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
- 401 [200] The personification of Despair is one of the most instructive and beautiful portions of Bunyan's allegory. It appeals either to every man's experience, or to every man's sense of what may come upon him, on account of sin. It is at once, in some r
- 402 [242] O beware of a light trifling spirit and a wanton behaviour.It is often the forerunner of apostasy from G.o.d. It makes one tremble to hear those who profess to follow Christ in the regeneration, crying, What harm is there in this game and the other
- 403 [284] Not governed by the Word of G.o.d, but by his own will, his grounds of confidence for salvation unfitted him for Christian fellows.h.i.+p, unless he happened to fall in with a man who had imbibed his own notions-(ED).[285] The desire of Heaven-when
- 404 [327]A certificate, To show thou seest thyself most desolate; Writ by the Master, with repentance seal'd. To show also that here [by Christ] thou would'st be healed. And that thou dost abhor thee for thy ways, And would'st in holiness spend all thy day
- 405 Some things are of that nature, as to make One's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache.When Jacob saw his Rachel with the sheep, He did at the same time both kiss and weep.Whereas some say, A cloud is in his head, That doth but show how wisdom's cove
- 406 Then said she to her children, Sons, we are all undone. I have sinned away your father, and he is gone; he would have had us with him, but I would not go myself. I also have hindered you of life.[16]With that the boys fell all into tears, and cried out to
- 407 And let Him gather them of mine, That I have left behind; Lord, make them pray they may be Thine, With all their heart and mind.[41]Now my old friend proceeded, and said: But when Christiana came up to the Slough of Despond, she began to be at a stand; fo
- 408 Now, they being, as I said, not far from the gate in at which they came, their voice was heard from where they were, thither; wherefore some of the house came out, and knowing that it was Christiana's tongue, they made haste to her relief. But by that th
- 409 If the life that is attended with so many troubles, is so loath to be let go by us, what is the life above?Everybody will cry up the goodness of men; but who is there that is, as he should, affected with the goodness of G.o.d?We seldom sit down to meat, b
- 410 MERCY. But could they persuade any to be of their opinion?GREAT-HEART. Yes; they turned several out of the way. There was Slow-pace that they persuaded to do as they. They also prevailed with one Short-wind, with one No-heart, with one Linger-after-l.u.s.
- 411 MERCY. Hark! Don't you hear a noise?CHRIST. Yes; it is, as I believe, a noise of music, for joy that we are here.[132]MERCY. Wonderful! music in the house, music in the heart, and music also in Heaven, for joy that we are here![133] Thus they talked a wh
- 412 PRUD. I ask, then, if there were ever anything that had a being antecedent to, or before G.o.d?MATT. No; for G.o.d is eternal; nor is there anything excepting Himself, that had a being until the beginning of the first day.'For in six days the Lord made H
- 413 MATT. Why do the springs come from the sea to us, through the earth?PRUD. To show that the grace of G.o.d comes to us through the body of Christ.MATT. Why do some of the springs rise out of the tops of high hills?PRUD. To show that the spirit of grace sha
- 414 Now they were come to the place where the afore-mentioned battle was fought. Then said the guide to Christiana, her children, and Mercy, This is the place, on this ground Christian stood, and up there came Apollyon against him. And look, did not I tell yo
- 415 GREAT-HEART. I believe it, father Honest, I believe it; for I know the thing is true.Then the old gentleman saluted all the Pilgrims with a holy kiss of charity; and asked them of their names, and how they had fared since they set out on their pilgrimage.
- 416 HON. Why, he said he had the Scripture for his warrant.GREAT-HEART. Prithee, Mr. Honest, present us with a few particulars.HON. So I will. He said, To have to do with other men's wives, had been practised by David, G.o.d's beloved; and therefore he coul
- 417 Apples were they with which we were beguil'd Yet sin, not apples, hath our souls defil'd.Apples forbid, if eat, corrupt the blood; To eat such, when commanded, does us good.Drink of His flagons, then, thou church, His dove, And eat His apples, who are s
- 418 What, one would think, doth seek to slay outright, Ofttimes delivers from the saddest plight.That very providence, whose face is death, Doth ofttimes to the lowly life bequeath.I taken was, he did escape and flee; Hands cross'd gives death to him, and li
- 419 CONTRITE. You may be sure we are full of hurry in fair-time. It is hard keeping our hearts and spirits in any good order, when we are in a c.u.mbered condition. He that lives in such a place as this is, and that has to do with such as we have, has need of
- 420 When these men had thus bravely showed themselves against Doubting Castle, and had slain Giant Despair, they went forward; and went on till they came to the Delectable Mountains, where Christian and Hopeful refreshed themselves with the varieties of the p
- 421 VALIANT. It glads me at heart. Good man! how joyful will he be when he shall see them that would not go with him, yet to enter after him in at the gates into the City!GREAT-HEART. Without doubt it will be a comfort to him; for, next to the joy of seeing h
- 422 Then the Pilgrims desired, with trembling, to go forward; only they prayed their guide to strike a light, that they might go the rest of their way by the help of the light, of a lantern.[306] So he struck a light, and they went by the help of that through
- 423 12:3).Then Mr. Feeble-mind called for his friends, and told them what errand had been brought unto him, and what token he had received of the truth of the message. Then he said, Since I have nothing to bequeath to any, to what purpose should I make a will
- 424 [23] As the Spirit testifies of Christ, so He leads the soul to Christ, that He may be the sinner's only hope, righteousness, and strength.Thus He glorifies Christ--(Mason).But bring thou with thee a certificate, To show thou seest thyself most desolate;
- 425 [64] When the soul is happy in the love of G.o.d, it is ready to conclude that dangers are past, that doubts and fears are entirely removed; but as long as we are in this world, we shall find the expediency of our Lord's exhortation--'Watch and pray.'-
- 426 [98] Here Bunyan gives a very clear and distinct account of that righteousness of Christ, as Mediator, which He wrought out by His perfect obedience to the law of G.o.d for all His seed. And by this righteousness, and no other, are they fully justified fr
- 427 [139] When Christiana was admitted into the church, care was taken to inquire into the religious knowledge of her children. This is an important branch of ministerial and parental duty. The answers given by the children do their mother honour, and prove t
- 428 [175] Though this Valley of Humiliation, or a clear sight and abiding sense of the sinfulness of our nature, and the wickedness of our hearts, may be very terrifying to pilgrims, after they have been favoured with peace and joy, and comforted by the views
- 429 [219] Here is a very striking lesson for professors. Talk not of your great knowledge, rich experience, comfortable frames, and joyful feelings; all are vain and delusive, if the Gospel has not a holy influence upon your practice. On the other hand, be no
- 430 [263] This may refer to that n.o.ble band of eminent men who, in 1675, preached the morning exercises against Popery; among others were Owen, Manton, Baxter, Doolittle, Jenkyn, Poole, and many others. They were then, and ever will be, of great fame--(ED).
- 431 [297] Mark how the ready hands of death prepare; His bow is bent, and he hath notch'd his dart; He aims, he levels at thy slumb'ring heart.The wound is posting; O be wise, beware!What, has the voice of danger lost the art To raise the spirit of neglecte
- 432 [329] The view of the peaceful and joyful death of the pilgrims, cannot but affect every reader; and many, perhaps, may be ready to say, 'Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his'; but, except they make it their princ.i.p.a
- 433 At first sight, it may seem strange that the armies, both within and without the city, should be so numerous, as it is but one man who is the object of attack and defence--one human body, containing one immortal Mansoul; but if the reader reflects that ev
- 434 [CONTENTS:--The original beauty and splendour of the town of Mansoul, while under the dominion of Shaddai--Its n.o.ble castle described--Its five gates--The perfection of its inhabitants--The origin of Diabolus--His pride and fall--Revenge meditated--A co
- 435 So he sent for him, and talked with him of that secret matter that lay in his breast, but there needed not much persuasion in the case; for as at first he was willing that Diabolus should be let into the town, so now he was as willing to serve him there.
- 436 3. 'My sword is a tongue that is set on fire of h.e.l.l (Psa 57:4), and that can bend itself to speak evil of Shaddai, his Son, his ways, and people (Psa 64:3). Use this; it has been tried a thousand times twice told; whoever hath it, keeps it, and makes
- 437 rebellion--and thou hast already done more than this--then what follows but, cut it down? Nay, "After that thou shalt cut it down"(Luke 13:9). And dost thou think that these are but threatenings, or that our King has not power to execute his words? O Ma
- 438 UND. Then answered my Lord Understanding: 'It is even because that thou and thy master have carried it not rightly, and as you should, to the captains of Shaddai; for in three things you are faulty:--First, In that you would not let Mr. Conscience and my
- 439 Now, when the men of the town saw the mult.i.tude of the soldiers that were come up against the place, and the rams and slings, and the mounts on which they were planted, together with the glittering of the armour and the waving of their colours, they wer
- 440 'Well sir,' said Mr. Loth-to-stoop, 'I have one thing more to propound, and then I am got to the end of my commission. Suppose that when my master is gone from Mansoul, any that shall yet live in the town should have such business of high concerns to d
- 441 The townsmen also, so many of them as saw this sight, were as it were, while they looked, betwixt the earth and the heavens. True, they could not tell what would be the issue of things as to them, but all things were done in such excellent methods; and I
- 442 Alas for them, poor hearts! who could blame them, since their dead friends were come to life again? for it was to them as life from the dead, to see the ancients of the town of Mansoul s.h.i.+ne in such splendour. They looked for nothing but the axe and t
- 443 They only who reject the counsel and mercy of G.o.d, shut heaven's gates against their own souls, and rush upon Jehovah's buckler like Judas, or Spira, or like one of Bunyan's early friends, John Childs, who apostatized for fear of persecution, and per
- 444 Second, Because you know that though a man do run, yet if he do not overcome, or win, as well as run, what will he be the better for his running? He will get nothing. You know the man that runneth, he doth do it that he may win the prize; but if he doth n
- 445 G.o.d, he is for making of his a willing people to serve him; and the devil, he doth what he can to possess the will and affection of those that are his, with love to sin; and therefore when Christ comes close to the matter, indeed, saith he, 'Ye wil
- 446 [1] It was the commonly received opinion that, at the moment of death, the angels and devils strove to carry away the soul.If the dying man had received the consecrated wafer, the devils were scared at it, and lost their victim. Hence the prayer--'Fr
- 447 How vile is that sectarian spirit which in cold blood consigns all but its own sect to eternal misery. How strange the calculation of that Jewish Rabbi,[1] who, dooming to miserable and eternal slavery all but his own little party, gives to every Jew two
- 448 'And he carried me away,' &c. Mark, And he carried me [away] &c.As a man must have much of the Spirit that sees much of G.o.d, and his goodly matters; so he must be also carried away with it; he must by it be taken off from things carnal and ear
- 449 First. Therefore, at her returning, she shall not only have his grace upon her, but the very glory of his grace shall be seen upon her; the glory of pardoning grace shall now s.h.i.+ne in her own soul, and grace in the glory of it shall appear in all her
- 450 'And had twelve gates.' In that he saith twelve gates, he alludeth to the city of Jerusalem that was of old, which had just so many (Neh 3: 12:37-29); and are on purpose put into the number of twelve, to answer to the whole number of the elect o
- 451 [How we are to understand the word TWELVE.]'And in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.' This word twelve must be warily understood, or else the weak will be ready to stumble and take offence; wherefore, to prevent this, consider,
- 452 Thus you see the measure of the city, gates, and wall, and the effect of that; and thus you see also the measure of the portion for the city, with what it is: wherefore it remaineth that we see what is to be the effect of that also.'And he measured t
- 453 Truth shall appear in its old and mature colours, and as such shall be embraced, and lived and delighted in, both by Jews and Gentiles, as I have showed.But secondly, The twelve foundations that here you read of, they are the same with those twelve stones
- 454 There will not then be that backwardness to do good, and to receive G.o.d, as there is in these more dry and empty days of the gospel.As gold is pleasing to the covetous man and worldling, so shall the ways of G.o.d be to the saints and G.o.dly at that da
- 455 Thus, we see, that though in the first day of the gospel, the poor, the halt, the lame, and the blind are chief in the embracing of the tenders of grace, yet in the latter day thereof G.o.d will take hold of kings.'And the kings of the earth do bring
- 456 These words, 'pure' and 'clear,' and that as 'crystal,' they are added upon a double account. First, To show you that it is grace alone that saveth the sinner; and, Second, To show you that at this day the doctrine of this gr
- 457 Third, In that she is said to yield not only fruit, but all manner of fruit; and that not only one manner of fruit now, and another then, but all manner of fruit, and that every month; it argueth also that at this day Jerusalem shall have abundance of hea
- 458 19. There being no night there but perpetual day.-Ed.20. A 'gold angel' was an early English coin, valued at one-third of a pound, afterwards increased to ten s.h.i.+llings. The 'twenty-s.h.i.+lling piece' was the old sovereign. The co
- 459 Thy servant in the gospel, JOHN BUNYAN.Solomon's Temple Spiritualized 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fas.h.i.+on thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof,
- 460 For these carvings and inlayings, with all other beautifications, were types of the extraordinary gifts and graces of the apostles.Hence the apostle calls such gifts signs of apostles.h.i.+p (Rom 15:19; 2 Cor 12:12; Heb 2:4). For as the foundation stones
- 461 There was also upon these chapiters a net-work, or nets like unto chequer-work, which still added to their l.u.s.tre. These nets were they which shewed for what intent the apostolical office was ordained; namely, that by their preaching they might bring m
- 462 Hence they that show much love to saints are said to be rich (1 Tim 6:17-19). And hence charity is called a treasure, a treasure in the heavens (Luke 12:33,34). Love is a golden grace; let then the churches, as the porch of the temple was, be inlaid with
- 463 The door into the court, the door into the porch, the door into the temple, the door into the holiest, the door to the Father. But now we are at the door of the temple. (2.) And observe it, this door by Solomon was not measured as the door of the porch wa
- 464 'And for the house, he made windows of narrow lights' (1 Kings 6:4). There were windows of this house, windows for the chambers and windows round about (Eze 40:16,22-25,29,33,36). These windows were of several sizes, but all narrow, narrow witho
- 465 1. Of their fas.h.i.+on and their furniture, you may see (1 Kings 7:38).These lavers, as the molten sea, were vessels which contained water; but they were not of the same use with it. True, they were both to wash in; the sea to wash the wors.h.i.+ppers, b
- 466 3. These cakes or shew-bread were to have frankincense strewed upon them, as they stood upon the golden table, which was a type of the sweet perfumes of the sanctifications of the Holy Ghost; to which I think Paul alludes, when he says, 'The offering
- 467 There were also golden censers belonging to the temple, and they were either such as belonged to the sons of Levi in general, or that were for Aaron and his sons in special (Num 16:6,17,18).The censers of the Levites were a type of ours; but the censer of
- 468 Is it not in the four evangelists, the prophets, and epistles of the apostles? They therefore are the chargers and the ordinance of the supper; in these also are the trespa.s.s-offerings, with what is fried in pans, mystically prepared for the children of
- 469 LVII. Of the veil of the Temple.The veil of the temple was a hanging made of 'blue and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen,' and there were cherubims wrought thereon (Exo 26:31).1. This veil was one part.i.tion, betwixt the holy and most
- 470 4. The ark had the name of G.o.d put upon it; yea, it was called the strength of G.o.d, and his glory, though made of wood. And Christ is G.o.d both in name and nature, though made flesh; yea more, made to be sin for us (2 Sam 6:2; 1 Chron 13:6; 2 Chron 6
- 471 As there were chains on the pillars that stood before the porch of the temple, and in the first house; so, like unto them, there were chains in the holiest, here called the oracle. These chains were not chains in show, or as carved on wood, &c., but chain
- 472 (1.) 'Towards the mercy-seat.' They are desirous to see it, and how from hence, I say, mercy doth look towards us.(2.) 'They look one towards another,' to show that they agree to rejoice in the salvation of our souls (Luke 15:10).(3.)
- 473 [16] The line means the text. The marginal reading agrees with the puritan version 'overlayed.' Tyndale renders it, 'And he paved the house with precious stones goodly.' Coverdale, 'And overlayed the house with precious stones to
- 474 Third. If you add to these the different makes of the houses, it will sufficiently appear that they were not one. The house of the forest of Lebanon was built upon four rows of cedar pillars; but we read of no such pillars upon which the temple stood. The
- 475 It seems, therefore, that these four rows of pillars were they that were the more outside ones; that is, two rows on this side of the house and two rows also on that; and that those forty-five pillars, fifteen in a row, stood in three rows more inward, an
- 476 Thus the church, though in her weeds of widowhood, is become the desire of the eyes of the nations; for indeed her features are such, considering who is her head, where mostly to the eye beauty lies, that whoso sees but the utmost glimpse of her, is easil
- 477 Now let this also that has been said upon this head, be another argument to prove that the house of the forest of Lebanon was a type of the church in the wilderness.CHAPTER IX.OF THE VESSELS WHICH SOLOMON PUT IN THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON.Solomon
- 478 But was not this man, think you, a giant, a pillar in this house?Had he not also now hold of the s.h.i.+eld of faith? Yea, was he not now in the combat? And did he not behave himself valiantly? Was not his mind elevated a thousand degrees beyond sense, ca
- 479 The world know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of our G.o.d. Do you think that saints that dwell in the world, and that have more of the mind of G.o.d than the world, would, could so rejoice in G.o.d, in the cross, in tribulations and distresses
- 480 It extended under the Jewish or Levitical law, in its course pa.s.sing through the temple, issuing from under the threshold of G.o.d's house, revealed by types, and shadows, and an earthly priesthood, and then 'grace ran but slowly because Jesus
- 481 First. It is a deep river. It is a river that is not shallow, but deep, with an 'O the depth!' (Rom 11:33). 'I will make their waters deep, saith G.o.d' (Eze 32:14). And again, they 'have drunk of the deep waters' (Eze 34:18)
- 482 Now grace is upon the throne, reigns upon the throne, proceeds from the throne. A man may appeal from the law to the throne, from Moses to Christ, from him that spake on earth to him that speaks from heaven; but from heaven to earth, from Christ to Moses,
- 483 The great fear of the tempted is, that there is not so much grace in G.o.d, and that he is not so free of it as some scriptures seem to import. But this word PURE is levelled against such objections and objectors, for the destroying of their doubts, and t
- 484 FOURTH. By the characters that are given of this water of life, thou art capacitated to judge when a notion, a doctrine, an opinion, comes to thine ears, whether it is right, good, and wholesome, or how. This river is pure, is clear, is pure and clear as
- 485 Now 'they count it pleasure to riot in the daytime.' But what will they do when the axe is fetched out? (2 Peter 2:13,14).The tree whose fruit withereth is reckoned a tree without fruit, a tree twice dead, one that must be 'plucked up by th
- 486 And HE came and sought fruit thereon.When a man hath got a profession, and is crowded into the church and house of G.o.d, the question is not now, Hath he life, hath he right principles? but, Hath he fruit? HE came seeking fruit thereon.It mattereth not w
- 487 Barren fig-tree, what fruit hast thou? Hast thou fruit becoming the care of G.o.d, the protection of G.o.d, the wisdom of G.o.d, the patience and husbandry of G.o.d? It is the fruit of the vineyard that is either the shame or the praise of the husbandman.
- 488 Third. The c.u.mber-ground is a sucker; he draws away the heart and nourishment from the other trees. Were the c.u.mber ground cut down, the others would be more fruitful; he draws away that fatness of the ground to himself, that would make the others mor
- 489 Second. I shall instance Ishmael. Ishmael was a professor, was brought up in Abraham's family, and was circ.u.mcised at thirteen years of age (Gen 16:12, 17:25,26). But he was the son of the bond-woman, he brought not forth good fruit; he was a wild
- 490 After that thou shalt cut it down.Thus far we have treated of the barren fig-tree, or fruitless professor, with some signs to know him by; whereto is added also some signs of one who neither will nor can, by any means, be fruitful, but they must miserably
- 491 [20] This is referred to in the Pilgrim, at the Interpreter's house, by the representation of a man in an iron cage, who says, 'I cannot get out, O now I cannot!' The awful account of Spira's despair must have made a strong impression
- 492 4. I will propound again. Suppose that there was amongst us such a law, and such a magistrate to inflict the penalty, that for every open wickedness committed by thee, so much of thy flesh should with burning pincers be plucked from thy bones, wouldest th
- 493 ATTEN. Why, I trow, Mr. Goodman your neighbour is not dead. Indeed I did hear that he had been sick.WISE. No, no, it is not he. Had it been he, I could not but have been concerned, but yet not as I am concerned now. If he had died, I should only have been
- 494 ATTEN. But you said that he would also rob his father, methinks that was an unnatural thing.WISE. Natural or unnatural, all is one to a thief. Besides, you must think that he had likewise companions to whom he was, for the wickedness that he saw in them,
- 495 But what was this curse? Why, First, It was a wrong sentence past upon David; s.h.i.+mei called him b.l.o.o.d.y man, man of Belial, when he was not. Secondly, He sentenced him to the evil that at present was upon him for being a b.l.o.o.d.y man, that is,
- 496 WISE. He was so, and that which aggravates all was, this was his practice as soon as he was come to his master--he was as ready at all these things as if he had, before he came to his master, served an apprentices.h.i.+p to learn them.ATTEN. There could n
- 497 ATTEN. But what was that other villain addicted to; I mean young Badman's third companion.WISE. Uncleanness; I told you before, but it seems you forgot.ATTEN. Right, it was uncleanness. Uncleanness is also a filthy sin.WISE. It is so; and yet it is o
- 498 ATTEN. Well, but I wonder if young Badman's master knew him to be such a wretch, that he would suffer him in his house.WISE. They liked one another even as fire and water do. Young Badman's ways were odious to his master, and his master's w
- 499 ATTEN. That is true, but it doth not follow that if the father had done as I said, the son would have done as you suppose. But if he had done as you have supposed, what had he done worse than what he hath done already?WISE. He had done bad enough, that is
- 500 [HE THROWS OFF THE MASK AND CRUELLY TREATS HIS WIFE.]Now when he came home in this case, if his wife did but speak a work to him about where he had been and why he had so abused himself, though her words were spoken in never so much meekness and love, the