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ries > John Bunyan: Patience for His Coming |
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A Thought from John Bunyan
Concerning the Patience Required
in Watching for the LORD's Coming.
From:
A Discourse of, The House of the Forest of Lebanon.
Obtained from: Acacia: John Bunyan ---New
Window
This House distinct from the Temple at Jerusalem, which was a type of the Church
in her worshipping state, as the House at Lebanon is a type of the Church in the
wilderness, or in sackcloth; larger than the Temple; all its parts spiritualized.
Extracted from the "Conclusion".
- Let this then encourage the saints to hope, and to rejoice
in hope of the glory of God, notwithstanding present tribulations. This is our seed-time,
our winter; afflictions are to try us of what mettle we are made; yea, and to shake
off worm-eaten fruit, and such as are rotten at core. Troubles for Christ's sake
are but like the prick of an awl in the tip of the ear, in order to hang a jewel
there.
Let this also put the saints upon patience: when we know that a trial will have an
end, we are by that knowledge encouraged to exercise patience. I have a bad master,
but I have but a year to serve under him, and that makes me serve him with patience;
I have but a mile to go in this dirty way, and then I shall have my path pleasant
and green, and this makes me tread the dirty way with patience. I am now in my rags,
but by that a quarter of a year is come and gone, two hundred a year comes into my
hand, wherefore I will wait, and exercise patience. Thus might I multiply comparisons.
Be patient then, my brethren; but how long? to the coming of the Lord. But when will
that be? the coming of the Lord draws nigh.
"Be patient," my brethren, be long patient, even "unto
the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of
the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh" (James 5:7,8).
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