Gambar halaman
PDF
ePub

to the house of the Interpreter.

Then he went on till he came to the house of the Interpreter, where he knocked over and over. At last one came to the door, and asked who was there.

CHR. Sir, here is a traveller, who was bid by an acquaintance of the good man of this house to call here for my profit; I would therefore speak with the master of the house. So he called for the master of the house, who after a little time came to Christian, and asked him what he would have.

CHR. Sir, said Christian, I am a man that am come from the city of Destruction, and am going to the mount Zion; and I was told by the man that stands at the gate at the head of this way, that if I called here you would show me excellent things, such as would be a help to me in my journey.

bling believer, the gospel assures him that he shall find rest unto his soul; and he is encouraged to pray for an increase of faith, that he may thus have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Anxious to get rid of his burden, Christian prepares to go forward, assured by the promises of the gospel, that God would give his Holy Spirit to guide believers into all truth. Christian was to knock at the door of the "Interpreter," or pray to the Holy Spirit, (who is equal with the Father and the Son, and the third person in the unity of the Godhead,) for his enlightening influences, being assured by "Goodwill," that," he would show him excellent things." The success of such serious inquirers is certain, as the gospel bids them " God speed," by saying, "Seek, and ye shall find,” &c. &c. “ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him!" Luke xi. 13. The word of the truth of the gospel interpreted to the mind by the Holy Spirit, is the only source of divine knowledge. It is a good maxim in religion, (necessary to be regarded in order that the mind may be preserved from enthusiastic notions, false impressions, and new revelations,) that the work of the Spirit and the word of the Spirit always agree together. "Sanctify them through thy truth : thy word is truth,” John xvii. 17.

k By the direction of the Lord Jesus, believers seek for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Earnest and repeated prayers for his instructions will be heard and answered. Candid confession of sin, and consecration of heart to God, are the features, of "new-born

The Interpreter entertains Christian:

INTER. Then said the Interpreter, Come in; I will shew thee that which will be profitable to thee. So he commanded his man to light the candle', and bid Christian follow him; so he had him into a private room, and bid his man open a door; the which when he had done, Christian saw the picture of a very grave person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it: it had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in its hand, the law of truth was written upon its lips, the world was behind its back; it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over its head.

CHR. Then said Christian, what meaneth this?

INTER. The man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand; he can beget children, (1 Cor. iv. 15.) travail in birth with children," (Gal. iv. 19.) and nurse them himself when they are born. And whereas thou seest him with his eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and the law of truth written on his lips; it is to show thee, that his work is to know, and unfold dark things to sinners; even as also thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with men. And whereas thou seest the world as cast behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head; that is to shew thee, that slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he hath to his Master's service, he is sure in the world that comes next to have glory for his reward. Now, said the Interpreter, I have showed thee this picture first, because the man whose picture this is, is the only man whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going, hath authorised to be thy guide in all difficult

babes," who " desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby," and thus be "strengthened for every good word and work." All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable in many respects to those who are strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Illumination.

with various emblematical Representations.

places thou mayest meet with in the way: wherefore take good heed to what I have showed thee, and bear well in thy mind what thou hast seen, lest in thy journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but their way goes down to death".

m

By the "illumination" of the Holy Spirit the understanding of young christians is soon opened to perceive that evangelical, self-denying, zealous ministers, are alone divinely authorized to explain and enforce the holy scriptures; and that many persons who bear that name, and fill that office, are mere pretenders; "the blind," who." lead the blind," until "both fall into the ditch." The genuine christian pastor is easily known. His heart is in heaven. He seeks the honour that cometh from God only. The Bible, and the Bible alone, is the fountain from which he derives spiritual knowledge. He is sincere in his motives, and faithful in his instructions. He is not conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewing of his mind. He warns every man, and teaches every man in all wisdom, that he may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. He has no hope of present reward, but takes the oversight of the flock of God, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; expecting that when the chief Shepherd shall appear, he shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Such a man is, indeed, "one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness," Job xxxiii. 23. He can say to those who are converted by his ministry, "In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel," 1 Cor, iv. 15. He feels compassion for the souls of men, and earnestly desires their salvation. He is gentle among them, even as a nurse cherisheth her children; and is affectionately desirous of them, being willing to impart unto them, not the gospel of God only, but also his own soul, because they are dear unto him. Such a minister was Paul; such a minister was Bunyan ; and many such there are at the present day but this cannot be said of any excepting those who resemble the picture which the "Interpreter" showed to Christian.

The evangelical poet CowPER has sketched the same picture with his inimitable pencil: the sentiments are in exact union with those of Mr Bunyan, but much less concise.

"There stands the messenger of truth.
The legate of the skies. His theme divine,
His office sacred, his credentials clear.
By him, the violated law speaks out

There stands

Its thunders; and by him, in strains as sweet
As angels use, the gospel whispers peace.
He stablishes the strong, restores the weak,

The dusty Parlour.

Then he took him by the hand, and led him into a very large parlour that was full of dust because never

Reclaims the wand'rer, binds the broken heart,
And arm'd, himself in panoply complete
Of heav'nly temper, furnishes with arms
Bright as his own, and trains, by every rule
Of holy discipline, to glorious war,

The sacramental host of God's elect.

Are all such teachers? Would to heav'n all were!

[blocks in formation]

Whose hands are pure, whose doctrines and whose life
Coincident,.exhibit lucid proof

That he is honest in the sacred cause.

To such I render more than mere respect,

Whose actions say that they respect themselves.

But loose in morals, and in manners vain,
In conversation frivolous, in dress
Extreme, at once rapacious and profuse;
Frequent in park, with lady at his side,
Ambling, and prattling scandal as he goes;
But rare at home, and never at his books,
Or with a pen, save when he scrawls a card;
Constant at routs, familiar with a round
Of ladyships, a stranger to the poor;
Ambitious of preferment for its gold,
And well prepared by ignorance and sloth,
By infidelity and love of world,

To make God's work a sinecure; a slave
To his own pleasures and his patron's pride.-
From such apostles, oh, ye mitred heads,
Preserve the church! and lay not careless hands
On sculls that cannot teach, and will not learn.

« Would I describe a preacher, such as Paul,
Were he on earth, would hear, approve, and own,
Paul should himself direct me. I would trace
His master-strokes, and draw from his design.
I would express him simple, grave, sincere ;
In doctrine uncorrupt; in language plain;
And plain in manner. Decent, solemn, chaste,
And natural in gesture. Much impress'd
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge,
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds
May feel it too. Affectionate in look,
And tender in address, as well becomes

« SebelumnyaLanjutkan »