an extra post this week

I just started reading The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. I've read Young Christian's Pilgrimage that is an easier read and a slight adaptation of Bunyan's work. I found a gem tonight reading.

Then I saw in my dream, that the Interpreter took Christian by the
hand, and led him into a place where was a fire burning against a wall,
and one standing by it, always casting much water upon it, to quench
it; yet did the fire burn higher and hotter.

Then said Christian, What means this?

The Interpreter answered, This fire is the work of grace that is
wrought in the heart; he that casts water upon it, to extinguish and
put it out, is the devil: but in that thou seest the fire,
notwithstanding, burn higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the reason
of that. So he had him about to the back side of the wall, where he saw
a man with a vessel of oil in his hand, of the which he did also
continually cast (but secretly) into the fire.

Then said Christian, What means this?

The Interpreter answered, This is Christ, who continually, with the oil
of his grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart; by the
means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls of his
people prove gracious still. 2 Cor. 12:9. And in that thou sawest that
the man stood behind the wall to maintain the fire; this is to teach
thee, that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of grace is
maintained in the soul.

You can read the entire book online in several formats at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Enjoy.

-joe