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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Religion / Christian Theology / General; Religion / Christian Life / General; Religion / General; Religion / Biblical Studies / General; ... Read more

Product Description
The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come, delivered under the similitude of a dream, by John Bunyan is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by John Bunyan is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of John Bunyan then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Unbelievably well written
This is a REALLY good book. I am reading it for school... and for that, the middle English is ideal.

Great book.
Has the full version of the original Pilgrim's Progress(though not the second part where his wife follows. It is well translated to present day though there are a few thee's and thou's. not bad for free... ... Read more

Product Description
The Pilgrim's Progress represents religious allegory transformed into intense drama-and features characters who are superbly individualized, indelibly alive, and as memorable as the landmarks on the hero's journey toward salvation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The Pilgrim's Progress
A classic that I have read more than once over the years.Should be in everyone's library.

the great Bunyan
grweat work and great service right on time.This book is a wonderful classic that makes us see clearly the life traveling of the believer in Christ.

Good Adventure, Mediocre Allegory
This novel is a profound work of immense religious significance.It is, perhaps, second only to the Bible in popularity among Christians.It is also one of the greatest literary allegories.

At least, this is what most literary critics would have you believe.Make no mistake, I greatly enjoyed The Pilgrim's Progress.It succeeds on many levels as an adventure novel.Its attempt to be a piece of allegorical storytelling is where it fails.None of the symbolism is especially deep and the characters all are named after (and stand for) virtues or vices.Making every character nothing more than a talking symbol was a faulty move on author Bunyan's part (although after reading his introduction/apology, I believe this was his intention.)As a resultthe reader never invests any emotion into the characters and is prone to boredom as the story is told (although saying the pacing is quick would be a severe understatement.)The lack of extensive characterization and exposition makes the novel read more like the Sunday newspaper than a living story.There are also very few suprises in this novel.Christian's (the main character) destination is revealed to us when the story begins, and because Christianity centers on good conquering evil, the reader can have no doubt that the hero will end up where he needs to be.

The Pilgrim's Progress is not without its strong points.As stated above the pacing is very quick; the actual plot gets moving full-speed within the first three pages of the story and never lets up. For readers with short attention spans (such as myself) this is a great relief.The story's simplicity also works to its advantage.We are told that Christian must reach the Celestial City in order to escape damnation and be saved.The entire book is simply a chronicle of his adventures along the way.As stated, he meets virtues and vices and encounters all forms of moral peril (such as laziness) and environmental dangers (such as a fiery mountain that consumes those who trust in one of Christian's enemies).He even does battle with monsters.Another one of the book's strengths is its appeal to "mere" Christianity, that is, it has a message with which every Christian sect would agree.There are a few jabs at the Roman Catholic Church, but these are minor and extremely few.Bunyan himself was a Puritan, a child of Protestantism, so small remarks such as these should not be of any real suprise.They do not detract from the story in the least.

Of course, none of this attempts to be true, and the reader is told by the author himself that the story is presented in "the similitude of a dream".Is the story dream-like?Sure, it is fantastic enough.Is it a clever allegory?It is allegorical, but not terribly clever.If you're in for a good adventure than this book is for you.If you like your symbolism to have more thought than you may want to consult Lewis' Narnia series.

Look for a better edition
I'm not a Pilgrim's Progress expert, but this doesn't seem to be the best edition of this book.There are footnotes (including Bunyan's own notes) but they are often "late"; for example, footnotes to explain the archaic meaning of the word are often included on the second or third appearance of the word.Also, the editor has included indicators as to who is speaking in each paragraph (much like a stage script) but it is not consistent.

Shop around and see if you can find a better edition of Pilgrim's Progress.

Keep in mind I Corinthians 13
I Corinthians 13 says the following:If I have all faith as to
remove mountains, but have not love, then I am nothing...

Bunyan's allegory about Christian's journey is
predominantly a journey about faith....He doesn't really
talk about one's day to day struggles, and the need to
bear each other's burdens....It is primarily a solo kind of
journey here, but this should not be too surprising
considering that the book is an allegory about one's
own INNER struggle to avoid temptation, as typified by
"the world".In Christ our flesh has been crucified, so we
are not to dwell on earthly things.

I think the book succeeds admirably in admonishing the
Christian to avoid temptation and stay on the path that is
narrow and straight.

With that said, this is a remarkably readable version, that
is at the same time true to the original 17th century text.
Only spelling and punctuation have been changed to aid
the modern reader.Grammar and paragraphing have not
been altered.Where a word's meaning has changed over
time, its archaic meaning is included as a footnote.Also,
where Bunyan quotes from the Bible, directly or indirectly,
the passages quoted from are cited. The editors have
done a remarkable job, although truthfully I haven't looked
at all the other versions out there....For me, this version
does the job. ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Biography ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Outstanding
Finally! I found it! A copy of Bunyan's autobiography Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. OK, I've been able to get it for years, but never for this cheap. $3.50 at a used bookstore in Royal Oak, MI. There it was, just sitting quietly on the shelf. So innocent, so unassuming. Lime green cover fading from either over use or neglect. I picked up the 10 books on top of it and pulled it out carefully. A modern English version too?! Score!

So far it's both what I expected and filled with surprises. Because I love Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress I've heard a lot of folks make mention of his autobiography and highly recommend it. They were right. It is good. It's an amazing chronicle of Bunyan's struggle and vacillation between trusting God's promises and believing Satan's accusations. It sheds some great light on his upbringing and life before being drawn to Christ. It speaks about his marriage, his exposure to other Christians and his favorite hobbies as a young man. What I did not expect to read was how long his struggle to believe and be assured he was in Christ actually drug on. He went back and forth between great hope and utter despair for almost 87 pages (in my copy). He reflects on this struggle and is encouraged by how the Lord used it to teach him great things that would stay with him the rest of his journey toward the heavenly city. I am also pleasantly surprised to find out how much of his personal experience was drawn upon to write the worlds most famous allegory, Pilgrim's Progress.

The book was great, I finished it a few days ago. Much of what Bunyan describes herein could've been written by me from my own conversion experience.
I highly recommend this.

Sinners in Need of Great Grace
John Bunyan's "Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners," is a priceless literary classic that communicates the author's anguish over his sin, the confession thereof, and the life-changing impact of God's saving grace. This masterwork was written while Bunyan (1628-1688) was imprisoned for holding unlicensed church services and was published in 1666.

Bunyan's eyes were opened to the wonder God's grace and Christ's imputed righteousness when he mused: "But one day, as I was passing in the field, and that too with some dashes on my conscience, fearing lest yet all was not right, suddenly this sentence fell upon my soul, Thy righteousness is in heaven; and methought withal, I saw, with the eyes of my soul, Jesus Christ at God's right hand; there, I say, as my righteousness;.. I also saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse; for my righteousness was
Jesus Christ himself, the same yesterday, and today, and for ever."


This treatise is a confessional account of John Bunyan's religious flight from unbelief and sacrilege to a lover of Jesus Christ.

He agonizingly records how the law revealed his sinfulness and his need of a Savior: "In my preaching of the Word, I took special notice of this one thing, namely that the Lord did lead me to begin where his Word begins with sinners; that is, to condemn all flesh, and to open and allege that the curse of God, by the law, doth belong to, and lay hold on all men as they come into the world, because of sin."

Bunyan is mostly known for his enormous bestselling classic "Pilgrim's Progress." This is a wonderful addition and makes for a stirring and edifying devotional.
One Way to God: Christian Philosophy and Presuppositional Apologetics Examine World Religions

a blessing from God
Amazing book. I highly recommend it for anyone struggling with their faith in Christ- a great personal look at Bunyan's great spiritual struggle to help you see that you aren't alone in yours.

Freedom From Anxiety
If Bunyan were alive today and examined by a psychiatrist, they would say he was struggling with Obsessive Compulsive disorder.This book chronicles his wrestling with his own mind, his own fears, his own anxieties.This is not to say that his battle is not also spiritual, for indeed it is that.

His fear is that he has lost his chance at salvation by cursing Jesus, somehow committing an unpardonable sin.No matter how many times he comforts himself with the truth, it seems to be pulled away from him by other fears.

Ultimately he determines that even if he is thrown into hell, he will still honor Jesus.Eventually, he is freed from this mental torment after a couple of years.

I was helped greatly by this book when in a period of intense anxiety in my own life. It was a great help to know that someone else went through similar things.I have also recommended this book to many who are currently struggling with anxiety.

It is said that before using a man greatly, God breaks him.Bunyan's dark night of the soul is here recorded.God would bring him to great weakness and then later use him greatly.This book is worth your money and time.

One side note: the book is written in a style of English that is dated.You can still follow it, but it takes a little work.

Worth its weight...
This is a book for any Christian struggling with sin, which ought to be all of them.Bunyan believes, early in the book, that he has lost his salvation and is surely doomed.Which one of us has not questioned this at one time or another?I have found his experiances, in more than one case, exactly mirror my own.Its encouraging to hear that a Christian of his calibre is struggling with the same things I am.Its been easy for me to think about the apostles and other Christian giants of the past, C.S. Lewis, John Bunyan, etc, to have realized the truth early and just cruised through life due to thier incredible morale courage.The truth is they struggled just as hard as we have and had to rely on God just as much as we do.This book demonstrates that fact well, at the same time giving encouragement to those of us who are struggling with the battle for our souls.This book is fairly dificult to read due to it s 17th century script, but taken slowly makes perfect sense.Bunyans' other books are worth looking into as well. ... Read more

Product Description
Millions have read The Pilgrim s Progress and received inspiration for their Christian walk. Now, you can follow another man Mr. Badman on his life journey, which leads him ultimately to hell. In this allegory, the wickedness, depravity, and carnality in the life and death of Mr. Badman are contrasted with biblical standards of living and the path that leads to heaven. The wisdom of Mr. Wiseman will strike you as he explains a godly life in all situations including home, business, and
relationships. With this book, John Bunyan provides instructions for the Christian life. He will show you...

How to experience joy in difficult circumstances.
How to avoid the dire consequences of living a sinful life.
How to teach your children Christian values.
How to succeed in business.
How to be spared from God s judgment.
How to avoid bad marriages.
How to please God. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Avoid the Road to Hell and Find Joy
If you loved Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" and you yearn for more, then "Journey to Hell" is the volume for you. John Bunyan (1628 1688) was born England, preached in Lower Samsell and spent time in prison for his faith. His marvelous pen produced:
- The Holy City
- Pilgrims' Progress
- Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners
- The Holy War
- Visions of Heaven and Hell
- And this outstanding volume.

Herein Bunyan presents a fascinating allegory as the main character, Mr. Badman, is a wicked miscreant hell-bent of living for sin. He's depraved and immersed in the lusts of the flesh, wickedness, depravity, and carnality. His profligacy is compared with the moral law and the fruit of the Spirit as the right way to live is made clear while trusting in Christ alone for eternal salvation. It's uplifting and edifying to ponder the life of Mr. Wiseman who lives for God and strives to please the Lord.

Chapters in this stirring volume include:

- A bad boy
- Tricks of the wicked businessman
- The sin of pride
- A Christian's death
- A quiet, hardened death
- The Final judgment
- And Excellent Extras: The sayings of John Bunyan and the Life of John Bunyan.

Bunyan says: "If you have sinned, do not lie down without repentance; for the want of repentance after one has sinned makes the heart yet harder and harder."

This powerful work will help you discover How to:

- find true joy in difficult conditions
- avoid the dire results of sin and profligacy
- instruct your children in the ways of God and how they can avoid evil
- be secure in Christ and find pardon from God s judgment
- And more
This was originally published as "The Life and Death of Mr. Badman" (271 pages).
There Are Moral Absolutes: How to Be Absolutely Sure That Christianity Alone Supplies

The Reverse Pilgrim's Progress - Burning Issues
Mr. Badman is just plain BAD.Little sins in little children get magnified into bigger and worse sins.Mr. Badman truly has every bad trait anyone could ever have.He started with lying and stealing, graduated into drinking, cheating and adultery, and then becomes a first-class hypocrite to snag himself a wealthy Christian woman for marriage.While he was sick, he cried out in false repentance only to regress as soon as he was getting well.The saddest and most touching part of the book is the death of his Christian wife and her exhortations to him and their unsaved children.From then on, it's all downhill, as Mr. Badman's seared conscience admits no light, and God gives him up to his destruction.This book has everything NOT to do if you don't want to end up like Mr. Badman.It is also very relevant with the issues of today, drunk "driving", planned "parenthood", and bankruptcy and fraud.Hot summertime reading.

And ye shall know the truth......
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

NO JOKE! GET IT, READ IT.

May God Bless You.

Avoiding the bad mistakes of going to Hell
Even though this book was written in 1600's, it remained very pratical, even up to today. It talked about how a young boy rejecting the calling of God and became a chief in evil workings. Andsee how God gave him up to vile illusion. Truly a God inspired book.

I am undone!
While this book tends to deal with the individual that is completely sold out for sin, there are things that every Christian will be able to identify with.John Bunyan deals with the fact that sin is sin, no matter what lable any given society has given it.

While I thank the Almighty Sovereign God for showing me my need for a savior, and for granting me the priviledge of repenting when I did, I must admit that my heart was very sorrowful and heavy as I read this book.By reading of Badman's extreme antics and his propensity for developing new methods of sin, I must admit that I saw things in my regenerated being that relate to Mr. Badman in one way or another.This is NOT a good thing to identify with, however, I feel that it is a tool that God is using in order to show me my continued need for help from above.

While this book is ficticious in it's characters, the truths that come blazing forth from the scenarios are deep and penetrating. This is a book that should be read often.This is a book that forces the reader to bare his soul before the Creator.Thank God for men like Bunyan.

Do yourself a favor, O comfortable Christian......Read this book and pray that God will allow you to be honest with your assessment of your current condition.

Steven D. Draa ... Read more

Product Description
Feel like the only person with struggles? Millions of Christians have cherished John Bunyan's tale of the journey Christian and Christina made to the Celestial City. Written in the 1600s, this classic is now available in a modern-day, understandable text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

If you are not a lit snob you will love it
I decided to go ahead and get this version of Pilgrims Progress in spite of...nay even because of the unfavorable reviews.I noticed that those who revere the antiquated English of the original version wrote their reviews in modern English, and I would guess that they also speak in modern English.Therefore why must one labor through a book written in an antiquated language when a more readable version...written in language closer to that which you use everyday...is available?Put it this way...if you enjoy reading your Bible in the King James version then by all means stick with the original Pilgrims Progress.If you prefer to read your Bible in one of the more modern English formats, then you will enjoy this version. I think you will find it delightful, inspiring and thought provoking.Don't let the lit snobs guilt you into buying what you may not like and therefore won't read. This has nothing to do with dumbing down or lack of reading comprehension or anything like that.It is simply personal preference.

Not Happy
I can't review something I never received.I contacted the seller and they said they would send another shipment and have not received that one either.I will not be ordering anything else from this seller.

Pilgrams Progress
Received the book in a timely manner and the condition was as stated, i am totally satisfied with this seller

Slow, to no, Service
Book is great; that's why I ordered 2 to give away. But the seller is not trustworthy or prompt.It's been more than a month since I made my order (July 5th). It's now August 6th. Latest delivery was to have been July 27th. I inquired about the order and received an auto reply. They are now apologizing (so they can get a good score in their review they told me) and asking if they can resend. I still want the books so I said yes. Would you believe it; they are not sending it overnight, but told me to let them know if I don't have it in a week. This is not the best customer recovery strategy.

Hundreds of years later and still applies
I own a copy of this book and ordered three more...one for each of my children. This book was written hundreds of years ago and yet it still applies to all of us that seek GOD's kingdom. Yes, it is simple but each and every one of us can find a description of ourself in it. It has helped me through some of the most difficult challenges I have faced and am presently facing. I might be wrong but I am not sure it would be helpful for a nonbeliever since the asumption is that we are already on the path and it helps us understand the obstacles we will face. No christian should go through life without it. ... Read more

Product Description
This is another great allegorical story by this gifted writer. Every Christian should thrill again as he or she reads this allegory of their experience. For in the days of ourunbelief did we not yield allegiance to the Devil, and did we not seek to avoid looking into the face of Emmanuel? Were we not all children of wrath with the rest of them, by our self-love being held captive by the prince of the power of the air. Eph. 2:1. This book is no classic by accident. It speaks to the soul of every honest saint of God. Despite the fact that its theme is not a popular one, it is so true to Christian experience that it has been printed and reprinted for three centuries. Anyone who has not read it is the poorer for it. For it is a picture of the struggle of the saints against temptation and doubt, against pride and false security, against sloth, etc. We aresinners saved by grace, but the body of death remains (Rom. 7:24). Bunyan (1628-1688) is without doubt the most famous of the Baptists. He is known to have preached to thousands from a hilltop. On one of these occasions John Owen went to hear him, coming away with unstinted praise for the humble, yet powerful, preacher of righteousness. ... Read more

Product Description

Join Christian and his companions on their journey to the Celestial City, as they pass through many experiences common to us all, in Bunyan's timeless allegory of the Christian's walk with God.

Moody Classics

Of all the factors influencing our spiritual growth and development, pivotal books play a key role. learning from those who have walked the path and fought the fight brings wisdom and strengthens resolve. and hearing the familiar chords of kingdom living sung by voices from other times can penetrate cultural barriers limiting our allegiance to the King. To this end, Moody Publishers is honored to introduce the first six volumes in what is to be an ongoing series of spiritual classics. Selected for their enduring influence and timeless perspective, these new editions promise to shape the lives of spiritual pilgrims for generations to come.

Customer Reviews (1)

Convicting
Very convicting book.I could usually only read about 10 pages at a time as there was so much to think about.I'm planning to re-read while taking notes.

Refer to other formats of this work to find numerous user comments which are better than I could articulate. ... Read more

Product Description
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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A stark contrast to today's artificial Christianity
This book is actually composed of two separate books.The first, Praying in the Spirit, was written in 1662 from a prison cell.As you could imagine, it is intensely practical.It is not known when the second book, The Throne of Grace, was written, nor from where.Its manuscript was discovered after Bunyan's death.It is more mystical (by Puritan standards) and is less practical.

To say that Bunyan pastored and served in a difficult time is to be guilty of an understatement.In the late 1600's the Church of England began strictly regulating what their pastors were allowed to teach.Bunyan found himself alone and isolated; many like-minded pastors had been expelled or had fled to either the Netherlands or the United States on their own accord.Bunyan, who did not have a degree and thus was not allowed to preach, was imprisoned.While his congregation was deprived of a talented pastor, his family was deprived of their provider.Bunyon's time in prison left his wife to raise their daughter who was born blind.The constable reminded Bunyan continually that a simple promise not to preach would spring the jail door open.While the temptation to renounce his call must have been staggering, he remained in jail and chose to write.

In addition to The Pilgrim's Progress and The Holy War, his time in jail produced Praying in the Spirit.It is regarded as one of the definitive Puritan works on prayer.He carefully walks believers through the process of prayer.He warns of hindrances, marks out obstacles, and lovingly encourages his readers to have a deep and intense prayer life.My what a contrast to our own day!His advice does not consist of "take a 10 minute walk with Jesus" or even "Pray, `Father expand my boundaries'."He instead counsels, "Take heed that your heart go to God as well as your mouth.Let not your mouth go any further than you strive to draw your heart along with it" (p. 53).The tone of the book is pastoral.It gives the impression that Bunyan is writing to his flock because he cannot preach to them.It is shocking that while he is in prison he is not focused on his own woes, but rather upon the prayer needs of his congregation.

Praying in the Spirit is as biblical as it is practical.It surely must be one of the best expositions ever on 1 Corinthians 14:15.For Bunyan, "praying in the spirit" is not a sort of quasi-spiritual mystical experience.It is pleading passionitly before God.It is coming before the throne of Grace with boldness.Primarily it is praying within the will of God.He describes it as having his soul "cleaving to the dust" and asking for God to rescue it (p. 20).

The second part of this work on prayer is The Throne of Grace, an exposition of Hebrews 4:16.This work explains how to pray boldly, and it gives a very powerful description of the splendor of God.While it may not have been his chief intent, the main result of the pages spent describing the throne room of God is a fuller understanding of the earnestness with which we should pray.After passionately painting a picture of the throne of God, Bunyan describes Christ at the throne, constantly making intercession for us.The majesty of God is made plain, and the importance of prayer is accentuated.

Biblically, this section seems to go beyond what is written.Bunyan makes several assertions that would today be questioned.He says that God has more than one throne (throne of grace, throne of judgment, etc.), and he assigns spiritual elements to much that is unnecessary.For Bunyon, the fat of the levitical offering is a symbol for Christ's prayer, and the rainbow relates to Solomon's temple.A careful Bible student might be alarmed about some of his statements, but one also must remember that this work was possibly not meant for publication.Instead it may have been Bunyan's own study in preparation for preaching, if that opportunity would ever fall to him again.

Bunyan's writings call the reader back to a different age- an age where prayer was passionate and bold.Who better to write to a congregation on the importance of prayer than a pastor confined to prison?Prayer reflects the cell and the age from which it was written, and it is a reflection that our generation is dire need of seeing.

Profitable but Challenging-to-Read Studies of Prayer and Christ as High Priest
The Banner of Truth Trust's Prayer collects two of John Bunyan's works in one volume. Praying in the Spirit (1662) provides instruction and encouragement for Christians to pray personally and spontaneously to God, without the use of written forms of supplication. The Throne of Grace, published posthumously in 1692, is actually not so much about prayer as Christ's office as high priest, which enables Christians to confidently bring their prayers to him.

Praying in the Spirit provides much practical teaching on prayer that will prove beneficial to many Christians. The only drawback lies in Bunyan's total rejection of liturgical forms of prayer, which he sees as antithetical to heart prayers inspired by the Holy Spirit. Given the year this work was published, it's hard not to conclude that it's partially a polemic against the Church of England's then-new 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Still, even Christians who disagree with Bunyan on this matter (and I am one of them) can only wince as he attacks those who persecuted him and put him in prison for opposing such prayers. (Praying in the Spirit was written in the same prison where Bunyan later received the dream that inspired his best-known work, The Pilgrim's Progress.)

The Throne of Grace, in contrast, contains very little practical instruction on prayer. Rather, it is a far-reaching, lofty meditation on Christ's role as high priest and how his work benefits the Christian. If you tend to contrast the Puritans with the medieval Christian mystics, as I have been prone to do, this work may shake your view a little. As Bunyan meditates on the throne of grace and all that surrounds it in Heaven, and argues that Christ is both several of the objects seen there and separate from those objects, it's hard not to apply the word "mystical" to Bunyan's musings. ("Mystical," by the way, is not a dirty word per se. While some Christians consider mysticism to be unbiblical, many Christian mystics in church history held a very high view of Scripture.) The author himself, judging by his introduction to the work, evidently believed that the Holy Spirit inspired this work.

While there is much to commend in both works, the reader should be aware that neither one of them is an easy read (although Praying in the Spirit is much less difficult than The Throne of Grace). Bunyan writes long sentences and packs much content in each one. There are also occasional instances of obsolete words or obsolete meanings of words, but the publisher/editor helpfully provides definitions in footnotes. Prayer is a valuable and worthy read, but potential readers are advised to get acclimated to Puritans and their writings before tackling this one. (I myself found this a very difficult read over six years ago, but did not have the same problem in my just-completed second run-through.)

Dry?
How anyone could call this book dry is beyond me.It is one of the best, if not the best book I have read on prayer.Once you have read the Puritans on any subject, you will never be satisfied with the cutesy fluff that satisfies modern Christian appetites.Do yourself a favor, buy and read this book, carefully, prayerfully; you will find it a refreshing fountain of spiritual blessing.

One of Bunyan's finest, most profitable works!
"Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, for such things as He has promised, for the good of the church with submission in faith to the will of God."

This is how Bunyan defines prayer in this amazing little book.Written while imprisoned in Bedford gaol for nonconformity, these two treatises show Christians the beauty, power, and awe of true prayer.In the first, Bunyan describes prayer as being "in the Spirit", and "with understanding" (1 Cor. 14:15).In the second, the theme is the Christian's privilege of approaching "the Throne of Grace" (Heb. 4:16).

Beware! says Bunyan."You are not a Christian if you are not a praying person.The promise is that every one that is righteous shall pray (Ps. 32:6).You then are a wicked wretch if you do not."Surely this is a serious call to prayer!

But he also gives an encouragement: "If [God] had said, I will commune with thee from my throne of judgment, then indeed you might have trembled and fled from the face of the great and glorious Majesty.But when he says he will hear and commune with souls upon the throne of grace, or from the mercy-seat, this should encourage you, and cause you to hope, nay, to 'come boldly unto the throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.'"Surely this is a wonderful word for Christian and non-Christian alike - God is on his Throne of Grace, and He can be approached through prayer!

Read this book, and learn of the true biblical understanding of prayer from one of the greatest writers in all history!

On the dry side
Prayer is divided into two parts: an exposition of what true prayer is and how praying is an appeal to Jesus on his throne of grace.To be frank, this is not Bunyan at his best.He's written better stuff (see Pilgrim's Progress).The material is pretty dry and half the time, he's battling high church Anglicanism.The few diamonds here are his descriptions of prayer being from the heart, not an formulistic external exercise.
The backdrop of where the book was written (Bunyan was imprisioned for his Puritan beliefs after Cromwell died and England reverted back to monarchy) is very interesting and I suggest all to familiarize themselves with that interesting period. ... Read more

Product Description
John Bunyan's words are delivered with compelling conviction as he passionately portrays the beauty of the only sacrifice that is acceptable to God. With carefully crafted words he describes the wonder and majesty of a heart broken before the Lord. The broken hearted are not forsaken or ignored, for they are 'His jewels, His beloved.'

The Acceptable Sacrifice is a timeless message and must be read by all who desire to enter into the Presence of the Lord. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Acceptable Sacrifice
Going back to our first LOVE, the LOVE OF CHRIST, is always the best thing to do in times of distress. This little book will help you to remember your first LOVE! Anything that can help us regain our focus on JESUS CHRIST is worth looking at. Along with daily scripture reading, this book is an enhancement to the study of GOD'S WORD. Thanks....

Does God Care About a Broken Heart?
There is a reason why John Bunyan remains as one of my favorite authors.In his writing entitled The Accepatable Sacrifice, he brings biblical truth to challenge spiritual smugness and comfort broken and despairing hearts.This exposition of Psalm 51 is truly magnificent.He shows the necessity of, and divine grace towards, a heart that is rightly broken.Concluding the book with a warning not to shun a heart breaking from God, Bunyan ends his treatise in classic Puritan style.High encouragement from the God of all hope.

Grace and peace,
--Jeffrey
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Product Description
Attentive. Good Sir, Good morrow to you, I have not as yet lost ought, but yet you give a right ghess of me, for I am, as you say, concerned in my heart, but 'tis because of the badness of the times. And Sir, you, as all our Neighbours know, are a very observing man, pray therefore what do you think of them? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Concerning Mr. Badman
I love having this follow up to Pilgrim's Progress.It arrive in good time and in good condition. ... Read more

Product Description
John Bunyan could be said to have authored the most influential book in the English language (other than the King James Bible) – The Pilgrim’s Progress. But he has also written another dramatic allegorical novel – The Holy War. Bunyan’s plan for his readers was for them to experience the struggles of the city of Mansoul as a fierce battle rages to take control of it. However, alongside this knife-edge drama Bunyan wished his readers to understand how the struggles of their souls ran in parallel to the struggles of the wretched inhabitants of that place. The righteous and honourable ruler Shaddai and his son Immanuel rule Mansoul with justice and equity. But the ruler of darkness - Prince Diabolus - has other plans. With his evil captains and their battalions Diabolus plots the fall and destruction of the once happy city. The first to fall is Captain Resistance as Diabolus knows that there is only one route into the city and that it can only be breached through the permission of the people of Mansoul itself. With Captain Resistance gone the city is laid open to Diabolic lies and the next to fall is Lord Innocency and then the city is lost.So begins a story of treachery and deceit, foolishness and pride, forgiveness and final redemption. In fact this is, as Bunyan intended it, the story of a sinner saved by the grace of God. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Review of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Some say that John Bunyan's famous allegory about Pilgrim's journey to the Celestial City is second only to the Bible itself in the number of copies sold worldwide. First published in 1678, this 330 year old allegory written by John Bunyan while incarcerated for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ without a license is as pertinent today as it was when it was written.

Quick Review
This book is an essential read because of its simplicity and its depth. The Christian readerwill identify quickly with the main character and many (if not all depending on the readers disciplined walk) of the people, places, and themes encountered.The reader will know that the issues he/she faces today are issues faced by all Christians as they walk through this life on their way to their eternal home.

Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: Examiner.com

Pilgrim's Progress
VERY fast shipping.I received the book within two days of placing the order.Very impressive.Book in excellent condition.Recommend these people highly! ... Read more

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THE Holy War made by Shaddai upon Diabolus, for the Regaining the Metropolis of the World ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Abridged edition (edited from Bunyan's original)
The publishers should include on the title page that this is not the actual text that John Bunyan wrote, but an abridged/edited edition. I assign this work for a class and every year students inadvertently buy this book in advance before I can warn them that they need to purchase the book that Bunyan actually wrote. It's a bit of a bait and switch to be publishing it with incomplete/inaccurate information on the cover. Having said that, this edition excels in readability and is worth owning for a junior high or high school student who wants to read the story but would get bogged down in some of the long dialogues and speeches in the original.

Oh boy, my children can't WAIT for the next chapter!
Do you read stories to your children at bedtime?Do you find it a challenge to obtain books that teach and cause your children to actually think about what they are being read? This book is a must for those families.So much opportunity to talk about what is going on in the story. The story takes place about a city (Mansoul) that was tricked into defying its Ruler (Shaddai) and receiving a new ruler (Diabolus) who only brings the city great harm. Shaddai sends His Son (Prince Emmanuel) to deliver them. Battles are fought. Certain personalities are defeated like the "Election Doubters" and discoveries are made as to how the bad guys (Lord Anger, Mr. Sedition, Mr. Heresy, Lord Lasciviousness, Lord Deceit and others) work their mischief.This is a great book! If you read one chapter a night to your children they will beg you to read a second one........"Please!"The author (John Bunyan) also wrote many other books. His most famous is the great "Pilgrim's Progress". I highly recommend it, as well.

God's peace to you.The Pilgrim's Progress (Oxford World's Classics)

excellent visual aid
This is an excellent book for those who are " visual people" for whom analogy gives insight into spritual reality.
While the author's story is invented - I'd say visionary - he maintains faithfulness to scriptural truth.This book helps a believer to see the world and the fall of man as it truly is - a military coup of Satan.It therefore helps the believer to uncover his works both to enslave mankind and to keep the believer from communion with Shaddai God.For the messianics out there it is pleasant to find the use of Shaddai and Emanuel
and the positive light given to the " law of Shaddai".
Strange words for the supposedly anti semitic church.

Classic Christianity
This is a must read for any age group. It conveys the truth of the christian faith in a clear and concise manner. This would be an excellent book for a youth group to use.

This is the modern english version
I just bought this edition, and was disapointed to learn that it is an updated, modern english edition of the original. I prefer to read books as they were first written, whenever possible.

From the brief comparisons I've made, it seems that this edition comes across somewhat less colorful than Bunyan's original, as the revisionist appears to have tried to simplify the vocabulary rather than merely updating it. ... Read more

Product Description
This biography views Bunyan's works in the context of the social, political and religious context of the times, concentrating on his humble origins, the revolution of the 1640s and his experience in the Parliamentary army and the trouble of censorship and persecution. Christopher Hill won the W.H.Smith Literary Award and became interested in Bunyan after giving a lecture on him in 1978, as part of Bedford's celebration of the tercentenary of the publication of "The Pilgrim's Progress". Hill is a respected historian, having written over 20 books on the 17th Century. ... Read more

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A new edition of one of the greatest allegorical stories ever written

A masterpiece of the English Puritan tradition, The Pilgrim's Progress is rich in its imaginative power and its vivid and heartfelt language. It recounts the story of Christian, who appears to the author in a dream, and his journey to Heaven through the trials and tribulations of life. He meets many like-minded pilgrims on his way, such as Faithful and Hopeful, but before they attain their goal they encounter the Giant Despair and the River of Death itself. Translated into more than one hundred languages, The Pilgrim's Progress continues to have an immeasurable influence on English literature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (71)

really tough read
This book is difficult to read and hard to understand.I wish I ordered the modern english version instead.

An Allegory of the Christian's Spiritual Pilgrimage
The Pilgrim's Progress is a wonderful work written by a 17th-century Puritan, John Bunyan, from his cell prison in a trying time of persecution. Rich in Biblical theology, it is the best-known allegory of the Christian's life. It tells the story of a pilgrim named Christian as he walked a journey from the City of Destruction (where he lived before his conversion) to the Celestial City (an allegory of heaven), sharing with us the many challenges, obstacles, comfort, and encouragement Christian encountered in his long journey. This book reminds me that I, too, am walking in a similar spiritual journey as Christian did.

When I read of Christian passing through the Valley of Humility and falling into the Swamp of Despondence, I'm reminded of those times when I, too, was in such a swamp and valley, and how God graciously used those trials to humble, comfort, and rescue me.

The Pilgrim's Progress reminds me and encourages me with the Biblical promise that regardless of what deep valleys I may be in, whatever swamps I fall into, whatever rough roads I tread, whatever rivers to ford, or whichever steep hills I may be climbing in my own life journey ... my Guide is ever watchful, my Deliverer unfailing, and He is indeed faithful in keeping and persevering all of His elect in the faith till they arrive to their final destination at the Celestial City--that glorious, everlasting City that is so different than the one I've traveled from and "built not by the hands of man." Every Christian can learn and be encouraged from the Biblical doctrines taught in this story.

The Second most read Book in the World.....
The Pilgrim's Progress is a Classic Tale about Christian who travels through life to get to the Promised Land (Heaven).John Bunyan needs no introduction as this is the Second Most read book in the World, the First Being the Bible.The Oxford World Classic Edition seems to be the most accurate Copy of the original Edition, as it is written in the Old English.This Edition has something most copies do not have, that is, the Bible's Chapters/Verses are in the Margins of each page, refering to that sections readings as they are referenced in the Bible.It is hard to read this in one sitting as the content is beautiful and full, it takes time to take it all in.

This is one Book that every Parent should read to their children at some point in there lives.As it helps your children understand how good God is, and is to His Creation, us.

A Must read!

A must have for any English Lit. enthusiast...
This edition is well laid out from the chronology to the introduction to the body with marginal notes and finally the textual notes.

Very nice quality.
I have not read the book as of yet, but just wanted to let people know how substantial this book really is. It is about the size and weight of a large dictionary. While not the best for portability, it is definitely a keepsake or collector type of book. It even has it's own ribbon style bookmark built in. Can't wait to read it. ... Read more

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338 Pages ... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more