A30139:39
A discourse of the building, nature, excellency, and government of the house of God…
A discourse of the building, nature, excellency, and government of the house of God With counsels and directions to the inhabitants thereof. By John Bunyan of Bedford.
London : printed, and are to be sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopsgate, 1688
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
5. This place, as Fathers House, in former Days Is a Receptacle for Run-a-ways; He that like to the Ox backsliden is, Forfeited hath for Sin his share of bliss; May yet come hither, here is room and rest; Of old such have come hither and been blest.
Had this been false, O woe had been to David! Nor Peter, had nor Magdalen been saved, ⟨p. 12⟩Nor Jonah, nor Manasseh, nor the rest; No Run-a-way from God, could a been blest With kind reception at his hands; Return, Would here a come to late, if nought but burn Had been the lot of the Backsliding man: But we are told there's no rebellion can Prevent, or hinder him from being saved, That Mercy heartily of God hath craved; She that went from her God to play the Whore, Returning may be as she was before;
Had this been false, O woe had been to David! Nor Peter, had nor Magdalen been saved, ⟨p. 12⟩Nor Jonah, nor Mannasses, nor the rest; No Run-a-way from God, could a been blest With kind reception at his hands; Return, Would here a come to late, if nought but burn Had been the lot of the Blacksliding man: But we are told there's no rebellion can Prevent, or hinder him from being sav'd, That Mercy heartily of God hath crav'd; She that went from her God to play the Whore, Returning may be as she was before;
He that refuses to his God to turn, That is resolved in Hell-Fire to burn; If he bethinks himself and turns again, May find them here that will him entertain.1