On August 19, 1688, John Bunyan preached his last sermon. His last words from the pulpit were,
"Live like the children of God, that you may look your Father in the face with comfort another day."( To Live upon God that Is Invisible: Suffering and Service in the Life of John Bunyan by John Piper)
After preaching he was overtaken by a fever that proved to be fatal. After a sickness of twelve days he died. As he lay sick he said,
"No sin against God can be little, because it is against the great God of heaven and earth; but if the sinner can find out a little God, it may be easy to find out little sins."(Puritan Profiles: 54 Contemporaries of the Westminster Assembly, William Barker, Mentor, Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-Shire, Scotland, IV20 1TW, Great Britain, 1999, p. 313)
Closer to the end when it was difficult to speak he remarked,
"...When thou prayest, let thy heart be without words than thy words without a heart."
(Puritan Profiles: 54 Contemporaries of the Westminster Assembly, William Barker, Mentor, Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-Shire, Scotland, IV20 1TW, Great Britain, 1999, p. 313)
On August 31, 1688, as Bunyan lay dying, he said,
"Weep not for me, but for yourselves. I go to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will, no doubt, through the mediation of his blessed Son, receive me, though a sinner; where I hope we ere long shall meet, to sing the new song, and remain everlastingly happy, world without end. Amen."
(The Death Of John Bunyan by George Offor)
Recommended Reading:
By Bunyan
Pilgrim's Progress
Grace Abounding To The Chief Of Sinners
Biographies
The Hidden Smile Of God by John Piper
Puritan Profiles, by William Barker
Online Resources
John Bunyan Online
CCEL
4 comments:
He is certainly a human example of how faithful we should be to our Savior.
A rigth fair country writer, too.
Probably my favorite Puritan. John Owen said about Bunyan, "I would gladly give all my learning if I could preach with the abilities of that tinker." Or something to that effect.
Truly edifying indeed. Ah and the state(reformers)church had him thrown in prison. Hard to imagine. I'm not reformer prejudice am I?!
Always nice to read some Puritans. Thanks for posting.
Post a Comment