself wash you. Methinks I see him weeping over
you; and yet it was a more costly bath by which he cleansed you. Ah
sinners look upon the streaming blood flowing from his blessed body,
to fetch out the ingrained filthiness that you by sin had contracted.
Alas! What a horrid filthiness, that nothing but the blood of the
covenant could wash away! And what a love is Christ’s, that, when a
whole ocean could not wash nor purify us, would open every vein of his
heart to do the work! Look upon your crucified Lord: do you not see
a sacred stream flowing out of every member? Ah, how those holy hands,
those unerring feet do run a stream to purge us! Alas, how the great
drops of blood fall to the ground from his sacred face in his bitter
agony, to wash and beautify ours! How his wounded heart and side
twice pierced, first with love and pity, and then with the soldier’s
cruelty, pour out their healthful and saving floods upon us? Lord!
How do we forget such love as this? Ah monsters of ingratitude, that
can be unmindful of such a friend! Do we thus requite him? Is this
our kindness to such an obliging friend! Christians, where are your
affections? To what use do you put your faculties? What have you
memories for, but to remember him? What have you the power of loving
for, but that you should love him? Wherefore serves joy or desire, but
to long for him? And delightfully embrace him? May your souls and all
their powers be taken up with him; may all the doors of your souls be
set open to him. Here fix your thoughts, terminate here your desires;
here you may kindle your fire when almost out. Brethren what will you
do now for Jesus Christ? Have you never a sacrifice to lay upon his
altar? Come and I will shew you what you shall do, let your hands be
in the blood of your sins, search them out with diligence, search your
hearts and your houses; whatever iniquities you find there, out with
them, put them far from your tabernacles; if you crucify them not,
you are not Jesus’s friends. *God forbid that there should be a lying
tongue, or any way of deceit in your shops: that his service should
give place to the world in your families. Far be it from any of you,
my brethren, that you should be careful to teach your children and
servants the way of your callings, and neglect to instruct them in
the way of life. Is weekly catechising in every one of your families?
The Lord convince any of you that may be guilty of this neglect: Oh,
set up God in your houses; and see that you be not slovenly in closet
performances. Beware of serving the Lord negligently; serve not the
Lord with that which costs you nothing: look to it that you content not
yourselves with a cheap and easy religion. Put your flesh to it: be
well assured that the religion that costs you nothing, will yield you
nothing: Keep up the life of religion in your family and closet duties.
Fear nothing like a customary and careless performance of God’s service.
Judge your ownselves whether lazy wishes, idle complaints, and yawning
prayers are like to carry you through the mighty difficulties that you
must get through, if ever you come to heaven. When you find yourselves
going on in a listless, heartless course, ask yourselves, is this
to take the kingdom of heaven by violence? See that you sacrifice
yourselves to the Lord, that now you live to Christ himself. As Christ
hath made over his life and death to you, so let it be your care
to live and die to him. Labour to look upon all your enjoyments as
Christ’s goods; upon your time, parts, strength, as his talents: look
upon yourselves only in the quality of servants and stewards, that are
to husband all these for your Lord’s advantage, and as those that must
give an account. And pray for me that I may take the counsel that I
give. I bless the Lord, I want nothing but the opportunity of being
serviceable to you: but I hope the Lord will make my bonds for you,
to be useful to your edification; if I may glorify God, and serve you
best by being here, I shall never wish to come out. Finally brethren,
farewell: be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace,
and the God of love and peace shall be with you. I am,
_The ready servant of your faith and joy_,
JOS. ALLEINE.
_From the prison at |Ivelchester|,
October 14th, 1663._
LETTER IX.
[On daily self-examination.]
_To the most beloved people, the flock of Christ
in |Taunton|, salvation_.
_Most dear brethren_,
BRETHREN how stands it with you? Doth the main work go on? do your
souls prosper? This is my care; beware that you flag not, that you
faint not now in the evil day. I understand that your dangers grow
upon you. May your faith and courage grow much more abundantly!
Some of your enemies, I hear, are in great hopes to satisfy their
desires upon you. Well, be not discouraged my dear brethren, but bless
the Lord, who of his abundant mercy, hath so remarkably preserved
you so long beyond all expectation. Let it not be a strange thing to
you, if the Lord doth now call you to some difficulty: forsake not
the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is. I
plainly see the coal of religion will soon go out, unless it have
some better helps to cherish it, than a carnal ministry, and lifeless
administration. Dear brethren, now is the time for you that fear the
Lord, to speak often one to another: manage your duties with what
prudence you can, but away with that carnal prudence, that will decline
duty to avoid danger.
*I left you some helps for daily examination, I am jealous lest you
should grow slack, or slight, and careless in that duty. Let me ask you
in the name of the Lord, doth never a day pass you, but you solemnly
and seriously call yourselves to an account, what your carriage hath
been to God and men? Speak conscience? Is there never an one within the
hearing of this letter, that is a neglecter of this duty? Doth every
one of your consciences acquit you? Oh that they did! Tell me, would
not some of you be put shrewdly to it, if I should ask you when you
read, or thought over the questions that were given you for your help?
Would you not be put to a blush, to give me an answer? And will you not
be much more ashamed, that God should find you tardy? Not that I would
necessarily bind you up to that very method; only till you have found a
way more profitable, I would desire you, yea, I cannot but charge you,
to make daily use of that. Awake conscience, and do thou fall upon that
soul that thou findest careless in this work, and never let him be at
rest till thou canst witness for him, that he is a _daily and strict
observer of himself_, and doth live in the constant practice of this
duty. What! Shall neither God’s charge nor your profit hold you to
your work? Yet I may not doubt, but some of you do daily perform this
duty. The Lord encourage you in it: yet give me leave to ask you what
you have gained? Are you grown more universally conscientious, more
strict, more humble, and more sensible of your many and great defects,
than you were before? If so blessed are you of the Lord; if otherwise,
this duty hath been but slightly performed by you. What can you say
to this question? Doth your care of your ways abate or increase, by the
constant use of this duty? If it abate, remember from whence you are
fallen, and repent; as good not to do it at all, as not to the purpose.
The Lord God be a sun and a shield to you. My most dear love to you all;
fare you well in the Lord. I am,
_Your embassador in bonds_,
JOS. ALLEINE.
_From the common gaol at |Ivelchester|,
October 20, 1663._
LETTER X.