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
Works be Good Thirdly That every Believer should not only be careful that their Works be good and for the present do them but should also be careful to maintain them that is They should carefully study to keep in a constant course of Good Works And lastly That the best way to provoke both our selves and others to this Work It is to be often affirming to others the Doctrine of Justification by Grace and to believe it our selves This is a faithful Saying and these things I will saith Paul that thou affirm constantly that they who have believed in God might be careful to maintain Good Works I begin with the first That Good Works do flow from Faith This is evident divers wayes First from the impossibility of their flowing from any other thing they must either flow from Faith or not at all For whatsoever is not of Faith is sin And again without Faith it is impossible to please Him Rom. 14. 23. Heb. 11. 6. Every man by nature before Faith is an evil and a corrupt tree And a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles Mat. 7. 16 17. Now a man is made good by Faith and by that bringeth forth the Fruits that are acceptable to God Heb. 11. 4. Col. 1. 4 5 6. Wherefore sinners before faith are compared to the Wilderness whose fruits are briers and thornes and whose hearts are the habitation of Dragons that is of Devils Isa. 35. 6 7. Heb. 6. 7 8. And hence again it is that they are said to be Godless Christless Spiritless Faithless Hopeless without the Covenant of Grace without Strength enemies in their minds by wicked works and possessed by the Spirit of wickedness as a Castle by a Conqueror Ephes. 2. 12. Jude 19. 2 Thes. 3. 2. Col. 1. 21. Luke 11. 21. Now these things being thus it is impossible that all the men under heaven that are unconverted should be able to bring forth one work rightly good even as impossible as for all the Briers and Thrones under Heaven to bring forth one cluster of Grapes or one bunch of Figs for indeed they want the qualification A Thorn bringeth not forth Figs because it wanteth the nature of the Fig-tree and so doth the Bramble the nature of the Vine Good Works must come from a good heart Now this the unbeliever wanteth because he wanteth Faith For 't is that which purifieth the heart Luk. 6. 45. Acts 15. 9. Good Works must come from love to the Lord Jesus but this the unbeliever wanteth also Because he wanteth Faith for Faith worketh by love and by that means doth good as Gal. 5. 6. And hence again it is That though the carnal man doth never so much which he calleth good yet it is rejected slighted and turned as dirt in his face again his prayers are abominable his plowing is sin and all his righteousness as menstruous rags Prov. 15. 8. Prov. 21. 4. Isa. 60. 4. Thus you see that without Faith there is no Good Works Now then to shew you that they flow from Faith And that For that Faith is a principle of Life by which a Christian lives Gal. 2. 20 21. a principle of Motion by which it walks towards Heaven in the Way of Holiness Rom. 4. 12. 2 Cor. 5. 7. It is also a principle of strength by which the soul opposeth its lust the Devil and this World and over-comes them This is your victory even your Faith 1 John 5. 4 5. Faith in the heart of a Christian is like the Salt that was thrown into the corrupt Fountain that made the naughty waters good and the Land fruitful 2 Kings 2. 19 20 21. Faith when it is wrought in the heart it is like leaven hid in the meal Mat. 13. 33. or like perfume that lighteth upon stinking leather turning the smell of the leather the savour of the perfume it being theâ— planted in the heart and having its natural inclination to holiness Hence it iâ— that there followeth an alteration of the life and conversation and so bringeth forth fruit accordingly A good man ouâ— of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good fruit Luk. 6. 45. Which treasure I say is this Faith Jam. 2. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 7. And therefore it is that Faith is called The Faith according to Godliness and the most holy Faith Tit. 1. 1. Jude 20. 2. Good Works must needs flow from Faith or no way Because that alone carrieth in it an argument sufficiently prevalent to win upon our natures to make them comply with holiness Faith sheweth us that God loveth us that he forgiveth us our sins that he counteth us for his Children having freely justified us through the Blood of his Son Rom. 3. 24 25. Rom. 4. Heb. 11. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 8. Faith receiveth the Promise imbraceth it and comforteth the Soul unspeakably with it Faith is so great an Artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with It will bring to my remembrance at once both my vileness against God and his goodness towards me it will shew me that though I deserve not to breath in the Air yet that God will have me an Heir of Glory Now there is no argument greater than this this will make a man run thorow ten thousand difficulties to answer God though it never can for the Grace that he hath bestowed on it Further Faith will shew me how distinguishingly this Love of God hath set it self upon me It will shew me that though Esan was Jacobs Brother yet he loved Jacob Mal. 1. 2. that though there were thousands more besids me that were as good as me yet I must be the man that must be chosen Now this I say is a marvellous argument and unspeakably prevaileth with the sinner as saith the Apostle For the Love of Christ constrains us because we thâ—â— judge That if one dyed for all then are all dead and that he died for all that they which live that is by Faith should not henceforth live unto themselves but to Hiâ—â— that died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14. Love saith the Wise man is strong as Death many waters cannot quench Love neither can the floods drown it If a man would give all the substance of his house for Love it would be utterly contemned Song 8. 6 7. Oh! when the broken dying condemned sinner can but see by Faith the Love of a tender-hearted Saviour and also see what he underwent to deliver it from under that Death Guilt and Hell that now he feels and fears which also it knoweth it hath most justly and highly deserved Then bless the Lord O my soul and what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits Psal. 103. 1 2 3. Psal. 116. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14. Thus is Faith a prevailing argument to the sinner whereby he is fetched
shal hear of all these statutâ— and say This great Nation is a wise 〈◊〉 understanding People Deut. 4. 6. The Third Observation Every Believer should not only take â—â—ed that their works be good and so for 〈◊〉 present do them but should carefulâ—â— study to maintain them that is to â—â—ep in a continual exercise of them It is an easier matter to begin to do â—od than it is to continue therein and 〈◊〉 reason is there is not so much of 〈◊〉 Christians cross in the beginning of a â—ork as there is in a continual hearty â—â—nscientious practice thereof Thereâ—â—â—e Christians have need as to be presâ—â—â— to do good so to continue the work â—an by nature is rather a hearer than a â—er Athenian like continually listing after some new thing seeing maâ—y things but observing nothing Acts 〈◊〉 20 Isa. 42. 20. It is observable that â—er Christ had divided his hearers into â—â—u parts he condemned three of them 〈◊〉 fruitless hearers Luke 8. 5 6 7 8. â—h it is hard continuing believing conâ—â—nuing loving continuing resisting all that opposeth we are subject to be weâ—ry of well-doing Gal. 6. 9. to pluck oâ— right eyes to cut of right hands 〈◊〉 right feet is no pleasant thing to fleâ—â— and blood and yet none but these shâ—â— have the Promise of Life because noâ— but these will be found to have the effectual work of God's Grace in their soulâ— If ye continue in my Word then are you 〈◊〉 Disciples indeed Mat. 18. 8 9. 24. 〈◊〉 John 8. 31. And hence it is that you 〈◊〉 so many ifs in the Scripture about meâ— happiness as if you be Sons then Heâ—â— and if you continue in the Faith and we hold the beginning of our confidenâ— stedfast to the end Rom. 8. 17. Col. 1. 2â— Heb. 3. 14. not that their continuing the way of God is the cause of the 〈◊〉 being right but the work being right caâ—seth the continuance therein As 〈◊〉 saith in another place They went out 〈◊〉 us because they were not of us for had 〈◊〉 been of us no doubt saith he they 〈◊〉 have continued with us 1 John 2. 19. But I say where the work of God 〈◊〉 deed is savingly begun even there 〈◊〉 corruption and the body of death â—oppose it Therefore should Christiâ—â—s take heed and look that against these â—â—posites they maintain a continual â—â—urse of Good Works among men Besides as there is that in our own â—â—wels that opposeth goodness so there is 〈◊〉 Tempter the wicked one both to â—â—imate these lusts and to joyn with â—â—em in every assault against every apâ—â—rance of God in our souls And hence â—is that he is called the Devil the Eneâ—â— the Destroyer and him that seeks conâ—â—nually to devour us 1 Pet. 5. 8. I need say no more but this He that â—ill walk like a Christian indeed as he â—all find it is requisit that he continue 〈◊〉 Good Works so his continuing thereâ—â— will be opposed if therefore he will â—â—ntinue therein he must make it his â—â—finess to study how to oppose those â—at oppose such a life that he may conâ—â—nue therein Now then to help in this here fitly â—â—mes in the last Observation to wit 〈◊〉 That the best way both to provoke our selves and others to Good Works it 〈◊〉 be often affirming to others The Docâ—â—â— of Justification by Grace and to believâ— our selves This is a faithful Saying 〈◊〉 these things I will that thou affirm constâ—â—â—ly that those which have believed in 〈◊〉 might be careful to maintain Good Workâ—â— I told you before that Good Works 〈◊〉 flow from Faith and now I tell 〈◊〉 that the best way to be fruitful in thâ—â— is to be much in the exercise of the â—â—â—ctrine of Justification by Grace and 〈◊〉 both agree for as Faith animateâ— Good Works so the Doctrine of Grace â—â—â—mates Faith Wherefore the way tâ— rich in Good Works it is to be ricâ— Faith and the way to be rich in Faâ—â— is to be conscientiously affirming the â—â—â—ctrine of Grace to others and believing 〈◊〉 our selves First To be constantly affirming iâ— others Thus Paul tells Timothy thâ—â— he put the Brethren in mind of the Trâ—â— of the Gospel he himself should not â—â—â—ly be a good Minister of Christ but shâ—â—â— be nourished up in the words of Faith 〈◊〉 of good Doctrine 1 Tim. 4. 6. It is the Ordinance of God that Chriâ—â—â—ans should be often asserting the things 〈◊〉 God each to others and that by their 〈◊〉 doing they should edifie one anoâ—â—â—r Heb. 10. 24 25. 1 Thes. 5. 11. The Doctrine of the Gospel is like the 〈◊〉 and the small Rain that distilleth â—n the tender grass wherewith it doth â—rish and is kept green Deut. 32. 1â— Christians are like the several flowers 〈◊〉 Garden that have upon each of them 〈◊〉 Dew of Heaven which being shaâ—â— with the Wind they let fall their 〈◊〉 at each others roots whereby they 〈◊〉 joyntly nourished and become nouâ—ers of one another For Christians to commune savorily of 〈◊〉 's matters one with another it is as â—hey opened to each others Nostrils â—â—es of perfume Saith Paul to the â—â—rch at Rome I long to see you that I 〈◊〉 impart unto you some spiritual Gift to â—nd you may be established that is that 〈◊〉 be comforted together with you by the â—â—al Faith both of you and me Rom 1. â—â—2 Christians should be often affirmâ—â—â— the Doctrine of Grace and Justification 〈◊〉 it one to another Secondly As they should be thus doâ—ing so they should live in the power of iâ— themselves they should by Faith sucâ— and drink in this Doctrine as the gooâ— ground receiveth the Rain which beinâ— done forthwith there is proclaimed Gâ—â— Works Paul to the Colossians saith thâ—â— We give thanks to God and the Father our Lord Jesus Christ praying alwayes fâ—â— you since we heard of your Faith in the Lâ—â— Jesus and love to all the Saints 〈◊〉 the hope which is laid up in Heaven for yâ—â— whereof ye heard before in the Word of 〈◊〉 Truth of the Gospel which is come unâ—â— you as it is also in all the World and brinâ—â—eth forth fruit as it doth also in you 〈◊〉 how long ago Why since the day ye hâ—â— it saith he and knew the Grace of God Truth Col. 1. 3 4 5 6. Aples and Flowers are not made the Gardner but are an effect of 〈◊〉 planting and watering plant in the â—â—â—ner good Doctrine and let it be waâ—â—â—d with the Word of Grace and as the effect of that there is the fruits of Holiness and the end everlasting Life Rom. 6. 22. Good Doctrine is the Doctrine of the Gospel which sheweth to men that God cloatheth them with the * Righteousness of his Son freely and maketh him with â—ll his benefits over to them by which free gift the sinner is made righteous beâ—ore God and because he is so thereâ—ore there is infused a principle of Grace * â—nto the heart whereby
it is both quickâ—ed and bringeth forth fruit * Rom. 3. â—1 22 23 24 25. 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2 Cor. 5. â—1 * John 1. 16. Now then seeing Good Works do flow â—om Faith and seeing Faith is nourished 〈◊〉 an affirming of the Doctrine of the â—ospel c. take here these few Consiâ—rations from the Doctrine of the Gosâ—â—l for the support of thy Faith that â—ou mayest be indeed fruitful and rich 〈◊〉 Good Works First The whole Bible was given for 〈◊〉 very end that thou shouldst both believe this Doctrine and live in thâ— comfort and sweetness of it For whaâ— soever things was written afore-time wâ—â— written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. John 20. 31. Secondly That therefore every Promise in the Bible is thine to strengthen quicken and incourage thy heart in believing Thirdly Consider that there is nothing that thou dost can so please God as believing The Lord takes pleasure in thoâ— that fear him in them that hope in his meâ—cy Psal. 147. 11. They please him because they imbracâ— his Righteousness c. Fourthly Consider that all the with drawings of God from thee are not fâ—â— the weakening but for the tryal of thâ— faith and also that what-ever he suâ—fereth Satan or thy own heart to do 〈◊〉 is not to weaken Faith Job 23. 8 9 â— 1 Pet. 1. 7. Fifthly Consider that believingâ— that which will keep in thy view 〈◊〉 things of Heaven and Glory and that â—t which the Devil wil be discouraged sin weakned and thy heart quickned and sweetned Heb. 11. 27. Jam. 4. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 9. Ephes. 6. 16. Rom. 15. 13. Lastly By believing the Love of God is kept with warmth upon the heart and that this will provoke thee continually to bless God for Christ for Grace for Faith Hope and for all these things either in God or thee that doth accompany Salvation 2 Cor. 2. 14. Psal. 103. 1 2 3 4. The Doctrine of the forgiveness of sins received by Faith will make notable work in the heart of a sinner to bring forth Good Works But secondly For as much as there is body of Death and Sin in every one that hath the Grace of God in this world and because this body of death will be even opposing that which is good as the â—postle saith Rom. 7. 21. therefore take these few particulars further for the suppoâ—sing that which will hinder a fruitful life â— Keep a continual waâ—th over the wretchedness of thy own heart not to be discouraged at the sight of thy vileness but to prevent its wickedness for that will labour either to hinder thee from doing Good Works or else will hinder thee in the doing thereof for evil is present with thee for both these puâ—poses take heed then that thou do not â—â—sten to that at any time but deny though with much strugling the workings of 〈◊〉 to the contrary 2. Let this be continually before thy heart that God's eye is upon thee and seeth every secret turning of thy heart either to or from him All things are â—â—ked and bare before the eyes of Him wâ—â— whom we have to do Heb. 4. 13. 3. If thou deny to do that good whicâ— thou oughtest with what thy God 〈◊〉 given thee then consider that though◠〈◊〉 love thy soul yet he can chastise 〈◊〉 thyâ—inward man with such troubles 〈◊〉 thy life shall be restless and comfortâ—â— 2dly And can also so blow upon thy 〈◊〉 ward man that all thou gettest shâ—â— put in a Bag with holes Psal. 89. 31 â—â— 33. Hag. 1. 6. And set the case he should license but one Theef among thy Substance or one spark of Fire among thy Barns how quickly might that be spent ill and against thy will which thou shouldst have spent to God's glory and with thy will and I tell thee further that if thou want a heart to do good when thou hast about thee thou mayest want comfort in such things thy self from others when thine is taken from thee See Judg. 1. 6 7. 4. Consider that a life full of Good Works is the only way on thy part to answer the Mercy of God extended to thee God hath had mercy on thee and hath saved thee from all thy distresses God hath not stuck to give thee his Son his Spirit and the Kingdom of Heaven saith Paul I beseech you therefore by the Mercies of God that you present your bodies a living Sacrifice to God holy acceptable which is your reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. See Mat. 18. 32 33. 5. Consider that this is the way to convince all men that the Power of God's things hath taken hold of thy heart I speak to them that hold the head and say what thou wilt if thy faith be not accompanied with a holy Life thou shalt be judged a withered branch a wording professor salt without savour and as lifeless as a sounding Brass and a tinckling Cymbal Joh. 15. Mat. 5. 13. 1 Cor. 13. 1 2. For say they shew us your faith by your works for we cannot see your hearts Jam. 2. 18. But I say on the contrary if thou walk as becomes thee who art saved by Grace then thou wilt witness in every mans Conscience that thou art a good Tree now thou leavest guilt on the heart of the wicked 1 Sam. 24. 16 17. now thou takest off occasion from them that desire occasion and now thou art clear from the blood of all men 2 Cor. 11. 12. Acts 20. 26 31 32 33 34. This is the Man also that provoketh others to Good Works The ear that heareth such a man shall bless him and the eye that seeth him shall bear witness to him Surely saith David he shall never 〈◊〉 moved The Righteous shall be had in eveâ— lasting remembrance Heb. 10. 24. Job 29. 11. Psal. 112. 6. 6. Again the heart that is fullest of Good Works hath in it least room for Satans temptations and this is the meaning of Peter where he saith Be sober be vigilant that is be busying thy self in Faith and Holiness for the Devil your adversary goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5. 8. He that walketh uprightly walketh safely and they that add to Faith Vertue to Vertue Knowledge to Knowledge Temperance to Temperance Brotherly-kindness and to â—hese Charity and that abounds therein he shall neither be barren nor unfruitful he shall never fall but so an entrance shall be ministred to him abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 7 8 9 10. Prov. 10. 9. 7. The Man who is fullest of Good Works he is fittest to live and fittest to die I am now at any time ready to be offered up saith fruitful Paul 2 Tim. 4. 6. Whereas he that is barren he is neither fit to live nor fit to dye to dye he himself is convinced he is not fit and to live