Heavenly rest for a weary soul, or, The pilgrim at his journey's end

by John Bunyan

AN

HEAVENLY REST

FOR A

WEARY SOUL:

OR, THE

PILGRIM at his Journey's End,

BEING

The Last LEGACY of a FATHER to his
CHILDREN, when on his Death-Bed.

CONTAINING

The Children's Duty to God, their Mother
and Themselves

A COPY of VERSEs written by the
Father, a little before his Death.

III. Some GODLY MEDITATIONS.

The Father's: last GIFT to his Children.

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THE REVEREND MR. JOHN BUNYAN.

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A very pleasant to read, profitable to practise, and of
excellent Use to all sorts of People who desire to live a
godly life, in this present evil world.

STIRLING:
Printed and Sold by C. Randall,
1806.

1.The Father's admonition to his Children before his Death
wherein he informs them, First Of their duty to God
Secondly, To their Mothers: And, Thirdly, of who
they owe to each other.

MY Children I must now leave you I am going to a better place: my glass is almost run, I have fought a good fight, and has finished my course, and henceforth there laid up for me a crown of glory. In my youth I was wild and ungodly, as most were; my time idly, and never regarded what I did so I could but pleaſe and ſatisfy my appetite. have ſince my converſion, (thanks be to God taken heed to my ways, and lived as upright as I could for, if I did any wrong it was against my will: I have lived according to the rules of the holy scriptures as much as in me lay. I loved the worst of my enemies but hinded their wicked ways who cast false aspersion upon me, but I owe no man ill, heartily, for giving all who have been my enemies, as I hope to he forgiven thro' Christ Jesus my dear Lord My dear Children, let me entreat you to be admonished by my words, an I take my exhortation as a legacy; I having (you well know) very little to leave you.

First Let me put you in mind of your duty to God.

Secondly, To your Mother: And,

Thirdly. to one another. But,

First Of your duty to God. 'Draw nigh to God!', and he will draw nigh to you,' James vi 8. This very exhortation given by James an Apoſtle of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ is enough to induce you, without any other to draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, if you fear God, he will defend you, if you are willing to return from your evil ways, he will receive you: He desires beloved. it is your own fault. And indeed, the text comprehends a great deal of comfort, it brings salvation to a wretched sinner, it speaks all men: So much by way of exhortation.

Let me now hasten to the first particular, which was to lay before you, your duty to 'Fear God, and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.' Eccl. vii 13. There you see your duty; fear to offend is your duty, tho' comprehended so short, Be careful to serve him, fearful to offend him, diligent to keep his laws and willing to obey his commands; abide all his corrections with patience murmur at none of his ways, live honestly, love all men; lie not, fear not cheat not, nor take the Lord's name in vain; covet not that which is another man's; love the Lord with your whole heart; fear him; praise his name, mortify your lusts and ungodly passions; resist the devil and he will fly you: Suffer any thing for your religion, to death itself; and in all things submit to the will of God. I shalt conclude this head with life precepts &c.

1. Fear to do any thing against that God, whom you love, and you will not love to do any against that God whom you fear. 2. Let your prayers be as frequent as your wants, and your thanksgivings as your blessings 3. In the morning. think what you have do, for which ask God's blessing; and, at night think of what you have done that is sinful, for which ask him forgiveness. 4. Take an exact account of your life, be not afraid to look upon the score, but to exercise it. To despair, because a man is sinful, is to be worse, because he hath been bad. 5. Consider the shortness of your life, and the certainty of judgment for the wicked: and so you will have but one day to repent of before you die. 6 Do injury to no one: for by injuring other you teach them to injure you. 7. Innocence will be the best guard. He who dares to be wicked sometimes for his advantage will always be so if his interest requires it.

And so much for the first head: I come not in the second place, to tell you of the duty you owe to your mother.

Honour your father and mother' &c. the fifth commandment; A wise son heard his father's instruction,' Prov. xii . Ain gain Prov. vi. 26. My son, keep thy mother's commandments, and forsake not the lesson of thy mother'. Here you may see that duty to your parents, is a command of God. Solomon, the wisest man that ever was, gives you this character of a wise son (that is a dutiful for he hearkens to his father's instructions, and willingly obeys.

Consider then my son, on what I have said honour your mother when I am in my grave I give you this charge in the fight of God, a Christ Jesus our Lord.. Thirdly and lastly, I come to the duty we owe to one another.

My children, take warning by the vicious habits of other men, and you will do well: whilst others strive one against another, do you strive to do good for one another; and whilst others are at variance and revile each other, do you pray for and comfort one another.

To conclude, Mind what I have said and lay it up in your hearts and implore God s blessing upon it. I must leave you, but I hope we shall one day meet face to face, in the presence of the Almighty, where pleasures flow, and joys abide for evermore.

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Forbear, fond man and weep no more, 'tis vain, When heaven decrees, 'tis folly to complain: This wordly mase is subject to decay, And death and nature all things must obey: The blushing role fines with the morning sun, Just then looks gay, now withers and is gone: Pardon my sins, Almighty God I pray! Forgive them all and bear them hence away; Then my provoking soul shall upwardsify. And leave with joy, this world of vanity.

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NO creature under heaven, can afford my soul any comfort, only thou, O Lord, the Physician of souls: thou bringest man nigh unto death, and restorest him unto life again, thereby shewing his meekness, and thy power; therefore all love and praise be to thee, O Lord

O God. I extol thy name; and tho' I'm sinful creature. I will not cease to give the thanks to the utmost of my strength: I will declare thy justice and mercy, and whilst I live, will declare thy name.

As for man, he is but dust, and vanishes: his life is but a span, and full of misery. Oh heavenly Father, let me not forget mine own frailty; let me consider what I am, and remember what I shall be; then shall I not forget to leave myself, and long after thee. My sins O Lord are before thy face; I can turn no way but they pursue me: I entreat thee to pardon then. Consider my necessity most mighty God, and deliver me for thy Son's sake. Although my offences are more in number than the hairs of my head, yet, Lord shew mercy, and forgive them. I know, though my sins were as scarlet, yet thou can't make them white as snow: therefore. O Lord, to thee be glory for evermore,

Truly. Lord, I see no cause why I should long to abide in this life. If I was arrived to such perfection as the apostle Paul was, I should desire earnestly (as he did) to be with Christ. O God beseerh thee, to give me such things as are for thy glory, and the good of them who love thee and walk uprightly. O my God, I pray thee, mortify the corruptions of my heart, cleanse thou me from secret faults, and send thy good Spirit to write thy law upon my heart.

Thy ways, O Lord, are the ways of righteousness, and all thy commandments are truth and holiness: as for thy will, it is altogether upright: true and holy art thou, O Lord of hosts.

O God of all truth, my panting soul longs after thee: thou art the fountain of all blessedness; I am thine, save thou me from trespassing against thee.

O! my sins are many, but do not surpass the lower and glory of thy grace; and as for mine iniquities, thou has purge then away. I thank thee, therefore thou Lord of heaven and earth for forgiving love and mercy in the face of Jesus Christ, my only Lord and Saviour.

O my God arise and deliver me from this vale of wickedness, where my temptations have been many: Create in me O God, a clean heart; Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me, that the in most recesses of my soul may be enlightened, that I may behold wonderous things out of thy law and gospel, and be made quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: then shall I give thee praise for ever and ever, through Jesus Christ my Lord.

I recommend my soul into thy hands, for thou hast redeemed me, O God of truth and righteousness: Be thou my defence against the fears of death: that notwithstanding the suggestions of the tempter, I may escape all his fatal snares, that he may not have the power to do me any harm. Give thy angels charge over me to defend me, and carry me safe through the regions of here after, to Immanuel's land, and to thy right hand in heaven above where there are pleasures for evermore; where we shall be made kings and priests unto God, and go no more out, where we shall throw down out crowns before thee, token of our gratitude. crying, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (although we are unworthy to receive power, might, majesty, dominion and blessing, and thanksgiving in the highest for ever and ever." Amen.

MY Children dear, a legacy,
with you I now do leave:
Pray read it o'er. and you will soon,
my purposes perceive:
First to your God your duty shew,
and live up to his laws:
Then comfort you'll heraster take,
and vindicate his cause.
Next give all honour that is is due,
unto your mother dear;
Such will be happy you will find,
while they do tarry here:
Love to your brethren God commands,
that you will also shew;
You then shall ever live in peace,
in joy and honour too.
Pray love your neighbour as yourself,
behave to them most just:
In all your thoughts, words and works,
then you in God may trust:
When he'll preserve you in your steps,
that you shall never fall:
He will always be your sure friend,
your God, your guide and all.

FINIS