Bunyan: Valiant-for-truth

Saturday, August 31, 2019
    Feast of Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 651
    Commemoration of Cuthburga, Founding Abbess of Wimborne, c.725
    Commemoration of John Bunyan, Spiritual Writer, 1688
Meditation:
    When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
    “Where, O death, is your victory?
        Where, O death, is your sting?”
    —1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (NIV)
Quotation:
    After this it was noised abroad that Mr. Valiant-for-truth was taken with a summons, by the same post as the other; and had this for a token that the summons was true, “That his pitcher was broken at the fountain.” When he understood it, he called for his friends, and told them of it. Then, said he, I am going to my Father’s; and though with great difficulty I have got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who will now be my rewarder. When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the river-side, into which as he went, he said, “Death, where is thy sting?” And as he went down deeper, he said, “Grave, where is thy victory?” So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.
    ... John Bunyan (1628-1688), The Pilgrim’s Progress [1678] The Whole Works of John Bunyan, v. III, London: Blackie, 1862, p. 243 (see the book)
    See also 1 Cor. 15:54-55; Ps. 98:4-6; Eccl. 12:6; Luke 15:7; Heb. 10:35; 11:6; Rev. 22:12
Quiet time reflection:
    In You, Lord, is final and complete victory. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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