Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/9

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Preface.
vii

Mizar," He remembered also the lion and the bear when he went to fight with the giant at Gath. (1 Sam. xvii. 36.)

It was Paul's accustomed manner (Acts xxii.), and that when tried for his life (Acts xxiv.), even to open before his judges the manner of his conversion (Acts xxii. 6; xxiv. 10): he would think of that day and that hour in which he first did meet with grace, for he found it supported him; When God had brought the children of Israel out of the Red Sea far into the Wilderness, yet they must turn quite about thither again, to remember the drowning of their enemies there (Num. xiv. 25); for though they sang his praise before, yet they soon forgot his works. (Ps. cvi. 13.)

In this discourse of mine you may see much—much, I say, of the grace of God towards me. I thank God I can, count it much, for it, was above my sins, and Satan's temptations too. I can remember my fears and doubts and sad months with comfort; they are as the. head of Goliath in my hand.:There was nothing to David like Goliath's sword, even that sword that should have been sheathed in his bowels; for the very sight and remembrance of that did preach forth God's deliverance to him. Oh the remembrance of my great sins, of my great temptations, and of my great fear, of perishing for ever! They bring afresh into my mind the remembrance of my great help, my great supports from heaven, and the great grace that God extended to such a wretch as I.

My dear children, call to mind the "former days" and "years of ancient times;" "remember" also your "songs in the night," and "commune with your own hearts" (Ps. lxxvii. 5, 6). Yea, look diligently, and leave no corner therein unsearched, for that treasure hid, even the treasure of your first and second experience of the grace of God towards you: remember, I say, the word that first laid hold upon you; remember your terrors of conscience and fear of death and hell; remember also your tears and prayers to God—yea, how you sighed under every hedge for mercy! Have you, never a