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C H R I S T By J O H N.B U N Y A N. Published by E. Chandler, J. Wilson, and C. Doe, 1692. Published four years after John Bunyan's death. |
THE USE.
come now to make some use of this discourse; and,
USE FIRST, Let me exhort you to the study of this, as of other the truths of our
Lord Jesus Christ. The priestly office of Christ is the first and great thing that
is presented to us in the gospel—namely, how that he died for our sins, and gave
himself to the cross, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us through him.
(1 Cor 15:1-6, Gal 3:13-16) But now because this priestly office of his is divided
into two parts, and because one of them—to wit, this of his intercession—is to be
accomplished for us within the veil, therefore, as we say among men, out of sight
out of mind, he is too much as to this forgotten by us. We satisfy ourselves with
the slaying of the sacrifice; we look not enough after our Aaron as he goes into
the holiest, there to sprinkle the mercy-seat with blood upon our account. God forbid
that the least syllable of what I say should be intended by me, or construed by others,
as if I sought to diminish the price paid by Christ for our redemption in this world.
But since his dying is his laying down his price, and his intercession the urging
and managing the worthiness of it in the presence of God against Satan, there is
glory to be found therein, and we should look after him into the holy place.
The second part of the work of the high priests under the law, had great glory and
sanctity put upon it; forasmuch as the holy garments were provided for him to officiate
in within the veil, also it as there that the altar stood on which he offered incense;
also there was the mercy-seat and the cherubims of glory, which were figures of the
angels, that love to be continually looking and prying into the management of this
second part of the priesthood of Christ in the presence of God; for although themselves
are not the persons so immediately concerned therein as we, yet the management of
it, I say, is with so much grace, and glory, and wisdom, and effectualness, that
it is a heaven to the angels to see it. Oh! to enjoy the odorous scent, and sweet
memorial, the heart-refreshing perfumes, that ascend continually from the mercy-seat
to the 'above' where God is; and also to behold how effectual it is to the end for
which it is designed, is glorious; and he that is not somewhat let into this by the
grace of God, there is a great thing lacking to his faith, and he misseth of many
a sweet bit that he might otherwise enjoy. Wherefore, I say, be exhorted to the study
of this part of Christ's work in the managing of our salvation for us. And the ceremonies
of the law may be a great help to you as to this, for though they be out of use now
as to practice, yet the signification of them is rich, and that from which many gospellers[18] have got much. Wherefore I advise that you read the five books of Moses
often; yea, read, and read again, and do not despair of help to understand something
of the will and mind of God therein, though you think they are fast locked up from
you. Neither trouble your heads though you have not commentaries and expositions;
pray and read, and read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal
from men.
Also, what is from men is uncertain, and is often lost and tumbled over and over
by men; but what is from God is fixed as a nail in a sure place. I know there are
[peculiar] times of temptation, but I speak now as to the common course of Christianity.
There is nothing that so abides with us as what we receive from God; and the reason
why Christians at this day are at such a loss as to some things is, because they
are content with what come from men's mouths, without searching and kneeling before
God, to know of him the truth of things. Things that we receive at God's hand come
to us as things from the minting house, though old in themselves, yet new to us.
Old truths are always new to us if they come to us with the smell of heaven upon
them. I speak not this because I would have people despise their ministers, but to
show that there is nowadays so much idleness among professors as hinders them from
a diligent search after things, and makes them take up short of that that is sealed
by the Spirit of testimony to the conscience. Witness the great decays at this day
among us, and that strange revolting from truth once professed by us.
USE SECOND, As I would press you to an earnest study and search after this great
truth, so I would press you to a diligent improvement of it to yourselves and to
others. To know truth for knowledge sake is short of a gracious disposition of soul;
and to communicate truth out of a desire of praise and vain-glory for so doing is
also a swerving from godly simplicity; but to improve what I know for the good of
myself and others is true Christianity indeed. Now truths received may be improved
with respect to myself and others, and that several ways—
1. To myself, when I search after the power that belongs to those notions that I
have received of truth. There belongs to every true notion of truth a power; the
notion is the shell—the power is the kernel and life. Without this last, truth doth
me no good, nor those to whom I communicate it. Hence Paul said to the Corinthians,
'When I come to you again, I will know not the speech of them that are puffed up,
but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.' (1 Cor 4:19,20)
Search, then, after the power of what thou knowest, for it is the power that will
do thee good. Now this will not be got but by earnest prayer, and much attending
upon God; also there must not be admitted by thee that thy heart be stuffed with
cumbering cares of this world, for they are of a choking nature.
Take heed of slighting that little that thou hast; a good improvement of little is
the way to make that little thrive, and the way to obtain additions thereto: 'He
that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is
unjust in the least is unjust also in much.' (Luke 16:10)
2. Improve them to others, and that, (1.) By labouring to instill them upon their
hearts by good and wholesome words, presenting all to them with the authority of
the Scriptures. (2.) Labour to enforce those instillings on them by showing them
by thy life the peace, the glorious effects that they have upon thy soul.
Lastly, Let this doctrine give thee boldness to come to God. Shall Jesus Christ be
interceding in heaven? Oh, then, be thou a praying man on earth; yea, take courage
to pray. Think thus with thyself—I go to God, to God, before whose throne the Lord
Jesus is ready to hand my petitions to him; yea, 'he ever lives to make intercession
for me.' This is a great encouragement to come to God by prayers and supplications
for ourselves, and by intercessions for our families, our neighbours, and enemies.
Farewell.
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