“He that comes to Christ cannot, it is true, always get on as fast as he would. Poor coming soul, thou art like the man that would ride full gallop whose horse will hardly trot. Now the desire of his mind is not to be judged of by the slow pace of the dull jade he rides on, but by the hitching and kicking and spurring as he sits on his back. Thy flesh is like this dull jade, it will not gallop after Christ, it will be backward though thy soul and heaven lie at stake.”
“Here is the life of prayer, when in or with the Spirit, a man being made sensible of sin, and how to come to the Lord for mercy; he comes, I say, in the strength of the Spirit, and crieth Father. That one word spoken in faith is better than a thousand prayers, as men call them, written and read, in a formal, cold, lukewarm way.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of John Bunyan (Illustrated)
“Faith receiveth the promise, embraceth it, and comforteth the soul unspeakably with it. Faith is so great an artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul, that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with. It will bring to my remembrance at once, both my vileness against God, and his goodness towards me; it will show me, that though I deserve not to breathe in the air, yet that God will have me an heir of glory.”
Source: THE ENTIRE WORKS
“There is enough sin in my best prayer to send the whole world to Hell.”
“The difference between true and false repentance lies in this: the man who truly repents cries out against his heart; but the other, as Eve, against the serpent, or something else.”
“There hath not one tear dropped from thy tender eye against thy lusts, the love of this world, or for more communion with Jesus Christ, but as it is now in the bottle of God.”
Source: The Works of that Eminent Servant of Christ, Mr. John Bunyan: The holy war. The desire of the righteous granted. The saint's privilege and profit. Christ a compleat saviour. The saints knowledge of Christ's love. A discourse of the house of the forest of Lebanon. Of Anti-christ and his ruin. Saved by grace. Christian behaviour. A discourse touching prayer. The strait gate. Some gospel-truths opened. A vindication of gospel-truths opened. Light for them that sit in darkness. Instruction for the i
“Hope has a thick skin and will endure many a blow; it will put on patience as a vestment and will endure all things (if they be of the right kind) for the joy that is set before it. Hence patience is called patience of hope,' because it is hope that makes the soul exercise long-suffering under the cross until the time comes to enjoy the crown!”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of John Bunyan (Illustrated)
“Though it be said that faith cometh by hearing, yet it is the Spirit that worketh faith in the heart through hearing, or else they are not profited by hearing.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of John Bunyan (Illustrated)
“Men, even the elect, have too many infirmities to come to Christ without help from heaven; inviting will not do.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of John Bunyan (Illustrated)
“Beware of resting in the word of the kingdom, without the spirit and power of the kingdom of that gospel, for the gospel coming in word only saves nobody, for the kingdom of God or the gospel, where it comes to salvation, is not in word but in power.”
Source: THE ENTIRE WORKS
“There can be but one will the master in our salvation, but that shall never be the will of man, but of God; therefore man must be saved by grace.”
Source: The works of John Bunyan: With an introduction to each treatise, notes, and a sketch of his life, times, and contemporaries
“The kingdom of heaven is for the heirs - and if children, then heirs; if born again, then heirs. Wherefore it is said expressly, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. By this one word, down goes all carnal privilege of being born of flesh and blood, and of the will of man. Canst thou produce the birthright?”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of John Bunyan (Illustrated)
“To lay hold of and receive the gospel by a true and saving faith is an act of the soul that has been made a new creature, which is the workmanship of God... Wherefore whoever receiveth the grace that is tendered in the gospel, they must be quickened by the power of God, their eyes must be opened, their understandings illuminated, their ears unstopped, their hearts circumcised, their wills also rectified, and the Son of God revealed in them.”
Source: The Whole Works of John Bunyan: Accurately Reprinted from the Authors Own Editions ; Wth Editorial Prefaces, Notes, and Life of Bunyan
“Our sins, when laid upon Christ, were yet personally ours, not his; so his righteousness, when put upon us, is yet personally his, not ours.”
Source: The Works of John Bunyan: With an Introduction to Each Treatise, Notes, and a Sketch of His Life, Times, and Contemporaries ...
“As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place, where was a den; and I laid me down in that place to sleep: and as I slept I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and behold I saw a man clothed with rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I looked, and saw him open the book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled: and not being able longer to contain, he brake out with a lamentable cry; saying, 'What shall I do?'”
Source: The Pilgrim's Progress, from this World, to that which is to Come ... with Notes, Interesting Memoirs of the Author, Character of the Pilgrim's Progress, and a Key to the Whole Work ... by Various Eminent Men
“All that the Father giveth me SHALL COME... Here, therefore, the Lord Jesus positively determineth to put forth such a sufficiency of all grace as shall effectually perform this promise. They shall come; that is, he will CAUSE them to come, by infusing of an effectual blessing into all the means that shall be used to that end.”
Source: The Works of John Bunyan: With an Introduction to Each Treatise, Notes, and a Sketch of His Life, Times, and Contemporaries ...
“Words easy to be understood do often hit the mark, when high and learned ones do only pierce the air.”
Source: The Riches of Bunyan
“Without the Spirit man is so infirm that he cannot, with all other means whatsoever, be enabled to think one right saving thought of God, of Christ, or of his blessed things.”
Source: The works of that eminent servant of Christ, John Bunyan: minister of the gospel and formerly Pastor of a Congregatin at Bedford
“Faith is a fruit, work, or gift of the Spirit of God, whereby a poor soul is enabled through the mighty operation of God, in a sense of its sins and wretched estate to lay hold on the righteousness, blood, death, resurrection, ascension, intercession, and coming again of the Son of God which was crucified without the gates of Jerusalem, for eternal life.”
Source: The Whole Works of John Bunyan: Accurately Reprinted from the Authors Own Editions ; Wth Editorial Prefaces, Notes, and Life of Bunyan
“God, as I may say, is forced to break men's hearts, before he can make them willing to cry to him, or be willing that he should have any concerns with them; the rest shut their eyes, stop their ears, withdraw their hearts, or say unto God, Be gone.”
Source: The Acceptable Sacrifice
“Every time you have with your mouth said well of godliness, and yet gone on in wickedness; or every time you have condemned sin in others, and yet have not refrained it yourselves; I say, every such word and conclusion that hath passed out of thy mouth, sinner, it shall be as a witness against thee in the day of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Source: Doctrinal discourses [selected works].
“If my life is fruitless, it doesn't matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn't matter who criticizes me.”
“Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
Source: The Select Works of John Bunyan: Containing the Pilgrim's Progress ... with a Life of the Author
“He hath given me rest by His sorrow, and life by His death.”
Source: The Pilgrim's Progress: From this World to that which is to Come. Delivered Under the Similitude of a Dream. In Two Parts
“The covetous man feareth not God. This also is plain from the word because it setteth covetousness and the fear of God in direct opposition. Men that fear God are said to hate covetousness, Exod. xviii. 21. Besides the covetous man is called an idolater and is said to have no part in the kingdom of Christ and of God, Col. iii. 5. And again; 'The wicked boasteth of his heart's desire and blesseth the covetous whom the Lord abhorreth,' Psa. x. 3.”
Source: Christian Behaviour: A Holy Life, the Beauty of Christianity, the Fear of God, and an Exhortation to Unity and Peace to which is Added a Caution Against Sin
“Pray and read, read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal from men.”
Source: The Riches of Bunyan
“It is possible to learn all about the mysteries of the Bible and never be affected by it in one's soul. Great knowledge is not enough.”
“Now, I saw, upon a time, when he was walking in the fields, that he was, as he was wont, reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his mind; and, as he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, What shall I do to be saved?”
Source: The Pilgrim’s Progress Simplified: Includes Modern Translation, Study Guide, Historical Context, Biography, and Character Index
“A sensible thanksgiving for mercies received is a mighty prayer in the Spirit of God. It prevails with Him unspeakably.”
Source: The Works: Being Several Discourses Upon Various Divine Subjects
“Take heed of driving so hard after this world, as to hinder thyself and family from those duties towards God, which thou art by grace obliged to; as private prayer, reading the scriptures, and Christian conference. It is a base thing for men so to spend themselves and families after this world, as that they disengage their heart to God's worship.”
Source: THE ENTIRE WORKS
“Hope is never ill when faith is well.”
Source: The Whole Works of John Bunyan ...: Reprinted from the Author's Own Editions
“He that forgets his friend is ungrateful to him; but he that forgets his Saviour is unmerciful to himself.”
Source: The Pilgrim's Progress
“If people really see that Christ has removed the fear of punishment from them by taking it into Himself, they won't do whatever they want, they'll do whatever He wants.”
“Doth Jesus Christ stand up to plead for us with God, to plead with him for us against the devil? Let this teach us to stand up to plead for him before men, to plead for him against the enemies of his person and gospel.”
Source: The Whole Works of John Bunyan ...: Reprinted from the Author's Own Editions
“See how ye Pharisee in the Temple stands,
And justifies himself with lifted hands.
Whilst ye poor publican with downcast eyes,
Conscious of guilt to God for mercy cries.”
“The greatness of God, of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is that, if rightly considered, which will support the spirits of those of his people that are frighted with the greatness of their adversaries.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of John Bunyan (Illustrated)
“Riches and power, what is there more in the world? For money answereth all things-that is, all but soul concerns. It can neither be a price for souls while here, nor can that, with all the forces of strength, recover one out of hell fire.”
Source: Doctrinal discourses [selected works].
“He that is down needs fear no fall. He that is low, no pride; He that is humble, ever shall have God to be his Guide.”
“Sincerity carries the soul in all simplicity to open its heart to God.”
Source: The works of that eminent servant of Christ, John Bunyan: minister of the gospel and formerly Pastor of a Congregatin at Bedford
“To run and work the law commands, but gives us neither feet nor hands. But better news the gospel brings, it bids us fly and gives us wings.”
“Prayer is a shield to the soul”
Source: The Complete Works of John Bunyan
“As your faith is, such your hope will be. Hope is never ill when faith is well, nor strong if faith be weak.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of John Bunyan (Illustrated)
“Let dissolution come when it will, it can do the Christian no harm, for it will be but a passage out of a prison into a palace; out of a sea of troubles into a haven of rest; out of a crowd of enemies, to an innumerable company of true, loving, and faithful friends; out of shame, reproach, and contempt, into exceeding great and eternal glory.”
Source: The Riches of Bunyan
“Yet my great-grandfather was but a water-man, looking one way and rowing another: and I got most of my estate by the same occupation.”
“In prayer, it is better to have heart without words, than words without heart. Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin entice a man to cease from prayer. The spirit of prayer is more precious than treasures of gold and silver. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.”
Source: Delphi Complete Works of John Bunyan (Illustrated)
“Talkative represents the man or woman who delights in talking about divine things but has only theoretical knowledge of such things. No actual personal heart experience correlates to the matters they love to discuss so eloquently. They are often highly esteemed by others, but those closest to them would quickly betray a life out-of-sync with their words. The mask fashioned by fluency with all subjects divine hides their real life.”
“There is a warning here for true pilgrims. Beware of the talker, but also be careful not to judge too quickly those whom God has blessed with both genuine grace and a fluency to speak of divine mercy in ways more eloquent than others. The proof is in the life-not a perfect life, but a life that both delights in divine truth and magnifies God, the only giver of the sovereign grace that always produces the truly fruitful, fragrant life.”
“I saw a man clothed with rags . . . a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back.”
Source: The Pilgrim's Progress from this World to that which is to Come: Delivered Under the Similitude of a Dream
“You have chosen the roughest road, but it leads straight to the hilltops.”
“Some said, "John, print it"; others said "Not so." Some said, "It might do good"; others said, "No."”
Source: The pilgrim's progress, The holy war, and other selected works, arranged by the editors of Sturm's Devotions. Tallis's pictorial ed
