The Riches of Bunyan: Selected from His WorksBunyan, John
Religion
The Riches of Bunyan: Selected from His Works
Bunyan, John
Theology, Doctrinal
Let us cast ourselves upon this love of Christ. No greater
encouragement can be given us, than what is in the text, Eph.
3:18,19, and about it. It is great; it is "love that passeth
knowledge." Men that are sensible of danger, are glad when they hear
of such helps upon which they may boldly venture for escape. Why,
such a help and relief the text helpeth trembling and fearful
consciences to. Fear and trembling as to misery hereafter, can flow
but from what we know, feel, or imagine; but the text speaks of a
love that passeth knowledge, consequently of a love that goes beyond
all these. Besides, the apostle's conclusion upon this subject
plainly makes it manifest, that this meaning which I have put upon
the text is the mind of the Holy Ghost. Now "unto him," saith he,
"that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or
think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory
in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without
end. Amen." What can be more plain? What can be more full? What can
be more suitable to the most desponding spirit in any man? He can do
more than thou knowest he will. He can do more than thou thinkest he
can. What dost thou think? Why, I think, saith the sinner, that I am
cast away. Well, but there are worse thoughts than these; therefore
think again. Why, saith the sinner, I think that my sins are as many
as all the sins in the world. Indeed this is a very black thought,
but there are worse thoughts than this; therefore prithee think
again. Why, I think, saith the sinner, that God is not able to
pardon all my sins. Aye, now thou hast thought indeed; for this
thought makes thee look more like a devil than a man; and yet,
because thou art a man and not a devil, see the condescension and
boundlessness of the love of thy God. He is able to do above all
that we think. Couldst thou, sinner, if thou hadst been allowed,
thyself express what thou wouldst have expressed--the greatness of
the love thou wantest--with words that could have suited thee
better? For it is not said he can do above what we think, meaning
our thinking at present, but above all we can think; meaning, above
the worst and most soul-dejecting thoughts that we have at any time.
Sometimes the dejected have worse thoughts than they have at other
times. Well, take them at their worst times, at times when they
think, and think, till they think themselves down into the very
pangs of hell, yet this word of the grace of God is above them, and
shows that he can yet recover and save these miserable people.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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