The Pilgrim S Progress And Grace Abounding To The Chief Of Sinners

Now available together in a single volume, these two classics were written by seventeenth-century England’s most famous prisoner of conscience, Baptist John Bunyan (1628-1688). Imprisoned for twelve years for his preaching, he wrote first a dramatic allegory of Christian life and followed it with the compelling story of his own conversion. Both have been beloved by generations of spiritual seekers and still speak powerfully to modern readers. Pilgrim’s Progress recounts the perilous journey of Christian from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, and in its second part, follows the journey of his wife, Christiana. Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners is Bunyan’s fervent memoir of his own spiritual regeneration. Both works are enduring masterpieces of English prose, uniting the simple power of Biblical language with the vivid bluntness of untutored speech.

Bunyan was an English Baptist pastor whose influence through 'The Pilgrim's Progress' could be said to have shaped the British and American psyche. Bunyan was more than an imprisoned tinker with time on his hands, he wrote many other books and was a key figure in British history during momentous nation- changing events.

One of the classic spiritual autobiographies, this dramatic conversion testimony by Pilgrim's Progress author John Bunyan features a vivid awareness of God and Satan as personal beings. Throughout his account, Bunyan relies closely on the firm promises of God's Word as a spiritual defence.

The Pilgrim's ProgressThis book is presented as a dream sequence narrated by an omniscient narrator and is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious, theological fiction in English literature. The allegory's protagonist, Christian, is an everyman character, and the plot centres on his journey from his hometown, the "City of Destruction" ("this world"), to the "Celestial City" ("that which is to come": Heaven) atop Mount Zion. Christian is weighed down by a great burden-the knowledge of his sin-which he believed came from his reading "the book in his hand" (the Bible). This burden, which would cause him to sink into Hell, is so unbearable that Christian must seek deliverance. He meets Evangelist as he is walking out in the fields, who directs him to the "Wicket Gate" for deliverance. Since Christian cannot see the "Wicket Gate" in the distance, Evangelist directs him to go to a "shining light," which Christian thinks he sees. Christian leaves his home, his wife, and children to save himself: he cannot persuade them to accompany him. Obstinate and Pliable go after Christian to bring him back, but Christian refuses. Obstinate returns disgusted, but Pliable is persuaded to go with Christian, hoping to take advantage of the Paradise that Christian claims lies at the end of his journey. Pliable's journey with Christian is cut short when the two of them fall into the Slough of Despond, a boggy mire-like swamp where pilgrims' doubts, fears, temptations, lusts, shames, guilts, and sins of their present condition of being a sinner are used to sink them into the mud of the swamp. It is there in that bog where Pliable abandons Christian after getting himself out. After struggling to the other side of the slough, Christian is pulled out by Help, who has heard his cries and tells him the swamp is made out of the decadence, scum, and filth of sin, but the ground is good at the narrow Wicket Gate. The story continues on from there....Grace Abounding to the Chief of SinnersThis book is a Puritan spiritual autobiography written by John Bunyan. It was composed while Bunyan was serving a twelve-year prison sentence in Bedford gaol for preaching without a license. The title contains allusions to two Biblical passages: 'Grace Abounding' is a reference to the Epistle to the Romans 5:20, which states 'Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound' (KJV) and 'Chief of Sinners' refers to the First Epistle to Timothy 1:15, where Paul refers to himself by the same appellation. The Holy WarThis novel, written in the form of an allegory, tells the story of the town "Mansoul" (Man's soul). Though this town is perfect and bears the image of Shaddai (Almighty), it is deceived to rebel and throw off his gracious rule, replacing it instead with the rule of Diabolus. Though Mansoul has rejected the Kingship of Shaddai, he sends his son Emmanuel to reclaim it. In the city there were three esteemed men, who, by admitting Diabolus to the city, lost their previous authority. The eyes of "Understanding", the mayor, are hidden from the light. "Conscience", the recorder, has become a madman, at times sinning, and at other times condemning the sin of the city. But worst of all is "Lord Willbewill," whose desire has been completely changed from serving his true Lord, to serving Diabolus. With the fall of these three, for Mansoul to turn back to Shaddai of their own will, is impossible. Salvation can come only by the victory of Emmanuel.The entire story is a masterpiece of Christian literature, describing vividly the process of the fall, conversion, fellowship with Emmanuel, and many more intricate doctrines.

"My grace is sufficient for thee" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Before Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan wrote Grace Abounding-from his jail cell. John was not imprisoned for his youthful rebellion, but for preaching the gospel after he heard a word from God. "For though, as yet, I was nothing but a poor painted hypocrite, yet I loved to be talked of as one that was truly godly." For many years, John-like all Christians-struggled with his sinful nature. In Grace Abounding, he honestly declares his shortcomings, and knows that he must overcome them to fulfill his destiny. "But one morning, when I was again at prayer, and trembling under the fear of this, that no word of God could help me, that piece of a sentence darted in upon me, 'My grace is sufficient.'" Throughout John's life he realized how vulnerable he was, and how great God's grace is. First, I confessed I was fallen, but not fallen away…. Secondly, I confessed that I had put Jesus Christ to shame by my sin, but not to open shame…. Discover God's abounding grace for you through this classic work that has guided countless many over the past 300 years.

A comprehensive introduction to Bunyan's life and works, examining their place in the broader context of seventeenth-century history and literature.