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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
- 201 1. Take heed of over-looking, or of shutting your eyes upon your own guilt: 'He that covereth his sins, shall not prosper.' It is incident to some men, when they find repentance is far from them, to shut their eyes upon their own guilt, and to p
- 202 Nor are we without instances of this kind nearer home: who is now afraid of the act for burning of those that papists call heretics, since by the king and parliament, as by the finger of G.o.d, the life and soul is taken out of it. I bring this to shew yo
- 203 And hence we read that this city falls first in a tenth part thereof, even while nine parts remain yet standing: Nor doth this tenth part, notwithstanding the faith and faithful testimony of the two witnesses, quite fall, until they are slain, and also ra
- 204 The time of Pharaoh's tyranny, of his life, and of the deliverance of the children of Israel, came out much together; as any will discern that shall consider the history of them (Gen 15:13).David, when Saul did sorely prosecute him, fled last into th
- 205 Thus you see their death is before their deliverance. Also their death is to be by the hand of the beast; to wit by the men that have and hold his mark, and that of his image, and that are of the number of his name. You see also that their death is not on
- 206 2. When her enemies forbear to plead against her by argument, and rather betake themselves to blows (Matt 10:19).3. When the spirit of testimony-bearing is taken from the church; for that is not essential to Christianity, but is given and taken away as th
- 207 Be not angry with them, no, not in thy thought; but consider, if they go not on in the work of reformation so fast as thou wouldest they should, the fault may be thine; know that thou also hast thy cold and chill frames of heart, and sittest still when th
- 208 When G.o.d came from Egypt with his people, to set up his kingdom in Canaan, he cast out the heathen before them in order thereunto; 'Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it' (Psa 80:8). Wherefore, A
- 209 ADVERTIs.e.m.e.nT BY THE EDITOR.This very important treatise, judging from the style in which it is written, was, probably, one of the first books composed by Bunyan.The form in which it is prepared, with minute divisions to a.s.sist the memory, and its c
- 210 Third. [The resurrection spoken of is a thing yet to come;] the resurrection here mentioned, is a resurrection to come, not already enjoyed, either by saints or sinners--"There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." N
- 211 Again, as to the manner of its change in its rising, this similitude also doth fitly suit; as, It is sown a dead corn; it is raised a living one. It is sown dry, and without comeliness; it riseth green and beautiful. It is sown a single corn; it riseth a
- 212 Now at the time of the Lord's coming, there will be found in the world alive both saints and sinners. As for the saints that then shall be found alive, they shall, so soon as all the saints are raised out of their graves, not die, but be changed, and
- 213 First then, those that shall be found in the day of their resurrection, when they shall have all their good things brought upon the stage; they I say, that then shall be found the people most laborious for G.o.d while here; they shall at that day enjoy th
- 214 Wherefore, so soon as ever they are risen out of their graves; they will feel a continual sinking under every remembrance of every sin, and thoughts of judgment; in their rising they fall--fall, I say, from thenceforth, and for ever. And for this reason t
- 215 Further, the inclination of thy heart towards fruitless and unprofitable creatures, doth fore-preach to thee, the inclination of the heart of G.o.d towards thee in the judgment. If thou hast either cow, or any other beast, that is now unprofitable to thee
- 216 Sometimes again, they think they are righteous, and so have not so much need; mark, and yet both alike rotten and base; because, as the last is altogether senseless, so the first is not at all savingly sensible (Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:11,12).Sometimes aga
- 217 And to that end doth pa.s.s the sentence of eternal death upon them, saying, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt 25:41). You are now by the book of the creatures, by the book of G.o.d&#
- 218 19 "Famously," plainly, openly; in this sense obsolete. Tillotson used the words "famous malefactors." Sermon on 1 John 4:9.--Ed.20 Bunyan here alludes to men convicted of crime; but how many innocent, nay, pious servants of Christ, ha
- 219 3. All men have not faith, this the Apostle witnesseth in so many words as we find (2 Thess 3:2; Deut 32:20). Also in Timothy 1:15 'Unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure,'&c. It appeareth also in this, that all do not attain
- 220 Thirdly, The more thou art rooted and set down from heaven in the faith of these truths of Christ, to believe fully the glorious reality of them, and their interest in them, the more heavenly peace and joy thou wilt have (1 Peter 1:7,8) and also thou wilt
- 221 The stubborn Jews also confessed the sceptre to be departed, when before Pontius Pilate a Roman governor of Judea, they cried out against Christ: 'We have no king but Cesar' (John 19:15).Nay farther, the Jews from that day to this, have been wit
- 222 13. Never was there any that could overcome death in his own power, but the true G.o.d (Hosea 13:14; 2 Tim 1:10; Heb 1:2). Jesus the Son of the Virgin Mary did overcome death by himself (Heb 3:14).Therefore he is the true G.o.d as well as man.14. He that
- 223 I. That the Son of Mary is very G.o.d.II. That he made the world.III. That he is our Saviour, and how.IV. That he died for sinners, and how, namely, not in his divine nature, but in his human, in his own body, and in his own flesh (Col 1:22) redeeming his
- 224 Yes, for the scripture saith, 'There is one G.o.d, and one mediator between G.o.d and men, the man Christ Jesus' (1 Tim 2:5). And in that 8th to the Hebrews made mention of before; where the Apostle is speaking of Christ's priestly office,
- 225 (4.) Art thou born again? Then thou canst not be quiet till thou seest G.o.d smile, and lift up the light of his countenance upon thee (2 Cor 4:6; Psa 4:6) and that through the face of the Son of Mary, the Son of G.o.d.(5.) Thou knowest that G.o.d hath gi
- 226 Quest. How do men come by this righteousness and everlasting life?Ans. By faith men lay hold upon it, and apply it to their own souls in particular (Gal 2:20). For it is by faith they are justified, as also saith the scripture (Rom 5:1). That his faith la
- 227 2. What is the church of G.o.d redeemed by, from the curse of the law? Is it by something that is done within them, or by something done without them? If thou answer, it is redeemed from the curse of the law by something that worketh in them; then I ask,
- 228 Yet the substance of my discourse then published by me, standeth uncontrolled by scripture, as from him or others. I do not say he doth not wrangle with them, but I say, he doth not by any one plain scripture contradict them. As for instance: 1. The first
- 229 and is not the Spirit, as some do think it is. This creature hath one faculty of its own nature, called conscience, which hath its place in the soul, where it is as a judge to discern of things good or bad, and judge them accordingly, as the apostle saith
- 230 Again thou sayest, thou deniest those that say, "That light which every one hath as he comes into the world, is conscience; though some call it Christ falsely." Answ. Friend, What wilt thou have it called; Christ. No, if not conscience, then cal
- 231 2. You say that Christ is crucified within, dead within risen and ascended within; which also you have no word of scripture to prove.3. Your society affirm, that the coming of the Spirit into the hearts of believers do plainly hold forth, that the coming
- 232 Ha Friend? I had thought thou hadst not been so much hardened; art thou not ashamed thus to slight the death of the Man Chris Jesus on the cross; and reckon it not effectually for salvation, but sayest, the church is redeemed by Christ Jesus which is reve
- 233 Again, every one that is, or shall be saved, must, and shall have the Spirit of Christ within them; yet doth it not follow, that to preach Christ (only) within, is the only doctrine of salvation. For then also the preaching of the blood of Christ shed on
- 234 Now these things are nothing else but conscience, nature, or the law, for a natural man hath nothing else that dwelleth within him to convince him of sin; only these things have a new name put upon them. And poor creatures hearing the name Christ, being i
- 235 First, To the PERSONS in the text.Secondly, To the CONDITION of the persons in the text.Thirdly, To the CONCLUSION that Christ makes upon them both.First, For the PERSONS. They were, as you see, far one from another in their own apprehension of themselves
- 236 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, G.o.d, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican.
- 237 (Luke 16:15) That is, that conversion, that men, as men, flatter themselves that they have, is such. But the Pharisee will be a converted man, he will have more to shew for heaven than his neighbour, "I am not as other men are"; to wit, in a sta
- 238 [FIRST MERCY.] If mercy, what mercy? Temporal things G.o.d giveth to the unthankful and unholy; nor doth he use to SELL the world to man for righteousness. The earth hath he GIVEN to the children of men. But this is not the thing; thou wouldest have etern
- 239 But what aileth the Pharisee? Doth the poor Publican stand to vex thee? Doth he touch thee with is dirty garments; or doth he annoy thee with his stinking breath? Doth his posture of standing so like a man condemned offend thee? True, he now standeth with
- 240 A great saying, I promise you. I doubt this is more than our glorious just.i.tiaries can say, except they say and lie. Well, but yet, "I am not hereby justified." (1 Cor 4:4, Phil 3:7) Nor will I dare to venture the eternal salvation of my soul
- 241 Christ then did not fulfil the law for himself, for he had no need thereof. Christ again did fulfil the law for himself, for he had need of the righteousness thereof; he had need thereof for the covering of his body, and the several members thereof; for t
- 242 So that the question is not, Do I find that I am righteous? But am I so? Doth G.o.d find me so, when he seeth that the righteousness of his Son is upon me, being made over to me by an act of his grace?For I am justified freely by his grace, through the re
- 243 "For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to G.o.d by the death of his Son," &c. (Rom 5:6,8,10) Out of these words I gather these three things.1. That Christ by G.o.d's appointment died for us.2. That by his death he reconciled us to
- 244 Suppose a man sick of an apoplexy unto death, and should for his remedy make use only of those things that are good against the second ague, would not this demonstrate that this man was not sensible of the nature and danger of this disease. The same may b
- 245 Second. The second thing that we made mention of in the Publican's prayer was, an imploring of help against this malady; G.o.d BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER. In which pet.i.tion I shall take notice of several things.I. That a man's help against sin
- 246 And the third is, because of the infinite distance that is betwixt G.o.d and us, which is intimated by those words, "For G.o.d is in heaven, and thou upon earth."The Publican therefore shewed great wisdom, holy shame, and humility, in this brave
- 247 2. Smiting upon the breast is sometimes a token of indignation and abhorrence of something thought upon. I read in Luke, that when Christ was crucified, those spectators that stood to behold the barbarous usage that he endured at the hands of his enemies,
- 248 19 Sin-sick souls alone seek the Great Physician, and are the proper subjects of Christ's healing power. Pride and unbelief bar the door of mercy and grace; and if not subdued by the blood of the cross, will ruin the soul.--Ryland.20 "Thou art b
- 249 Bunyan's views of the kingly office of Christ are very striking: not only is he king over the church requiring personal obedience, but over the universe for the benefit of believers. 'Christ is as well a Lord for us, as to, or over us; and it hi
- 250 Ans. If, as was said before, there is no soundness of soul in man, as man, and no such thing as a purity of our nature, abstract from that which is sin; then where shall we find so healthful a complexion, or temperature of soul, as to maintain in life and
- 251 Third, The righteousness you have described, cannot be that which justifieth us before G.o.d, because of its imperfections, and that both with respect to the principle, and the power with which it is managed: for though you have talked of a sound complexi
- 252 (p. 7). Then, in p. 9 he tells you what these positive precepts under the gospel, or things indifferent, are: 'THAT of going to G.o.d by Christ, is one; and the other two, are the inst.i.tutions of baptism, and the Lord's supper.' Such ther
- 253 Answer. 1. This makes nothing for the holiness which we lost in Adam: for the proof of which you bring that text (Acts 5:31).2. But for Christ to take way guilt, and the curse, from before the face of G.o.d, is one thing; and to make that discovery, is an
- 254 That which is the dictates of his human nature, &c.] and in keeping our consciences void of offence, both towards G.o.d and towards men, and in studying the gospel to enable us, not to discourse, or only to believe, but also and above all things to do wel
- 255 First, you say, It is not possible a wicked man should have G.o.d's pardon (p. 119,130).Secondly, You suppose it to be impossible for Christ's righteousness to be imputed to an unrighteous man (p. 120).Ans. To both which, a little briefly; G.o.d
- 256 1. That when Christ was sent, it was to shew us upon what terms G.o.d was reconcilable to us, viz. By laying 'before us all the parts of that holiness, which is necessary to restore our natures to his own likeness;--and most pathetically, moreover to
- 257 But you add, 'The faith which ent.i.tles a sinner to so high a privilege as that of justification, must needs be such as complieth with all the purposes of Christ's coming into the world,' &c. (p.222).Ans. By this supposition, faith justifi
- 258 But I pa.s.s this, and come to the twentieth chapter, which is to learn us by what measure and standard we are to judge of doctrines; and that is by the design of Christianity as stated, you must know, by Mr. Fowler. Wherefore it will be requisite here ag
- 259 So that to be tender of conscience, especially in things of divine wors.h.i.+p, binding up the soul to the words of the everlasting testament, in such things especially, as a fool can call little, and insignificant trivial matters, rendereth a man such an
- 260 2. 'We have joy and peace through believing' (Rom 15:13).3. 'a.s.surance comes also through believing' (John 6:69; Heb 10:22).4. Yea, and the sealings up to eternal life; 'In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with t
- 261 Your book, Sir, is begun in ignorance, managed with error, and ended in blasphemy.Now the G.o.d of glory, if it may stand with his glory, give you a sight of your sins, against the Son of G.o.d, that you may, as Saul, lie trembling, and being astonished,
- 262 5. Penn (p. 25 [p. 21 ed. 1684]), 'Since therefore there can be no admittance had, without performing that righteous will, and doing those holy, and perfect sayings; alas! to what value will an imputative righteousness amount?' &c.Fowler (p. 16)
- 263 34. Fowler's picture of the want of uniformity in the preachers of his sect, all being under the 'Act of Uniformity,' is very amusing and instructive!!--Ed.35. Undoubtedly so; because the good works of a man who is under the influence and p
- 264 First, Reprobation is before the person cometh into the world, or hath done good or evil: This is evident by that of Paul to the Romans: 'For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of G.o.d according t
- 265 Ans. That G.o.d hath ordained (Jude 4), the d.a.m.nation of some of his creatures, it is evident; but whether this his determination be positive and absolute, there is the question: for the better understanding whereof, I shall open unto you the variety o
- 266 But again, to come yet more close to the point: the reprobate quarrels with G.o.d, because he hath not elected him; well, but is not G.o.d the master of his own love? And is not his will the only rule of his mercy? And may he not, without he give offence
- 267 1. Lieth not in reprobation, the elect themselves being as much unable to receive it as the other.2. Neither is it because the reprobate is excluded in the tender, for that is universal.3. Neither is it because there wanteth arguments in the tenders of th
- 268 THIRD REASON.--G.o.d may will and command that his gospel, and so the grace thereof, be tendered to those that shall never be saved, (besides what hath been said) to shew to all spectators what an enemy sin, being once embraced, is to the salvation of man
- 269 They will then find that an hearty affectionate trusting in Christ for all his salvation, as freely promised to us, hath naturally enough in it to work in our souls a natural bent and inclination to, and ability for, the practice of all holiness.--Ryland
- 270 Besides, to grant this, is to run into a grievous error; for this doth not only make the law of nature the first of prophets, contrary to Genesis 3:10 compared with John 1:1 but it seems to make the will of G.o.d, made known by revelation, a needless thin
- 271 The seventh day sabbath therefore was not from paradise, nor from nature, nor from the fathers, but from t he wilderness, and from Sinai.QUESTION III.Whether when the seventh day sabbath was given to Israel in the wilderness the Gentiles, as such, was con
- 272 And in that ministration it is that this seventh day sabbath is found.But shall we think that the apostle speaks any thing of all here said, to wean saints off from the law of nature, as such! No verily, that he retains in the church, as being managed the
- 273 Fourth, The psalmist speaks of a day that the Lord Jehovah, the Son of G.o.d, has made; and saith, 'we will rejoice and be glad in it.' But what day is this? Why the day in which Christ was made the 'head of the corner,' which must be
- 274 Now what another signal [applause] was here put upon the first day of the week! The day in which our Lord rose from the dead, a.s.sembled with his disciples, poured out so abundantly of the Spirit, and gathered even by the first draught that his fishermen
- 275 But when the consciences of good men are captivated with an error, none can stop them from a prosecution thereof, as if were itself of the best of truths.Obj. But Paul preached frequently on the old sabbath, and that after the resurrection of Christ.Ans.
- 276 1. The first day of the week! Why it was the day of our life. 'After two days he will revive us,' and in the third day 'we shall live in his sight.' 'After two days' there is the Jews' preparation, and seventh day sabbat
- 277 I told you also in the epistle, that if the fifth commandment was the first that was with promise; then it follows, that the fourth, or that seventh day sabbath, had no promise entailed to it. Whence it follows, that where you read in the prophet of a pro
- 278 The reason why I say a young, or shaken Christian; it is because some that are not young, but of an ancient standing, may not only be a.s.saulted with violent temptations, concerning gospel principles, but a second time may become a child, a babe, a shall
- 279 Whoe'er thou art that shall peruse this book, This may inform thee, when I undertook To write these lines, it was not my design To publish this imperfect work of mine: Composed only for diversion's sake.But being inclin'd to think thou may&
- 280 THE HISTORY OF SAMSON JUDGES, CHAP. XIII.When Israel's sins th' Almighty did provoke, To make them subject to Philistine yoke For forty years: in Zorah dwelt a man, His name Manoah, of the tribe of Dan; His wife was barren, unto whom appeared Th
- 281 MATTHEW, CHAP. V.And Jesus, seeing the mult.i.tudes, ascended Up to a mount, where sitting, and attended By his disciples, he began to preach; And on this manner following did them teach.Blessed are all such as are poor in spirit, For they the heavenly ki
- 282 Now unto Jonah, old Amittai's son, Thus did the word of the Almighty come, And said, Arise, go thou forthwith and cry 'Gainst that great city Nineveh; for why, The sins thereof are come up in my sight.But he arose, that he to Tars.h.i.+sh might
- 283 The prison-keeper took no care at all, Of ought that he entrusted him withal; Because he saw that G.o.d was with him, and All things did prosper that he took in hand.CHAP. XL.And now, whilst Joseph in confinement lay, It came to pa.s.s upon a certain day,
- 284 Peace, peace, said he, let not fear seize upon you For I had the disposing of your money: G.o.d, unto whom you and your father bow, Hath giv'n you treasure in your sacks I trow.And then releasing Simon, who had been Confin'd in Joseph's hou
- 285 CHAP. XLVIII.And now when Joseph heard his father lay Even at the point of death he hastes away To visit him, and took along with him His son Mana.s.seh, and's son Ephraim.Whereof when Jacob heard he strength'ned Himself, and rose and sat upon t
- 286 Hearken, my brethren, hath not G.o.d elected The poor, who by this world have been rejected; Yet rich in faith, and of that kingdom heirs, Which G.o.d will give his foll'wers to be theirs?But you, my brethren, do the poor despise.Do not the rich men
- 287 'Dost thou love picking meat? Or would'st thou see A man i' th'clouds, and hear him speak to thee?'--Ed.8. A cover, a booth, bower, or hut made of the boughs of trees.--Ed.9. 'He owes,' a contraction for 'he owneth.
- 288 And of the Son he saith, and "when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of G.o.d wors.h.i.+p him" (Heb 1:6).Fourthly, The Father and Son have really these distinct, but heavenly, relative properties,
- 289 "And G.o.d saith, Let there be a firmament" (v 6).This firmament he calleth heaven (v 8). Now this firmament, or heaven, was to make a separation, or to divide between the waters and the waters (v 7); To separate, I say, the waters from the wate
- 290 "And G.o.d said, Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth; and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat" (Gen 1:29).These herbs and trees are types
- 291 Ver. 19. "And out of the ground the Lord G.o.d formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air."This proveth further what I said at first, That in the first chaos was contained all that was made upon the earth."And brought them u
- 292 Ver. 6. "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof," &c.This verse presents us with the use that Eve made of the reasoni
- 293 "Hast thou eaten of the tree?" That is, If thou hast been shewed thy nakedness, thou hast indeed sinned; for the voice of the Lord G.o.d will not charge guilt, but where and when a law hath been transgressed. G.o.d therefore, by these words, dri
- 294 Again, Let not the sorrows, crosses, and afflictions, that attend the G.o.dly in the things of this life, weaken their faith in the promise of grace, and forgiveness of sins; for such things may befal the dearest Christian.Ver. 18. "Thorns also and t
- 295 Answ. Not so: For though it be true among men, that the gift makes way for the acceptance of the person, yet in the order of grace it is after another manner; for if the person be not first accepted, the offering must be abominable; for it is not a good w
- 296 "Where is Abel thy brother?" This word, thy brother, must not be left out, because it doth greatly aggravate his wickedness. He slew "his brother"; which horrid act the very law and bond of nature forbiddeth. But when a man is given up
- 297 "And he builded a city," &c. Note, That it is the design of Satan, and the deceitful heart of man, to labour to quiet a guilty conscience, not by faith in the blood of Christ, but by over much business in the things of this world."And calle
- 298 "An hundred and thirty years." Behold the rage of h.e.l.l! For until Seth stood in Abel's place, religion was greatly hindered, and that was after the world had stood an hundred and thirty years. Indeed, Abel, while he had his breath, did h
- 299 These words [after he begat Methuselah] may have respect either to his beginning to walk with G.o.d, or to the number of the years that he lived after the birth of Methuselah, or both.If it respect the fist, then it sheweth that the only encouragement tha
- 300 "And when the sons of G.o.d came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men"; much like to the giants. The fruit therefore of unG.o.dly communion is monstrous, and of a very strange complexion. They