A30203:427
Sighs from hell, or, The groans of a damned soul discovering from the 16th…
Sighs from hell, or, The groans of a damned soul discovering from the 16th of Luke the lamentable state of the damned : and may fitly serve as a warning-word to sinners, both old and young, by faith in Jesus Christ, to avoid the same place of torment : with a discovery of the usefulness of the Scriptures as our safe conduct for avoiding the torments of hell / by John Bunyan.
London: printed for F. Smith, 1666
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.
2. Though many may suppose, that they do believe the Scriptures, yet if they were but well examined, you would find them either by word of ⟨p. 177⟩mouth, or else by conversation, to deny, reject, and slight the Holy Scriptures. 'Tis true, there is a notional, and historical Assent in the Head, I say, In the Head of many, or most, to the Truth contained in Scripture: But try them, I say, and you shall find but a little, if any, of the Faith of the operation of God in the hearts of poor men, to believe the Scriptures, and Things contained in them. Many, yea most men believe the Scriptures, as they believe a Fable, a Story, a Tale, of which there is no certainty; but alas! there are but few do in Deed, and in Truth, believe the Scriptures to be the very Word of God.
2. Though many may suppose, that they do believe the Scriptures, yet if they were but well examined, you would find them either by word of ⟨p. 177⟩mouth, or else by conversation, to deny, reject, and slight the Holy Scriptures. 'Tis true, there is a notional, and historical Assent in the Head, I say, In the Head of many, or most, to the Truth contain'd in Scripture: But try them, I say, and you shall find but a little, if any, of the Faith of the operation of God in the hearts of poor men, to believe the Scriptures, and Things contained in them. Many, yea most men believe the Scriptures, as they believe a Fable, a Story, a Tale, of which there is no certainty; but alas! there are but few do in Deed, and in Truth, believe the Scriptures to be the very Word of God.
Obj. But you will say, This seems strange to me.
Answ. And it seems as true to me; and I doubt not but to make it manifest, that there are but few, yea very few, that do effectually (for that I aim at) believe the Scriptures, and the Truths contained in, and spoken of by them. But to make this appear, and that to purpose (if God will) I shall lay you down the several Operations that the Scriptures have on them, who do effectually believe the Things contained in them.