第 6 节
作者:童舟      更新:2021-02-20 15:23      字数:9322
  converted already; they  were all that God would save in those parts; and that I came too  late; for these had got the blessing before I came。
  67。  Now I was in great distress; thinking in very deed that this  might well be so; wherefore I went up and down; bemoaning my sad  condition; counting myself far worse than a thousand fools for  standing off thus long; and spending so many years in sin as I had  done; still crying out; Oh! that I had turned sooner!  Oh! that I  had turned seven years ago!  It made me also angry with myself; to  think that I should have no more wit; but to trifle away my time;  till my soul and heaven were lost。
  68。  But when I had been long vexed with this fear; and was scarce  able to take one step more; just about the same place where I  received my other encouragement; these words broke in upon my mind;  COMPEL THEM TO COME IN; THAT MY HOUSE MAY BE FILLED; AND YET THERE  IS ROOM。  Luke xiv。 22; 23。  These words; but especially those; AND  YET THERE IS ROOM; were sweet words to me; for truly I thought that  by them I saw there was place enough in heaven for me; and  moreover; that when the Lord Jesus did speak these words; He then  did think of me:  and that He knowing that the time would come;  that I should be afflicted with fear; that there was no place left  for me in His bosom; did before speak this word; and leave it upon  record; that I might find help thereby against this vile  temptation。  This I then verily believed。
  69。  In the light and encouragement of this word I went a pretty  while; and the comfort was the more; when I thought that the Lord  Jesus should think on me so long ago; and that He should speak  those words on purpose for my sake; for I did think verily; that He  did on purpose speak them to encourage me withal。
  70。  But I was not without my temptations to go back again;  temptations I say; both from Satan; mine own heart; and carnal  acquaintance; but I thank God these were outweighed by that sound  sense of death; and of the day of judgment; which abode; as it  were; continually in my view:  I would often also think on  NEBUCHADNEZZAR; of whom it is said; HE HAD GIVEN HIM ALL THE  KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH。  Dan。 v。 18; 19。  Yet; thought I; if this  great man had all his portion in this world; one hour in hell…fire  would make him forget all。  Which consideration was a great help to  me。
  71。  I was also made; about this time; to see something concerning  the beasts that MOSES counted clean and unclean:  I thought those  beasts were types of men; the CLEAN; types of them that were the  people of God; but the UNCLEAN; types of such as were the children  of the wicked one。  Now I read; that the clean beasts CHEWED THE  CUD; that is; thought I; they show us; we must feed upon the word  of God:  they also PARTED THE HOOF。  I thought that signified; we  must part; if we would be saved; with the ways of ungodly men。  And  also; in further reading about them; I found; that though we did  chew the cud; as the HARE; yet if we walked with claws; like a dog;  or if we did part the hoof; like the SWINE; yet if we did not chew  the cud; as the sheep; we were still; for all that; but unclean:   for I thought the HARE to be a type of those that talk of the word;  yet walk in the ways of sin; and that the SWINE was like him that  parted with his outward pollutions; but still wanteth the word of  faith; without which there could be no way of salvation; let a man  be never so devout。  Deut。 xiv。  After this; I found by reading the  word; that those that must be glorified with Christ in another  world MUST BE CALLED BY HIM HERE; called to the partaking of a  share in His word and righteousness; and to the comforts and first… fruits of His Spirit; and to a peculiar interest in all those  heavenly things; which do indeed prepare the soul for that rest;  and house of glory; which is in heaven above。
  72。  Here again I was at a very I great stand; not knowing what to  do; fearing I was not called; for; thought I; if I be not called;  what then can do me good?  None but those who are effectually  called inherit the kingdom of heaven。  But oh! how I now loved  those words that spake of a CHRISTIAN'S CALLING! as when the Lord  said to one; FOLLOW ME; and to another; COME AFTER ME:  and oh;  thought I; that He would say so to me too:  how gladly would I run  after Him!
  73。  I cannot now express with what longings and breathings in my  soul; I cried to Christ to call me。  Thus I continued for a time;  all on a flame to be converted to Jesus Christ; and did also see at  that day; such glory in a converted state; that I could not be  contented without a share therein。  Gold! could it have been gotten  for gold; what would I have given for it?  Had I had a whole world;  it had all gone ten thousand times over for this; that my soul  might have been in a converted state。
  74。  How lovely now was every one in my eyes; that I thought to be  converted men and women。  They shone; they walked like a people  that carried the broad seal of heaven about them。  Oh! I saw the  lot was fallen to them in pleasant places; and they had a goodly  heritage。  Psalm xvi。  But that which made me sick; was that of  Christ; in St Mark; HE GOETH UP INTO A MOUNTAIN; AND CALLETH UNTO  HIM WHOM HE WOULD; AND THEY CAME UNTO HIM。  Mark iii。 13。
  75。  This scripture made me faint and fear; yet it kindled fire in  my soul。  That which made me fear; was this; lest Christ should  have no liking to me; for He called WHOM HE WOULD。  But oh! the  glory that I saw in that condition; did still so engage my heart;  that I could seldom read of any that Christ did call; but I  presently wished; WOULD I HAD BEEN IN THEIR CLOTHES; WOULD I HAD  BEEN BORN PETER; WOULD I HAD BEEN BORN JOHN; OR; WOULD I HAD BEEN  BY AND HAD HEARD HIM WHEN HE CALLED THEM; HOW WOULD I HAVE CRIED; O  LORD; CALL ME ALSO!  BUT; OH!  I FEARED HE WOULD NOT CALL ME。
  76。  And truly; the Lord let me go thus many months together; and  shewed me nothing; either that I was already; or should be called  hereafter:  but at last after much time spent; and many groans to  God; that I might be made partaker of the holy and heavenly  calling; that word came in upon me:  I WILL CLEANSE THEIR BLOOD;  THAT I HAVE NOT CLEANSED; FOR THE LORD DWELLETH IN ZION。  Joel iii。  21。  These words I thought were sent to encourage me to wait still  upon God; and signified unto me; that if I were not already; yet  time might come; I might be in truth converted unto Christ。
  77。  About this time I began to break my mind to those poor people  in BEDFORD; and to tell them my condition; which when they had  heard; they told Mr Gifford of me; who himself also took occasion  to talk with me; and was willing to be well persuaded of me; though  I think from little grounds:  but he invited me to his house; where  I should hear him confer with others; about the dealings of God  with their souls; from all which I still received more conviction;  and from that time began to see something of the vanity and inward  wretchedness of my wicked heart; for as yet I knew no great matter  therein; but now it began to be discovered unto me; and also to  work at that rate as it never did before。  Now I evidently found;  that lusts and corruptions put forth themselves within me; in  wicked thoughts and desires; which I did not regard before; my  desires also for heaven and life began to fail; I found also; that  whereas before my soul was full of longing after God; now it began  to hanker after every foolish vanity; yea; my heart would not be  moved to mind that which was good; it began to be careless; both of  my soul and heaven; it would now continually hang back; both to;  and in every duty; and was as a clog on the leg of a bird; to  hinder me from flying。
  78。  Nay; thought I; now I grow worse and worse:  now I am farther  from conversion than ever I was before。  Wherefore I began to sink  greatly in my soul; and began to entertain such discouragement in  my heart; as laid me as low as hell。  If now I should have burned  at the stake; I could not believe that Christ had love for me:   alas!  I could neither hear Him; nor see Him; nor feel Him; nor  favour any of His things; I was driven as with a tempest; my heart  would be unclean; and the CANAANITES would dwell in the land。
  79。  Sometimes I would tell my condition to the people of God;  which; when they heard; they would pity me; and would tell me of  the promises; but they had as good have told me; that I must reach  the sun with my finger; as have bidden me receive or rely upon the  promises:  and as soon I should have done it。  All my sense and  feeling were against me; and I saw I had an heart that would sin;  and that lay under a law that would condemn。
  80。  These things have often made me think of the child which the  father brought to Christ; WHO; WHILE HE WAS YET COMING TO HIM; WAS  THROWN DOWN BY THE DEVIL; AND ALSO SO RENT AND TORN BY HIM; THAT HE  LAY DOWN AND WALLOWED; FOAMING。  Luke ix。 42; Mark ix。 20。
  81。  Further; in these days; I would find my heart to shut itself  up against the Lord; and against His holy word:  I have found my  unbelief to set; as it were; the shoulder to the door; to keep Him  out; and that too even then; w