John Bunyan :: Observation Third: Christ Would Have Comers Not Once Think That He Will Cast Them Out

OBSERVATION THIRD: CHRIST WOULD HAVE COMERS NOT ONCE THINK THAT HE WILL CAST THEM OUT.

I come now to the next observation, and shall speak a little to that—to wit, That Jesus Christ would not have them that in truth are coming to him once think that he will cast them out.

The text is full of this. "And him that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out." Now if he saith, I will not, he would not have us think he will.

This is yet further manifest by these considerations.

First. Christ Jesus did forbid even them that as yet were not coming to him once to think him such an one. "Do not think," said he, "that I will accuse you to the Father" (Jhn 5:45).

These, as I said, were such that as yet were not coming to him, for he saith of them a little before, "And ye will not come to me;" for the respect they had to the honour of men kept them back. Yet, I say, Jesus Christ gives them to understand, that though he might justly reject them, yet he would not, but bids them not once to think that he would accuse them to the Father. Now, not to accuse (with Christ) is to plead for, for Christ in these things stands not neuter between the Father and sinners. So, then, if Jesus Christ would not have them think that yet will not come to him that he will accuse them then he would not that they should think so that in truth are coming to him: "And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

Second. When the woman taken in adultery (even in the very act) was brought before Jesus Christ, he so carried it both by words and actions that he evidently enough made it manifest, that condemning and casting out were such things for the doing of which he came not into the world. Wherefore, when they had set her before him, and had laid to her charge her heinous fact, he stooped down, and with his finger wrote upon the ground, as though he heard them not. Now what did he do by this carriage but testify plainly that he was not for receiving accusations against poor sinners, whoever accused by? And observe, though they continue asking, thinking at last to force him to condemn her, yet then he so answered as that he drove all condemning persons from her. And then he adds, for her encouragement to come to him; "Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more" (Jhn 8:1-11).

Not but that he indeed abhorred the fact, but he would not condemn the woman for the sin, because that was not his office. He was not sent "into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved" (Jhn 3:17). Now if Christ, though urged to it, would not condemn the guilty woman, though she was far at present from coming to him, he would not that they should once think that he will cast them out that in truth are coming to him: "And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

Third. Christ plainly bids the turning sinner come and forbids him to entertain any such thoughts as that he will cast him out. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isa 55:7). The Lord, by bidding the unrighteous forsake his thoughts, doth in special forbid, as I have said—viz., those thoughts that hinder the coming man in his progress to Jesus Christ—his unbelieving thoughts.

Therefore he bids him not only forsake his ways, but his thoughts; "Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts:" (Isa 55:7). It is not enough to forsake one if thou wilt come to Jesus Christ, because the other will keep thee from him. Suppose a man forsakes his wicked ways, his debauched and filthy life, yet if these thoughts that Jesus Christ will not receive him be entertained and nourished in his heart, these thoughts will keep him from coming to Jesus Christ.

Sinner, coming sinner, art thou for coming to Jesus Christ? Yes, says the sinner. Forsake thy wicked ways then. So I do, says the sinner. Why comest thou then so slowly? Because I am hindered. What hinders? Has God forbidden thee? No. Art thou not willing to come faster? Yes, yet I cannot. Well, prithee [archaic term; read as 'I pray thee' as in 'I ask you' - BLB Ed.] be plain with me, and tell me the reason and ground of thy discouragement. Why, says the sinner, though God forbids me not, and though I am willing to come faster, yet there naturally ariseth this and that and the other thought in my heart, that hinders my speed to Jesus Christ. Sometimes I think I am not chosen; sometimes I think I am not called; sometimes I think I am come too late; and sometimes I think I know not what it is to come. Also one while I think I have no grace; and then, again, that I cannot pray; and then, again, I think that I am a very hypocrite. And these things keep me from coming to Jesus Christ.

Look ye now, did not I tell you so? There are thoughts yet remaining in the heart, even of those who have forsaken their wicked ways; and with those thoughts they are more plagued than with anything else, because they hinder their coming to Jesus Christ, for the sin of unbelief (which is the original of all these thoughts) is that which besets a coming sinner more easily than do his ways (Heb 12:1-4). But now, since Jesus Christ commands thee to forsake these thoughts, forsake them, coming sinner; and if thou forsake them not, thou transgressest the commands of Christ, and abidest thine own tormentor, and keepest thyself from establishment in grace. "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established" (Isa 7:9). Thus you see how Jesus Christ setteth himself against such thoughts, that any way discourage the coming sinner, and thereby truly vindicates the doctrine we have in hand—to wit, that Jesus Christ would not have them that in truth are coming to him once think that he will cast them out. "And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

Reasons of Observation Third.

I come now to the reasons of the observation.

1. If Jesus Christ should allow thee once to think that he will cast thee out, he must allow thee to think that he will falsify his word; for he hath said, "I will in no wise cast out." But Christ would not that thou shouldst count him as one that will falsify his word, for he saith of himself, "I am the truth;" (Jhn 14:6) therefore he would not that any that in truth are coming to him, should once think that he will cast them out.

2. If Jesus Christ should allow the sinner that in truth is coming to him once to think that he will cast him out, then he must allow, and so countenance, the first appearance of unbelief; the which he counteth his greatest enemy, and against which he hast bent even his holy gospel. Therefore Jesus Christ would not that they that in truth are coming to him should once think that he will cast them out. (See Mat 14:31; Mat 21:21; Mar 11:23; Luk 24:25.)

3. If Jesus Christ should allow the coming sinner once to think that he will cast him out, then he must allow him to make a question whether he is willing to receive his Father's gift, for the coming sinner is his Father's gift; as also says the text; but he testifieth, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Therefore Jesus Christ would not have him that in truth is coming to him, once to think that he will cast him out.

4. If Jesus Christ should allow them once to think that indeed are coming to him that he will cast them out, he must allow them to think that he will despise and reject the drawing of his Father; for no man can come to him but whom the Father draweth. But it would be high blasphemy and damnable wickedness once to imagine thus. Therefore, Jesus Christ would not have him that cometh once think that he will cast him out.

5. If Jesus Christ should allow those that indeed are coming to him once to think that he will cast them out, he must allow them to think that he will be unfaithful to the trust and charge that his Father hath committed to him; which is to save, and not to lose any thing of that which he hath given unto him to save (Jhn 6:39). But the Father hath given him a charge to save the coming sinner; therefore it cannot be that he should allow that such an one should once think that he will cast him out.

6. If Jesus Christ should allow that they should once think that are coming to him that he will cast them out, then he must allow them to think that he will be unfaithful to his office of priesthood; for, as by the first part of it he paid price for and ransomed souls so by the second part thereof he continually maketh intercession to God for them that come (Heb 7:25). But he cannot allow us to question his faithful execution of his priesthood, therefore he cannot allow us once to think that the coming sinner shall be cast out.

7. If Jesus Christ should allow us once to think that the coming sinner shall be cast out, then he must allow us to question his will, or power, or merit to save. But he cannot allow us once to question any of these; therefore not once to think that the coming sinner shall be cast out.

• (1.) He cannot allow them to question his will, for he saith in the text, "I WILL in no wise cast out."
  
  

• (2.) He cannot allow us to question his power; for the Holy Ghost saith HE IS ABLE to save to the uttermost them that come (Heb 7:25).
  
  

• (3.) He cannot allow them to question his merit, for the blood of Christ cleanseth the comer from all sin; (1Jo 1:7, 1Jo 1:9), therefore he cannot allow that he that is coming to him should once think that he will cast them out.

8. If Jesus Christ would allow the coming sinner once to think that he will cast him out, he must allow him to give the lie to the manifest testimony of the Father, Son, and Spirit; yea, to the whole gospel contained in Moses, the Prophets, the book of Psalms, and that commonly called the New Testament. But he cannot allow of this; therefore not that the coming sinner should once think that he will cast him out.

9. Lastly, if Jesus Christ should allow him that is coming to him once to think that he will cast him out, he must allow him to question his Father's oath, which he in truth and righteousness hath taken, that they might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to Jesus Christ (Heb 6:17-18). But he cannot allow this; therefore he cannot allow that the coming sinner should once think that he will cast him out.