Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, by John Bunyan
But that which helped me in this temptation, was divers
considerations, of which, three in special here I will name, the first
was the consideration of these two scriptures, Leave thy fatherless
children, I will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in
me: and again, The Lord said, Verily it shall be well with thy
remnant, verily, I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the
time of evil, and in time of affliction. Jer. xlix. 11; xv. 11.I had also this consideration, that if I should not venture all for
God, I engaged God to take care of my concernments: but if I forsook Him
and His ways, for fear of any trouble that should come to me or mine,
then I should not only falsify my profession, but should count also that
my concernments were not so sure, if left at God’s feet, whilst I stood
to and for His name, as they would be if they were under my own care,
though with the denial of the way of God. This was a smarting
consideration, and as spurs unto my flesh. That scripture also greatly
helped it to fasten the more upon me, where Christ prays against Judas,
that God would disappoint him in his selfish thoughts, which moved him to
sell his Master. Pray read it soberly: Psalm cix. 6–8, etc.I had also another consideration, and that was, the dread of the
torments of hell, which I was sure they must partake of that for fear of
the cross, do shrink from their profession of Christ, His words and laws
before the sons of men: I thought also of the glory that He had prepared
for those that in faith, and love, and patience, stood to His ways before
them. These things, I say, have helped me, when the thoughts of the
misery that both myself and mine, might for the sake of my profession be
exposed to, hath lain pinching on my mind.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan
Context of the Work
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners (1666) is a spiritual autobiography by John Bunyan (1628–1688), the Puritan preacher and author of The Pilgrim’s Progress. Written during his imprisonment for unlicensed preaching, the book recounts Bunyan’s intense spiritual struggles—his despair over sin, his battles with doubt, and his eventual assurance of God’s grace. The excerpt provided comes from a section where Bunyan describes his fear of persecution for his faith and how he overcame it through biblical meditation and theological reasoning.
The passage reflects the Puritan emphasis on personal piety, scriptural authority, and the cost of discipleship. Bunyan was no stranger to suffering; he spent 12 years in prison for refusing to stop preaching, and his wife and children endured hardship as a result. This excerpt reveals his internal conflict—whether to abandon his faith to avoid suffering or to trust God despite the consequences.
Breakdown of the Excerpt
1. The Three "Considerations" That Strengthened Bunyan (Par. 329–331)
Bunyan structures his argument around three key reflections that helped him resist the temptation to abandon his faith out of fear. These are:
- Scriptural Promises of God’s Protection (Par. 329)
- The Hypocrisy of Self-Preservation Over Faith (Par. 330)
- The Eternal Consequences of Apostasy vs. the Reward of Faithfulness (Par. 331)
Each of these reflects Puritan theological concerns: providence, perseverance, and the fear of hell.
A. First Consideration: God’s Promises in Scripture (Par. 329)
"the consideration of these two scriptures, Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me: and again, The Lord said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant, verily, I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil, and in time of affliction." (Jer. 49:11; 15:11)
Explanation:
- Bunyan clings to specific biblical promises to counter his fear that his family will suffer if he remains faithful.
- Jeremiah 49:11 (about God preserving the fatherless) and Jeremiah 15:11 (about God’s care for His remnant) are misapplied in a personal way—Bunyan reads them as direct assurances that God will protect his wife and children if he endures persecution.
- This reflects the Puritan habit of "applying" Scripture personally, even if the original context was different. For Bunyan, the Bible is not just historical but a living word that speaks to his immediate struggles.
- The repetition of "verily" (truly, certainly) in Jeremiah 15:11 reinforces God’s unwavering commitment, which Bunyan uses to bolster his courage.
Literary/Linguistic Notes:
- "Divers considerations" – "Divers" (archaic for "various") suggests Bunyan has multiple layers of reasoning, not just emotional comfort.
- The parallel structure ("the first was... the second was...") gives his argument a logical, almost legal weight, as if he is building a case against his own doubts.
B. Second Consideration: The Hypocrisy of Self-Reliance (Par. 330)
"if I should not venture all for God, I engaged God to take care of my concernments: but if I forsook Him and His ways... then I should not only falsify my profession, but should count also that my concernments were not so sure, if left at God’s feet, whilst I stood to and for His name, as they would be if they were under my own care..."
Explanation:
- Bunyan presents a theological dilemma:
- If he trusts God completely, God is obligated (by His own promises) to care for his family.
- But if he abandons God to protect himself, he is acting as if God cannot be trusted—which is spiritual hypocrisy.
- He uses logical reasoning to expose the absurdity of unbelief:
- "If I deny God to save my family, I am saying that my own efforts are more reliable than God’s care."
- He references Psalm 109:6–8 (a curse against Judas), implying that selfish fear is a betrayal of Christ, just as Judas betrayed Jesus for money.
- "God would disappoint him in his selfish thoughts" – Bunyan warns that those who act out of self-preservation (like Judas) will find their plans fail.
Theological Significance:
- This reflects the Puritan doctrine of providence—the belief that God ordains all things, and human efforts apart from Him are futile.
- Bunyan’s fear of hypocrisy is central to Puritan spirituality. To profess faith but deny it in action was seen as worse than outright unbelief.
Literary Devices:
- Antithesis (contrasting ideas):
- "venture all for God" vs. "forsake Him and His ways"
- "left at God’s feet" vs. "under my own care"
- Metaphor of "spurs unto my flesh" – The idea stings like a spur, driving him forward in faith despite pain.
C. Third Consideration: Eternal Consequences (Par. 331)
"the dread of the torments of hell, which I was sure they must partake of that for fear of the cross, do shrink from their profession of Christ... I thought also of the glory that He had prepared for those that in faith, and love, and patience, stood to His ways before them."
Explanation:
- Bunyan shifts from earthly fears (persecution, family suffering) to eternal realities:
- The Terror of Hell – Those who deny Christ to avoid suffering will face everlasting punishment.
- This reflects Matthew 10:33 ("Whoever denies me before men, I will deny before my Father in heaven.")
- The Glory of Heaven – Those who endure faithfully will receive eternal reward.
- This aligns with Revelation 2:10 ("Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.")
- The Terror of Hell – Those who deny Christ to avoid suffering will face everlasting punishment.
- The contrast between temporary suffering and eternal glory is a classic Puritan motivational tool.
- "the thoughts of the misery that both myself and mine might... be exposed to" – Even when pinched by fear, he reminds himself that earthly suffering is brief compared to hell.
Literary/Theological Notes:
- Eschatological Focus – Puritans were obsessed with the afterlife, and Bunyan uses fear of hell and hope of heaven as motivators for perseverance.
- "Pinching on my mind" – A vivid metaphor for how fear grips and torments him, yet he resists it through doctrine.
Key Themes in the Excerpt
The Cost of Discipleship
- Bunyan grapples with whether following Christ is worth the suffering it brings to him and his family.
- This mirrors Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels (e.g., Luke 14:26–27, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother... he cannot be my disciple.")
Divine Providence vs. Human Anxiety
- The tension between trusting God’s sovereignty and fearing man’s cruelty is central.
- Bunyan’s struggle with doubt is a microcosm of the Christian’s battle between faith and sight.
The Fear of Hypocrisy
- To profess Christ but deny Him in action is worse than never believing at all (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12).
- This was a major Puritan concern—true faith must produce endurance.
Scripture as a Weapon Against Doubt
- Bunyan fights despair with specific Bible verses, showing the Puritan reliance on Scripture as a living, personal guide.
- His misapplication of Jeremiah (originally about Israel, not individuals) reveals how Puritans read the Bible devotionally rather than strictly contextually.
Eternal Perspective Over Temporary Suffering
- The fear of hell and hope of heaven outweigh earthly hardships.
- This reflects Hebrews 11’s "Hall of Faith"—where heroes endured because they saw eternal rewards.
Literary Devices & Style
Repetition for Emphasis
- "Verily, verily" (from Jeremiah) – reinforces God’s certainty.
- "These things, I say, have helped me" – Bunyan reiterates his point to drive it home.
Metaphors & Vivid Imagery
- "Spurs unto my flesh" – pain that drives him forward.
- "Pinching on my mind" – fear as a physical, gripping force.
Logical Argumentation (Almost Legal)
- Bunyan builds a case against his own doubts, using if-then reasoning:
- If I deny God → I am a hypocrite.
- If I trust God → He must keep His promises.
- Bunyan builds a case against his own doubts, using if-then reasoning:
Direct Address to the Reader
- "Pray read it soberly" – Bunyan breaks the fourth wall, urging the reader to engage seriously with Scripture.
Contrast & Antithesis
- Faith vs. Fear
- God’s care vs. Self-reliance
- Heaven’s glory vs. Hell’s torment
Significance of the Passage
Personal Struggle as Universal Lesson
- Bunyan’s introspective battle mirrors the doubts of many believers—especially those facing persecution.
- His honesty about fear makes his faith more relatable and compelling.
Puritan Theology in Practice
- The excerpt embodies key Puritan beliefs:
- Sola Scriptura (Scripture as the final authority).
- Perseverance of the saints (true believers endure).
- Providence (God controls all things, even suffering).
- The excerpt embodies key Puritan beliefs:
A Model of Spiritual Warfare
- Bunyan does not suppress doubt but confronts it with Scripture and reason.
- This method of combating despair influenced later evangelical and Reformed spirituality.
Historical Context of Persecution
- Written during Bunyan’s imprisonment, this passage reflects the real dangers faced by nonconformist Puritans under Charles II’s reign.
- His refusal to compromise despite threats inspired later dissenters and martyrs.
Conclusion: Bunyan’s Victory Over Fear
This excerpt is not just theological reflection—it is spiritual warfare. Bunyan wrestles with his fears like Jacob wrestling with the angel (Genesis 32), and he emerges with a blessing: the assurance that God is trustworthy, even when obedience seems costly.
His three considerations form a triple cord (Ecclesiastes 4:12) that binds his wavering heart to faith:
- God’s promises (Scripture).
- The folly of unbelief (logic).
- Eternal consequences (fear and hope).
In the end, Bunyan chooses faith over safety, trust over fear, and eternity over comfort—a testimony that resonates with believers across centuries.
Final Thought:
Bunyan’s words challenge modern readers:
- Are we willing to "venture all for God," or do we shrink back when faith becomes costly?
- Do we trust God’s promises more than our own schemes?
- Does the fear of hell and hope of heaven shape our daily choices?
His struggle is timeless because the cost of discipleship never changes.