The next few articles will be taken verbatim from the “Riches of Bunyan.” It is a book written by John Bunyan from the Bedford jail in the mid 1600’s. He is also the author of “Pilgrims Progress.” He spent approximately 12 years in prison, and his only crime was preaching without a license. He was used of God during that time to expound the scriptures in a powerful way. The language is Old English.
“Noah drank of the wine and was drunken.” (Genesis 9:21) The Holy Ghost, when it hath to do with sin, loves to give it its own name; drunkenness must be drunkenness, murder must be murder, and adultery must bear its own name. Nay it is neither the goodness of the man, nor his being in favor with God, that will cause him to lessen or mince his sin. Noah was drunken; Lot lay with his daughters; David killed Uriah; Peter cursed and swore in the garden, and also dissembled at Antioch. But this is not recorded to the intent that the name of these godly men should rot, but to show that the best men are nothing without grace, and that “he that standeth should not be high minded, but fear.” Yea, they are also recorded for the support of the tempted, who, when they are fallen, are oft raised up by considering the infirmities of others. “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
God’s word has two edges; it can cut back-stroke and forestroke: if it do thee no good, it will do thee hurt; it is the savor of life unto life to those that receive it, but of death unto death to them that refuse it.