BEINGLECTURESDELIVEREDINST。GEORGE’SFREECHURCHEDINBURGH

INTRODUCTORY

’Theexpressimage’[Gr。’thecharacter’]——Heb。1。3。

Theword’character’occursonlyonceintheNewTestament，andthatisinthepassageintheprologueoftheEpistletotheHebrews，wheretheoriginalwordistranslated’expressimage’inourversion。OurLordistheExpressImageoftheInvisibleFather。NomanhathseenGodatanytime。Theonly-begottenSon，whoisinthebosomoftheFather，HehathdeclaredHim。TheFatherhathsealedHisdivineimageuponHisSon，sothathethathathseentheSonhathseentheFather。TheSonisthustheFather’scharacterstampeduponandsetforthinhumannature。TheWordwasmadeflesh。Thisisthehighestandbestusetowhichoursoexpressiveword’character’haseverbeenput，andtheusetowhichitisputwhenwespeakofBunyan’sCharacterspartakesofthesamehighsenseandusage。Foritisoftheoutstandinggoodorevilinamanthatwethinkwhenwespeakofhischaracter。ItisreallyeitherofhislikenessorunlikenesstoJesusChristwespeak，andthen，throughHim，hislikenessorunlikenesstoGodHimself。Andthusitisthattheadjective’moral’usuallyaccompaniesourword’character’——moralorimmoral。Aman’scharacterdoesnothaveitsseatorsourceinhisbody；characterisnotaphysicalthing:noteveninhismind；itisnotanintellectualthing。Charactercomesupoutofthewillandoutoftheheart。Therearemoregoodminds，aswesay，intheworldthantherearegoodhearts。Therearemorecleverpeoplethangoodpeople；character，——high，spotless，saintlycharacter，——isafarrarerthinginthisworldthantalentorevengenius。Characterisaninfinitelybetterthingthaneitherofthese，anditisofcorrespondingrarity。Andyetsotrueisitthattheworldlovesitsown，thatallmenworshiptalent，andevenbodilystrengthandbodilybeauty，whileonlyonehereandonethereeitherunderstandsorvaluesorpursuesmoralcharacter，thoughitisthestrengthandthebeautyandthesweetnessofthesoul。

WenaturallyturntoBishopButlerwhenwethinkofmoralcharacter。Butlerisanauthorwhohasdrawnnocharactersofhisown。Butler’sgeniuswasnotcreativelikeShakespeare’sorBunyan’s。Butlerhadnotthatsplendidimaginationwhichthosetwomastersincharacter-paintingpossessed，buthehadverygreatgiftsofhisown，andhehasdoneusverygreatservicebymeansofhisgifts。BishopButlerhashelpedmanymenintheintelligentformationoftheircharacter，andwhathigherpraisecouldbegiventoanyauthor？ButlerwilllieonourtableallwinterbesideBunyan；thebishopbesidethetinker，thephilosopherbesidethepoet，themoralistbesidetheevangelicalminister。

Inseekingasolidbottomforoursubject，then，wenaturallyturntoButler。Bunyanwillpeoplethehouseforusonceitisbuilt，butButlerlaysbareforusthenakedrockonwhichmenlikeBunyanbuildandbeautifyandpeoplethedwelling-placeofGodandman。

Whatexactlyisthisthing，character，wehearsomuchabout？weaskthesagaciousbishop。Andhowshallweunderstandourowncharactersoastoformitwelltillitstandsfirmandendures？

’Character，’answersButler，inhisbald，dry，deepway，’bycharacterismeantthattemper，taste，disposition，wholeframeofmindfromwhenceweactinonewayratherthananother……thoseprinciplesfromwhichamanacts，whentheybecomefixedandhabitualinhimwecallhischaracter……Andconsequentlythereisafargreatervarietyinmen’scharactersthanthereisinthefeaturesoftheirfaces。’OpenBunyannow，withButler’skeywordsinyourmind，andseethevarioustempers，tastes，dispositions，framesofmindfromwhichhisvariouscharactersact，andwhich，atbottom，reallymakethemthecharacters，goodorbad，whichtheyare。SeetheprincipleswhichBunyanhaswithsuchinimitablefelicityembodiedandexhibitedintheirnames，theprincipleswithinthemfromwhichtheyhaveactedtilltheyhavebecomeahabitandthenacharacter，thatcharacterwhichtheythemselvesareandwillremain。SeethevarietyofJohnBunyan’scharacters，aricherandamoreendlessvarietythanarethefeaturesoftheirfaces。ChristianandChristiana，ObstinateandPliable，Mr。

FearingandMr。Feeblemind，TemporaryandTalkative，Mr。ByendsandMr。Facing-both-ways，Simple，Sloth，Presumption，thatbriskladIgnorance，andthegenuineMr。Briskhimself。AndthenCaptainBoasting，Mr。High-mind，Mr。Wet-Eyes，andsoon，throughalessknown(butequallywellworthknowing)companyofmunicipalandmilitarycharactersintheHolyWar。

Weshallsee，asweproceed，howthisandthatcharacterinBunyanwasformedanddeformed。Butletusaskinthisintroductorylectureifwecanfindoutanylaworprincipleuponwhichallourowncharacters，goodorbad，areformed。Doourcharacterscometobewhattheyarebychance，orhaveweanythingtodointheformationofourowncharacters，andifso，inwhatway？Andhere，again，ButlerstepsforwardatourcallwithhiskeytoourownandtoallBunyan’scharactersinhishand，andinthreefamiliarandfruitfulwordsheanswersourquestionandgivesusfoodforthoughtandsolemnreflectionforalifetime。Therearebutthreesteps，saysButler，fromearthtoheaven，or，ifyouwill，fromearthtohell——acts，habits，character。AllButler’spropheticburdenisboundupinthesethreegreatwords——acts，habits，character。Rememberandponderthesethreewords，andyouwillinduetimebecomeamoralphilosopher。Ponderandpractisethem，andyouwillbecomewhatisinfinitelybetter——amoralman。Foracts，oftenrepeated，graduallybecomehabits，andhabits，longenoughcontinued，settleandhardenandsolidifyintocharacter。Andthusitisthatthesevereandlaconicbishophassooftenmadeusshudderashedemonstratedittousthatweareallwithourownhandsshapingourcharacternotonlyforthisworld，butmuchmorefortheworldtocome，byeveryactweperform，byeverywordwespeak，almostbyeverybreathwedraw。Butlerisoneofthemostterribleauthorsintheworld。HestandsonournearestshelfwithDanteononesideofhimandPascalontheother。Heisindeedterrible，butitiswithaterrorthatpurifiestheheartandkeepsthelifeinthehouroftemptation。Paulsometimesarmshimselfwiththesameterror；onlyhecomposesinanotherstylethanthatofButler，and，withallhisvividintensity，hecallsittheterroroftheLord。PaulandBunyanareofthesameschoolofmoralistsandstylists；ButlerwenttoschooltotheStoics，toAristotle，andtoPlato。

OurLordHimselfcametobetheexpressimageHewasandisbylivingandactingunderthissameuniversallawofhumanlife——

acts，habits，character。Hewasmadeperfectonthissameprinciple。HelearnedobediencebothbythethingsthatHedid，andthethingsthatHesuffered。Butlersaysinonedeepplace，thatbenevolenceandjusticeandveracityarethebasisofallgoodcharacterinGodandinman，andthusalsointheGod-man。AndthosethreefoundationstonesofourLord’scharactersettleddeeperandgrewstrongertobearandtosufferasHewentonpractisingactsandspeakingwordsofjustice，goodness，andtruth。

AndsoofalltheotherelementsofHismoralcharacter。OurLordleftGethsemaneamuchmoresubmissiveandamuchmoresurrenderedmanthanHeenteredit。Hisforgivenessofinjuries，andthusHissplendidbenevolence，hadnotyetcometoitsclimaxandcrowntillHesaidonthecross，’Father，forgivethem’。And，asHewas，soareweinthisworld。Thisworld’sevilandill-desertmadeitbutthebetterarenaandtheatreforthedevelopmentandthedisplayofHismoralcharacter；andthesameinstrumentsthatfashionedHimintotheperfectandexpressimageHewasandis，arestill，happily，infulloperation。Takethatdivinestandnoblestofallinstrumentsforthecarvingoutandrefiningofmoralcharacter，thewillofGod。HowourLordmadeHisownunselfishandunsinfulwilltobowtosilenceandtopraisebeforetheholywillofHisFather，tillthatgavethefinishingtouchtoHisalwayssanctifiedwillandheart！And，happily，thatawfulandblessedinstrumentfortheformationofmoralcharacterisstillactiveandavailabletothosewhoseambitionrisestomoralcharacter，andwhoareaimingatheaveninalltheydoandalltheysufferupontheearth。

Gethsemanehasgoneouttillithascoveredalltheearth。Itscup，ifnotinallthedepthandstrengthofitsfirstmixture，stillinquitesufficientbitterness，isputmanytimesinlifeintoeveryman’shand。Thereisnotaday，thereisnotanhouroftheday，thatthediscipleofthesubmissiveandall-surrenderedSonhasnottheopportunitytosaywithhisMaster，Ifitbepossible，letthiscuppass:nevertheless，notasIwill，butasThouwilt。

Itisnotinthegreattragediesoflifeonlythatcharacteristestedandstrengthenedandconsolidated。NomanwhoisnothimselfunderGod’smoralandspiritualinstrumentscouldbelievehowofteninthequietest，clearest，andleasttempestuousdayhehasthechanceandthecalltosay，Yea，Lord，Thywillbedone。

And，then，whentheconfessedlytragicdaysandnightscome，whenallmenadmitthatthisisGethsemaneindeed，thepractisedsoulisable，withacalmnessandapeacethatconfoundandoffendthebystanders，tosay，toactsothathedoesnotneedtosay，Notmywill，butThine。Andsoofalltheotherformsandfeaturesofmoralcharacter；soofhumilityandmeekness，soofpurityandtemperance，soofmagnanimityandmunificence，soofallself-

suppressionandself-extinction，andallcorrespondingexaltingandmagnifyingandbenefitingofothermen。Whateverotherpassingusesthispresentworld，sofulloftrialandtemptationandsuffering，mayhave，thissurelyisthesupremeandfinaluseofit——tobeafurnace，agraving-house，arefiningplaceforhumancharacter。Literallyallthingsinthislifeandinthisworld——I

challengeyoutopointoutasingleexception——worktogetherforthissupremeandonlygood，thepurification，therefining，thetesting，andtheapprovalofhumancharacter。Notonlyso，butweareallintheveryheatofthefurnace，andundertheverygravingironandintheveryrefiningfirethatourprefiguredandpredestinatedcharacterneeds。Yourlifeanditstrialswouldnotsuitthenecessitiesofmymoralcharacter，andyouwouldloseyoursoulbeyondredemptionifyouexchangedlotswithme。Youdonotputapearlunderthepotter’swheel；youdonotcastclayintoarefiningfire。Abraham’scharacterwasnotlikeDavid’s，norDavid’slikeChrist’s，norChrist’slikePaul’s。AsButlersays，thereis’aprovidentialdispositionofthings’aroundeveryoneofus，anditisasexactlysuitedtotheflawsandexcrescences，thefaultsandcorruptionsofourcharacterasifProvidencehadhadnootherlifetomakeadispositionofthingsforbutone，andthatoneourown。Haveyoudiscoveredthatinyourlife，oranymeasureofthat？HaveyouacknowledgedtoGodthatyouhaveatlastdiscoveredthetruekeyofyourlife？HaveyougivenHimthesatisfactiontoknowthatHeisnotmakingHisprovidentialdispositionsaroundastockorastone，butthatHehasoneunderHishandwhounderstandsHishand，andrespondstoit，andrisesuptomeetandsaluteit？

AndweceasetowondersomuchatthecareGodtakesofhumancharacter，andthecostHelaysoutuponit，whenwethinkthatitistheonlyworkofHishandsthatshalllastforever。Itisfit，surely，thattheephemeralshouldministertotheeternal，andtimetoeternity，andallelseinthisworldtotheonlythinginthisworldthatshallendureandsurvivethisworld。Allelsewepossessandpursueshallfadeandperish，ourmoralcharactershallalonesurvive。Riches，honours，possessions，pleasuresofallkinds:death，withonestrokeofhisdesolatinghand，shallonedaystripusbaretoawinding-sheetandacoffinofallthethingswearesomadtopossess。Butthelastenemy，withallhismaliceandallhisresistlesspower，cannottouchourmoralcharacter——

unlessitbeinsomewayutterlymysterioustousthatheismadeunderGodtorefineandperfectit。TheExpressImagecarrieduptoHisFather’sHouse，notonlythedivinelifeHehadbroughthitherwithHimwhenHecametoobeyandsubmitandsufferamongus；HecarriedbackmorethanHebrought，forHecarriedbackahumanheart，ahumanlife，ahumancharacter，whichwasandisanewwonderinheaven。HecarrieduptoheavenallthelovetoGodandangelsandmenHehadlearnedandpractisedonearth，withalltheearthlyfruitsofit。HecarriedbackHishumility，Hismeekness，Hishumanity，Hisapproachableness，andHissympathy。

AndweseetooursalvationsomeoftheusestowhichthosepartsofHismoralcharacterareatthismomentbeingputinHisFather’sHouse；andwhatweseenotnowofalltheendsandusesandemploymentsofourLord’sglorifiedhumanityweshall，mayhap，seehereafter。Andwealsoshallcarryourmoralcharactertoheaven；

itistheonlythingwehaveworthcarryingsofar。But，then，moralcharacteriswellworthachievinghereandthencarryingthere，foritisnothingelseandnothinglessthanthedivinenatureitself；itisthedivinenatureincarnate，incorporate，andmademanifestinman。Anditis，therefore，immortalwiththeimmortalityofGod，andblessedforeverwiththeblessednessofGod。

EVANGELIST

’Dotheworkofanevangelist。’——PaultoTimothy。

Onthe1stofJune1648averybitterfightwasfoughtatMaidstone，inKent，betweentheParliamentaryforcesunderFairfaxandtheRoyalists。TillCromwellrosetoallhismilitaryandadministrativegreatness，FairfaxwasgeneralissimoofthePuritanarmy，andthatablesoldierneverexecutedamorebrilliantexploitthanhedidthatmemorablenightatMaidstone。InonenighttheRoyalistinsurrectionwasstampedoutandextinguishedinitsownblood。Hundredsofdeadbodiesfilledthestreetsofthetown，hundredsoftheenemyweretakenprisoners，whilehundredsmore，whowerehidinginthehop-fieldsandforestsaroundthetown，fellintoFairfax’shandsnextmorning。

AmongtheprisonerssotakenwasaRoyalistmajorwhohadhadadeephandintheMaidstoneinsurrection，namedJohnGifford，amanwhowasdestinedinthetimetocometorunaremarkablecareer。

Only，to-day，thedayafterthebattle，hehasnoprospectbeforehimbutthegallows。Onthenightbeforehisexecution，bythecourtesyofFairfax，Gifford’ssisterwaspermittedtovisitherbrotherinhisprison。Thesoldierswereovercomewithwearinessandsleepaftertheengagement，andGifford’ssistersomanageditthatherbrothergotpastthesentriesandescapedoutofthetown。

HelayhidforsomedaysintheditchesandthicketsaroundthetowntillhewasabletoescapetoLondon，andthencetotheshelterofsomefriendsofhisatBedford。Giffordhadstudiedmedicinebeforeheenteredthearmy，andassoonashethoughtitsafehebegantopractisehisoldartinthetownofBedford。

Giffordhadbeenadissolutemanasasoldier，andhebecame，ifpossible，astillmorescandalouslydissolutemanasacivilian。

Gifford’slifeinBedfordwasapublicdisgrace，andhishatredandpersecutionofthePuritansinthattownmadehisverynameaninfamyandafear。Hereducedhimselftobeggarywithgamblinganddrink，but，whennearsuicide，hecameunderthepowerofthetruth，tillweseehimclothedwithragsandwithagreatburdenonhisback，cryingout，’WhatmustIdotobesaved？’’Butatlast’——

IquotefromthesessionrecordsofhisfuturechurchatBedford——

’GoddidsoplentifullydiscovertohimtheforgivenessofsinsforthesakeofChrist，thatallhislifeafterhelostnotthelightofGod’scountenance，no，notforanhour，saveonlyabouttwodaysbeforehedied。’Gifford’sconversionhadbeensoconspicuousandnotoriousthatbothtownandcountrysoonheardofit:andinsteadofbeingashamedofit，andseekingtohideit，Giffordatonce，andopenly，threwinhislotwiththeextremestPuritansinthePuritantownofBedford。NorcouldGifford’stalentsbehid；tillfromonethingtoanother，wefindtheformerRoyalistanddissoluteCavalieractuallytheparishministerofBedfordinCromwell’ssoevangelicalbutotherwisesoelasticestablishment。

AtthispointweopenJohnBunyan’sGraceAboundingtotheChiefofSinners，andwereadthisclassicalpassage:-’UponadaythegoodprovidenceofGoddidcastmetoBedfordtoworkinmycalling:

andinoneofthestreetsofthattownIcamewheretherewerethreeorfourpoorwomensittingatthedoorinthesunandtalkingaboutthethingsofGod。ButImaysayIheard，butIunderstoodnot，fortheywerefaraboveandoutofmyreach……AboutthistimeIbegantobreakmymindtothosepoorpeopleinBedford，andtotellthemofmycondition，which，whentheyhadheard，theytoldMr。Giffordofme，whohimselfalsotookoccasiontotalkwithme，andwaswillingtobewellpersuadedofmethoughIthinkontoolittlegrounds。Butheinvitedmetohishouse，whereIshouldhearhimconferwithothersaboutthedealingsofGodwiththeirsouls，fromallwhichIstillreceivedmoreconviction，andfromthattimebegantoseesomethingofthevanityandinnerwretchednessofmyownheart，forasyetIknewnogreatmattertherein……AtthattimealsoIsatundertheministryofholyMr。Gifford，whosedoctrine，bythegraceofGod，wasmuchformystability。’Andsooninthatinimitablenarrative。

ThefirstministerwhosewordsweretrulyblessedofGodforourawakeningandconversionhasalwaysaplaceofhisowninourhearts。Weallhavesomeminister，somerevivalist，somefaithfulfriend，orsomegoodbookinawarmplaceinourheart。Itmaybeagreatcitypreacher；itmaybeahumbleAmericanorIrishrevivalist；itmaybeThePilgrim’sProgress，orTheCardiphonia，ortheSeriousCall——whoeverorwhateveritwasthatfirstarrestedandawakenedandturnedusintothewayoflife，theyallourdaysstandinaplacebythemselvesinourgratefulheart。AndJohnGiffordhasbeenimmortalisedbyJohnBunyan，bothinhisGraceAboundingandinhisPilgrim’sProgress。InhisGraceAbounding，aswehavejustseen，andinThePilgrim，GiffordhashisportraitpaintedinholyoilonthewalloftheInterpreter’shouse，andagainineloquentpenandinkinthepersonofEvangelist。

JohnGiffordhadhimselfmadeanarrowescapeoutoftheCityofDestruction，andJohnBunyanhad，byGifford’sassistance，madethesameescapealso。Thescene，therefore，bothwithinthatcityandoutsidethegateofit，wassofixedinBunyan’smindandmemorythatnopartofhismemorablebookismorememorablyputthanjustitsopeningpage。Bunyanhimselfisthemaninrags，andGiffordistheevangelistwhocomestoconsoleandtoconducthim。

Bunyan’sportraitsarealltakenfromthelife。Brilliantandwell-furnishedasBunyan’simaginationwas，Bedfordwasstillbetterfurnishedwithallkindsofmenandwomen，andwithallkindsofsaintsandsinners。Andthus，insteadofdrawinguponhisimaginationinwritinghisbooks，Bunyandrewfromlife。AndthusitisthatweseefirstJohnGifford，andthenJohnBunyanhimselfatthegateofthecity；andthen，overthepage，Giffordbecomestheevangelistwhoissentbythefourpoorwomentospeaktotheawakenedtinker。

’Whereforedostthousocry？’asksEvangelist。’Because，’repliedtheman，’Iamcondemnedtodie。’’Butwhyareyousounwillingtodie，sincethislifeissofullofevils？’AndIsupposewemustallhearEvangelistputtingthesamepungentquestiontoourselveseveryday，atwhateverpointofthecelestialjourneyweatpresentare。Yes；whyareweallsounwillingtodie？Whydowenumberourdaystoputoffourdeathtothelastpossibleperiod？Whydowesorefusetothinkoftheonlythingwearesuresoontocometo？Weareabsolutelysureofnothingelseinthefuturebutdeath。Wemaynotseeto-morrow，butweshallcertainlyseethedayofourdeath。Andyetwehaveallourplanslaidforto-

morrow，andonlyonehereandonetherehasanyplanlaidforthedayofhisdeath。Andcanitbeforthesamereasonthatmadethemaninragsunwillingtodie？Isitbecauseoftheburdenonourback？Isitbecausewearenotfittogotojudgment？Andyetthetrumpetmaysoundsummoningushencebeforethemidnightclockstrikes。Ifthisbethycondition，whystandestthoustill？Dostthouseeyondershininglight？Keepthatlightinthineeye。Goupstraighttoit，knockatthegate，anditshallbetoldtheetherewhatthoushaltdonext。Burdenedsinner，sonofmaninragsandterror:Whathasburdenedtheeso？Whathastornthygarmentsintosuchshamefulrags？Whatisitinthyburdenthatmakesitsoheavy？Andhowlonghasitlainsoheavyuponthee？’Icannotrun，’saidtheman，’becauseoftheburdenonmyback。’Andithasbeennoticedofyouthatyoudonotlaugh，orrun，ordress，ordance，orwalk，oreat，ordrinkasonceyoudid。Allmenseethatthereissomeburdenonyourback；somesoreburdenonyourheartandyourmind。Doyouseeyonderwicketgate？Doyouseeyondershininglight？Thereisnolightinallthehorizonforyoubutyonderlightoverthegate。Keepitinyoureye；makestraight，andmakeatonceforit，andHewhokeepsthegateandkeepsthelightburningoverit，Hewilltellyouwhattodowithyourburden。HetoldJohnGifford，andHetoldJohnBunyan，tillboththeirburdensrolledofftheirbacks，andtheysawthemnomore。

Whatwouldyounotgiveto-nighttobereleasedlikethem？Doyounotseeyondershininglight？

HavingsetChristianfairlyonthewaytothewicketgate，Evangelistleaveshiminordertoseekoutandassistsomeotherseeker。ButyesterdayhehadsetFaithful’sfacetothecelestialcity，andheisoffnowtolookforanotherpilgrim。WeknowsomeofChristian’sadventuresandepisodesafterEvangelistlefthim，butwedonottakeuptheseatpresent。WepassontothenexttimethatEvangelistfindsChristian，andhefindshiminasorryplight。Hehaslistenedtobadadvice。Hehasgoneofftherightroad，hehaslostsightofthegate，andallthethundersandlightningsofSinaiarerollingandflashingoutagainsthim。Whatdoestthouhereofallmenintheworld？askedEvangelist，withasevereanddreadfulcountenance。DidInotdirecttheetoHisgate，andwhyartthouhere？Christiantoldhimthatafair-spokenmanhadmethim，andhadpersuadedhimtotakeaneasierandshorterwayofgettingridofhisburden。Readthewholeplaceforyourselves。TheendofitwasthatEvangelistsetChristianrightagain，andgavehimtwocounselswhichwouldbehissalvationifheattendedtothem:Strivetoenterinatthestraitgate，and，Takeupthycrossdaily。Hewouldneedmorecounselafterwardsthanthat；but，meantime，thatwasenough。LetChristianfollowthat，andhewouldbeforelongberidofhisburden。

IntheintroductorylectureBishopButlerhasbeencommendedandpraisedasamoralist，andcertainlynotonewordbeyondhisdeserts；butanevangelicalpreachercannotsendanymanwiththeburdenofabadpastuponhimtoButlerforadviceanddirectionaboutthat。Whilelecturingonandpraisingthesoundphilosophicalandethicalspiritofthegreatbishop，Dr。Chalmerscomplainsthathesomuchlacksthesalevangelicum，thestrengthandthehealthandthesweetnessofthedoctrinesofgrace。

LegalityandCivilityandMoralityareallgoodandnecessaryintheirownplaces；butheisacheatwhowouldsendaguilt-burdenedandsick-at-heartsinnertoanyorallofthem。Thewicketgatefirst，andthenHewhokeepsthatgatewilltelluswhattodo，andwherenexttogo；butanyotherwayoutoftheCityofDestructionbutbythewicketgateissuretolanduswhereitlandedEvangelist’squakingandsweatingcharge。WhenBishopButlerlayonhisdeathbedhecalledforhischaplain，andsaid，’ThoughI

haveendeavouredtoavoidsin，andtopleaseGodtotheutmostofmypower，yetfromtheconsciousnessofmyperpetualinfirmitiesI

amstillafraidtodie。’’Mylord，’saidhishappilyevangelicalchaplain，’haveyouforgottenthatJesusChristisaSaviour？’

’True，’saidthedyingphilosopher，’buthowshallIknowthatHeisaSaviourforme？’’Mylord，itiswritten，”HimthatcomethtoMe，Iwillinnowisecastout。”’’True，’saidButler，’andIamsurprisedthatthoughIhavereadthatScriptureathousandtimes，Ineverfeltitsvirtuetillthismoment，andnowIdieinpeace。’

Thethirdandthelasttimeonwhichthepilgrimsmeetwiththeiroldfriendandhelper，Evangelist，iswhentheyarejustatthegatesofthetownofVanity。Theyhavecomethroughmanywonderfulexperiencessincelasttheysawandspokewithhim。TheyhavehadthegateopenedtothembyGoodwill。TheyhavebeenreceivedandentertainedintheInterpreter’sHouse，andintheHouseBeautiful。

Theburdenhasfallenofftheirbacksatthecross，andtheyhavehadtheirragsremovedandhavereceivedchangeofraiment。TheyhaveclimbedtheHillDifficulty，andtheyhavefoughttheirwaythroughtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath。Morethanthehalfoftheiradventuresandsufferingsarepast；buttheyarenotyetoutofgunshotofthedevil，andthebonesofmanyapromisingpilgrimliewhiteningthewaybetweenthisandthecity。Manyofouryoungcommunicantshavemadeafairandapromisingstartforsalvation。

TheyhavegotovertheinitialdifficultiesthatlayintheirwaytotheLord’stable，andwehaveenteredtheirnameswithhonestprideinourcommunionroll。Butayearortwopassesover，andthecriticalseasonarriveswhenouryoungcommunicant’comesout，’

asthewordis。Uptillnowshehasbeenachild，alittlemaid，aBible-classstudent，ayoungcommunicant，aSabbath-schoolteacher。

Butsheisnowayounglady，andshecomesoutintotheworld。Wesoonseethatshehassocomeout，aswebegintomissherfromplacesandfromemploymentsherpresenceusedtobrighten；and，veryunwillingly，weoverhearmenandwomenwithhernameontheirlipsinawaythatmakesusfearforhersoul，tillmany，oh，inasingleministry，howmany，whopromisedwellatthegateandransafelypastmanysnares，atlastsellall——bodyandsoulandSaviour——inVanityFair。

Well，EvangelistremainsEvangeliststill。Only，withoutlosinganyofhissweetnessandfreenessandfulnessofpromise，headdstothatsomesolemnwarningsandcounselssuitablenow，asneverbefore，tothesetwopilgrims。Ifonemaysayso，hewouldaddnowsuchmoraltreatisesasButler’sSermonsandSeriousCalltosuchevangelicalbooksasGraceAboundingandAJerusalemSinnerSaved。

To-morrowthetwopilgrimswillcomeoutofthewildernessandwillbeplungedintoacitywheretheywillbeofferedallkindsofmerchandise，——houses，lands，places，honours，preferments，titles，pleasures，delights，wives，children，bodies，souls，andwhatnot。

Analtogethernewworldfromanythingtheyhaveyetcomethrough，andaworldwheremanywhooncebeganwellhavegonenofurther。

Suchcounselsasthese，then，EvangelistgaveChristianandFaithfulastheyleftthelonelywildernessbehindthemandcameouttowardsthegateoftheseductivecity——’LettheKingdomofHeavenbealwaysbeforeyoureyes，andbelievesteadfastlyconcerningthingsthatareinvisible。’Visible，tangible，sweet，anddesirablethingswillimmediatelybeofferedtothem，andunlesstheyhaveafaithintheirheartsthatisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor，andtheevidenceofthingsnotseen，itwillsoonbealloverwiththemandtheirpilgrimage。’Letnomantakeyourcrown，’hesaidalso，asheforesawathowmanyboothsandcounters，houses，lands，places，preferments，wives，husbands，andwhatnot，wouldbeofferedthemandpressedupontheminexchangefortheirheavenlycrown。’Aboveall，lookwelltoyourownhearts，’hesaid。CanonVenableslamentsovertheteachingthatBunyanreceivedfromJohnGifford。’Itsprinciple，’hesays，’wasconstantintrospectionandscrupulousweighingofeverywordanddeed，andevenofeverythought，insteadofleadingthemindofffromselftotheSaviour。’ThecanonseemstothinkthatitwasspeciallyunfortunateforBunyantobetoldtokeephisheartandtoweighwelleverythoughtofit；butImustpointouttoyouthatEvangelistputsasaboveallotherthingsthemostimportantforthepilgrimsthelookingwelltotheirownhearts；andourplain-

spokenauthorhasusedaveryseverewordaboutanyministerwhoshouldwhisperanythingtoanypilgrimthatcouldbeconstruedormisunderstoodintoputtingChristintheplaceofthoughtandwordanddeed，andthescrupulousweighingofeveryoneofthem。’Letnothingthatisonthissidetheotherworldgetwithinyou；andaboveall，lookwelltoyourownhearts，andtotheluststhereof。’

’Setyourfaceslikeaflint，’Evangelistproceeds。Howlittlelikeallthatyouhearinthecounselsofthepulpittoyoungwomencomingoutandtoyoungmenenteringintobusinesslife。Iamconvincedthatifweministersweremoredirectandplain-spokentosuchpersonsatsuchtimes；ifwe，likeBunyan，toldthemplainlywhatkindofaworlditistheyarecomingouttobuyandsellin，andwhatitsmerchandiseanditspricesare；ifourpeoplewouldletussopreachtotheirsonsanddaughters，Ifeelsurefarfeweryoungcommunicantswouldmakeshipwreck，andfarfewergreyheadswouldgodownwithsorrowtothegrave。’Benotafraid，’saidRobertHallinhischargetoayoungminister，’ofdevotingwholesermonstoparticularpartsofmoralconductandreligiousduty。

Itisimpossibletogiverightviewsofthemunlessyoudissectcharactersanddescribeparticularvirtuesandvices。TheworksofthefleshandthefruitsoftheSpiritmustbedistinctlypointedout。Topreachagainstsiningeneralwithoutdescendingtoparticularsmayleadmanytocomplainoftheeviloftheirhearts，whileatthesametimetheyareawfullyinattentivetotheeviloftheirconduct。’TakeEvangelist’snoblecounselsatthegateofVanityFair，andthentakeJohnBunyan’smasterlydescriptionoftheFairitself，withallthatisboughtandsoldinit，andyouwillhavealessoninevangelicalpreachingthattheevangelicalpulpitneededinBunyan’sday，inRobertHall’sday，andnotlessinourown。

’Mysons，youhaveheardthetruthofthegospel，thatyoumustthroughmanytribulationsentertheKingdomofGod。When，therefore，youarecometotheFairandshallfindfulfilledwhatI

havehererelated，thenrememberyourfriend；quityourselveslikemen，andcommitthekeepingofyoursoulstoyourGodinwell-doingasuntoafaithfulCreator。’

OBSTINATE

’Beyenotasthemule。’——David。

LittleObstinatewasbornandbroughtupintheCityofDestruction。HisfatherwasoldSpare-the-Rod，andhismother’snamewasSpoil-the-Child。LittleObstinatewastheonlychildofhisparents；hewasbornwhentheywerenolongeryoung，andtheydotedontheironlychild，andgavehimhisownwayineverything。

Everythingheaskedforhegot，andifhedidnotimmediatelygetityouwouldhaveheardhisscreamsandhiskicksthreedoorsoff。

Hisparentswerenotinthemselvesbadpeople，but，ifSolomonspeakstrue，theyhatedtheirchild，fortheygavehimallhisownwayineverything，andnothingwouldevermakethemsaynotohim，orliftuptherodwhenhesaidnotothem。WhentheScriptures，intheirpedagogicalparts，speaksooftenabouttherod，theydonotnecessarilymeanarodofironorevenofwood。ThereareotherwaysofteachinganobstinatechildthanthewaythatGideontookwiththemenofSuccothwhenhetaughtthemwiththethornsofthewildernessandwiththebriarsthereof。GeorgeOffor，JohnBunyan’ssomewhatquainteditor，givesthereadersofhiseditionthispersonaltestimony:-’Afterbringingupaverylargefamily，whoareablessingtotheirparents，Ihaveyettolearnwhatpartofthehumanbodywascreatedtobebeaten。’AtthesametimetherodmustmeansomethinginthewordofGod；itcertainlymeanssomethinginGod’shandwhenHisobstinatechildrenareunderit，anditoughttomeansomethinginagodlyparent’shandalso。

LittleObstinate’stwoparentswerefarfromungodlypeople，thoughtheylivedinsuchacity；buttheyweredailydestroyingtheironlysonbylettinghimalwayshavehisownway，andbyneversayingnotohisgreed，andhislies，andhisanger，andhisnoisyanddisorderlyways。EliintheOldTestamentwasnotabadman，buthedestroyedboththearkoftheLordandhimselfandhissonsalso，becausehissonsmadethemselvesvile，andherestrainedthemnot。God’schildrenareneversosoft，andsweet，andgood，andhappyasjustafterHerestrainsthem，andhasagainlaidtherodofcorrectionuponthem。TheythenkissboththerodandHimwhoappointedit。AndearthlyfatherslearntheircraftfromGod。Themeekness，thesweetness，thedocility，andtheloveofachastisedchildhasgonetoallourheartsinawaywecanneverforget。

Thereissomethingsometimesalmostpastdescriptionorbeliefinthewayachastisedchildclingstoandkissesthehandthatchastisedit。ButpooroldSpare-the-Rodneverhadexperienceslikethat。AndyoungObstinate，havingbeenbornlikeJob’swildass’scolt，grewuptobeamanlikeDavid’sunbittedandunbridledmule，tillinafterlifehebecametheauthorofalltheevilandmischiefthatisassociatedinourmindswithhisevilname。

InoldSpare-the-Rod’schildalsothistrueproverbwasfulfilled，thatthechildisthefatheroftheman。ForallthatlittleObstinatehadbeeninthenursery，intheschoolroom，andintheplayground——allthat，onlyinanaggravatedway——hewasasayouthandasagrown-upman。Foronething，Obstinateallhisdayswasadenselyignorantman。Hehadnotgotintothewayoflearninghislessonswhenhewasachild；hehadnotbeenmadetolearnhislessonswhenhewasachild；andthedislikeandcontempthehadforhisbooksasaboyaccompaniedhimthroughanignorantandanarrow-mindedlife。Itwasreasonenoughtothissounreasonablemannottobuyandreadabookthatyouhadaskedhimtobuyandreadit。Andsomanyofthebooksabouthimwereeitherwritten，orprinted，orpublished，orsold，orread，orpraisedbypeoplehedidnotlike，thattherewaslittleleftforthisunhappymantoread，evenifotherwisehewouldhavereadit。Andthus，ashismulishobstinacykepthimsoignorant，sohisignoranceinturnincreasedhisobstinacy。Andthenwhenhecame，aslifewenton，tohaveanythingtodowithothermen’saffairs，eitherinpublicorinprivatelife，eitherinthechurch，orinthenation，orinthecity，orinthefamily，thisunhappymancouldonlybeadragonallkindsofprogress，andinobstacletoeverygoodwork。Useandwont，averygoodruleonoccasion，wasarigidandauniversalrulewithObstinate。Andtobetoldthatthewontinthiscaseandinthathadceasedtobetheuseful，onlymadehimrailatyouasonlyanignorantandanobstinatemancanrail。Hecouldonlyrail；hehadnotknowledgeenough，orgoodtemperenough，orgoodmannersenoughtoreasonoutamatter；hewastoohot-temperedforanargument，andhehatedthosewhohadanacquaintancewiththesubjectinhand，andaself-commandinconnectionwithitthathehadnot。’Theobstinateman’sunderstandingislikePharaoh’sheart，anditisproofagainstallsortsofargumentswhatsoever。’

LikethedementedkingofEgypt，theobstinatemanhasglimpsessometimesbothofhisboundendutyandofhistrueinterest，butthesinewofironthatisinhisneckwillnotlethimperformtheoneorpursuetheother。’Nothing，’saysapenetratingwriter，’ismorelikefirmconvictionthansimpleobstinacy。Plotsandpartiesinthestate，andheresiesanddivisionsinthechurchalikeproceedfromit。’Letanyhonestmantakethatsentenceandcarryitlikeacandledownintohisownheartandbackintohisownlife，andthenwiththeinsightandhonestytherelearnedcarrythesamecandlebackthroughsomeoftheplotsandparties，theheresiesandschismsofthepastaswellasofthepresentday，andhewillhavelearnedalessonthatwillsurelyhelptocurehimself，atanyrate，ofhisownremainingobstinacy。Allourfirmconvictions，aswetooeasilyandtoofondlycallthem，mustcontinuallybeexaminedandsearchedoutinthelightofmorereadingofthebestauthors，inthelightofmoreexperienceofourselvesandoftheworldwelivein，andinthatbestofalllight，thatincreasingpurity，simplicity，andsincerityofheartalonecankindle。Andinnotafewinstancesweshalltoacertaintyfindthatwhathashithertobeenclothingitselfwiththehonourablenameandcharacterofaconvictionwasallthetimeonlyanignorantprejudice，adistasteoradislike，atoogreatfondnessforourselvesandforourownopinionandourowninterest。Manyofourfirmestconvictions，aswenowcallthem，whenweshallhaveletlightenoughfalluponthem，weshallbecompelledandenabledtoconfesstobeatbottommeremulishnessandprideofheart。Themulish，obstinate，andproudmanneversays，Idon’tknow。Heneverasksanythingtobeexplainedtohim。

Heneveradmitsthathehasgotanynewlight。Heneveradmitshavingspokenoractedwrongly。Henevertakesbackwhathehassaid。Hewasneverheardtosay，Youarerightinthatlineofaction，andIhaveallalongbeenwrong。Hadheeversaidthat，thedayhesaiditwouldhavebeenawhite-stonedaybothforhismindandhisheart。Only，thespoiledsonofSpare-the-Rodneversaidthat，oranythinglikethat。

But，mostunfortunately，itisintheverybestthingsoflifethatthetruemulishnessoftheobstinatemanmostcomesout。Heshowsworstinhishomelifeandinthemattersofreligion。WhenourObstinatewasinlovehewasassweetashoneyandassoftasbutter。Hisoldfriendsthatheusedsototrampleuponscarcelyrecognisedhim。Theyhadsometimesseenmenconverted，buttheyhadneverseensuchanimmediateandsuchacompleteconversionasthis。Heactuallyinvitedcorrection，andreproof，andadvice，andassistance，whohadoftenstruckatyouwithhishandsandhisfeetwhenyouevenhintedatsuchathingtohim。Thebestupbringing，thebestbooks，thebestpreaching，thebestandmostobedientlife，takenalltogether，hadnotdoneforothermenwhatawoman’ssmileandthetouchofherhandhadinamomentdoneforthisoncesoobstinateman。Hewouldreadanythingnow，andespeciallythebestbooks。Hewouldhearandenjoyanypreachernow，andespeciallythebestandmostearnestinpreaching。Hisoldlikesanddislikes，prejudicesandprepossessions，self-opinionativenessandself-assertivenessallmiraculouslymeltedoffhim，andhebecameinadayanopen-minded，intelligent，good-mannered，devout-

mindedgentleman。Hewhowasoncesuchamuletoeverybodywasnowledaboutbyachildinasilkenbridle。Alloldthingshadpassedaway，andallthingshadbecomenew。Foratime；foratime。Buttimepasses，andtherepassesawaywithitallthehumility，meekness，pliability，softness，andsweetnessoftheobstinateman。

Tillwhenlongenoughtimehaselapsedyoufindhimalltheobstinateandmulishmanheeverwas。Itisnotthathehasceasedtolovehiswifeandhischildren。Itisnotthat。Butthereisthisinallgenuineandinbredobstinacy，thatafteratimeitoftencomesoutworstbesidethosewelovebest。Amanwillbeaffable，accessible，entertaining，thebestofcompany，andthesoulofitabroad，and，then，instantlyheturnsthelatch-keyinhisowndoorhewillrelapseintosilence，andsinkbackintoutterboorishnessandbearishness，mulishnessanddoggedness。Heswallowshiseveningmealatthefootofthetableinsilence，andthenhesitsallnightatthefiresidewithacloudoutofnothingonhisbrow。Hissunshine，hissmile，andhisuniversalurbanityisallgonenow；heisdiscourteoustonobodybuttohisownwife。

Nothingpleaseshim；hefindsnothingathometohismind。Thefurniture，thehours，thehabitsofthehousearealldisposedsoastopleasehim；buthewasneveryetheardtosaytowife，orchild，orservantthathewaspleased。Heneversaysthatamealistohistasteoraseatsetsoastoshelterandreposehim。Theobstinatemanmakeshishouseaveryprisonandtreadmilltohimselfandtoallthosewhoarecondemnedtosufferwithhim。Andallthetimeitisnotthathedoesnotloveandhonourhishousehold；butbyanevillawoftheobstinateheartitsworstobstinacyandmulishnesscomesoutamongthoseitlovesbest。

But，mybrethren，worsethanallthat，wehaveallwhatgoodBishopHallcalls’astoneofobstination’inourheartsagainstGod。

Withallhisowndepthandclearnessandplain-spokenness，PaultellsusthatourheartsarebynatureenmityagainstGod。Wereweproudandobstinateandmaliciousagainstmenonlyitwouldbebadenough，anditwouldbedifficultenoughtocure，butourcaseisdreadfulbeyondalldescriptionorbeliefwhenourobstinacystrikesoutagainstGod。Weknowaswellasweknowanything，thatindoingthisandinnotdoingthatwearegoingeverydayrightintheteethbothofGod’slawandGod’sgrace；andyetinthesheerobstinacyandperversityofourheartwestillgooninwhatweknowquitewelltobethesuicideofoursouls。Wearetoldbyourministertodothisandnottodothat；tobegintodothisatthisnewyearandtobreakofffromdoingthat；but，partlythroughobstinacytowardshim，reinforcedbyadeeperandsubtleranddeadlierobstinacyagainstGod，andagainstallthedeepestandmostgodlyofthethingsofGod，weneitherdotheonenorceasefromdoingtheother。Thereisasullennessinsomemen’sminds，agloomandabitterairthatrisesupfromtheunploughed，undrained，unweeded，uncultivatedfensoftheirheartsthatchillsandblastsallthefeeblebeginningsofabetterlife。ThenaturalandconstitutionalobstinacyoftheobstinateheartisexasperatedwhenitcomestodealwiththethingsofGod。Foritisthenreinforcedwithalltheguiltandallthefear，allthesuspicionandalltheaversionofthecorruptandself-condemnedheart。

Thereisanobduratenessofobstinacyagainstallthemen，andthebooks，andthedoctrines，andtheprecepts，andthepracticesthatareinanywayconnectedwithspiritualreligionthatdoesnotcomeoutevenintheobstinateman’sfamilylife。

JohnBunyan’sObstinate，bothbyhisconductaswellasbytheetymologyofhisname，notonlystandsinthewayofhisownsalvation，buthedoesallhecantostandinthewayofothermensettingouttosalvationalso。ObstinatesetoutafterChristiantofetchhimbackbyforce，andifithadnotbeenthathemethismatchinChristian，ThePilgrim’sProgresswouldneverhavebeenwritten。’Thatcanbynomeansbe，’saidChristiantohispursuer，andheisfirstcalledChristianwhenheshowsthatonemancanbeasobstinateingoodasanothermancanbeinevil。’Inevernowcangobacktomyformerlife。’Andthenthetwoobstinatemenpartedcompanyforever，Christianinholyobstinacybeingdeterminedtohaveeternallifeatanycost，andObstinateasdeterminedagainstit。TheopeningpagesofThePilgrim’sProgresssetthetwomenverygraphicallyandveryimpressivelybeforeus。

Astothecureofobstinacy，therodinafirm，watchful，wise，andlovinghandwillcureit。Andinlaterlifealongenoughandcloseenoughsuccessionofhumble，yielding，docile，submissive，self-chasteningandthanksgivingactswillcureit。Readingandobeyingthebestbooksonthesubjugationandtheregulationoftheheartwillcureit。DescendingwithDantetowheretheobstinate，andtheembittered，andthegloomy，andthesullenhavemadetheirbedsinhellwillcureit。Andmuchandmostagonisingprayerwillaboveallcureit。

’OLord，ifthussoobstinateI，ChooseThou，beforemyspiritdie，Apiercingpain，akillingsin，Andtomyproudheartrunthemin。

PLIABLE

’Hehathnotrootinhimself。’——OurLord。

WithonestrokeofHispencilourLordgivesusthisFlaxman-likeoutlineofoneofhiswell-knownhearers。AndthenJohnBunyantakesupthatsoexpressiveprofile，andputsfleshandbloodintoit，tillitbecomesthewell-knownPliableofThePilgrim’sProgress。Wecallthetextaparable，butourLord’sparablesareallportraits——portraitsandgroupsofportraits，ratherthanordinaryparables。OurLordknewthismanquitewellwhohadnorootinhimself。OurLordhadcrowdsofsuchmenalwaysrunningafterHim，andHethrewoffthisrapidportraitfromhundredsofmenandwomenwhocauseddiscredittofallonHisnameandHiswork，andburdenedHisheartcontinually。AndJohnBunyan，withallhisgenius，couldneverhavegivenussuchspeakinglikenessesasthatofPliableandTemporaryandTalkative，unlesshehadhadscoresoftheminhisowncongregation。

OurLord’sshortpreliminarydescriptionofPliablegoes，likeallHisdescriptions，totheverybottomofthewholematter。OurLordinthispassageislikeoneofthosemasterlyartistswhobegintheirportrait-paintingwiththestudyofanatomy。Allthegreatartistsinthiswalkbuilduptheirbestportraitsfromtheinsideoftheirsubjects。Hehathnotrootinhimself，saysourLord，andweneednomorethanthattobetoldustoforeseehowallhisoutsidereligionwillend。’Withoutself-knowledge，’saysoneofthegreateststudentsofthehumanheartthateverlived，’youhavenorealrootinyourselves。Realself-knowledgeistherootofallrealreligiousknowledge。ItisadeceitandamischieftothinkthattheChristiandoctrinescaneitherbeunderstoodorarightacceptedbyanyoutwardmeans。Itisjustinproportionaswesearchourownheartsandunderstandourownnaturethatweshalleverfeelwhatablessingtheremovalofsinwillbe；redemption，pardon，sanctification，areallotherwisemerewordswithoutmeaningorpowertous。Godspeakstousfirstinourownhearts。’

HappilyforusourLordhasannotatedHisowntextandhastoldusthatanhonestheartisthealonerootofalltruereligion。

Honest，thatis，withitself，andwithGodandmanaboutitself。

AsDavidsaysinhissohonestpsalm，’Behold，Thoudesiresttruthintheinwardparts，andinthehiddenpartThoushaltmakemetoknowwisdom。’And，indeed，allthepreachersandwritersinScripture，andallScripturalpreachersandwritersoutsideofScripture，areatoneinthis:thatalltruewisdombeginsathome，andthatitallbeginsattheheart。Andtheyallteachusthatheisthewisestofmenwhohastheworstopinionofhisownheart，asheisthefoolishestofmenwhodoesnotknowhisownhearttobetheworstheartthateveranymanwascursedwithinthisworld。’Hereiswisdom’:nottoknowthenumberofthebeast，buttoknowhismark，andtoreaditwrittensoindeliblyinourownheart。

Andwherethisfirstandbestofallwisdomisnot，there，inourLord’swords，thereisnodeepnessofearth，noroot，andnofruit。

Andanyreligionthatmostmenhaveisofthisoutside，shallow，rootlessdescription。ThiswasallthereligionthatpoorPliableeverhad。Thispoorcreaturehadacertainslightrootofsomethingthatlookedlikereligionforashortseason，buteventhatslightrootwasalloutsideofhimself。Hisroot，whathehadofaroot，wasallinChristian’scompanionshipandimpassionedappeals，andtheninthoseimpressivepassagesofScripturethatChristianreadtohim。AtyourfirstattentiontothesethingsyouwouldthinkthatnopossiblerootcouldbebetterplantedthanintheBibleandinearnestpreaching。ButeventheBible，and，muchmore，thebestpreaching，isallreallyoutsideofamantilltruereligiononcegetsitspiercingrootsdownintohimself。Wehaveperhapsallheardofmen，andmenofnosmalleminence，whowerebroughtuptobelievetheteachingoftheBibleandthepulpit，butwho，whensomeoftheirinheritedandexternalideasaboutsomethingsconnectedwiththeBiblebegantobeshaken，straightwayfeltasifallthegroundsoftheirfaithwereshaken，andalltherootsoftheirfaithpulledup。Butwherethathappened，allthatwasbecausesuchmen’sreligionwasallrootedoutsideofthemselves；inthebestthingsoutsideofthemselves，indeed，butbecause，inourLord’swords，theirreligionwasrootedinsomethingoutsideofthemselvesandnotinside，theywerebyandbyoffended，andthrewofftheirfaith。Thereisanotherwell-knownclassofmenallwhosereligionisrootedintheirchurch，andintheirchurchnotasamemberofthebodyofChrist，butasasocialinstitutionsetupinthisworld。Theybelieveintheirchurch。

Theyworshiptheirchurch。Theysufferandmakesacrificesfortheirchurch。Theyareproudofthesizeandtheincomeoftheirchurch；herpastcontendingsandsufferings，andpresentdangers，allendeartheirchurchtotheirheart。Butiftribulationandpersecutionarise，thatistosay，ifanythingarisestovexorthwartordisappointthemwiththeirchurch，theyincontinentlypulluptheirrootsandtheirreligionwithit，andtransplantbothtoanyotherchurchthatforthetimebetterpleasesthem，ortonochurchatall。Others，again，havealltheirreligiosityrootedintheirfamilylife。Theirreligionisallmadeupofdomesticsentiment。Theylovetheirearthlyhomewiththatsupremesatisfactionandthatall-absorbingaffectionthattrulyreligiousmenentertainfortheirheavenlyhome。Andthusitisthatwhenanythinghappenstodisturborbreakuptheirearthlyhometheirrootlessreligiositygoeswithit。Othermen’sreligion，again，andalltheirinterestinit，isrootedintheirshop；youcanmakethemanythingornothinginreligion，accordingasyoudoordonotdobusinessintheirshop。Companionship，also，accountsforthefluctuationsofmanymen’s，andalmostallwomen’s，religiouslives。Iftheyhappentofallinwithgodlyloversandfriends，theyaresincerelygodlywiththem；butiftheircompanionsareindifferentorhostiletotruereligion，theygraduallyfallintothesametemperandattitude。WesometimesseestudentsdestinedfortheChristianministryalsowithalltheirreligionsowithoutrootinthemselvesthatasessioninanunsympatheticclass，ascepticalbook，sometimesjustasneerorascoff，willwitherallthepromiseoftheircomingservice。Andsoonthroughthewholeofhumanlife。Hethathathnottherootofthematterinhimselfdurethforawhile，butbyandby，foronereasonoranother，heissuretobeoffended。

Somuch，then，——notenough，norgoodenough——forourLord’sswiftstrokeattheheartofHishearers。ButletusnowpassontoPliable，ashesosoonandsocompletelydiscovershimselftousunderJohnBunyan’ssoskilfulhand。Lookwellatourauthor’sspeakingportraitofawell-knownmaninBedfordwhohadnorootinhimself，andwho，asaconsequence，waspliabletoanyinfluence，goodorbad，thathappenedtocomeacrosshim。’Don’trevile，’arethefirstwordsthatcomefromPliable’slips，andtheyarenotunpromisingwords。PliableishurtwithObstinate’scoarseabuseoftheChristianlife，tillheisdownrightashamedtobeseeninhiscompany。Pliable，atleast，isagentlemancomparedwithObstinate，andhisgentlemanlyfeelingsandhisgoodmannersmakehimatoncetakesideswithChristian。Obstinate’sfoultonguehasalmostmadePliableaChristian。Andthisfinely-conceivedsceneontheplainoutsidethecitygateisenactedoveragaineverydayamongourselves。Wheremenareindeadearnestaboutreligionitalwaysarousesthebadpassionsofbadmen；andwhereearnestpreachersanddevotedworkersareassailedwithviolenceorwithbadlanguage，thereisalwaysenoughloveoffairplayinthebystanderstocompelthemtotakesides，forthetimeatleast，withthosewhosufferforthetruth。Andwearesometimestooapttocountallthatloveofcommonfairness，andthathatredoffoulplay，asasuresignofsomesympathywiththehatedtruthitself。

Whenanonlookersays’Don’trevile，’wearetooreadytosetdownthatexpressionofcivilityasatleastthefirstbeginningoftruereligion。ButthereligionofJesusChristcutsfardeeperintotheheartofmanthantothedividingasunderofjusticeandinjustice，civilityandincivility，ribaldryandgoodmanners。Anditisalwaysfoundinthelong-runthatthecrossofChristanditscrucifixionofthehumanheartgoesquiteashardwiththegentlemanly-manneredman，thecivilandurbaneman，asitdoeswiththemanofbadbehaviourandofbrutishmanners。’Civilmen，’saysThomasGoodwin，’arethisworld’ssaints。’AndpoorPliablewasoneofthem。’Myheartreallyinclinestogowithmyneighbour，’

saidPliablenext。’Yes，’hesaid，’Ibegintocometoapoint。I

reallythinkIwillgoalongwiththisgoodman。Yes，Iwillcastinmylotwithhim。Come，goodneighbour，letusbegoing。’

Theapocalypticsideofsomemen’simaginationsisveryeasilyworkedupon。Nokindofbooksellsbetteramongthoseofourpeoplewhohavenorootinthemselvesthanjustpicture-booksaboutheaven。Ourmissionariesmakeuseoflantern-slidestobringhomethescenesintheGospelstothedullmindsoftheirvillagehearers，andwithgoodsuccess。Andathomeamagic-lanternfilledwiththesplendoursoftheNewJerusalemwouldcarrymultitudesofrootlessheartsquitecaptiveforatime。’Wellsaid；andwhatelse？Thisisexcellent；andwhatelse？’ChristiancouldnottellPliablefastenoughaboutthegloriesofheaven。’Thereweshallbewithseraphimandcherubim，creaturesthatwilldazzleyoureyestolookonthem。Therealsoyoushallmeetwiththousandsandtenthousandswhohavegonebeforeustothatplace。Elderswithgoldencrowns，andholyvirginswithgoldenharps，andallclothedwithimmortalityaswithagarment。’’Thehearingofallthis，’

criedPliable，’isenoughtoravishone’sheart。’’Anoverlyfaith，’saysoldThomasShepard，’iseasilywrought。’

Asifthetextitselfwasnotgraphicenough，Bunyan’sracy，humorous，patheticstyleoverflowsthetextandenrichestheverymarginsofhispages，aseverypossessorofagoodeditionofThePilgrimknows。’ChristianandObstinatepullforPliable’ssoul’

istheeloquentsummarysetdownonthesideofthesufficientlyeloquentpage。Asthepictureofaman’ssoulbeingpulledforrisesbeforemymind，IcanthinkofnobettercompanionpicturetothatofPliablethanthatofpoor，hard-besetBrodieofBrodie，asheletsusseethepullforhissoulinthehonestpagesofhisinwarddiary。Undertheheadof’Pliable’inmyBunyannote-bookI

findacrowdofreferencestoBrodie；andifonlytoillustrateourauthor’smarginalnote，Ishalltranscribeoneortwoofthem。

’Thewriterofthisdiarydesirestobecastdownunderthefacilenessandplausiblenessofhisnature，bywhichhelabourstopleasemenmorethanGod，andwhenceitcomesthatthewickedspeakgoodofhim……TheLordpitythepronenessofhishearttocomplywiththemenwhohavethepower……Lord，heisunsoundanddoubleinhisheart，politicallycrafty，selfish，notsavouringnordiscerningthethingsofGod……Letnotself-love，wit，craft，andtimorousnesscorrupthismind，butinduehimwithfortitude，patience，steadfastness，tenderness，mortification……

ShallIexposemyselfandmyfamilytodangeratthistime？A

grainofsoundfaithwouldsolveallmyquestions。’’DieDom。I

stayedathome，partlytodeclinetheill-willandrageofmenandtodeclineobservation。’Or，takeanotherSabbath-dayentry:’DieDom。Istayedathome，becauseofthetime，andtheobservation，andtheEarlofMoray……CametoCuttiehillock。Iamneithercoldnorhot。Iamnotrightlyprincipledastothetime。I

suspectthatitisnotallconsciencethatmakesmeconform，butwit，andtoavoidsuffering；Lord，delivermefromallthisunsoundnessofheart。’Andafterthismiserablefashiondoheavenandearth，dutyandself-interest，thecovenantandthecrownpullforLordBrodie’ssoulthrough422quartopages。Brodie’sdiaryisoneofthemosthumiliating，heart-searching，andheart-instructingbooksIeverread。Letallpublicmentemptedandafflictedwithafacile，pliable，time-servinghearthavehonestBrodieattheirelbow。

’GladIam，mygoodcompanion，’saidPliable，afterthepassageaboutthecherubimandtheseraphim，andthegoldencrownsandthegoldenharps，’itravishesmyveryhearttohearallthis。Comeon，letusmendourpace。’Thisisdelightful，thisisperfect。

Howoftenhaveweourselvesheardtheseverywordsofchallengeandreprooffromthepliablefrequentersofemotionalmeetings，andfromtheemotionalmembersofanemotionalbutrootlessministry。

Comeon，letusmendourpace！’Iamsorrytosay，’repliedthemanwiththeburdenonhisback，’thatIcannotgosofastasI

would。’’Christian，’saysMr。KerrBain，’hasmoretocarrythanPliablehas，as，indeed，hewouldstillhaveifhewerecarryingnothingbuthimself；andhedoeshaveabouthim，besides，afewsoberingthoughtsastothelengthandlabourandsomeoftheunforeseenchancesoftheway。’AndasDeanPagetsaysinhisprofoundandpowerfulsermonon’TheDisastersofShallowness’:

’Yes，butthereissomethingelsefirst；somethingelsewithoutwhichthatinexpensivebrightness，thateasyhopefulness，isapttobeafrailresourcelessgrowth，witheringawaywhenthesunisupandthehotwindsoftrialaresweepingoverit。Wemustopenourheartstoourreligion；wemusthavetheinwardsoilbrokenup，freelyanddeeplyitsrootsmustpenetrateourinnerbeing。Wemusttaketoourselvesinsilenceandinsincerityitswordsofjudgmentwithitswordsofhope，itssternnesswithitsencouragement，itsdenunciationswithitspromises，itsrequirements，withitsoffers，itsabsoluteintoleranceofsinwithitsinconceivableanddivinelong-sufferingtowardssinners。’ButpreachinglikethiswouldhavefrightenedawaypoorPliable。Hewouldnothaveunderstoodit，andwhathedidunderstandofithewouldhavehatedwithallhisshallowheart。

’Wherearewenow？’calledPliabletohiscompanion，astheybothwentoverheadandearsintotheSloughofDespond。’Truly，’saidChristian，’Idonotknow。’——Noworkofmanisperfect，noteventheall-but-perfectPilgrim’sProgress。Christianwasboundtofallsoonerorlaterintoasloughfilledwithhisowndespondencyabouthimself，hispastguilt，hispresentsinfulness，andhisanxiousfuture。ButPliablehadnotknowledgeenoughofhimselftomakehimeverdespond。Hewasalwaysreadyandabletomendhispace。Hehadnoburdenonhisback，andthereforenodoubtinhisheart。ButChristianhadenoughofbothforanytenmen，anditwasChristian’soverflowingdespondencyanddoubtatthispointoftheroadthatsuddenlyfilledhisownslough，and，Isuppose，overflowedintoasloughforPliablealso。HadPliableonlyhadagenuineandoriginalsloughofhisowntososinkandbebedaubedin，hewouldhavegotoutofitattherightsideofit，andbeenatender-steppingpilgrimallhisdays——’Isthisthehappinessyouhavetoldmeallthiswhileof？MayIgetoutofthiswithmylife，youmaypossessthebravecountryaloneforme。’Andwiththathegaveadesperatestruggleortwo，andgotoutofthemireonthatsideofthesloughwhichwasnexthisownhouse；sohewentaway，andChristiansawhimnomore。’Thesideofthesloughwhichwasnexthisownhouse。’Letusclosewiththat。Letusgohomethinkingaboutthat。Andinthistrialoffaithandpatience，andinthat，inthistemptationtosin，andinthat，inthisactualtransgression，andinthat，letusalwaysaskourselveswhichisthesideofthesloughthatisfarthestawayfromourownhouse，andletusstillstruggletothatsideoftheslough，anditwillallbewellwithusatthelast。

HELP

’Iwasbroughtlow，andHehelpedme。’——David。

TheSloughofDespondisoneofJohnBunyan’smasterpieces。Inhisdescriptionoftheslough，Bunyantoucheshishighestwater-markforhumour，andpathos，andpower，andbeautyoflanguage。IfwedidnothavetheEnglishBibleinourownhandswewouldhavetoask，asLordJeffreyaskedLordMacaulay，wherethebrazierofBedfordgothisinimitablestyle。BunyanconfessestousthathegotallhisLatinfromtheprescriptionpapersofhisdoctors，andweknowthathegotallhisperfectEnglishfromhisEnglishBible。

Andthenhegothishumourandhispathosoutofhisowndeepandtenderheart。TheGodofallgracegaveagreatgifttotheEnglish-speakingworldandtotheChurchofChristinalllandswhenHecreatedandconvertedJohnBunyan，andputitintohisheadandhishearttocomposeThePilgrim’sProgress。Hisheart-

affectingpageonthesloughhasbeenwettedwiththetearsofthousandsofitsreaders，andtheirtearshavebeenmingledwithsmilesastheyreadtheirownsinandmisery，andthenever-to-be-

forgottentimeandplacewheretheirsinandmiseryfirstfoundthemout，alltoldsorecognisably，sopathetically，andsoamusinglyalmosttolaughablenessinthepassageupontheslough。

WeseetheoceanofscumandfilthpouringdownintothesloughthroughthesubterraneansewersoftheCityofDestructionandoftheTownofStupidity，whichliesfourdegreesbeyondtheCityofDestruction，andfrommanyotherofthehousesandhauntsofmen。

WeseeHisMajesty’ssappersandminersattheirwits’endhowtocopewiththedelugesofpollutionthatpourintothissloughthattheyhavebeenordainedtodrainanddryup。Foragesandagestheroyalsurveyorshavebeenlayingoutalltheirskillonthisslough。Morecartloadsthanyoucouldcountofthebestmaterialforfillingupasloughhavebeenshotintoit，andyetyouwouldneverknowthatsomuchasasinglelabourerhademptiedhisbarrowhere。True，excellentstepping-stoneshavebeenlaidacrossthesloughbyskilfulengineers，buttheyarealwayssoslipperywiththescumandslimeoftheslough，thatitisonlynowandthenthatatravellercankeephisfeetuponthem。Altogether，ourauthor’spictureoftheSloughofDespondissuchapicturethatnoonewhohasseenitcaneverforgetit。Butbetterthanreadingthebestdescriptionofthesloughistoseecertainwell-knownpilgrimstryingtocrossit。Mr。FearingattheSloughofDespondwasataleoftentoldatthetavernsuppersofthatcountry。Neverpilgrimattemptedtheperilousjourneywithsuchachicken-heartinhisbosomasthisMr。Fearing。Helayaboveamonthonthebankoftheslough，andwouldnotevenattemptthesteps。SomekindPilgrims，thoughtheyhadenoughtodotokeepthestepsthemselves，offeredhimahand；butno。Andaftertheyweresafelyoveritmadethemalmostweeptohearthemanstillroaringinhishorrorattheotherside。Somebadehimgohomeifhewouldnottakethesteps，buthesaidthathewouldrathermakehisgraveinthesloughthangobackonehairsbreadth。Till，onesunshinymorning，——nooneknewhow，andheneverknewhowhimself——thestepsweresohighanddry，andthescumandslimeweresolow，thatthishare-heartedmanmadeaventure，andsogotover。But，then，asanunkindfriendofhissaid，thispitifulpilgrimhadasloughofdespondinhisownmindwhichhecarriedalwaysandeverywhereaboutwithhim，andmadehimtheproverbofdespondencythathewasandis。Only，thatsunshinymorninghegotoverboththesloughinsideofhimandoutsideofhim，andwasheardbyHelpandhisfamilysingingthissongonthehithersideoftheslough:’Hebroughtmeupalsooutofanhorriblepit，outofthemiryclay，andsetmyfeetuponarock，andestablishedmygoings。’

OurpilgrimdidnothavesuchagoodcrossingasMr。Fearing。

Whetheritwasthatthedischargefromthecitywasdeeperandfouler，orthatthedaywasdarker，orwhat，wearenottold，butbothChristianandPliablewereinamomentoutofsightintheslough。Theybothwallowed，saystheirplain-spokenhistorian，intheslough，onlytheoneofthetwowhohadtheburdenonhisbackateverywallowwentdeeperintothemire；whenhisneighbour，whohadnosuchburden，insteadofcomingtohisassistance，gotoutofthesloughatthesamesideashehadenteredit，andmadewithallhismightforhisownhouse。ButthemancalledChristianmadewhatwayhecould，andstilltumbledontothesideofthesloughthatwasfarthestfromhisownhouse，tillamancalledHelpgavehimhishandandsethimuponsoundground。Christiana，again，andMercyandtheboysfoundthesloughinafarworseconditionthanithadeverbeenfoundbefore。Andthereasonwasnotthatthecountrythatdrainedintothesloughwasworse，butthatthosewhohadthemendingofthesloughandthekeepinginrepairofthestepshadsobungledtheirworkthattheyhadmarredthewayinsteadofmendingit。Atthesametime，bythetactandgoodsenseofMercy，thewholepartygotover，Mercyremarkingtothemotheroftheboys，thatifshehadasgoodgroundtohopeforalovingreceptionatthegateasChristianahad，nosloughofdespondwoulddiscourageher，shesaid。Towhichtheolderwomanmadethecharacteristicreply:’YouknowyoursoreandIknowmine，andweshallbothhaveenougheviltofacebeforewecometoourjourney’send。’

Now，IdonotforamomentsupposethatthereisanyoneherewhocanneedtobetoldwhattheSloughofDespondinrealityis。

Indeed，itsverynamesufficientlydeclaresit。Butifanyoneshouldstillbeatalosstounderstandthisterribleexperienceofallthepilgrims，theexplanationofferedbythegoodmanwhogaveChristianhishandmayhereberepeated。’Thismiryslough，’hesaid，’issuchaplaceascannotbemended。Thissloughisthedescentwhitherthescumandfilththatattendsconvictionofsindothcontinuallyrun，andthereforeitiscalledbythenameofDespond，forstillasthesinnerisawakenedabouthislostconditiontherearisethinhissoulmanyfearsanddoubtsanddiscouragingapprehensions，whichallofthemgettogether，andsettleinthisplace，andthisisthereasonofthebadnessoftheground。’Thatistheparable，withitsinterpretation；butthereisapassageinGraceAboundingwhichisnoparable，andwhichmayevenbetterthanthissopictorialsloughdescribesomemen’sconditionhere。’Myoriginalandinwardpollution，’saysBunyanhimselfinhisautobiography，’that，thatwasmyplagueandmyaffliction；that，Isay，atadreadfulratewasalwaysputtingitselfforthwithinme；thatIhadtheguiltoftoamazement；byreasonofthatIwasmoreloathsomeinmyowneyesthanatoad；andIthoughtIwassoinGod’seyesalso。Sinandcorruptionwouldbubbleupoutofmyheartasnaturallyaswaterbubblesupoutofafountain。IthoughtnowthateveryonehadabetterheartthanI

had。Icouldhavechangedheartwithanybody。Ithoughtnonebutthedevilhimselfcouldequalisemeforinwardwickednessandpollutionofmind。Ifell，therefore，atthesightofmyownvileness，deeplyintodespair，forIconcludedthatthisconditioninwhichIwasincouldnotstandwithalifeofgrace。Sure，thoughtI，IamforsakenofGod；sureIamgivenuptothedevil，andtoareprobatemind。’

’Letnoman，then，countmeafablemaker，NormademynameandcreditapartakerOftheirderision:whatishereinview，OfmineownknowledgeIdaresayistrue。’

Sometimes，aswithChristianattheslough，aman’swayinlifeisallslashedupintosuddenditchesandpitfallsoutofthesinsofhisyouth。Hissins，byGod’sgrace，findhimout，andundertheirarrestandoverthrowhebeginstoseekhiswaytoabetterlifeandabetterworld；andthenboththeburdenandthesloughhavetheirexplanationandfulfilmentinhisownlifeeveryday。Butitisevenmoredreadfulthanasloughinaman’swaytohaveasloughinhismind，asbothBunyanhimselfandMr。Fearing，hisexquisitecreation，had。Aftertheawful-enoughslough，filledwiththeguiltandfearofactualsin，hadbeenbridgedandcrossedandleftbehind，astillworsesloughofinwardcorruptionandpollutionroseupinJohnBunyan’ssoulandthreatenedtoengulfhimaltogether。SoterribletoBunyanwasthisexperience，thathehasnotthoughtitpossibletomakeaparableofit，andsoputitintothePilgrim；hehaskeptitratherfortheplain，direct，unpictured，personaltestimonyoftheGraceAbounding。Idonotknowanotherpassageanywheretocomparewiththeeighty-fourthparagraphofGraceAboundingforhopeandencouragementtoagreatinwardsinnerunderagreatinwardsanctification。IcommendthatpowerfulpassagetotheappropriationofanymanherewhomayhavestuckfastintheSloughofDespondtoday，andwhocouldnotonthataccountcometotheLord’sTable。Lethimstillstruggleoutatthesideofthesloughfarthestfromhisownhouse，andto-

night，whocantell，Helpmaycomeandgivethatmanhishand。

WhentheSloughofDespondisdrained，anditsbottomlaidbare，whatafindofallkindsofprecioustreasuresshallbelaidbare！

Willyoubeabletolayclaimtoanyofitwhenthelong-losttreasure-troveisdistributedbycommandoftheKingtoitsrightfulowners？

’Whatareyoudoingthere？’themanwhosenamewasHelpdemandedofChristian，ashestillwallowedandplungedtothehithersideoftheslough，’andwhydidyounotlookforthesteps？’AndsosayinghesetChristian’sfeetuponsoundgroundagain，andshowedhimthenearestwaytothegate。HelpisoneoftheKing’sofficerswhoareplantedallalongthewaytotheCelestialCity，inordertoassistandcounselallpilgrims。Evangelistwasoneofthoseofficers；thisHelpisanother；Goodwillwillbeanother，unless，indeed，heismorethanamereofficer；Interpreterwillbeanother，andGreatheart，andsoon。Allthesearepreachersandpastorsandevangelistswhocorrespondtoallthosenamesandalltheiroffices。Onlysomeunhappypreachersarebetteratpushingpoorpilgrimsintotheslough，andpushingthemdowntothebottomofit，thantheyareathelpingasinkingpilgrimout；whilesomeothermorehappypreachersandpastorshavetheirmansesbuiltatthehithersideofthesloughanddonothingelsealltheirdaysbuthelppilgrimsoutoftheirsloughanddirectthemtothegate。

Andthentherearemultitudesofso-calledministerswhoeattheKing’sbreadwhocanneitherpushaproudsinnerintothesloughnorhelpaprostratesinneroutofit；no，norpointhimthewaywhenhehashimselfwallowedout。Andthen，therearemencalledministers，too，whoalsoeattheKing’sbread，whosevoiceyouneverhearinconnectionwithsuchmatters，unlessitbetorevileboththepilgrimsandtheirhelpers，andallwhorunwithfearandtremblinguptheheavenlyroad。Butourpilgrimwashappyenoughtomeetwithaministertowhomhecouldlookbackallhisremainingpilgrimageandsay:’Hebroughtmeupalsooutofanhorriblepit，outofthemiryclay，andsetmyfeetuponarock，andestablishedmygoings。Andhehathputanewsonginmymouth，evenpraisetoourGod。’

Now，asmighthavebeenexpected，thereisagreatdealsaidaboutallkindsofhelpintheBible。AfterthehelpofGod，ofwhichtheBibleandespeciallythemoreexperimentalPsalmsarefull，thisfinenameisthenappliedtomanyScripturalpersons，andonmanyScripturaloccasions。ThefirstwomanwhomGodAlmightymadeborefromherMakertoherhusbandthisnoblename。HerFather，sotospeak，gaveherawayunderthisnoblename。Andofallthesweetandnoblenamesthatawomanbears，thereisnonesorich，sosweet，solasting，andsofruitfulasjustherfirstDivinenameofahelpmeet。AndhowfavouredofGodisthatmantobeaccountedwhoselifestillcontinuestodrawmeethelpoutofhiswife’sfulnessofhelp，tillallherandhisdaystogetherheisabletosay，IhaveofGodahelpmeetindeed！ForinhowmanysloughsdomanymenlietillthisdaughterofHelpgivesthemherhand，andoutofhowmanymoresloughsaretheyalltheirdaysbyherdeliveredandkept！Sweet，maidenly，andmostsensibleMercywasagreathelptowidowChristianaattheslough，andtoherandhersonsallthewayuptotheriver——averypresenthelpinmanyaneedtoherfuturemother-in-lawandherpilgrimsons。LeteveryyoungmanseekhisfuturewifeofGod，andlethimseekherofherDivineFatherunderthatfine，homely，divinename。ForGod，whoknowethwhatwehaveneedofbeforeweaskHim，likesnothingbetterthantomakeahelpmeetforthosewhosoaskHim，andstilltobringthewomantothemanunderthatsospouse-likename。

’WhatnextIbringshallpleasethee，beassured，Thylikeness，thyfithelp，thyotherself，Thywishexactlytothyheart’sdesire。’

AndthenwhentheapostleismakinganenumerationofthevariousofficesandagenciesintheNewTestamentchurchofhisday，afterapostlesandteachersandgiftsofhealing，hesays，’helps，’——

assistants，thatis，succourers，especiallyofthesickandtheagedandthepoor。Andwedonotreadthateitherelectionorordinationwasneededtomakeanygivenmemberoftheapostolicchurchahelper。Butwedoreadofhelpersbeingfoundbytheapostleamongallclassesandconditionsofthatrichandlivingchurch；bothsexes，allages，andalldescriptionsofchurchmembersborethisfineapostolicname。’SaluteUrbane，ourhelperinChrist……GreetPriscillaandAquila，myhelpersinChrist。’

AndbothPaulandJohnandalltheapostleswereforwardtoconfessintheirepistleshowmuchtheyowedoftheirapostolicsuccess，aswellasoftheirpersonalcomfortandjoy，tothehelpers，bothmenandwomen，theirLordhadblessedthemwith。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读