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Grace Abounding By J O H N.B U N Y A N. L O N D O N, Published by George Larkin, 1666. John Bunyan wrote this book while still in Bedford Prison. It was first published in 1666, the year of the Fire of London. |
THE CONCLUSION
1. 
f all the temptations that ever I met with in my life, to question
the being of God, and the truth of His gospel, is the worst, and the worst to be
borne; when this temptation comes, it takes away my girdle from me, and removeth
the foundations from under me. Oh, I have often thought of that word, 'Have your
loins girt about with truth'; and of that, 'When the foundations are destroyed, what
can the righteous do?'
2. Sometimes, when, after sin committed, I have looked for sore chastisement from
the hand of God, the very next that I have had from Him hath been the discovery of
His grace. Sometimes, when I have been comforted, I have called myself a fool for
my so sinking under trouble. And then, again, when I have been cast down, I thought
I was not wise to give such way to comfort. With such strength and weight have both
these been upon me.
3. I have wondered much at this one thing, that though God doth visit my soul with
never so blessed a discovery of Himself, yet I have found again, that such hours
have attended me afterwards, that I have been in my spirit so filled with darkness,
that I could not so much as once conceive what that God and that comfort was with
which I have been refreshed.
4. I have sometimes seen more in a line of the Bible than I could well tell how to
stand under, and yet at another time the whole Bible hath been to me as dry as a
stick; or rather, my heart hath been so dead and dry unto it, that I could not conceive
the least drachm of refreshment, though I have looked it all over.
5. Of all tears, they are the best that are made by the blood of Christ; and of all
joy, that is the sweetest that is mixed with mourning over Christ. Oh! it is a goodly
thing to be on our knees, with Christ in our arms, before God. I hope I know something
of these things.
6. I find to this day seven abominations in my heart: (1) Inclinings to unbelief.
(2) Suddenly to forget the love and mercy that Christ manifesteth. (3) A leaning
to the works of the law. (4) Wanderings and coldness in prayer. (5) To forget to
watch for that I pray for. (6) Apt to murmur because I have no more, and yet ready
to abuse what I have. (7) I can do none of those things which God commands me, but
my corruptions will thrust in themselves, 'When I would do good, evil is present
with me.'
7. These things I continually see and feel, and am afflicted and oppressed with;
yet the wisdom of God doth order them for my good. (1) They make me abhor myself.
(2) They keep me from trusting my heart. (3) They convince me of the insufficiency
of all inherent righteousness. (4) They show me the necessity of flying to Jesus.
(5) They press me to pray unto God. (6) They show me the need I have to watch and
be sober. (7) And provoke me to look to God, through Christ, to help me, and carry
me through this world. Amen.
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