Works of John Bunyan: THE STRAIT GATE. 374

 

[Two things that befall Professors.]

“I SAY UNTO YOU.” There are two things upon which this assertion may be grounded—1. There is a thing like grace in the world, but it is not. 2. There is a sin called the sin against the Holy Ghost, from which there is no redemption. And both these things befall professors.

1. There is a thing like grace that is not in the world. (1.) This is evident because we read that there are some that not only “make a fair show in the flesh,” that “glory in appearance,” that “appear beautiful outward,” that do as God’s people but have not the grace of God’s people. (Gal 6:12, 2 Cor 5:12, Matt 23:27, Isa 57:3,4) (2.) It is evident also from those frequent cautions that are everywhere in the Scriptures given us about this thing: “Be not deceived: Let a man examine himself: Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith.” (Gal 6:7, 1 Cor 11:28, 2 Cor 13:5) All these expressions intimate to us that there may be a show of, or a thing like grace, where there is no grace indeed. (3.) This is evident from the conclusion made by the Holy Ghost upon this very thing: “For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Gal 6:3) The Holy Ghost here concluded, that a man may think himself to be something, may think he hath grace when he hath none; may think himself something for heaven and another world when indeed he is just nothing at all concerning it. The Holy Ghost also determines upon this point, to wit, that they that do so deceive themselves: “For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself”; he deceives his own soul, he deceives himself of heaven and salvation. So again: “Let no man beguile you of your reward.” (Col 2:18) (4.) It manifests from the text; “For many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Alas! Great light, significant parts, great works, and great confidence of heaven maybe where there is no faith of God’s elect, no love of the Spirit, no repentance unto salvation, no sanctification of the Spirit, and so consequently no saving grace. But,

2. As there is a thing like grace, which is not, so there is a sin, called the sin against the Holy Ghost, from which there is no redemption, and this sin doth more than ordinarily befall professors.

There is a sin, called the sin against the Holy Ghost, from which there is no redemption. This is evident from Matthew and Mark: “But whosoever speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” (Matt 12:32, Mark 3:29). Wherefore, when we know that a man hath sinned this sin, we are not to pray for him or to have compassion on him. (1 John 5:16, Jude 22)

This sin doth most ordinarily befall professors, for there are few, if any, that are not professors that are at present capable of sinning this sin. They who “were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,” of this sort are they who commit this sin. (Heb 6:4,5) Peter also describes them as such that sin is an unpardonable sin. “For if, after they have escaped the world’s pollutions through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20) The other passage in the tenth of Hebrews holds forth the same thing. “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remained no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” (Heb 10:26,27) THESE, therefore, are the persons that are the prey for this sin; this sin feeds upon PROFESSORS, and they that are such do very often fall into the mouth of this eater.

Some fall into the mouth of the sin by delusions and doctrines of devils, and some fall into the mouth of it by returning with the dog to his own vomit again and with the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (2 Peter 2:22) I shall not here give you a particular description of this sin—that I have done elsewhere; but such a sin there is, and they that commit it shall never have forgiveness. And I say again, some professors commit this unpardonable sin, yea, more than most are aware of. Let all, therefore, look at them. The Lord awaken them that they may so do; for what with a profession without grace, and by the venom of the sin against the Holy Ghost, many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

[Import of the words WILL SEEK TO ENTER IN.]

“Will seek to enter in.” This kingdom, at the gate of which the reprobate will be stopped, will be, at the last judgment, the desire of all the world; and they, especially THEY in my text, will seek to enter in; for then they will see that the blessedness is to those that shall get into this kingdom, according to that which is written, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Rev 21:14) To prove that they will seek. However, I have done it already, yet read these texts at your leisure—Matthew 25:11, 7:22, Luke 13:28. And, in a word, to give you why they will seek to enter.