God himself saith he is not fit Cut him down why doth he cumber the ground Luke 13. 7. Lastly Consider to provoke thee to Good Works thou shalt have of God when thou comest to Glory a reward for every thing thou dost for him on Earth Little do the People of God consider how richly God will reward what from a right principle and to a right end is done for Him here not a bit of bread to the poor nor a draught of water to the meanest of them that belong to Christ or the loss of a hair of your head shall in that day go without its reward Luke 14. 13 14. Mat. 10. 42. For this light affliction and so all other pieces of self-denyal which is but for a moment worketh out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4. 17. I tell thee Christian be but rich in Good Works and thou shalt have more then Salvation thy Salvation thou hast freely by Grace through Christ without works Ephes. 2. 8 9 10. but now being justified and saved and as the fruits hereof reviewed by the holy Ghost after this I say thou shalt be rewarded for every work that proves good For God is not unrighteous to forget your works and labour of love which you have shewed to his Name in that you have ministred to his Saints and do minister Heb. 6. 10. 1 Cor. 3. 14. Moses counted the reward that he was to have for a short suffering with the People of God of greater worth than the Treasures of Egypt the smiles of the King or the honour of his Kingdom Heb. 11. 25 26 27. In a word Let the disappointments that do and shall most surely befal the fruitless Professors provoke thee to look with all diligence to thy standing For First Such a one is but deceived and disappointed touching the Work of Grace he supposeth to be in his heart he thinks he is a Christian and hath Grace as Faith Hope and the like in his soul yet no fruits of these things manifest themselves in him indeed his tongue is tipt with a talk and tattle of Religion poor man poor empty man faith without works is dead thy hope shall be as the giving up of the Ghost thy gifts with which thy soul is possessed are but such as are common to Reprobates thou art therfore disappointed God reputeth thee still but wicked though thou comest and goest to the place of the Holy Jam. 2. 19 20. Job 11. 20. 1 Cor. 13. 1 2 3. Secondly Therefore all thy joy and comfort must needs fall short of saving comfort and so leave thee in the suâ—â— notwithstanding thy joy is the joy 〈◊〉 the * Pharisees and thy gladness as thâ—â— of * Herod and the longest time it can last it is but a Scripture * moment * Joh. 5. 33. * Mark 6. 20. * Job 20. 5. Alas in all thy gladness and content with thy Religion thou art but like the Boy that plays with Brass instead of Gold and with Counters instead of that which will go for currant Coin Thus if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing he deceiveth or disappoints himself Gal. 6. 3. Thirdly This is not all but look thou certainly for an eternal disappointment in the Day of God for it must be thy lamp will out at the first sound the trump of God shall make in thine ears thou canst not hold up at the appearance of the Son of God in his Glory His very looks will be to thy profession as a strong wind is to a blinking candle and thou shalt be left only to smoak Oh the alteration that will befall a foolish virgin she thought she was happy and that she should have received happiness with those that were right at the heart but behold the contrary her lamp is going out she is now to seek for saving Grace when the time of Grace is over her Heaven she thought of is proved a Hell and her God is proved a Devil God hath cast her out of his presence and claps the door upon her she pleads her profession and the like and she hath for her answer repulses from Heaven So are the patâ— of all that forget God and the Hypocritâ— hope shall perish whose hope shal be cut off and whose trust shall be the Spiders web though he lean upon his house it shall not stand he shall hold it fast but it shall not indure Mat. 25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Luke 13. 25 26 27 28. Job 8. 13 14 15. Take heed therefore thy Soul Heaven and Eternity lies at stake yea they turn either to thee or from thee upon the hinge of thy Faith if it be right all is thine if wrong then all is lost however thy hopes and expectations are to the contrary For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Uncircumcision but Faith which worketh by Love Let no man therefore deceive you with vain words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of unbelief For 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 Briars and Thornes is rejected and is nigh unto cursing whose â—nd is to be burned Gal. 5. 6. Ephes. 5. 3 4 5 6. Heb. 6. 7 8. Objection But what shall I do who am so cold slothful and heartless that I cannot find any heart to do any work for God in this World indeed time was when his Dew rested all â—ight upon my branches and when I could with desire with earnest desire be doing and working for God but alas now 't is â—therwise Answer If this be true thy case is sad thou art to be pittied the Lord pitty thee â—nd for thy recovery out of this condiâ—ion I would give thee no other counsel than was given to Ephesus when she â—ad lost her first Love Remember â—aith Christ from whence thou art fallen â—nd repent and do thy first Works c. Rev. 2.5 Mark Thy first Works is to enter into a serious considering and remembrance from whence thou art fallen remember that thou hast left thy God the stay of thy Soul and Him without whom there is no stay comfort or strength for thee to either do or suffer any thing in this World Without me saith He you can do nothing John 15. 5. A sad condition the remembrance of this for certain is the first step to the recovering a back-sliding heart for the right remembrance of this doth bring to mind what loss that souâ— hath sustained that is in this condition how it hath lost its former visits smiles and consolations of God wheâ— thy Conscience was suppled with the Blood of thy Saviour when every step thou tookest was as it were in Honey and Butter and when thy heart could meditate terrour with comfort Job 29 2 3 4 5 6. Isa. 33.
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
whited Wall will these things be found vertues in the day of God or is this the way that thou takest to mortifie sin A high look a proud heart and the plowing of the wicked is sin Prov. 21. 4. Pride is the ring-leader of the seven abominations that the Wise man nameth Prov. 6. 16 17. and is that above all that causeth to fall into the condemnation of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 6. Of Adultery or Uncleanness Now I come in the last place to touch a word or two of Adultery and then to draw towards a conclusion Adultery it hath its place in the heart among the rest of those filthinesses I mentioned before Mark 7. 21 22. of which sin I observe two things First That almost in every place where the Apostle layeth down a catalogue of wickednesses he layeth down Adultery Fornication and Uncleanness in the front as that in Mark 7. 21. Rom. 1. 29. 1 Cor. 6. 9. Gal. 5. 19. Ephes. 5. 3 1 Thes. 4. 3 4 5. Heb. 12. 16. Jam. 2. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 11. 2 Pet. 2. 10. From this I gather that the Sin of Uncleanness is a very predominant and master Sin easie to overtake the sinner as being one of the first that is ready to offer it self at all occasions to break the Law of God Secondly I observe that this sin is committed unawares to many even so soon as a man hath but looked upon a woman I say unto you saith Christ that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust or desire after her he hath already committed Adultery with her in his heart Mat. 5. 28. This sin of uncleanness I say is a very taking sin it is natural above all sins to mankind and as it is most natural so it wanteth not tempting occasions having objects for to look on in every corner wherefore there is need of a double and trible watchfulness in the soul against it It is better here to make a covenant with our eyes like Job Job 31. 1. than to let them wander to God's dishonour and our own discomfort There are these three things which discover a man or woman too much inclining to the uncleanness of their own heart The first is a wanton eye or an eye that doth secretly effect it self with such objects as are tickling of the heart with the thoughts of immodesty and uncleanness Isaiah calls this a wanton eye and Peter an eye full of adultery that cannot cease from sin 2 Pet. 2. 14. Isa. 3. 16. This is that also which Christ calleth an evil eye and John the lust of the flesh and of the eyes and doth defile those who are not very watchful over their own hearts Mark 7. 22. 1 John 2. 16. This wanton eye is that which the most holy Saints should take heed of because it is apt to seize upon them also When Paul bids Timothy beseech the younger women to walk as becomes the Gospel â—e bids him do it with all Purity as who should say take heed that while thou instructest them to holiness thou thy self be not corrupted with the lust of thy eye 1 Tim. 5. 1 2. Oh! how many souls in the day of God will curse the day that ever they gave way to a wanton eye 2. The second thing that discovereth one much inclining to the lusts of uncleanness it is wanton and immodest talk such as that brazen-faced Whore in the seventh of the Proverbs had or such as they in Peter who allured through the lust if the flesh through much wantonness those who were clean escaped from them who live in error 2 Pet. 2. 18. Out of the abunâ—ance of the heart the mouth speaketh wherefore if we be Saints let us take heed as of our eye so of our tongue and let not the lust of uncleanness or of adultery be once named among us named among us as becometh Saints Ephes. 5. 3. Mark let it not be once named This implies that the lusts of uncleanness are devilishly taking 〈◊〉 will both take the heart with eyes 〈◊〉 tongue Let it not be once named amoâ—â— you c. Thirdly Another thing that bespeaâ—â— a man or a woman inclining to wantonness uncleanness it is an adorninâ— themselves in light and wanton Apparâ—â— The attire of an Harlot is too frequentlâ— in our day the attire of Professors 〈◊〉 vile thing and argueth much wantonness and vileness of affections If those that give way to a wanton eye wanton words and immodest apparel be noâ— Whores c. in their hearts I know nâ—â— what to say Doth a wanton eye argue shamfacedness doth wanton talk argue chastity and doth immodest apparel with stretched-out necks naked breasts a made speech and mincing gates c. argue mortification of lusts If any say that these things may argue pride aswell as carnal lusts Weâ—â— but why are they proud is it not 〈◊〉 trick up the body And why do they 〈◊〉 pride trick up the body if it be no◠〈◊〉 provoke both themselves and others 〈◊〉 lusts God knoweth their hearts without their outsides and we know their hearts by their outsides My Friends I am hear treating of Good Works and perswading you to fly those things that are henderances to them wherefore bear with my plainness when I speak against Sin I would strike it through with every word because else it will strike us through with many sorrows 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. I do not treat of Good Works as if the doing of them would save us for we are justified by his Grace according to the hope of Eternal Life yet our sins and evil works will lay us obnoxious to the Judgements both of God and man He that walketh not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel is like to have his peace assaulted often both by the Devil the Law Death and Hell yea and 〈◊〉 like to have God hide his face from him also for the iniquity of his covetousness Isa. 57. 17. How can he that carrieth himself basely in the sight of men think he yet weâ—â— behaveth himself in the sight of God and if so dim a light as is in man 〈◊〉 justly count thee as a transgressor 〈◊〉 shall thy sins be hid from Him whose eyâ—â— lids try the Children of men Psal. 11. 〈◊〉 'T is true Faith without works justifies us before God yet that Faith thâ— is alone will be found to leave us sinneâ— in the sight both of God and man Româ— 28. 4. 5. Jam. 2. 18. And though thâ— addest nothing to that which saveth thâ— by what thou canst do yet thy righteousness may profit the Son of man 〈◊〉 also saith the Text but if thou shalt 〈◊〉 so careless as to say what care I for beiâ—â— righteous to profit others I tell thee that the love of God is not in thee Jâ—â— 35. 18. 1 Joh 3. 17. 1 Cor. 13. 1 2 3. Walk therefore in Gods wayes and 〈◊〉 them for this is your wisdom and yâ—â— understanding in the sight of the Nâ—â—ons which
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