Works of John Bunyan - LightNovelsOnl.com
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The first use is this, To make a strict inquiry whether you be born of G.o.d or not; examine by those things I laid down before, of a child of nature and a child of grace. Are you brought out of the dark dungeon of this world into Christ? Have you learned to cry, 'My Father?' (Jer 3:4). 'And I said, Thou shalt call me, My Father.' All G.o.d's children are criers--cannot you be quiet without you have a bellyful of the milk of G.o.d's Word? cannot you be satisfied without you have peace with G.o.d? Pray you, consider it, and be serious with yourselves; if you have not these marks, you will fall short of the kingdom of G.o.d--you shall never have an interest there; 'there' is no intruding. They will say, 'Lord, Lord, open to us; and he will say, I know you not.' No child of G.o.d, no heavenly inheritance. We sometimes give something to those that are not our children, but [we do] not [give them] our lands.
O do not flatter yourselves with a portion among the sons, unless you live like sons. When we see a king's son play with a beggar, this is unbecoming; so if you be the king's children, live like the king's children; if you be risen with Christ, set your affections on things above, and not on things below; when you come together, talk of what your Father promised you; you should all love your Father's will, and be content and pleased with the exercises you meet with in the world. If you are the children of G.o.d, live together lovingly; if the world quarrel with you, it is no matter; but it is sad if you quarrel together; if this be amongst you, it is a sign of ill-breeding; it is not according to the rules you have in the Word of G.o.d. Dost thou see a soul that has the image of G.o.d in him? Love him, love him; say, This man and I must go to heaven one day; serve one another, do good for one another; and if any wrong you, pray to G.o.d to right you, and love the brotherhood.
Lastly, If you be the children of G.o.d, learn that lesson--Gird up the loins of your mind, as obedient children, not fas.h.i.+oning yourselves according to your former conversation; but be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Consider that the holy G.o.d is your Father, and let this oblige you to live like the children of G.o.d, that you may look your Father in the face, with comfort, another day.
