The Riches of Bunyan: Selected from His WorksBunyan, John
Religion
The Riches of Bunyan: Selected from His Works
Bunyan, John
Theology, Doctrinal
Bishops Latimer and Ridley were burnt together. When they came to
the stake, Dr. Ridley embraced Latimer fervently, and bade him be of
good heart; he then knelt by the stake, and after earnestly praying
together, they had a short private conversation. A lighted fagot was
laid at Dr. Ridley's feet, which caused the other to say, "Be of
good cheer, Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day, by God's
grace, light up such a candle in England, as I trust will never be
put out." When Dr. Ridley saw the flame approaching him, he
exclaimed, "Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit." Latimer
ceased not to say, "O Father of heaven, receive my soul."
Sanders, another martyr, was offered a pardon; but he rejected it,
and embraced the stake, saying, "Welcome the cross of Christ!
welcome, everlasting life!" Fox's Book of Martyrs and Hume's Hist.
Eng] days here at home, there were such sweet songs sung in the
fire, such sweet notes answering them from prison, and such
providences, like coals of burning fire, still dropping here and
there upon the heads of those that hated God, that it might, and
douhtless did, make those that did wisely consider of God's doings,
think God was yet near in behalf of his despised and afflicted
people.
Deep things are seen by them that are upon the waters. "They that go
down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these
see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep." Indeed it
oft falls out that the church sees more of God in affliction, than
when she is at rest and ease; when she is tumbled to and fro with
waters, then she sees the works of God and his wonders in the deep.
And this makes persecution so pleasant a thing; this makes "the ark
go upon the face of the waters." She sees more in this her state,
than in all the treasures of Egypt.
Nothing is more natural to the church, while in a wilderness
condition, than such cups and draughts as the cup of the Lord's
fury, the cup of trembling, the cup of astonishment.
Hence she is said to be clothed in sackcloth, to mourn, to weep, to
cry out, and to be in pain as a woman in travail. Since the church
in the wilderness has been so persecuted, so distressed, so
oppressed, and made the seat of so much war, so much blood, and so
many murders of her children within her, can it be imagined that she
drank of more of these cups? Yes, yes, she has drunk the red wine at
the Lord's hand, even the cup of blood, of fury, of trembling, and
of astonishment; witness her own cries, sighs, tears, and
tremblings, with the cries of the widows, children, and orphans
within her.
But all these cups are of pure gold. They are of God's ordaining,
appointing, filling; and also sanctified by him for good to those of
his that drink them. Hence Moses chose rather to drink a brimmer of
these, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account