Post by Brother Ben on Nov 21, 2005 14:18:56 GMT -5
In listening to the Pilgrim's Progress lately, I noticed a section where Christian stops to receive refreshment before decending into the Valley of Humiliation. He was discussing biblical matters with the daughters of the Porter, namely, Discretion, Prudence, Piety, and Charity.
Then Prudence thought good to ask him a few questions,
and desired his answer to them.
PRUD. Do you not think sometimes of the country from whence you came?
CHR. Yes, but with much shame and detestation: "Truly,
if I had been mindful of that country from whence I came out,
I might have had opportunity to have returned; but now I desire
a better country, that is, an heavenly." [Heb. 11:15,16]
PRUD. Do you not yet bear away with you some of the things
that then you were conversant withal?
CHR. Yes, but greatly against my will; especially my inward
and carnal cogitations, with which all my countrymen, as well as myself,
were delighted; but now all those things are my grief;
and might I but choose mine own things,
I would choose never to think of those things more; but when I would
be doing of that which is best, that which is worst is with me.
[Rom 7:16-19]
{123}
PRUD. Do you not find sometimes, as if those things were vanquished,
which at other times are your perplexity?
CHR. Yes, but that is seldom; but they are to me golden hours
in which such things happen to me.
PRUD. Can you remember by what means you find your annoyances,
at times, as if they were vanquished?
CHR. Yes, when I think what I saw at the cross, that will do it;
and when I look upon my broidered coat, that will do it;
also when I look into the roll that I carry in my bosom,
that will do it; and when my thoughts wax warm about whither I am going,
that will do it.
{124}
PRUD. And what is it that makes you so desirous to go to Mount Zion?
CHR. Why, there I hope to see him alive that did hang dead on the cross;
and there I hope to be rid of all those things that to this day are in me
an annoyance to me; there, they say, there is no death; and there I shall
dwell with such company as I like best. [Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4]
For, to tell you truth, I love him, because I was by him eased of
my burden; and I am weary of my inward sickness. I would fain be where
I shall die no more, and with the company that shall continually cry,
"Holy, Holy, Holy!"
What is a good way to fight agianst the sin nature
1. Think on the cross and what Christ did for you there.
2. Think about the fact that your sins are forgiven and that you walk in the righteousness of Christ.
3. Read, memorize, and meditate on the word of God.
4. Think about Heaven and how good it will be to rest their one day.
Here is a link to a neat site with the Pilgrim's Progress
www.calvaryroadbaptist.org/pages/Pilgrim%27s%20Progress.htm
Then Prudence thought good to ask him a few questions,
and desired his answer to them.
PRUD. Do you not think sometimes of the country from whence you came?
CHR. Yes, but with much shame and detestation: "Truly,
if I had been mindful of that country from whence I came out,
I might have had opportunity to have returned; but now I desire
a better country, that is, an heavenly." [Heb. 11:15,16]
PRUD. Do you not yet bear away with you some of the things
that then you were conversant withal?
CHR. Yes, but greatly against my will; especially my inward
and carnal cogitations, with which all my countrymen, as well as myself,
were delighted; but now all those things are my grief;
and might I but choose mine own things,
I would choose never to think of those things more; but when I would
be doing of that which is best, that which is worst is with me.
[Rom 7:16-19]
{123}
PRUD. Do you not find sometimes, as if those things were vanquished,
which at other times are your perplexity?
CHR. Yes, but that is seldom; but they are to me golden hours
in which such things happen to me.
PRUD. Can you remember by what means you find your annoyances,
at times, as if they were vanquished?
CHR. Yes, when I think what I saw at the cross, that will do it;
and when I look upon my broidered coat, that will do it;
also when I look into the roll that I carry in my bosom,
that will do it; and when my thoughts wax warm about whither I am going,
that will do it.
{124}
PRUD. And what is it that makes you so desirous to go to Mount Zion?
CHR. Why, there I hope to see him alive that did hang dead on the cross;
and there I hope to be rid of all those things that to this day are in me
an annoyance to me; there, they say, there is no death; and there I shall
dwell with such company as I like best. [Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4]
For, to tell you truth, I love him, because I was by him eased of
my burden; and I am weary of my inward sickness. I would fain be where
I shall die no more, and with the company that shall continually cry,
"Holy, Holy, Holy!"
What is a good way to fight agianst the sin nature
1. Think on the cross and what Christ did for you there.
2. Think about the fact that your sins are forgiven and that you walk in the righteousness of Christ.
3. Read, memorize, and meditate on the word of God.
4. Think about Heaven and how good it will be to rest their one day.
Here is a link to a neat site with the Pilgrim's Progress
www.calvaryroadbaptist.org/pages/Pilgrim%27s%20Progress.htm