Ella Wheeler Wilcox - "The Kingdom of Love and Other Poems"

Thornton W. Burgess - "Old Mother West Wind"

H. Rider Haggard - "Nada the Lily"

Robert Steele - "Mediaeval Lore from Bartholomew Anglicus"

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Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

Looking for Child to be on Cover of a New Book, 'The Model Child'
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

FlatSigned Press Alleges Don Imus Remarks Damage Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
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Books: The Works of John Bunyan Volume 2

J >> John Bunyan >> The Works of John Bunyan Volume 2



This eBook was produced by Charles Aldarondo based on a source from
www.johnbunyan.org.



THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN

WITH AN

INTRODUCTION TO EACH TREATISE, NOTES,

AND A

SKETCH OF HIS LIFE, TIMES, AND CONTEMPORARIES.

VOLUME SECOND.

EXPERIMENTAL, DOCTRINAL, AND PRACTICAL.

EDITED BY

GEORGE OFFOR, ESQ.






THE SAINTS' KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST'S LOVE; OR, THE UNSEARCHABLE
RICHES OF CHRIST.

BY JOHN BUNYAN


PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR.

This treatise is one of those ten distinct works, which the author
had prepared for the press, when he was so suddenly summoned to
the Celestial City. Well did his friends in the ministry, Ebenezer
Chandler and John Wilson, call it "an excellent manuscript,
calculated to assist the Christian that would grow in grace, and
to win others over to Jesus Christ."

It was first published, with a selection of Bunyan's Works in a
folio volume, in 1692, about four years after the author's decease;
and although it is a treatise exhibiting very deep research and
calculated for extensive usefulness, it does not appear ever to
have been published as a separate volume. Like all other of his
works, it is original; no one before him treated this subject
with such profound depth of thought, nor with such clear Christian
philosophy.

The revered John Bunyan proves in this, as in all other of his
works, that he was a real and not a pretended descendant from the
apostles,--he breathes their spirit--he knew his Master's work, and
faithfully discharged his solemn requirements. His object was as
pure as it was apparent; to preach not himself, but Christ Jesus
his Lord. One desire appears to have influenced him in writing
all his works--that of shrinking back and hiding himself behind
his Master, while exhibiting the unsearchable, Divine, eternal
riches of His grace.

This treatise is admirably adapted to warn the thoughtless--break
the stony heart--convince the wavering--cherish the young
inquirer--strengthen the saint in his pilgrimage, and arm him
for the good fight of faith--and comfort the dejected, doubting,
despairing Christian. It abounds with ardent sympathy for the
broken-hearted, a cordial suited to every wounded conscience;
while, at the same time, it thunders in awful judgment upon the
impenitent and the hypocritical professor: wonders of grace to
God belong, for all these blessings form but a small part of the
unsearchable riches.

The reader should keep in his recollection, that this treatise was
originally conceived for the pulpit; and afterwards, probably with
great additions, written for the press. This will account for the
divisions and sub-divisions, intended to assist a hearer's memory;
or to enable a ready writer, by taking notes of each part, to digest
prayerfully in private, what he had heard in the public ministry
of the word,--a practice productive of great good to individuals,
and by which families may be much profited while conversing upon
the truths publicly taught in the church; instead of what Bunyan
would have justly called, frothy conversation about the dress or
appearances of their fellow-worshippers.

This discourse has been published in every edition of the works of
our great author, but, most strangely, the references to Scripture
are omitted in all the editions since that of 1737. Bunyan's anxiety
at every step of this momentous inquiry is to shew a "thus saith
the Lord," in proof of every assertion. In this treatise only,
there are nearly four hundred and forty distinct references to
the holy oracles. These are all carefully restored, and have been
collated with the standard text, for want of which some imperfections
had crept in, even to the old editions; and where the author
preferred the Genevan or Puritan version, it is shewn by a note
at the foot of the page.

To point out beauties in such a discourse, is to point to the
whole treatise--it is all admirable; a solemn earnestness is found
in every sentence; even where Bunyan modestly differs with many
excellent divines, when treating upon the sufferings of the Saviour,
between the period of his crucifixion and of his resurrection:
this is worthy of our prayerful consideration; ever keeping
in remembrance those deeply impressive--those awfully triumphant
words of our Lord, "It is finished."

The catholic spirit, which so pervaded the mind of Bunyan, appears
conspicuously in this discourse; and whatever bitter controversy
this spirit occasioned him, it ought to be impressed upon the
heart of every Christian professor. It is a liberality which shines
more brightly, as reflected by one, whose religious education was
drawn solely from the pure fountain of truth--the holy oracles; and
however unlettered he was, as to polite literature or the learned
languages, his Christian liberality can no more be enlightened by
the niggard spirit of learned sectarians, than the sun could be
illuminated by a rush-light. The inquiry was then, as, alas, it
is too frequent now, Are there many that be saved? forgetful of
the Saviour's answer and just rebuke, What is that to thee, follow
thou me, seek thine own salvation. The inquiry is pursued a step
farther, "Can those who differ with me be saved?" Hear the reply
of one so honest and so fully imbued with the Scriptures, into
the truths of which his spirit had been baptized, "A man, through
unbelief, may think that Christ has no love to him; and yet Christ
may love him, with a love that passeth knowledge. But when men, in
the common course of their profession, will be always terminating
here, that they know how, and how far, Christ can love; and will
thence be bold to conclude of their own safety, and of the loss
and ruin of all that are not in the same notions, opinions,
formalities, or judgment, as they. This is the worst [pride] and
greatest of all [delusions]. The text, therefore, to rectify those
false and erroneous conclusions, says, [the love of Christ] is a
love that passeth knowledge."

Throughout the whole, there is a continued effort to comfort the
sincere, but doubting, Christian. "Does Satan suggest that God
will not hear your stammering and chattering prayers? Does Satan
suggest that thy trials, and troubles, and afflictions, are so
many that you shall never get beyond them?--relief is at hand,
for Christ loves thee with a love that passeth knowledge. This is
a weapon that will baffle the devil, when all other weapons fail."

The practical application of these soul-encouraging truths is, "To
walk in love--filled with all the fullness of God." Bunyan has,
in enforcing this duty, a very remarkable expression, "these are
the men that sweeten the churches, and bring glory to God and to
religion. Why should anything have my heart but God, but Christ?
He loves me, he loves me with love that passeth knowledge, and
I will love him. His love stripped him of all for my sake; Lord,
let my love strip me of all for thy sake. I am a son of love, an
object of love, a monument of love; of free love, of distinguishing
love, of peculiar love, and of love that passeth knowledge: and
why should not I walk in love--in love to God, in love to man, in
holy love, in love unfeigned?"

And will our ministering elders bear with me in respectfully and
affectionately commending to them John Bunyan, as an example of
devotedness to his Master's service; of humble walking with God,
of tender faithfulness to the souls of men, of holy fervour?
Under such a course of sermons as this treatise would make, how
attentively would our children listen with reverence to the voice
of truth, and with a Divine blessing our earthen vessels would be
replenished with heavenly treasure. It is delightful to read the
testimony of Bunyan's ministerial friends, of various denominations,
when recording his extensive usefulness. His works do follow him.
And upon reading of them, we cannot wonder when we hear, that on
a week-day morning, in the depth of winter, long before daylight,
the inclemency of frost and snow was braved by crowded assemblies
of hungry and thirsty souls, who eagerly listened to hear him
proclaim "The Saints' Knowledge of Christ's Love, or the unsearchable
riches of Christ--which passeth knowledge."

May the effectual blessing of the Holy Spirit attend the reading,
as it did the preaching, of these soul-saving truths.

HACKNEY, Oct., 1848. GEO. OFFOR.



THE SAINTS' KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST'S LOVE.

"THAT YE--MAY BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND WITH ALL SAINTS, WHAT IS THE
BREADTH, AND LENGTH, AND DEPTH, AND HEIGHT; AND TO KNOW THE LOVE
OF CHRIST, WHICH PASSETH KNOWLEDGE."--EPHESIANS 3:18,19.

The Apostle having, in the first chapter, treated of the doctrine
of election, and in the second, of the reconciling of the Gentiles
with the Jews to the Father, by his Son, through the preaching of
the gospel; comes in the third chapter to shew that that also was,
as that of election, determined before the world began. Now lest
the afflictions that attend the gospel should, by its raging
among these Ephesians, darken the glory of these things unto them;
therefore he makes here a brief repetition and explanation, to
the end they might be supported and made live above them. He also
joins thereto a fervent prayer for them, that God would let them
see in the spirit and faith, how they, by God and by Christ, are
secured from the evil of the worst that might come upon them.
"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named;
that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to
be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that
Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted
and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints,
what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to
know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge," &c. Knowing,
that their deep understanding what good by these were reserved for
them, they would never be discouraged, whatever troubles should
attend their profession.

BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT, are words that
in themselves are both ambiguous, and to wonderment; ambiguous,
because unexplained, and to wonderment, because they carry in
them an unexpressible something; and that something that which
far out-goes all those things that can be found in this world. The
Apostle here was under a spiritual surprise, for while meditating
and writing, he was caught: The strength and glory of the truths
that he was endeavouring to fasten upon the people to whom he
wrote, took him away into their glory, beyond what could to the
full be uttered. Besides, many times things are thus expressed, on
purpose to command attention, a stop and pause in the mind about
them; and to divert, by their greatness, the heart from the world,
unto which they naturally are so inclined. Also, truths are often
delivered to us, like wheat in full ears, to the end we should rub
them out before we eat them, and take pains about them, before we
have the comfort of them.

BREADTH, LENGTH, DEPTH, and HEIGHT. In my attempting to open these
words, I will give you, some that are of the same kind. And then
show you, First, The reasons of them; and then also, Secondly,
Something of their fullness.

Those of the same kind, are used sometimes to shew us the power,
force, and subtilty of the enemies of God's Church, (Dan 4:11,
Rom 8:38,39). But,

[Sometimes] Most properly to shew us the infinite and unsearchable
greatness of God, (Job 11:7,8,9, Rom 11:33).

They are here to be taken in this second sense, that is, to suggest
unto us the unsearchable and infinite greatness of God; who is
a breadth, beyond all breadths; a length, beyond all lengths; a
depth, beyond all depths; and a height, beyond all heights, and
that in all his attributes: He is an eternal being, an everlasting
being, and in that respect he is beyond all measures, whether
they be of breadth, or length, or depth, or height. In all his
attributes he is beyond all measure: whether you measure by words,
by thoughts, or by the most enlarged and exquisite apprehension;
His greatness is unsearchable; His judgments are unsearchable (Job
5:9): He is infinite in wisdom. "O! the depth of the riches both
of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" (Rom 11:33) "If I speak of
strength, lo, he is strong" (Job 9:19); yea, "the thunder of his
power who can understand?" (Job 26:14) "There is none holy as the
Lord" (1 Sam 2:2): "and his mercy is from everlasting to everlasting,
upon them that fear him" (Psa 103:17). The greatness of God, of
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is that, if rightly
considered, which will support the spirits of those of his people
that are frighted with the greatness of their adversaries. For
here is a greatness against a greatness. Pharaoh was great, but
God more great, more great in power, more great in wisdom, more
great every way for the help of his people; wherein they dealt
proudly, he was above them. These words therefore take in for this
people, the great God who in his immensity and infinite greatness
is beyond all beings. But, to come

FIRST, to the reason of the words. They are made use of to shew
to the Ephesians, that God with what he is in himself, and with
what he hath in his power, is all for the use and profit of the
believers. Else no great matter is held out to them thereby. "But
this God is our God!" there is the comfort: For this cause therefore
he presenteth them with this description of him. To wit, by breadth,
and length, and depth, and height: As who should say, the High
God is yours; the God that fills heaven and earth is yours; the
God whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, is yours; yea, the
God whose works are wonderful, and whose ways are past finding
out, is yours. Consider therefore the greatness that is for you,
that taketh part with you, and that will always come in for your
help against them that contend with you. It is my support, it is
my relief; it [is] my comfort in all my tribulations, and I would
have it ours, and so it will when we live in the lively faith
thereof. Nor should we admit of distrust in this matter from
the consideration of our own unworthiness, either taken from the
finiteness of our state, or the foulness of our ways (Psa 46).
For now, though God's attributes, several of them in their own
nature, are set against sin and sinners; yea, were we righteous,
are so high that needs they must look over us, for 'tis to him a
condescension to behold things in heaven: How much more then to
open his eyes upon such as we: yet by the passion of Jesus Christ,
they harmoniously agree in the salvation of our souls. Hence God
is said to be love (1 John 4), God is love; might some say, and
justice too: but his justice is turned with wisdom, power, holiness
and truth, to love; yea, to love those that be found in his Son:
forasmuch as there is nothing fault-worthy in his righteousness
which is put upon us. So then, as there is in God's nature
a length, and breadth, and depth, and height, that is beyond all
that we can think: So we should conclude that all this is love to
us, for Christ's sake; and then dilate with it thus in our minds,
and enlarge it thus in our meditations; saying still to our low
and trembling spirits: "It is high as heaven; what canst thou do?
deeper than hell; what canst thou know? the measure thereof is
longer than the earth, and1 broader than the sea" (Job 11:8,9).
But we will pass generals, and more particularly speak

SECONDLY, something of their fullness, as they are fitted to suit
and answer to the whole state and condition of a Christian in this
life. The words are boundless; we have here a breadth, a length,
a depth, and height made mention of; but what breadth, what length,
what depth, what height is not so much as hinted. It is therefore
infiniteness suggested to us, and that has engaged for us. For the
Apostle conjoins therein, And to know the love of Christ which
passeth knowledge. Thus therefore it suits and answers a Christian's
condition, while in this world, let that be what it will. If his
afflictions be broad, here is a breadth; if they be long, here
is a length,; and if they be deep, here is a depth; and if they
be high, here is a height. And I will say, there is nothing that
is more helpful, succouring, or comfortable to a Christian while
in a state of trial and temptation, than to know that there is a
breadth to answer a breadth, a length to answer a length, a depth
to answer a depth, and a height to answer a height. Wherefore this
is it that the Apostle prayeth for, namely, that the Ephesians
might have understanding in these things, "That ye may know what
is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height."

Of the largeness of the Apostle's heart in praying for this people,
to wit, "That they might be able to comprehend with all saints,
what," &c. of that we shall speak afterwards.

But first, to speak to these four expressions, breadth, length,
depth, and height.

First, What is the BREADTH. This word is to shew, that God is
all over, everywhere, spreading of his wings, stretching out his
goodness to the utmost bounds, for the good of those that are his
people (Deu 32:11,12, Gen 49:26).

In the sin of his people there is a breadth; a breadth that spreadeth
over all, wheresoever a man shall look. The sin of the saints is
a spreading leprosy (Lev 13:12). Sin is a scab that spreadeth;
it is a spreading plague; it knows no bounds (Lev 13:8, 57): or,
as David saith, "I have seen the wicked spreading himself" (Psa
37:35). Hence it is compared to a cloud, to a thick cloud, that
covereth or spreadeth over the face of all the sky. Wherefore here
is a breadth called for, a breadth that can cover all, or else
what is done is to no purpose. Therefore to answer this, here we
have a breadth, a spreading breadth; "I spread my skirt over thee":
But how far? Even so far as to cover all. "I spread my skirt over
thee, and covered thy nakedness" (Eze 16:8). Here now is a breadth
according to the spreading nature of the sin of this wretched one;
yea, a super-abounding spreading; a spreading beyond; a spreading
to cover. "Blessed is he whose sin is covered" (Psa 32:1), whose
spreading sin is covered by the mercy of God through Christ (Rom
4:4-7). This is the spreading cloud, whose spreadings none can
understand (Job 36:29). "He spread a cloud for a covering, and
fire to give light in the night" (Psa 105:39).

This breadth that is in God, it also overmatcheth that spreading
and overspreading rage of men, that is sometimes as if it would
swallow up the whole church of God. You read of the rage of the
king of Assyria, that there was a breadth in it, an overflowing
breadth, to the filling of "the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel"
(Isa 8:8). But what follows? "Associate yourselves, O ye people,
[ye Assyrians] and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear,
all ye of far countries; gird yourselves and ye shall be broken
in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought;
speak the word, and it shall not stand, for God is with us" (Isa
8:8-10); God will over-match and go beyond you.

Wherefore this word, breadth, and what is the breadth: It is here
expressed on purpose to succour and relieve, or to shew what
advantage, for support, the knowledge of the overspreading grace of
God by Christ yieldeth unto those that have it, let their trials
be what they will. Alas! the sin of God's children seemeth sometimes
to overspread not only their flesh, and the face of their souls,
but the whole face of heaven. And what shall he do now, that is
a stranger to this breadth, made mention of in the text? Why he
must despair, lie down and die, and shut up his heart against all
comfort, unless he, with his fellow-christians, can, at least,
apprehend what is this breadth, or the breadth of mercy intended
in this place. Therefore Paul for the support of the Ephesians,
prays, that they may know "what is the breadth."

This largeness of the heart and mercy of God towards his people,
is also signified by the spreading out of his hand to us in the
invitations of the gospel. "I said," saith he, "Behold me, behold
me,--I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious
people.--to a people that provoketh me continually" (Isa 65:1-3).

I have spread out my hands, that is, opened my arms as a mother
affectionately doth, when she stoopeth to her child in the warm
workings of her bowels, and claspeth it up in them, and kisseth,
and putteth it into her bosom.

For, by spreading out the hands or arms to embrace, is shewed the
breadth or largeness of God's affections; as by our spreading out
our hands in prayer, is signified the great sense that we have of
the spreading nature of our sins, and of the great desires that
are in us, that God would be merciful to us (Ezra 9:5-7).

This word also answereth to, or may fitly be set against the
wiles and temptations of the devil, who is that great and dogged
Leviathan, that spreadeth his "sharp-pointed things upon the mire"
(Job 41:30): For, be the spreading nature of our corruptions never
so broad, he will find sharp-pointed things enough to stick in
the mire of them, for our affliction. These sharp-pointed things
are those that in another place are called "fiery darts" (Eph 6:16),
and he has abundance of them, with which he can and will sorely
prick and wound our spirits: Yea, so sharp some have found these
things to their souls, that they have pierced beyond expression.
"When," said Job, "I say, my bed shall comfort me, my couch shall
ease my complaint; then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest
me through visions; so that my soul chooseth strangling, and
death rather than my life" (Job 7:13-15). But now, answerable to
the spreading of these sharp-pointed things, there is a super-abounding
breadth in the sovereign grace of God, the which whoso seeth and
understandeth, as the Apostle doth pray we should, is presently
helped: for he seeth that this grace spreadeth itself, and is
broader than can be, either our mire, or the sharp-pointed things
that he spreadeth thereupon for our vexation and affliction: "It
is broader than the sea" (Job 11:9).

This therefore should be that upon which those that see the
spreading nature of sin, and the leprosy and contagion thereof,
should meditate, to wit, The broadness of the grace and mercy
of God in Christ. This will poise and stay the soul; this will
relieve and support the soul in and under those many misgiving
and desponding thoughts unto which we are subject when afflicted
with the apprehensions of sin, and the abounding nature of it.

Shall another man pray for this, one that knew the goodness and
benefit of it, and shall not I meditate upon it? and shall not I
exercise my mind about it? Yes surely, for it is my duty, it is my
privilege and mercy so to do. Let this therefore, when thou seest
the spreading nature of thy sin be a memento to thee, to the end
thou mayest not sink and die in thy soul.

Secondly, What is the breadth and LENGTH. As there is a breadth
in this mercy and grace of God by Christ, so there is a LENGTH
therein, and this length is as large as the breadth, and as much
suiting the condition of the child of God, as the other is. For,
though sin sometimes is most afflicting to the conscience, while
the soul beholdeth the overspreading nature of it, yet here it
stoppeth not, but oft-times through the power and prevalency of
it, the soul is driven with it, as a ship by a mighty tempest, or
as a rolling thing before the whirlwind: driven, I say, from God,
and from all hopes of his mercy, as far as the east is from the
west, or as the ends of the world are asunder. Hence it is supposed
by the prophet, that for and by sin they may be driven from God
to the utmost part of heaven (Deu 30:4); and that is a sad thing,
a sad thing, I say, to a gracious man. "Why," saith the prophet
to God, "Art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of
my roaring?" (Psa 22:1). Sometimes a man, yea, a man of God, is,
as he apprehends, so far off from God, that he can neither help
him, nor hear him, and this is a dismal state. "And thou hast
removed my soul," said the church, "far off from peace: I forgat
prosperity" (Lam 3:17). This is the state sometimes of the
godly, and that not only with reference to their being removed by
persecutors, from the appointments and gospel-seasons, which are
their delight, and the desire of their eyes; but also with reverence
to their faith and hope in their God. They think themselves beyond
the reach of his mercy. Wherefore in answer to this conceit it is,
that the Lord asketh, saying, "Is my hand shortened at all that it
cannot redeem?" (Isa 50:2). And again, "Behold, the Lord's hand
is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that
it cannot hear" (Isa 59:1). Wherefore he saith again, "If any of
them be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence
will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch
thee" (Deu 30:4). God has a long arm, and he can reach a great
way further than we can conceive he can (Neh 1:9): When we think
his mercy is clean gone, and that ourselves are free among the
dead, and of the number that he remembereth no more, then he can
reach us, and cause that again we stand before him. He could reach
Jonah, tho' in the belly of hell (Jonah 2); and reach thee, even
then, when thou thinkest thy way is hid from the Lord, and thy
judgment passed over from thy God. There is length to admiration,
beyond apprehension or belief, in the arm of the strength of the
Lord; and this is that which the Apostle intended by this word,
Length; namely, To insinuate what a reach there is in the mercy
of God, how far it can extend itself. "If I take the wings of the
morning," said David, "and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold
me" (Psa 139:9,10). I will gather them from the east, and from
the west, and from the north, and from the south, saith he: That
is, from the utmost corners.