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Works of John Bunyan Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Works of John Bunyan novel. A total of 543 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Works of John Bunyan.Volume 1.by John Bunyan.MEMOIR OF JOHN BUNYAN THE FIRST PERIOD.
The Works of John Bunyan.Volume 1.by John Bunyan.MEMOIR OF JOHN BUNYAN THE FIRST PERIOD.THIS GREAT MAN DESCENDED FROM IGn.o.bLE PARENTS--BORN IN POVERTY--HIS EDUCATION AND EVIL HABITS--FOLLOWS HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS AS A BRAZIER--ENLISTS FOR A SOLDIER
- 101 Fifth. To be saved calls for more than all this; he that is saved, must, when this world can hold him no longer, have a safe-conduct to heaven, for that is the place where they that are saved must to the full enjoy their salvation. This heaven is called &
- 102 7. The Father's grace saveth us by multiplying pardons to us, for Christ's sake, day by day--"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph 1:7).8. The Father's g
- 103 14. By this good Spirit we are sealed to the day of redemption (Eph 1:14).15. And by this good Spirit we are made to wait with patience until the redemption of the purchased possession comes (Gal 5:5).Now all these things are so necessary to our salvation
- 104 But to pa.s.s these, and to come to some other demonstrations for the clearing of this-- Let us a little consider, What man is, upon whom the Father, the Son, and the Spirit bestows this grace.1. [An enemy to G.o.d.] By nature he is an enemy to G.o.d, an
- 105 What shall I say? Grace and mercy are everlasting. They are built up for ever. They are the delight of G.o.d. They rejoice against judgment. And therefore it is the most safe and secure way of salvation, and therefore hath G.o.d chosen to save us by his g
- 106 1. It ministereth to him matter of joy; for he that knows this grace aright, he knows G.o.d is at peace with him, because he believeth in Jesus Christ, who by grace tasted death for every man; "by whom also we have access by faith into this grace whe
- 107 The gospel shows us that there was abundance of pity, love, bowels, and compa.s.sion in G.o.d towards us; and accordingly we should be full of bowels, pity, love, and compa.s.sion to others.The gospel shows us that in G.o.d there is a great deal of willin
- 108 26 In the edition of 1692, this sentence is "subject to the Father of spirits and love." It is a very singular mode of expression to call G.o.d "the Father of love." G.o.d is love, and that author and source of all holy love. Bunyan wa
- 109 So that when he saith, "Strive to enter in," it is as if he should say, Blessed are they that shall be admitted another day to enter into the kingdom of heaven; but they that shall be counted worthy of so unspeakable a favour, must be well prepa
- 110 Idleness clothes a man with rags, and the vineyard of the slothful is grown over with nettles. (Prov 23:21, 24:30-32) Profession that is not attended with spiritual labour cannot bring the soul to heaven. The fathers before us were "not slothful in b
- 111 But now we are dealing with the words of the Son of G.o.d; it is HE that hath said it; wherefore we find the truth of the peris.h.i.+ng of many professors a.s.serted, and confirmed by Christ's own mouth.This consideration carrieth great awakening in
- 112 FIRST. I shall speak chiefly, and yet but briefly, to the first of these observations; to wit, That when men have put in all the claim they can to the kingdom of heaven, but few will have it for their inheritance. The observation standeth of two parts. Fi
- 113 The parable runs thus:--"The kingdom of heaven," the gospel, "is like unto a net which was cast into the sea," the world, "and gathered of every kind," good and bad, "which when it was full, they drew to sh.o.r.e,"
- 114 Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord." (Jer 23:24) (9.) Be often meditating upon death and judgment. (Eccl 11:9, 12:14) (10.) Be often thinking what a dreadful end sinners that have neglected Christ will make at that day of death and judgme
- 115 "Sinner, O why so thoughtless grown? Why in such dreadful hast to die?"--Ed.13 "Tend it," or attend to it. What madness does sin engender and foster! The trifles of time entirely occupy the attention, while the momentous affairs of ete
- 116 To be of David's seed is to spring from his loins, to come of his race according to the flesh; and therefore as he is David's G.o.d, so likewise is he David's Son; the root and also the offspring of David. And this the Lord himself acknowle
- 117 There were also divers other sacrifices, as bulls, goats, and birds, which were types of him, which I here omit.3. Insensible creatures were his types. As, (1.) The man in the wilderness (Exo 16). And that as it came down from heaven, for so did Christ--&
- 118 Thus have I showed you what it was for Jesus to come into the world--namely, to be born of a woman, to take flesh, and to become G.o.d-man in one person. I come now to the third question; but before I speak particularly to that, I will produce further tes
- 119 HOW JESUS CHRIST ADDRESSED HIMSELF TO THE WORK OF OUR REDEMPTION.I come, then, in the next place, to show you how Jesus Christ addressed himself to the work of man's redemption.The Scripture saith, 'he became poor,' that he made himself of
- 120 SECOND. But, secondly CHRIST WAS MADE UNDER THE LAW--'When the fulness of the time was come, G.o.d sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law' (Gal 4:4).Of right, being found in flesh, he must needs be under the law, for that there
- 121 In this word 'curse' are two things comprised, 1. The reality of sin; for there can be no curse where there is no sin, either of the person's own, or made to be his by his own consent or the imputation of Divine justice. And since sins are
- 122 1. Despair would not rise in his heart, for his flesh did rest in hope; and said, even when he suffered, 'Thou wilt not leave my soul in h.e.l.l' (Acts 2:27).2. The everlastingness of the punishment, therefore, nor the terrors that accompany suc
- 123 Fourth. We are said to be made nigh to G.o.d by his blood--'But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ' (Eph 2:13).Fifth. Peace is said to be made by his blood. 1. Peace with G.o.d (Col 1:20). 2.
- 124 This name is said, in another place, to be a name above every name that is named, 'not only in this world, but also in that which is to come' (Eph 1:21).But should JESUS have been such a name, since he undertook for sinners, had this undertaker
- 125 Sixth. How were the Ephesians, who were sometimes far from G.o.d; how, I say, were they made nigh by the blood of Christ! (Eph 2:13).Seventh. The Colossians, though sometimes dead in their sins, yet how were they quickened by G.o.d, through the forgivenes
- 126 First. It is said, he shall choose our inheritance for us--'He shall choose our inheritance for us; the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. G.o.d is gone up with a shout,' &c. (Psa 47:4,5). These latter words intend the ascension of Jesus
- 127 Fifth. The LOVE and MERCY of G.o.d are more seen in and by this doctrine than any other way. Mercy and love are seen, in that G.o.d gives us rain and fruitful seasons, and in that he filleth our hearts with food and gladness; from that bounty which he bes
- 128 Thus also is the song, that new song that is said to be sung by the hundred forty and four thousand which stand with the Lamb upon Mount Sion, with his Father's name written in their foreheads. These are also called harpers, harping with their harps:
- 129 Also his name, I am, Jah, Jehovah, with several others, what is by them intended but his nature, as his power, wisdom, eternity, goodness, and omnipotency, &c., might be expressed and declared.The name of G.o.d is therefore the object of a Christian'
- 130 Many also at this day are possessed with this unG.o.dly fear; and you may know them by this,--they cannot abide conviction for sin, and if at any time the word of the law, by the preaching of the word, comes near them, they will not abide that preacher, n
- 131 Besides, the direct tendency of the fear that the Spirit of G.o.d, as a spirit of bondage, worketh in the soul, is to cause us to come repenting home to G.o.d by Jesus Christ, but these latter fears tend directly to make a man, he having first denied the
- 132 Answ. 1. By giving the lie, and by prevailing with us to give it too, to the work of grace wrought in our hearts, and to the testimony of the Holy Spirit of adoption. Or, 2. By abusing of our ignorance of the everlasting love of G.o.d to his in Christ, an
- 133 Eleventh. This grace of fear also flows from a sense of the impartial judgment of G.o.d upon men according to their works. This also is manifest from the text mentioned above. And give unto every man according to his works or ways, "that they may fea
- 134 power or subtlety, but will take it upon himself to be thy teacher and thy guide, and that in the way that thou hast chosen. Hear, then, and behold thy privilege, O thou that fearest the Lord; and whoever wanders, turns aside, and swerveth from the way of
- 135 [USE FIRST, of Examination.]FIRST USE shall be a USE OF EXAMINATION. Is this fear of G.o.d such an excellent thing? Is it attended with so many blessed privileges?Then this should put us, every soul of us, upon a diligent examination of ourselves, to wit,
- 136 First. Let G.o.d's distinguis.h.i.+ng love to you be a motive to you to fear him greatly. He hath put his fear in thy heart, and hath not given that blessing to thy neighbour; perhaps not to thy husband, thy wife, thy child, or thy parent. O what an
- 137 Seventh. Wouldest thou grow in this grace of fear? then keep always close to thy conscience the authority of the Word; fear the commandment as the commandment of a G.o.d both mighty and glorious, and as the commandment of a father, both loving and pitiful
- 138 A word to hypocrites.Hypocrites, my last word is to you; the hypocrite is one that would appear to be that in men's eyes that is nothing of in G.o.d's--thou hypocrite, that wouldest be esteemed to be one that loves and that fears G.o.d, but does
- 139 "The third o' the' world is yours, which with a snaffle, You may pace easy, but not such a wise."Antony and Cleopatra.--Ed.[28] How familiar but striking an ill.u.s.tration. Reader, look well to the mainspring, and see also that the wh
- 140 First, If thou dost get off thy convictions, and not the right way (which is by seeing thy sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ), it is a question whether ever G.o.d will knock at thy heart again or no; but rather say, such an one "is joined
- 141 [Object.] But if any object and say, though the sins against the one be the sins against the other, and so in that they do agree, yet it doth not appear that the same is therefore the same Covenant of Works with the other.Answ. That which was given to Ada
- 142 1. Therefore, they that are under the law, they are in a sad condition, because they are under that which is more ready, through our infirmity, to curse than to bless; they are under that called the ministration of condemnation, that is, they are under th
- 143 (Matt 27:3).3. Men may not only be convinced, and also repent for their sins, but they may also desire the prayers of the children of G.o.d for them too, and yet be under this covenant and curse, "Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, in haste, an
- 144 Answ. Though this be true, yet the conditional promises in the New Testament do not call to the same people in the same state of unregeneracy to fulfill them upon the same conditions.The Law and the Gospel being two distinct covenants, they are made in di
- 145 3. The choice was also made then, even before man had a being in this world, as it is evident where he saith, "Blessed be the G.o.d and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places IN Christ: ac
- 146 Second. As to the manner of it [The offering of the types, and so answerable thereto, to show the fitness of the sacrifice of the body of Christ]--1. The sacrifice, before it was offered, was to have all the sins of the children of Israel confessed over i
- 147 2. Their qualifications were in them in a very scanty way; but Jesus was every way qualified in an infinite and full way.3. They were consecrated but for a time, but He for evermore (Heb 7:23,24).4. They were made without an oath, but He with an oath (Ver
- 148 Object. But is it possible that He should so soon give infinite justice a satisfaction, a complete satisfaction? for the eternal G.o.d doth require an eternal lying under the curse, to the end He may be eternally satisfied.Answ. Indeed, that which is infi
- 149 6. There is a faith that is called in Scripture a dead faith, the faith of devils, or of the devil; they also that have only this, they are like the devil, and as sure to be d.a.m.ned as he, notwithstanding their faith, if they get no better into their he
- 150 (Rom 3:24). As if G.o.d had said, Sinner, thou thinkest because that thou hast had so many infirmities and weaknesses in thy soul while thou hast been professing of Me, therefore now there can be no hopes of mercy; but be it known unto thee, that it was n
- 151 4. They that are in this covenant are in a very happy state; for though there be several conditions in the Gospel to be done, yet Christ Jesus doth not look that they should be done by man, as man, but by His own Spirit in them, as it is written, "Th
- 152 Second. In the next place, you know I told you that a man might go a great way in a profession, and have many excellent gifts, [Second use]. so as to do many wondrous works, and yet be but under the Law; from hence you may learn not to judge yourselves to
- 153 There is a great difference between their dispensation and ours for comfort, even as much as there is between the making of a bond with a promise to seal it, and the sealing of the same. It was made indeed in their time, but it was not sealed until the ti
- 154 1. Because they sin against the manifest light of the Spirit, as I said before; it is a sin against the light of the Spirit--that is, they have been formerly enlightened into the nature of the Gospel and the merits of the Man Christ, and His blood, righte
- 155 Answ. I answer, it may be it is thy mercy that thou art sensible of infirmities in thy best things thou doest; ay, a greater mercy than thou art aware of.Quest. Can it me a mercy for me to be troubled with my corruptions?Can it be a privilege for me to be
- 156 FOOTNOTES: 1. Cruden.2. Pilgrim's Progress.Israel's Hope Encouraged; 'Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.'--Psalms 130:7 This Psalm is said to be one of 'the Psalms
- 157 Answ. 1. You must look well to your faith, that that may prosper, for as your faith is, such your hope will be. Hope is never ill when faith is well; nor strong if faith be weak. Wherefore Paul prays that the Romans might be filled 'with all joy and
- 158 [THIRD. Inferences from the exhortation.]Now we come to those inferences that do naturally flow from this exhortation, and they are in number four.First. That hope and the exercise of it, is as necessary in its place, as faith, and the exercise of it. All
- 159 Indeed mercy, the best of mercies, are little worth to a self-righteous man, or a sinner fast asleep; we must not, therefore, make our esteems of mercy according to the judgment of the secure and heedless man, but according to the verdict of the Word; nay
- 160 Third. A third thing that I infer from these words is, What a loving G.o.d has Israel! 'Truly G.o.d is good to Israel. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.' A loving G.o.d, that should take this care of him, and bestow so many mercies upon him.
- 161 This is a way that G.o.d, nor any child of his, need be ashamed of before any that shall call in question the legality and justice of this procedure. For why may not G.o.d be merciful, and why may not G.o.d be just? And since he can be both merciful and j
- 162 They will have him to be a Saviour, but it must not be by fulfilling of the law for us; but it must not be by the putting of his glorious righteousness, that which he performed by subjecting himself to the law, on our behalf, upon us; but it must not be b
- 163 [20] See 2 Samuel 2:23, 3:27. To smite under the fifth rib is to give a mortal blow.--Ed.[21] Human laws we must obey, unless they infringe upon the prerogative of G.o.d and upon conscience; to such we must refuse obedience, and count it an honour to suff
- 164 2. Sometimes there is a sweet sense of mercy received; encouraging, comforting, strengthening, enlivening, enlightening mercy, &c.Thus David pours out his soul, to bless, and praise, and admire the great G.o.d for his loving-kindness to such poor vile wre
- 165 O! the starting-holes that the heart hath in the time of prayer; none knows how many bye-ways the heart hath, and back-lanes, to slip away from the presence of G.o.d. How much pride also, if enabled with expressions. How much hypocrisy, if before others.
- 166 Answ. Yes.1. Let every soul that would be saved pour out itself to G.o.d, though it cannot through temptation conclude itself a child of G.o.d. And, 2. I know if the grace of G.o.d be in thee, it will be as natural to thee to groan out thy condition, as i
- 167 FOOTNOTES: 1 Dr. Watt's Guide to Prayer.2 Vol iii., p. 346.3 Vol iii., p. 298.4Pilgrimage of Perfection, 4to, 1526, vol. iii., p. 9.5 Effectual fervent prayer is wrought in the heart by the Holy Ghost, and those objects for which HE inclines the soul
- 168 [What is to be inferred from the term 'throne of grace.']Second. We will in the next place show what is to be inferred from hence. And, 1. To be sure this is inferred, that converted men are not every way, or in every sense, free from the being
- 169 Again, as the grace that we here read of is said, as it comes from this throne, to come as a river of water of life; so it is said to be pure and clear as crystal. Pure is set in opposition to muddy and dirty waters, and clear is set in opposition to thos
- 170 Now, believing is to be according to the sound of the beginning of the gospel, which presenteth us, not first with Christ as ascended, but as Christ dying, buried, and risen.[16] 'For I delivered unto you first of all, that which I also received; how
- 171 (Heb 4:14). Such an high priest as is 'made higher than the heavens'(Heb 7:26). And why doth he thus dilate upon the dignity of his person, but because thereby is insinuated the excellency of his sacrifice, and the prevalency of his intercession
- 172 3. But again, a third thing that was to precede the execution of the second part of this his priestly office was, the manner and order of his going into the holiest; I say, the manner and order of his going. He was to go thither in that robe of which ment
- 173 3. Another needy time is a time when men are low and empty, as to worldly good; this time is full of temptations and snares. At this time, men will, if they look not well to their doings and goings, be tempted to strain curtesies both with conscience and
- 174 1. How many thousands rush into the presence of G.o.d with unholy, thoughtless familiarity, by repeating the form called the Lord's prayer. His infinite holiness should make us tremblingly apply to his throne of grace. In the name of the Redeemer, an
- 175 SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT.BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD.WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN L
- 176 But mark the text, 'A broken and a contrite heart, O G.o.d, thou wilt not despise,' but rather accept; for not to despise is with G.o.d to esteem and set a high price upon.[II. THE DOCTRINE, a.s.sERTION, DEMONSTRATION, AND CONCLUSION, THAT A BRO
- 177 2. But when seconded by mighty power, then the same Word is as the roaring of a lion, as the piercing of a sword, as a burning fire in the bones, as thunder and as a hammer that dashes all to pieces (Jer 25:30; Amos 1:2, 3:8; Acts 2:37; Jer 20:9; Psa 29:3
- 178 4. Now he is, in his own eyes, the greatest fool in nature; for that he sees he has been so mistaken in his ways, and has not yet but little, if any true knowledge of G.o.d. Every one now, says he, have more knowledge of G.o.d than I; every one serves him
- 179 Nor is there any thing that will prevail with these to the saving of their souls, until their hearts are broken. David, after he had defiled Bathsheba, and slain her husband, yet boasted himself in his justice and holiness, and would by all means have the
- 180 Now, this cannot but be an excellent thing, if we consider, that by such a heart, unfeigned obedience is yielded unto him that calleth for it. 'Ye have obeyed from the heart,' says Paul to them at Rome, 'that form of doctrine which was deli
- 181 [Second]--to the Directions.1. Labour after a deep knowledge of G.o.d to keep it warm upon thy heart; knowledge of his presence, that is everywhere. 'Do not I fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord?' (Jer 23:24). (1.) Knowledge of his piercing ey
- 182 USE SIXTH. Lastly, If a broken heart be a thing of so great esteem with G.o.d as has been said, and if duties cannot be rightly performed by a heart that has not been broken, then this shows the vanity of those peoples' minds, and also the invalidity
- 183 [17] These frightful exhibitions, by drawing a criminal from Newgate to Tyburn to be executed, were of common occurrence until the reign of George III, when such numbers were put to death that it was found handier for the wholesale butchery to take place
- 184 3. Learn also in this to be confident, that thy sufferings have their sound and a voice before G.o.d and men. First, Before G.o.d, to provoke him to vengeance, 'when he maketh inquisition for blood'(Psa 9:12; Gen 4:9-11). The blood of Abel cried
- 185 2. A continual remembrance that to every day thou hast thy work allotted thee; and that sufficient for that day are the evils that attend thee (Matt 6:34). This remembrance set Paul upon his watch daily; made him die to himself and this world daily, and p
- 186 6. The man that is tender of G.o.d's glory in this world, still ruling and governing his affairs by the Word, and desirous to be faithful to the work and employment that G.o.d hath appointed him to do for his name; that man shall still be let into th
- 187 'Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are, While on his breast I lean my head, And breath my life out sweetly there.'--Dr. Watts.THE DESIRE OF THE RIGHTEOUS GRANTED; OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES.ADVERTIs.e
- 188 FOURTH. The righteous man therefore in the text is, and ought to be, thus described: 1. He is one whom G.o.d makes righteous, by reckoning him so. 2. He is one that G.o.d makes righteous, by possessing of him with a principle of righteousness. 3. He is on
- 189 (1.) He is taken sometimes as to or for his best part, or as he is a second creation, as these scriptures declare: 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature,--all things are become new' (2 Cor 5:17). 'Created in Christ Jesus' (Eph
- 190 Christ made himself known to them in breaking of bread; who, who would not then, that loves to know him, be present at such an ordinance? (Luke 24:35). Ofttimes the Holy Ghost, in the comfortable influence of it, has accompanied the baptized in the very a
- 191 But now, desires, desires that are right, will carry a man quite away to G.o.d, and to do his will, let the work be never so hard.Take an instance or two for this.You may see it in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The text says plainly, they were not mindful of
- 192 There are four things that are unlawful to be desired. To desire the life of thine enemy is unlawful (1 Kings 3:11; Deut 5:21). To desire anything that is thy neighbour's is unlawful. To desire to share in the prosperity of the wicked is unlawful (Ps
- 193 [18] It is not usual to call the rich young man a hypocrite. To outward appearance he was in earnest. Negatively, he had kept the commandments. Now he is required to perform positive duties, and to live by faith. Here the mask falls off, and he concludes
- 194 The Works of John Bunyan.Volume 2.by John Bunyan.THE SAINTS' KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST'S LOVE; OR, THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST.BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR.This treatise is one of those ten distinct works, which the author had
- 195 I will add one word more, notwithstanding there is such a revelation of Him in his word, in the book of creatures, and in the book of providences; yet the scripture says, "Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him?&quo
- 196 But this is not all. He did not only die, but died such a death, as indeed cannot be expressed. He was content to be counted the sinner: yea, to be counted the sin of the sinner, nor could this but be odious to so holy a Lamb as he was, yet willing to be
- 197 1. Before we can know this love of Christ, as afore, we must necessarily know the nature of sin, that is, what sin is, what sin is in itself. But no man knows the nature of sin to the full; not what sin in itself is to the full. The Apostle saith, "T
- 198 (4.) They, it may fairly be presumed, had they been taken, and we left, and made partakers in our sted, while we had been shut out, as they are, would not have put Christ so to it, now in heaven (pray bear with the expression, because I want a better) as
- 199 Full of joy unspeakable, and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).Full of joy (1 John 1:4).Full of good works (Acts 11:36).Being filled with the knowledge of his will (Col 1:9).Being filled with the spirit (Eph 5:18).Filled with the fruits of righteousness, which
- 200 13 "Improving," not in quality but by extending the benefits, employing to good purpose; turning to profitable account.--Ed.14 How delightfully has Bunyan brought forth the marrow of this important text. He felt that those who were filled with a