Works of John Bunyan: The Greatness of The Soul And Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; Advantages To The Man That Comes To Christ, 277

 

Now, we have yet to inquire into two things that lie in the words, to which nothing has been said. First, what it is to cast out. Second, how does it appear that Christ has the power to save or cast out?

WHAT IT IS TO CAST OUT.

FIRST. For the first of these, what is to cast out. To this, I will speak, first, Generally. Second, More particularly.

[First, Generally.]

1. To cast out, is to slight, despise, and contemn; as it is said of Saul’s shield, “it was vilely cast away,” (2 Sam 1:21), that is, slighted and contemned. Thus it is with the sinners that come not to Jesus Christ. He slights, despises, and contemns them; that is, “casts them away.”

2. Things cast away are reputed as menstruous cloths, and as the dirt of the street (Isa 3:24; Psa 18:42; Matt 5:13; 15:17). And thus it shall be with the men that come not to Jesus Christ, they shall be counted as menstruous, and as the dirt in the streets.

3. To be cast out, or off is to be abhorred, not to be pitied; but to be put to perpetual shame (Psa 44:9; 89:38; Amos 1:11). But,

Second, More particularly, to come to the text. The casting out here mentioned is not limited to this or the other evil: therefore, it must be extended to the most extreme and utmost misery. Or thus: He that cometh to Christ shall not want anything that may make him gospely-happy in this world, or that which is to come; nor shall he like anything that cometh not, that may make him spiritually and eternally miserable. But further, as it is to be generally taken [to respect the things that are now], it respects things that shall be hereafter.

I. For the things that are now, they are either, 1. More general:

Or, 2. More particular.

1. More generally, thus:

(1.) It is “to be cast out” of the presence and favor of God. Thus was Cain cast out: “Thou has driven,” or “me out this day; from thy face,” that is, from thy favor, “shall I hide.” A dreadful complaint! But the effect of a more dreadful judgment! (Gen 4:14; Jer 23:39; 1 Chron 28:9).

(2.) “To be cast out,” is to be cast out of God’s sight. God will look after them no more, care for them no more; nor will he watch over them anymore for good (2 Kings 17:20; Jer 7:15). Now they, who are so, are left like blind men, to wander and fall into the pit of hell. This, therefore, is also a sad judgment! Therefore, here is the mercy of him that cometh to Christ. He shall not be left to wander in uncertainty. The Lord Jesus Christ will keep him, as a shepherd does his sheep (Psa 23). “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.”

(3.) “To be cast out,” is to be denied a place in God’s house, and to be left as fugitives and vagabonds, to pass a little time away in this miserable life, and after that to go down to the dead (Gal 4:30; Gen 4:13, 14; 21:10). Therefore, here is the benefit of him that cometh to Christ, he shall not be denied a place in God’s house. They shall not be left like vagabonds in the world. “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.” See Proverbs 14:26, Isaiah 56:3-5, Ephesians 1:19–22, and 1 Corinthians 3:21–23.

(4.) In a word, “to be cast out,” is to be rejected, as are the fallen angels. Their eternal damnation began at their being cast down from heaven to hell. So then, not to be cast out, is to have a place, a house, and habitation there; and to have a share in the privileges of elect angels.

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