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A By J O H N.B U N Y A N. Published by Charles Doe, 1692. Published four years after John Bunyan's death. |
[CONCLUSION.]
e will now therefore here make a brief conclusion of all.
First. This may inform us of the reason of the deplorable state of a professing people.
It is allotted to them in this world to be so. The world, and men of the world, must
have their tranquility here, and must be possest of all; this was foreshown in Esau,
who had of his sons many that were dukes and kings before there was any king in Israel
(Gen 36:31). God so disposing of things that all may give place when his Son shall
come to reign in Mount Zion, and before his ancients gloriously, which coming of
his will be at the resurrection, and end of this world, and then shall his saints
reign with him; "when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also
appear with him in glory" (Col 3:4).
Let not therefore kings, and princes, and potentates be afraid; the saints that are
such indeed, know their places, and are of a peaceable deportment; "the earth
God hath given to the children of men," and his kingdom to the sons of God (Psa
115:16; Matt 25:34; Luke 12:32).
I know there are extravagant opinions in the world about the kingdom of Christ, as
if it consisted in temporal glory in part, and as if he would take it to him by carnal
weapons, and so maintain it in its greatness and grandeur; but I confess myself an
alien to these notions, and believe and profess the quite contrary, and look for
the coming of Christ to judgment personally, and betwixt this and that, for his coming
in Spirit, and in the power of his word to destroy Antichrist, to inform kings, and
so give quietness to his church on earth; which shall assuredly be accomplished,[23] when the reign of the beast, the whore, the false prophet, and of the man
of sin is out (2 Thess 2:8; Isa 49:23, 52:15, 60:3,10,11,16, 62:2; Rev 21:24).
Second. Let this teach men not to think that the church is cursed of God, because
she is put in a wilderness state. Alas, that is but to train her up in a way of solitariness,
to make her Canaan the more welcome to her. Rest is sweet to the labouring man. Yea,
this condition is the first step to heaven; yea, it is a preparation to that kingdom.
God's ways are not as man's. "I have chosen thee," saith he, "in the
furnace of affliction." When Israel came out of Egypt, they were led of God
into the wilderness; but why? That he might have them to a land, that he had espied
for them, that he might bring them to a city of habitation (Eze 20:6; Psa 107:1-7).
The world know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of our God. Do you think
that saints that dwell in the world, and that have more of the mind of God than the
world, would, could so rejoice in God, in the cross, in tribulations and distresses,
were they not assured that through many tribulations is the very roadway to heaven
(Acts 14:22).
Let this then encourage the saints to hope, and to rejoice in hope of the glory of
God, notwithstanding present tribulations. This is our seed-time, our winter; afflictions
are to try us of what mettle we are made; yea, and to shake off worm-eaten fruit,
and such as are rotten at core. Troubles for Christ's sake are but like the prick
of an awl in the tip of the ear, in order to hang a jewel there.
Let this also put the saints upon patience: when we know that a trial will have an
end, we are by that knowledge encouraged to exercise patience. I have a bad master,
but I have but a year to serve under him, and that makes me serve him with patience;
I have but a mile to go in this dirty way, and then I shall have my path pleasant
and green, and this makes me tread the dirty way with patience. I am now in my rags,
but by that a quarter of a year is come and gone, two hundred a year comes into my
hand, wherefore I will wait, and exercise patience. Thus might I multiply comparisons.
Be patient then, my brethren; but how long? to the coming of the Lord. But when will
that be? the coming of the Lord draws nigh.
"Be patient," my brethren, be long patient, even "unto the coming
of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth,
and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye
also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh"
(James 5:7,8).
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