fign how this work of grace difcovereth itself where it is. Talk. Not I, for I fee we shall not agree." Faith. Well, if you will not, will you give me leave to do it? Talk. You may ufe your liberty. Faith. A work of grace in the foul discovereth itself, either to him that hath it, or to ftanders by. To him that hath it, thus: It gives him conviction of fin; efpecially the defilement of his nature, and the fin of unbelief (for the fake of which he is fure to be damned, if he findeth not mercy at God's hand, by faith in Jefus Chrift). This fight and sense of things worketh in him forrow and fhame for fin. He findeth, moreover, revealed in him the Saviour of the world, and the abfolute neceffity of clofing with him for life, at the which he findeth hungrings and thirstings after him. Now, according to the ftrength or weakness of his faith in his Saviour, fo is his joy and peace; fo is his love to holinefs; fo are his defires to know him more; and alfo to serve him in this world. But though, I fay, it discovereth itfelf thus unto him, yet it is but feldom that he is able to conclude, that this is a work of grace, because his corruptions and his abufed reafon make his mind misjudge in this matter: in him who hath this y Thefe figns of a work of grace are truly fcriptural and experimental. Such a discovery of the evil of fin, and of the fin of our nature, as fuffers not the foul to reft without Christ, will make us hate all fin. work, work, there is required a very found judgment, before he can with steadiness conclude that this is a work of grace. To others it is discovered thus. 1. By an experimental confeffion of his faith in Christ. 2. By a life answerable to that confeffion, to wit, a life of holiness; heart-holinefs, family-holiness (if he hath a family), and by converfation-holiness in the world: in general it teacheth him inwardly to abhor fin in fecret, and himself by reafon of fin; to fupprefs it in his family; and to promote holiness in the world; not by talk only, as an hypocrite or talkative perfon may do; but by a practical subjection in faith and love to the power of the word. Now, Sir, if you have aught to object to this brief description of the work of grace, and alfo the discovery of it, object; if not, then give me leave to propound to you a second question. Talk. Nay, my part is not now to object, but to hear let me therefore have your fecond queftion. Faith. It is this: Do you experience this first part of the description of it? and doth your life and conversation testify the fame? Or ftandeth your religion in word or tongue, and not in deed and truth? Pray, if you are inclined to answer me in this, fay no more than you know God above will fay Amen to; and also nothing but what your confcience can juftify you in: for not he that commendeth himfelf is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. Befides, to fay, I am thus, and thus, when my converfation, and all my neighbours, tell me I lie, is great wickedness. Talkative at first began to blufh; but, recovering himself, he thus replied: You come now to experience, to confcience, and God; and to appeal to him for justification of what is spoken: this kind of difcourfe I did not expect; nor am I difpofed to give an answer to fuch questions, because I count not myself bound thereto, unless you take upon you to be a catechifer; and though you should do this, yet I may refuse to make you my judge: but, I pray, will you tell me why you afk me fuch questions? Faith. Because I faw you forward to talk, and because I knew not that you had aught elfe but notion, Befides, to tell you the truth, I have heard of you, that you are a man whofe religion lies in talk, and that your conversation gives your profeffion the lie: they say you are a spot among Christians; that religion fareth the worse for your ungodly converfation; that some already have stumbled at your wicked ways, and that more are in danger of being destroyed thereby. Your religion and an alehouse, and covetoufnefs, and uncleannefs, and swearing, and lying, and vain company keeping, &c. will stand together. The proverb is true of you, which is faid of a whore, that she is a fhame to all women, fo you are a fhame to all profeffors. Talk. Since you are fo ready to take up report, and to judge so rafhly as you do, I cannot but con clude clude you are fome peevish or melancholy man, not fit to be difcourfed with: fo adieu. Chr. (Then came up Christian, and faid to his brother) I told you how it would happen; your word and his lufts could not agree. He had rather leave your company than reform his life: he is gone, as I faid; let him go, the lofs is no man's but his own; he has faved us the trouble of going from him; for he continuing (as I fuppofe he will do) as he is, would have been but a blot in our company: befides, the apoftle fays, From fuch withdraw thyfelf. Faith. I am glad that we have had this little dif course with him; it may happen that he will think of it again; however, I have dealt plainly with him, and fo am clear of his blood, if he perisheth. Chr. You did well to talk fo plainly to him as you did; there is but little of this faithful dealing with men now-a-days: the want of this makes religion ftink fo in the noftrils of many, as it doth: these talkative fools, whofe religion is only in word, who are debauched and vain in their converfation, who nevertheless are admitted into the fellowship of the godly, do puzzle the world, blemish Chriftianity, and grieve the fincere. I wish that all men would deal with fuch as you have done; so should they be made either more conformable to religion, or the company of faints would be too hot for them. 7 Then did they fay, How Talkative at first lifts up his plumes! And so will all, but he who heart-work knows. Thus they went on, talking of what they had seen by the way, and fo made that way eafy, which otherwife, no doubt, would have been tedious to them; for they went through a wilderness. Now, when they were got almoft quite out of this wilderness, Faithful chanced to caft his eye back, and espied one coming after them, and he knew him. Oh! faid Faithful to his brother, who comes yonder? Then Chriftian looked, and faid, It is my good friend Evangelift. Ay, and my good friend too, faid Faithful, for 'twas he who fet me in the way to the gate. Now Evangelift came up unto them, and thus faluted them. Evan. Peace be with you, dearly beloved; and peace be your helpers. Chr. Welcome, welcome, my good Evangelist; the fight of thy countenance brings to my remembrance thy ancient kindness and unwearied labours for my eternal good. Faith. A thoufand times welcome, O fweet Evangelift; how defirable is thy company to us poor pilgrims! 3 Evan. |