Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

40

Christian alarmed and ashamed, hastens back.

cannot be justified by the works of the Law; for by the deeds of the Law no man living" can be rid of his burden; therefore Mr. Worldly-wiseman is an alien; and Mr. Legality is a cheat; and for his son Civility, notwithstanding his simpering looks, he is but a hypocrite, and cannot help thee. Believe me, there is nothing else in all this noise that thou hast heard of this sottish man, but a design to beguile thee of thy salvation, by turning thee from the way which I had set thee. After this Evangelist called aloud to the heavens for confirmation of what he had said; and with that there came words and fire out of the Mountain, under which poor Christian stood, that made the hair of his flesh stand. The words were thus pronounced: "As many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."*

(u)

Now Christian looked for nothing but death; and began to cry out lamentably, even cursing the time in which he met with Mr. Worldly-wiseman; still calling himself a thousand fools for hearkening to his counsel: he also was greatly ashamed to think that this gentleman's arguments, following only from the flesh, should have that prevalency with him, to forsake the right way. This done, he applied himself again to Evangelist in words and sense as follows: Chr. Sir, what think you? is there hopes ? may I now go back and go up to the Wicket gate ? shall I not be abandoned for this, and sent back from thence ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this man's counsel; but may my sin be forgiven?

Then said Evangelist to him, Thy sin is very great, for by it thou hast committed two evils; thou hast forsaken the

* Gal. iii. 10.

(u) When Christ had finished his work on earth, the covenant made with Israel as a nation at Mount Sinai was abrogated: and the Jews, by cleaving to the Mosaic law, were left in bondage and under condemnation. In like manner, all professed Christians, who depend on notions, sacraments, religious duties, and morality, and neglect Christ and the new covenant in his blood, are entangled in a fatal error. They seek the blessing "not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law;" "for they stumble at that stumbling stone."-The Scriptures adduced by Evangelist are so pertinent and conclusive against this species of religion, which has at present almost superseded the gospel, that they can never be fairly answered: nay, the more any man considers them, as the testimony of God himself, the greater must be his alarm, (even as if he heard the voice from Mount Sinai out of the midst of the fire ;) unless he be conscious of having renounced every other confidence, to "flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us" in the gospel.

Christian arriving, knocks at the Gate.

41

way that is good, to tread in forbidden paths: yet will the man of the Gate receive thee, for he has good will for men ; only, said he, take heed that thou turn not aside again, "lest thou perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little." Then did Christian address himself to go back, and Evangelist, after he had kissed him, gave him one smile, and bid him God speed: so he went on with haste, neither spake he to any man by the way; nor if any man asked him, would he vouchsafe them an answer. He went like one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself safe, till again he was got into the way which he left to follow Mr. Worldly-wiseman's counsel: (w) so in process of time Christian got up to the Gate. Now over the Gate there was written, "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you."* (x) He knocked therefore more than once or twice; saying,

"May I now enter here will he within
Open to sorry me, though I have been
An undeserving Rebel? then shall I

Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high."

At last there came a grave person to the Gate, named Good-will, who asked, Who was there? and whence he came? and what he would have?

* Matt. vii. 7, 8.

(w) In aiming to encourage those who are ready to despond, we must by no means persuade them that their sins are few or small, or that they judge themselves too rigorously on the contrary, we should endeavour to convince them their guilt is far greater than they suppose; yet not too great to be pardoned by the infinite mercy of God in Christ Jesus: for this tends to take them off more speedily from every vain attempt to justify themselves, and renders them more unreserved and earnest in applying to Christ for salvation. In the midst of the most affectionate encouragements, the faithful minister will also solemnly warn young converts not to turn aside: nor can the humble when consciously guilty ever find confidence or comfort, till they have regained the way they had forsaken. (x) This Gate represents Christ himself, as received by the penitent sinner for all the purposes of salvation, according to the measure of his acquaintance with the Scriptures; by which he actually enters into a state of acceptance with God. Yet to prevent mistakes, the language of our Lord on this subject should be carefully considered. "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction; and many there be who go in thereat."* 'We are all born in sin, and the children of wrath ;' we turn every one to his own way" of sin and folly; and alas, most men persist in one evil course or other, to the end of their days, being kept in countenance by the example of a vast majority, in which the rich, the noble, and the wise of this world are generally ineluded. "Because strait is the gate and narrow the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." But by this strait Gate every true penitent enters into the narrow Matt. vii. 13, 14.

42

Good-Will admits Christian at the Gate,

Chr. Here is a poor burdened sinner; I come from the City of Destruction, but am going to Mount Zion, that I may be delivered from the wrath to come; I would therefore, Sir, since I am informed that by this Gate is the way thither, know if you are willing to let me in.

I am willing with all my heart, said he ;-and with that he opened the Gate. (y)

So when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull. Then said Christian, What means that? The other told him, "A little distance from this Gate, there is erected a strong Castle, of which Beelzebub is the Captain; from thence both he and they that are with him, shoot arrows at them that come up to this Gate; if haply they may die be

way to life, though with difficulty and conflict. This entrance on a life of evangelical pie ty is in the language of the allegory called a Wicket, or a little gate for the convert can. not carry along with him any of his sinful practices, ungodly companions, worldly idols, or false confidences, when he enters in: nor can he effectually contend with those enemies that obstruct his passage, unless he wrestle continually with God in prayer for his gracious assistance. And therefore our Lord has also said "Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able."* Yet we must not forget that the sinner returns to God by faith in Christ; that genuine repentance comes from him and leads to him; and that the true believer not only trusts in the Lord for salvation, but also seeks his liberty and happiness in his service. These things taken together are so contrary to the pride and lusts of the human heart, to the course of the world, and to the temptations of the devil, that striving is far more necessary in this, than it can be conceived to be in any other, kind of conversion. Various exercises of the mind commonly precede this unreserved acceptance of Christ; but they are not in general easy to be known from those temporary convictions, impressions, and starts of devotion, which vanish and come to nothing. Yet even this saving change is judiciously distinguished by our author from that view of the Cross, by which Christian was delivered from his burden, for reasons which will speedily be stated.

The following lines are here inserted under an engraving :

'He that would enter in, must first without

Stand knocking at the gate, nor need he doubt,
That is a knocker, but to enter in;

For God can love him, and forgive his sin.'

(y) Good-will scems to be an allegorical person, the emblem of the compassionate love of God to sinners through Jesus Christ.f-He "came from heaven to do the will of him that sent him," and "he will in no wise cast out any that come to him," either on account of former sins, or present mistakes, infirmities, evil habits, or peculiar temptations. "For he waits to be gracious," till sinners seek him by earnest persevering prayer. Numbers give themselves no concern about their souls; others, after convictions, turn back with Pliable, or cleave to the counsels of worldly wisdom: but all, who come to Christ with a real desire of his salvation, are cordially welcomed; and while angels rejoice over them, the Redeeme er "sees of the travail of his soul, and is satisfied."

[blocks in formation]

And discourses with him.

43

fore they enter in.' (z) Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble. So when he was got in, the man of the Gate asked him, Who directed him thither ?

Chr. Evangelist bid me come hither and knock, as I did; and he said, that you, Sir, would tell me what I must do. Good. "An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it."

Chr. Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards.
Good. But how is it that you came alone?

Chr. Because none of my neighbours saw their danger as I saw mine.

Good. Did any of them know of your coming?

Chr. Yes, my wife and children saw me at the first, and called after me to turn again. Also some of my neighbours stood crying, and calling after me to return; but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way.

Good. But did none of them follow you to persuade you to go back ?

Chr. Yes, both Obstinate and Pliable but when they saw that they could not prevail, Obstinate went railing back; but Pliable came with me a little way.

Good. But why did he not come through?

Chr. We indeed came both together, until we came to the Slough of Despond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbour Pliable discouraged, and would not adventure further. Wherefore, getting out again, on that side next to his own house, he told me, I should possess the brave country alone for him. So he went his way, and I came mine; he after Obstinate, and I to this Gate.

Then said Good-will, Alas, poor man! is the Celestial Glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazards of a few difficulties to obtain it ?

Truly, said Christian, I have said the truth of Pliable; and if I should also say the truth of myself, it will appear there

(z) As sinners become more decided in counting all but loss for Christ, and assiduous in the means of grace, Satan, if permitted, will be more vehement in his endeavours to discour age them; that, if possible, he may induce them to desist, and so come short of the prize. It is probable that the powers of darkness cannot exactly distinguish between those impressions which are the effects of regeneration, and such as result from natural passions. It is, however, certain that they attempt to disturb all those who earnestly cry for mercy, by various suggestions to which they were wholly strangers while satisfied with a form of godliness: and that the Christian's grand conflict, to the end of his course, consists in surmounting the hindrances and opposition he meets with, in keeping near to the throne of grace, by fervent, importunate, and persevering prayer.

44

Christian instructed in the Way.

is no betterment (a) 'twixt him and myself. 'Tis true he went back to his own house, but I also turned aside to go in the way of death, being persuaded thereto by the carnal arguments of one Mr. Worldly-wiseman.

Good. Oh! did he light upon you! what, he would have had you a sought for ease at the hands of Mr. Legality; they are both of them a very cheat: but did you take his counsel ? Chr. Yes, as far as I durst: I went to find out Legality, until I thought that the Mountain that stands by his house would have fallen upon my head: wherefore there I was forced to stop.

Good. That Mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more: 'tis well you escaped being by it dasht in pieces.

Chr. Why, truly I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelist happily met me again as I was musing in the midst of my dumps: but 'twas God's mercy that he came to me again, for else I had never come hither. But now I am come, such a one as I am, more fit indeed for Death by that Mountain, than thus to stand talking with my Lord. But O! what a favour is this to me, that yet I am admitted entrance here.

Good. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they come hither, "they in no wise are cast out ;"* and therefore good Christian, come a little way with me, and I will teach thee about the way thou must go. Look before thee; dost thou see this narrow way? That is the way thou must go. It was cast up by the Patriarchs, Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles, and it is as straight as a Rule can make it. This is the way thou must go.

But, said Christian, Is there no turnings or windings, by which a stranger may lose the way?

Good. Yes, there are many ways butt down upon this ; and they are crooked, and wide : but thus thou may'st dis

*John vi. 37.

(a) Our author here puts a very emphatical word into Christian's mouth, ('there is no betterment 'twixt him and myself") which later editors have changed for difference. This is by no means an improvement, though the words may be more classical: for grace had made an immense difference between Christian and Pliable; but the former thought his conduct equally criminal, and therefore, in respect of deservings, there was no betterment betwixt them

« ZurückWeiter »