Pray attentively mind, and deeply consider the six following observations; they are just; they are daily confirmed to us in the different conduct of professors. Study, and pray to improve them to your soul’s profit. —Mason ↩
Adam hid himself because he was naked. But how could he be naked, when before he had made himself an apron? O! the approach of God consumed and burnt off his apron! His apron would not keep him from the eye of the incorruptible God. When God deals with such men for sin, assuredly they will find themselves naked. —Bunyan on Genesis, vol. 2, p. 432 If the wicked flee when no man pursueth, how can they stand when God lets loose death and eternity upon their guilty souls? —Editor ↩
Thou art bound to Heaven, but the way thither is dangerous. It is beset everywhere with evil angels, who would rob thee of thy soul. If thou wouldest go on cheerfully in thy dangerous journey, commit thy treasure—thy soul, to God, to keep; and then thou mayest say with comfort, Well, that care is over; my soul is safe; the thieves, if they meet me, cannot come at that; God will keep it to my joy and comfort at the great day. —Bunyan’s Advice to Sufferers, vol. 2, p. 701 ↩
The spiritual refreshment, arising from experimental conversation, seems to be especially intended; but the name of Gaius suggests also the importance of the Apostle’s exhortation, “Use hospitality without grudging.” This ought to be obeyed even to strangers, if they are certified to us as brethren in Christ. —Scott Every Christian’s house should, so far as ability is given, be an inn for the refreshment of weary fellow-pilgrims. —Editor ↩
Romans 16:23. ↩
This character is drawn from that of the well-beloved Gaius, in the third epistle of John. Although, in comparison with the great bulk of Christians, there are but few such in the church; yet in all ages, and in most churches, some hospitable Gaius is to be found. May their numbers be greatly increased. —Editor ↩
Acts 11:26. ↩
Acts 7:59, 60. ↩
Acts 12:2. ↩
Ignatius, a bishop or pastor of a church in Antioch, cruelly martyred for the truth in the second century; not Ignatius Loyola, the Jesuit. Mr. Bunyan obtained all this information from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, which was written before Satan had introduced the Jesuits into the world. —Editor ↩
“Marriage is honourable in all” (Hebrews 13:4). Notwithstanding all the cares of a family, while the married have many troubles, the single have few, if any, real enjoyments of life. The will of our heavenly Father is here enforced upon the pilgrims by Gaius—only let pilgrims be united together, marry in the Lord, and we may expect his blessing to fit us to do His will. Vows of celibacy are from beneath, from the father of lies—contrary to the order of nature, and the expressed will of God. “It is not good to be alone.” —Editor ↩
Genesis 3. ↩
Galatians 4:4. ↩
Luke 2. ↩
Luke 8:2, 3. ↩
Luke 7:37, 50; John 11:2; 12:3. ↩
Luke 23:27; Matthew 27:55, 56, 61. ↩
Luke 24:22, 23. ↩
The different parts of social worship and Christian fellowship are here allegorically described. The heave-shoulder and wave-breast typify the power and love of our great High Priest; that we should devote to Him our whole heart, with fervent prayer, and grateful praise. The wine represents the exhilarating effects of the shedding of Christ’s blood, and its application to us by living faith. The milk is the simple instruction of the Scriptures. The butter and honey are animating views of God and heavenly joy. The apples are the promises and privileges of Christians (see Song of Solomon 2:3; Proverbs 25:11). And the nuts those difficult doctrines, which amply repay us the trouble of penetrating their meaning. Christians so employed have far sweeter enjoyments than they ever had in the mirth, diversions, and pleasures of the world. —Scott ↩
Leviticus 7:32–34; 10:14, 15. ↩
Psalms 25:1; Hebrews 13:15. ↩
Deuteronomy 32:14. ↩
Judges 9:13; John 15:1. ↩
1 Peter 2:1, 2. ↩
Isaiah 7:15. ↩
Song of Solomon 6:11. ↩
Bunyan takes advantage of the common past-time of solving riddles, to teach important truth in a way calculated to be impressed on the memory. Thus, in the treatise on the Covenants of the Law and Grace, the second Adam was before the first, and also the second covenant before the first. This is a riddle. —Vol. 2, p. 524) —Editor Observe here, the feast of pilgrims was attended with mirth. Christians have the greatest reason to be merry; but then it ought to be spiritual mirth, which springs from spiritual views and spiritual conversation. —Mason ↩
Proverbs 11:24. ↩
Proverbs 13:7.
When Christian intercourse is conducted with gravity and cheerfulness united, it is both pleasant and instructive. Speech should be “always with grace, seasoned with salt, that it may minister grace to the bearers,” and thus “provoke one another unto love, and to good works;” thus are the young encouraged to follow that which is good. —Ivimey
