now to its outward Touching the outward state of thy â—â—mily thou art to consider these thâ— things First That it lyeth upon thee to câ—â—â— for them that they have a convenieâ—â— livelyhood If any man provide not for 〈◊〉 own and especially for those of his own houâ—â— he hath denied the Faith and is worse thâ— an infidel 1 Tim. 5. 8. But mark whâ—â— the Word saith thou art to provide 〈◊〉 thy house it giveth thee no license 〈◊〉 distracting carefulness neither doth 〈◊〉 allow thee to strive to grasp the World 〈◊〉 thy heart or Coffers nor to take care fâ—â— years or dayes to come but so to prâ—â—vide for them that they may have foâ—â— and raiment and if either they or thoâ— be not content with that you lanch oâ— beyond the Rule of God 1 Tim. 6. 〈◊〉 Mat. 6. 34. This is to labour that you 〈◊〉 have wherewith to maintain good Works 〈◊〉 necessary uses Tit. 3. 14. And never object that unless you reaâ— further it will never do for that is 〈◊〉 unbelief The Word saith That Gâ—â— â—â—edeth Ravens careth for Sparrows and loatheth the Grass in which three to feed loath and care for is as much as heart an wish Luke 12. 6 24 27 28. Secondly Therefore though thou shouldst â—rovide for thy Family yet let all thy â—abour be mixed with moderation Let our moderation be known to all men Phil. â— 5. Take heed of driving so hard after his World as to hinder thy self and faâ—ily from those Duties towards God which thou art by Grace obliged to as â—rivate Prayer reading the Scriptures â—nd Christian Conference It is a base â—hing for men so to spend themselves and â—amilies after this World as that they â—isingage their hearts to God's Worship 〈◊〉 Christians The time is short It remainâ—th then that they that have Wives be as â—hose that have none and they that weep 〈◊〉 though they wept not and they that reâ—yce as though they rejoyced not and they â—hat use this world as not abusing it for â—â—e fashion of this world passeth away 1 Cor. â—â— 29 30 31. Many Christians live and do in this world as if Religion were but a by-biâ—ness and this World the one thing neceâ—sary when indeed all the things of 〈◊〉 world are but things by the by and Râ—â—ligion only the one thing needful Lukâ— 10. 40 41. 42. Thirdly If thou wouldst be such a Mâ—ster of a Family as becomes thee thâ— must see that there be that Christiâ— Harmony among those under thee as bâ—comes that house where one ruleth thâ— feareth God 1. Thou must look that tâ— Children Servants be under subjectâ— on to the Word of God for though it of God only to rule the heart yet he eâ—â—pecteth that thou shouldst rule their ouâ— ward man which if thou dost not he mâ— in short time cut off all of thy stock that pâ—â—seth against the wall 1 Sam. 3. 11 12 1â— 14. See therefore that thou keep the temperate in all things in Apparrel 〈◊〉 Language that they be not Gluttenoâ— nor Drunkards not suffering either tâ—â— Children vainly to domineer over tâ—â— Servants nor they again to carry theâ—â—selves foolishly towards each other 2. Learn to distinguish between that injury that in thy Family is done to thee and that which is done to God and though thou oughtest to be very zealous for the Lord and to bear nothing that is open transgression to Him yet here will be thy wisdom to pass by personal injuries and to bury them in oblivion Love covereth the multitude of sins Be not then like those that will rage and stare like mad-men when they are injured and yet either laugh or at least not soberly rebuke and warn when God is dishonoured Rule thy own house well having thy Children with others in thy Family in subjection with all gravity 1 Tim. 3. 4. Solomon was so excellent sometimes this way that he made the eyes of his beholders to dazzle 2 Chron. 9. 3 4. But to break off from this general and to come to particulars First Hast thou a Wife thou muâ—â— consider how thou oughtest to behave thâ— self under that relation And to do this â— right thou must consider the condition 〈◊〉 thy wife whether she be one that indeeâ— believeth or not â— she believeth Theâ— First Thou art engâ—â—ged to bless God foâ— her For her price is far above Rubies anâ— she is the Gift of God unto thee and is fâ—â— thy adorning and glory Prov. 12. 4. Provâ— 31. 10. 1 Cor. 11. 7. Favour is deceiâ—ful and beauty is vain but a Woman thâ— feareth the Lord she shall be praised Provâ— 31. 30. Secondly Thou oughtest to love he under a double consideration 1. As shâ— is thy flesh and thy bone For â—evâ—â— Man yet hated his own flesh Ephes. 5â— 29. 2. As she is together with thee aâ— heir of the Grace of Life 1 Pet. 3. â— This I say should engage thee to lovâ— her with Christian Love to love her as believing you both are dearly belovâ— of God and the Lord Jesus Christ anâ— as those that must be together with him in Eternal happiness Thirdly Thou oughtest so to carry thy self to and before her as doth Christ to and before his Church as saith the Apostle So ought men to love their wives even as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it Ephes. 5. 25. When husbands behave themselves like husbands indeed then will they be not only husbands but such an Ordinance of God to the wife as will preach to her the carriage of Christ to his Spouse There is a sweet scent wrapped up in the relations of husbands and wives Ephes. 5. 32. that believe The wife I say signifying the Church and the husband the head and saviour thereof Ephes. 5. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife even a Christ is the head of the Church and He is the Saviour of the body This is one of God's chief ends in instituting Marriage that Christ and his Church under a figure might be where-ever there is a couple that believe through Grace Wherefore that husband that carrieth it undiscreetly toward his wife he doth not only behave himself contrary to the Rule but also maketh his Wife lose the benefit of such an Ordinance and crosseth the mystery of this Relation Therefore I say So ought men to love their Wives as their own bodies He that loveth his Wife loveth himself for no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it even as the Lord the Church Ephes. 5. 28 29. Solomon and Pharaoh's Daughter had the art of thus doing as you may see in the Book of Canticles Wherefore bear with their weaknesses help their infirmities and honor them as the weaker vessels and as being of a frailer constitution 1 Pet. 3. 7. In a word be such a Husband to thy believing Wife that she may say God hath not only given me a husband but such a Husband as
14 15 16 17 18 Instead of which thou feelest darkness hardness of heart and the thoughts oâ— God are terrible to thee Psal. 77. 3 now God never visits thee or if hâ— doth it is but as a wayfaring-man thâ— tarryeth but for a night Jer. 14 8 9. This also brings to mind how the case 〈◊〉 altered with thee touching thy confidence in God for thy future happiness â—ow uncertain thou now art of thy hopes for Heaven how much this life doth â—ang in doubt before thee Deut. 28. 65 66. 2. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent These are words well put together for a solid considering of what I have lost in my declining will provoke in my heart a sorrow and godly heaviness whereby I shall be forced to bemoan my condition and say I will go and return to my first Husband for then it was better with me than now Hos. 2. 7. And beleive it the reason of God's standing off from giving thee comfortable communion with himself it is that thou mightest first see the difference between sticking close to God and forsaking of him and next that thou mightest indeed acknowledge thy offence and seek his face Hos. 5. 15. he taketh no pleasure in thy forlorn condition he had rather thou shouldst have Him in thy bosome only he will have it iâ— his own Way He looketh down upon men and if any say I have sinned and perverted that which is right and iâ— profiteth me not then he will deliver his soul from going down into the Pit and his life shall see the Light Job 33. 27 28. 3. Remember from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first Works As there should be a remembring and a repenting so there should be a hearty doing our first Works a believing as before a laying hold of the things of Heaven and Glory as at the first for now is God returned to thee as before Zech. 1. 16. and though thou mayest through the loss of thy locks with Sampson be weak at the first yet in short time thy hair will grow again that is thy former experience will in short space be as long large and strong as in the former times indeed at the first thou wilt find all the wheels of thy soul rusty and all the strings of thy heart out 〈◊〉 tune as also when thou first beginnest to stir the dust and filth of thy â—art will like smoak trouble thee â—m that clear beholding the Grace of thy God and his Love to thy Soul â—t yet wait and go on and though you findest thy self as unable to do â—y thing as thou formerly couldst â—t I say up and be doing and the â—ord will be with thee for he hath â—t despised the day of thy small things 〈◊〉 Chron. 22. 16. Zech. 4. 10. I know thou wilt be afflicted with a thousand temptations to drive thee to despair that thy Faith may be faint c. â—t against all them set thou the Word 〈◊〉 God the Promise of Grace the blood of Christ and the Examples of God's Goodness to the great Backâ—â—ders that are for thy encouragement â—corded in the Scriptures of Truth â—d remember that turning to God â—er back-sliding is the greatest piece 〈◊〉 service thou canst do for him and 〈◊〉 greatest honour thou canst bring to 〈◊〉 Blood of Christ and know further that God to shew his willing reâ—ception of so unworthy a creature saith There shall be joy in Heaven at thy Coâ—â—version to him again Luke 15. 7 10. To Conclude If thou yet notwistanding whâ— hath been said dost remain a Bacâ—â—slider First Then remember that thoâ— must die and remember also thâ— when the Terrours of God â— Death and a Backslidden hearâ— meet together there will be sâ— work in that Soul this is the mâ— who hangeth tilting over the mouâ— of Hell while Death is cutting tâ— thred of his life Secondly Remember that thouâ— God doth sometimes yea ofteâ— receive Backsliders yet it is nâ— alwayes so Some draw back 〈◊〉 â—erdition for because they have â—ung up God and would none of â—im he in Justice flings up them â—nd their Souls for ever Prov. 1. 24 â—5 26 27 28. I have observed that sometimes God as it were in revenge for inâ—ry done him doth snatch away â—oules in the very nick of their â—acksliding as he served Lot's â—ife when he turned her into a Pilâ—r of Salt even while she was â—oking over her shoulder to Soâ—om Gen. 19. 26. an example that â—very Backslider should remember â—ith astonishment Luke 17. 32. Thus have I in few words writâ—en to you before I die a word 〈◊〉 provoke you to Faith and Holiâ—ess because I desire that you may â—ave the Life that is laid up for all them that believe in the Lord Jesus and love one anotheâ— when I am deceased though therâ— I shall rest from my labours anâ— be in Paradise as through Gracâ— I comfortably believe yet it is noâ— there but here I must do yoâ— good wherefore I not knowinâ— the shortness of my life nor thâ— hinderance that hereafter I maâ— have of serving my God and youâ— I have taken this opportunity tâ— present these few lines unto you foâ— your edification Farewel From my place of Confinemeâ— in Bedford this 17th the 4th Month 1663. THE END Prison-Meditations Directed to the Heart of SUFFERING SAINTS And REIGNING SINNERS By JOHN BUNYAN a Prisoner 〈◊〉 FRiends I salute you in the Lord and wish you may abound 〈◊〉 faith and love that you may ward your selves from Satans wound 〈◊〉 Friends write to me that I would hold my Head above the Flood â—nd I do wish you also bold in holding fast the good 〈◊〉 I am indeed in Prison now in Body but my Mind 〈◊〉 free to study Christ and how unto me he is kind 4. For though men keep my outward man within their locks and bars Yet by the Faith of Christ I can mount higher than the 〈◊〉 5. Their Fetters cannot Spirits tame nor tie up God from me My Faith and Hope they cannot lame above them I shall be 6. I here am very much refresht to think when I was out I preached Life and Peace and Rest to Sinners round about 7. My business then was souls to save by preaching Grace and Faith Of which the comfort now I have and have it shall till death 8. They were no Fables that I taught devil'd by cunning men But God's own Word by which were caught some sinners how and then 9. Whose souls by it were made to see the evil of their sin And need of Christ to make them free from death which they were in 10. And now those very hearts that then were foes unto the Lord Embrace his Christ and Truth like men conquered by his Word 11. I hear them sigh and groan and cry for grace to God above They loath their sin and to it die t is holiness they love 12. This was the work I was about when hands on me
Christian Behaviour OR THE Fruits of true Christianity Shewing the Ground from whence they flow in their Godlike order in the Duty of Relations as Husbands Wives Parents Children Masters Servants c. With a Word of Direction to all Backsliders By John Bunyan a Prisoner of Hope The Earth that drinketh in the Rain that cometh oft upon it and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed receiveth blessing from God But that which beareth Briers and Thorns is nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned Heb. 6. 7 8. London Printed for F. Smith at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-Bar THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Courteous Reader HAving formerly writ some small matter touching the Doctrine of Faith as Justification by Grace through the Faith of Christs Blood c. I do here as the second to that Doctrine present thee with a few lines touching Good Works that I might as at first I shewed thee the Good and Glory of the one so now shew thee the Beauty and Excellency of the other For though we are justified Rom. 3. 24 c. freely by Grace through Christ before God yet we are justified before Men Jam. 2. 18. by our Works Nay a life of Holiness flowing from Faith in us that are saved by Grace it doth justifie that Grace before the World that justifies us before God 2 Cor. 6. 1 3. 2 Cor. 9. 12 13 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. I have not here only in general treated of this Doctrine of Good Works but particularly after some discourse about Works flowing from Faith and what makes it truly and gospelly Good I discourse of them as we stand under our several relations in this World among men As first The Duty of the Master of a Family Of the Husband to his Wife and of hers to him Of the Duty of Parents to their Children and of Children to their Parents Of Masters also to their Servants and of the Servant again to his Master with a brief touch upon Good Neighbourhood and a discovery of Covetousness Pride and Uncleanness which are great Obstructions to a truly Gospel-Conversation I know there are many that have treated of Good Works in large and learned Discourses but I doubt all have not so Gospelized their discourses as become them and as the Doctrine of the Grace of God calleth for However I thoughtit my duty to add this discourse to all that are past and that for these Reasons First to take away those Aspersions that the Adversaries cast upon our Doctrine Rom. 3. 8. as also in the dayes of Paul that because we preach Justification without the Works of the Law therefore they pretend we plead for loosness of life whose damnatiâ—s just Secondly Because though there be much discourse about Works in general yet a particular Discourse of them as afore is touched is too much neglected and by this means every one too much left at uncertainties as from them of their several works under their particular Relations which I think is one reason of that disorder in Families and Places where God's People live to their shame and the dishonour of their God Thirdly Because these few Books that do particularly treat thus of Good Works are I think now so scarce or so big that but few have them and few buy them if they may be had especially our new Converts for whose sakes principally this short Discourse is intended and indeed this is one reason of my brevity that the price might neither be burdensome nor the reading long and tedious Multitude of words drown the Memory and an Exhortation in few words may yet be so full that the Reader may find that in the side of a sheet which some are forced to hunt for in a whole Quire c. The Lord teach us this Wisdom Fourthly I have written this Book to shew that I bear a fellow-Testimony and Witness with all that know God of the Operation that Grace hath and will have in the heart that hath savingly received it Lastly I have thus written because it is amiable and pleasant to God when Christians keep their Rank Relation and Station doing all as become their Quality Calling When Christians stand every one in their places and do the work of their Relations then they are like the flowers in the Garden that stand and grow where the Gardner hath planted them and then they shall both honour the Garden in which they are planted and the Gardner that hath so disposed of them From the Hysop on the Wall to the Cedar in Lebanon their Fruit is their glory And seeing the stock into which we are planted is the fruitfullest stock the sap conveyed thereout the fruitfullest sap and the dresser of our souls the wisest Husbandman John 15. 1. How contrary to nature to example and expectation should we be if we should not be rich in Good Works Wherefore take heed of being painted fire wherein is no warmth and painted flowers which retain no smell and of being painted trees whereon iâ— no fruit Whoso boasteth himself oâ— a false gift is like Clouds and Wind without Rain Prov. 25. 14. Farewel The Lord be with thy Spirit thaâ— thou mayest profit for time to come J. BUNYAN Christian Behaviour OR The Fruits of true Christianity Tit. 3. 7 8. That being justified by his Grace we should be made Heirs according to the hope of Eternal Life This is a faithful Saying and these things I will that you affirm constantly that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good Works These things are good and profitable unto men I Shall not at this time discourse of every Particular at large included in these words but shall briefly fall upon those things that I judge most necessary for the People of God Neither shall I need to make any great preamble to the words for their Explication they themselves being plain and without thaâ— ambiguity that calleth for such a thing the general scop being this That the which have believed in God should be careâ—ful to maintain Good Works But yet to prosecute what I intenâ— with what clearness I may I shall in 〈◊〉 word or two make way for what is to be the main of this Book This is a Faithful Saying This Which Why that which goeth before namely That being justified by Grace wâ— should be made Heirs according to the hopâ— of Eternal Life This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm conâ—stantly Why so Why that they which have believed iâ— God might be careful to maintain Gooâ— Works The meaning is That the way to provoke others to Good Works is constantâ—ly in the evidence and demonstratioâ— of the Spirit to shew them the certainty of their being by Grace made Heirs of Eternal Life From this Scripture therefore I do gather these things observable First That Good Works do flow from Faith Yea Secondly That every one that believeth should be careful that their
to their Servants And first If possible they can to get them that fear God He that worketh deceit saith David shall not dwell within my House and he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight Psal. 101. 7. Secondly But if none at the present but unbelievers can be got to do thy labour Then 1. Know that it is thy duty so to behave thy self to thy Servant that thy service may not only be for thy good but for the good of thy Servant and that both in body and soul Wherefore deal with him as to admonition as with thy Children give him the same Bread of God thou givest to them who knows but that if thou with spiritual Dilicates bringest up thy Servant but he may become thy spiritual Son in the end Prov. 29. 21. 2. Take heed thou do not turn thy Servants into slaves by over-charging them in thy work thorow thy greediness To make men serve with rigor is more like to Israels enemies than Christian Masters Exod. 1. 14. 3. Take heed thou carry not thy self to thy Servant as he of whom it is said he is such a Son of Belial that his Servants could not speak to him 1 Sam. 25. 14 15 16 17. And the Apostle bids you forbear to threaten them because you also have a Master in Heaven Ephes. 6. 9. as who should say your Servants cannot be guilty of so many miscariages against you as you are guilty of against Christ wherefore do wiâ—h and to your Servants as you would have your Master do with you 4. Take heed that thou neither circumvent him at his coming into thy service â—oâ— at his going out 1. Servants at their going into service may be beguised two wayes First By their Masters lying unto them saying their work is so small and so easie when it is indeed if not too burdensome yet far beyond what at first was said of it This is beguiling of them Secondly The other way is wheâ— Masters greedily seek to wier-draw their Servants to such wages as indeed is too little and inconsiderable for such work and labour Both these the Apostle opposeth where he saith Masters give unto your Servants that which is just just labour and just wages knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven Col. 4. 1. 2. As Servants may be circumvented at their coming into their labour so also they may be at their going out Which 〈◊〉 done by Masters that either change â—â—eir wages like heathenish Laban Gen 31. 7. or by keeping it back like thosâ— against whom God will be a swift Witâ—ess Mal. 3. 5. 3. Take heed that thou make not a gain of thy place because thou art gracious or livest conveniently for the means of Grace Servants that are truly godly they care not how cheap they serve their Masters provided they may get into godly Families or where they may be convenient for the Word But now if a Master or Mistris should take this opportunity to make a prey of their Servant this is abominable this is making a gain of Godliness and merchandize of the things of God 1 Tim. 6. 5. and of the soul of thy Brother I have heard some poor Servants say That in some carnal families they have had more liberty to God's things and more fairness of dealing than among Professors But this stinketh and as Jacob said concerning the cruelty of his two Sons so may I say of such Masters they make Religion stink before the inhabitants of the Land Gen. 34. 30. In a word learn of the Lord Jesus to carry your selves well to your Servants that your Servants also may learn something of the kindness of Christ by your deportment to them Servants are gâ—ers aswel as comers take heed that thou give them no occasion to scandal the Gospel when they are gone for what they observed thee unrighteously to do when they were with thee Then Masters carry it rightly toward their Servants when they labour both in word and life to convince them that the things of God are the One thing necessary That which Servants are commanded to do touching their fear their singleness of heart their doing what they dâ— as to the Lord and not to men the Master is commanded to do the same things unto them Ephes. 5. 6 7 8 9. The Duty of Wives But passing the Master of the Family I shall speak a Word or two to those that are under him And first to the Wife The Wife iâ— bound by the Law to her Husband so long as her Husband liveth Rom. 7. 2. Wherefore she also hath her work and place in the family as well as the rest Now there are these things considerable in the carriage of a Wife toward her Husband which she ought conscientiously to observe First That she look upon him as her head and lord The head of the woman is the man And so Sara called Abraham Lord 1 Cor. 11. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 6. Secondly She should therefore be subject to him as is fit in the Lord. The Apostle saith That the Wife should submit her self to her Husband as to the Lord 1 Pet. 3. 1. Col. 3. 18. Ephes. 5. 22. I told you before that if the husband doth walk towards his wife as becomes him he will therein be such an ordinance of God to her besides the relation of an husband that shall preach to her the carriage of Christ to his Church And now I say also that the wife if she walk with her husband as becomes her she shall preach the Obedience of the Church to her husband Therefore as the Church is subject to Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands iâ— every thing Ephes. 5. 24. Now for thy performing of this work thou must first shun these evils 1. The evil of a wandering and a goâ—soping spirit this is evil in the Church and is evil also in a wife who is the figurâ— of a Church Christ loveth to have hiâ— Spouse keep at home that is to be witâ— him in the Faith and practice of hiâ— things not ranging and medling witâ— the things of Satan no more should wives be given to wander and gossop a broad You know that Prov. 7. 11. saith She is loud and stubborn her feet abide nâ— in her house Wives should be about their own husbands business at home As the Apostlâ— saith Let them be discreet chaste keepers a home good obedient to their own husbands And why because otherwise the Word 〈◊〉 God will be blasphemed Tit. 2. 5. 2. Take heed of an idle talking oâ— brangling tongue This also is odious either in maids or wives to be like Paâ—raâ—s not bridling their tongue where 〈◊〉 the wife should know as I said before â—â—at her husband is her lord and is over â—â—r as Christ is over the Church Do you â—â—ink it is seemly for the Church to parâ—t it against her Husband is she not 〈◊〉 be silent before him and to look to his â—aws rather than