NOTES UPON THE FIRST PART. The larger figures refer to the page, the smaller to the line, of the text, at which the passage commented upon begins. 1..1. MR. BUNYAN was confined, at different times, about twelve years in BEDFORD jail, for excercising his ministry contrary to the statutes then in force. This was 'the den, in which he slept and dreamed:' here he penned this instructive allegory, and many other useful works, which evince that he was neither soured nor disheartened by persecution. The christian, who understands what usage he ought to expect in this evil world, comparing our present measure of religious liberty with the rigours of that age, will see abundant cause for gratitude; but they, who are disposed to complain, can never be at a loss for topics, while so much is amiss among all ranks and orders of men, and in the conduct of every individual. ..4. 1 saw... The allegory opens with a description of the principal character to which it relates. The view, which the author in his dream had of him, as ' clothed in rags,' implies, that all men are sinners, in their dispositions, affections, and conduct; that their supposed virtues are radically defective, and worthless in the sight of GOD; that the pilgrim has discovered this in his own case, so that he perceives his own righteous nesses to be insufficient for justification, even as sordid rags would be unsuitable raiment for those who stand before kings. His face turned from his own house' represents the sinner convinced that it is absolutely necessary to subordinate all other concerns to the care of his immortal soul, and to renounce every thing which interferes with that grand object: this makes him lose his former relish for the pleasures of sin, and even for the most lawful temporal satisfactions, while he trembles at the thought of impending destruction '.The book in his hand,' &c, instructs us, that sinners discover their real state and character, by reading and believing the scriptures; that their first attention is often directed to the denunciations of the wrath to come contained in them, and that such persons cannot but continue to search the word of GOD, though their grief and alarm be increased by every perusal. The 'burden on his back' represents that distressing sense of guilt, and fear of wrath, which deeply convinced sinners cannot shake off; ' the remembrance of their sins is 6 grievous to them, the burden of them is intolerable:' their consciences are oppressed with guilt, even on account of those actions in which their neighbours perceive no harm; their hearts tremble at the prospect of dangers of which others have no apprehension; and they see an absolute necessity of escaping from a situation in which others live most securely: for true faith, from the very first, sees things that are invisible." In one way or other, therefore, they soon manifest the earnestness of their minds, in enquiring "what they must do to be saved?" -The circumstances of these humiliating convictions exceedingly vary; but the life of faith and grace always begins with them: and they, who are wholly strangers to this experience, are christians only in name and form: • He knows no hope, who never knew a fear.' Heb. xi. 8. 24-27. COWPER. NOTES UPON PART I. 207 ..12. In this plight...The contempt or indignation, which worldly people express towards those who are distressed in conscience, commonly induces them to conceal their inquietude as long as they can, even from their relatives; but this soon becomes impracticable. Natural affection also, connected with a view of the extreme danger to which a man sees the objects of his most tender attachments exposed, but of which they have no apprehensions, will extort such earnest representations, warnings, and entreaties, as are here expressed. The city of DESTRUCTION (as it is afterwards called) signifies this present evil world, as doomed to the flames; or the condition of careless sinners, immersed in secular pursuits and pleasures, neglecting eternal things, and exposed to the unquenchable fire of hell, at the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men."-They, who are ignorant of the scriptures, and unaccustomed to compare their own conduct with the divine law, will be amazed at such discourse; and, instead of duly regarding the warnings given them, will commonly ascribe them to enthusiasm or insanity: and, as prophets, apostles, and the Son of God himself, were looked upon in this light by their contemporaries; we may be sure that no prudence, excellence, or benevolence, can exempt the consistent believer from the trial. ---Near relations will generally be the first to form this opinion of his case; and will devise various expedients to quiet his mind:diversions, company, feastings, absence from serious friends or books, will be prescribed: and by these means a false peace often succeeds a transient alarm. But when a genuine humiliating discovery of the evil and desert of sin has been made to the soul, such expedients will not alleviate, but increase, the anguish; and will be followed by still greater earnestness about a man's own salvation, and that of others. This commonly strengthens prejudice, and induces obduracy: and contemptuous pity gives place to resentment, ill usage, derision, or neglect. The disconsolate believer will then be driven into retirement, and relieve his burdened mind by |