Walter Scott - "Ivanhoe"

Rudyard Kipling - "Kim"

Kenneth Grahame - "Pagan Papers"

Constant - "The Private Life of Napoleon Bonaparte, v11"

New Philadelphia Book Publisher Highlights Local Talent
Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

Looking for Child to be on Cover of a New Book, 'The Model Child'
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

FlatSigned Press Alleges Don Imus Remarks Damage Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Nathan Yungerberg, an accomplished model scout and professional child photographer is launching a nation-wide casting call to find the cover model for his highly anticipated book release, 'The Model Child: A Parents Guide to the Child Modeling Industry' (ISBN: 978-0-9817018-0-6).

Books: The Works of John Bunyan Volume 1

J >> John Bunyan >> The Works of John Bunyan Volume 1




44. 'About this time I met with some Ranters' books, that were put
forth by some of our countrymen, which books were also highly in
esteem by several old professors; some of these I read, but was not
able to make a judgment about them; wherefore as I read in them,
and thought upon them, feeling myself unable to judge, I should
betake myself to hearty prayer in this manner: O Lord, I am a fool,
and not able to know the truth from error: Lord, leave me not to
my own blindness, either to approve of, or condemn this doctrine;
if it be of God, let me not despise it; if it be of the devil, let
me not embrace it. Lord, I lay my soul, in this matter, only at
thy foot; let me not be deceived, I humbly beseech thee. I had
one religious intimate companion all this while, and that was the
poor man that I spoke of before; but about this time he also turned
a most devilish Ranter,[20] and gave himself up to all manner of
filthiness, especially uncleanness: he would also deny that there
was a God, angel, or spirit; and would laugh at all exhortations
to sobriety. When I laboured to rebuke his wickedness, he would
laugh the more, and pretend that he had gone through all religions,
and could never light on the right till now. He told me also, that
in a little time I should see all professors turn to the ways of
the Ranters. Wherefore, abominating those cursed principles, I left
his company forthwith, and became to him as great a stranger, as
I had been before a familiar.'

45. 'Neither was this man only a temptation to me; but my calling
lying in the country, I happened to light into several people's
company, who, though strict in religion formerly, yet were also
swept away by these Ranters. These would also talk with me of their
ways, and condemn me as legal and dark; pretending that they only
had attained to perfection that could do what they would, and
not sin. Oh! These temptations were suitable to my flesh, I being
but a young man, and my nature in its prime; but God, who had, as
I hope, designed me for better things, kept me in the fear of his
name, and did not suffer me to accept of such cursed principles.
And blessed be God, who put it into my heart to cry to him to be
kept and directed, still distrusting mine own wisdom; for I have
since seen even the effect of that prayer, in his preserving me not
only from ranting errors, but from those also that have sprung up
since. The Bible was precious to me in those days.'

46. And now, methought, I began to look into the Bible with new
eyes, and read as I never did before; and especially the epistles
of the apostle Paul were sweet and pleasant to me; and, indeed, I
was then never out of the Bible, either by reading or meditation;
still crying out to God, that I might know the truth, and way to
heaven and glory.

47. And as I went on and read, I lighted on that passage, 'To one
is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of
knowledge by the same Spirit; and to another faith,' &c. (1 Cor
12:8,9). And though, as I have since seen, that by this Scripture
the Holy Ghost intends, in special, things extraordinary, yet
on me it did then fasten with conviction, that I did want things
ordinary, even that understanding and wisdom that other Christians
had. On this word I mused, and could not tell what to do, 'especially
this word faith put me to it, for I could not help it, but sometimes
must question, whether I had any faith or no'; for I feared that
it shut me out of all the blessings that other good people had give
them of God;[21] but I was loath to conclude I had no faith in my
soul; for if I do so, thought I, then I shall count myself a very
cast-away indeed.

48. No, said I with myself, though I am convinced that I am
an ignorant sot, and that I want those blessed gifts of knowledge
and understanding that other good people have; yet, at a venture,
I will conclude I am not altogether faithless, though I know not
what faith is. For it was showed me, and that too, as I have since
seen, by Satan, that those who conclude themselves in a faithless
state, have neither rest nor quiet in their souls; and I was loath
to fall quite into despair.

49. Wherefore, by this suggestion, I was for a while made afraid
to see my want of faith; but God would not suffer me thus to undo
and destroy my soul, but did continually, against this my blind and
sad conclusion, create still within me such suppositions, 'insomuch'
that I might in this deceive myself, that I could not rest content,
until I did now come to some certain knowledge, whether I had faith
or no; this always running in my mind, But how if you want faith
indeed? But how can you tell you have faith? 'and, besides, I saw
for certain, if I had not, I was sure to perish for ever.'

50. So that though I endeavoured at the first, to look over the
business of faith, yet in a little time, I better considering the
matter, was willing to put myself upon the trial, whether I had
faith or no. But, alas, poor wretch, so ignorant and brutish was
I, that I knew to this day no more how to do it, than I know how
to begin and accomplish that rare and curious piece of art, which
I never yet saw not considered.

51. Wherefore, while I was thus considering, and being put to my
plunge about it, for you must know, that as yet I had in this matter
broken my mind to no man, only did hear and consider, the tempter
came in with his delusion, That there was no way for me to know I
had faith, but by trying to work some miracle; urging those Scriptures
that seem to look that way, for the enforcing and strengthening
his temptation. Nay, one day as I was betwixt Elstow and Bedford,
the temptation was hot upon me, to try if I had faith, by doing of
some miracle: which miracle at that time was this, I must say to
the puddles that were in the horse pads, Be dry; and to the dry
places, Be you the puddles. And truly, one time I was agoing to
say so indeed; but just as I was about to speak, this thought came
into my mind, But go under yonder hedge and pray first, that God
would make you able. But when I had concluded to pray, this came
hot upon me, That if I prayed, and came again and tried to do it,
and yet did nothing notwithstanding, then be sure I had no faith,
but was a cast-away and lost. Nay, thought I, if it be so, I will
never try yet, but will stay a little longer.

52. So I continued at a great loss; for I thought, if they only
had faith, which could do so wonderful things, then I concluded,
that, for the present, I neither had it, nor yet, for time to come,
were ever like to have it. Thus I was tossed betwixt the devil and
my own ignorance, and so perplexed, especially at some times, that
I could not tell what to do.

53. About this time, the state and happiness of these poor people
at Bedford was thus, in a dream or vision, represented to me. I
saw, as if they were set on the sunny side of some high mountain,
there refreshing themselves with the pleasant beams of the sun,
while I was shivering and shrinking in the cold, afflicted with
frost, snow, and dark clouds. Methought, also, betwixt me and them,
I saw a wall that did compass about this mountain; now, through
this wall my soul did greatly desire to pass; concluding, that if
I could, I would go even into the very midst of them, and there
also comfort myself with the heat of their sun.

54. About this wall I thought myself, to go again and again, still
prying as I went, to see if I could find some way or passage, by
which I might enter therein; but none could I find for some time.
At the last, I saw, as it were, a narrow gap, like a little doorway
in the wall, through which I attempted to pass; but the passage
being very strait and narrow, I made many efforts to get in, but
all in vain, even until I was well nigh quite beat out, by striving
to get in; at last, with great striving, methought I at first did
get in my head, and after that, by a sidling striving, my shoulders,
and my whole body; then was I exceeding glad, and went and sat down
in the midst of them, and so was comforted with the light and heat
of their sun.

55. Now, this mountain and wall, &c., was thus made out to me--the
mountain signified the church of the living God; the sun that shone
thereon, the comfortable shining of his merciful face on them that
were therein; the wall, I thought, was the Word, that did make
separation between the Christians and the world; and the gap which
was in this wall, I thought, was Jesus Christ, who is the way to
God the Father (John 14:6; Matt 7:14). But forasmuch as the passage
was wonderful narrow, even so narrow, that I could not, but with
great difficulty, enter in thereat, it showed me that none could
enter into life, but those that were in downright earnest,[22] and
unless also they left this wicked world behind them; for here was
only room for body and soul, but not for body and soul, and sin.[23]

56. This resemblance abode upon my spirit many days; all which time,
I saw myself in a forlorn and sad condition, but yet was provoked
to a vehement hunger and desire to be one of that number that did
sit in the sunshine. Now also I should pray wherever I was, whether
at home or abroad, in house or field, and should also often, with
lifting up of heart, sing that of the 51st Psalm, O Lord, consider
my distress; for as yet I knew not where I was.

57. Neither as yet could I attain to any comfortable persuasion
that I had faith in Christ; but instead of having satisfaction,
here I began to find my soul to be assaulted with fresh doubts
about my future happiness; especially with such as these, Whether
I was elected? But how, if the day of grace should now be past and
gone?

58. By these two temptations I was very much afflicted and disquieted;
sometimes by one, and sometimes by the other of them. And first,
to speak of that about my questioning my election, I found at this
time, that though I was in a flame to find the way to heaven and
glory, and though nothing could beat me off from this, yet this
question did so offend and discourage me, that I was, especially
at some times, as if the very strength of my body also had been
taken away by the force and power thereof. This scripture did also
seem to me to trample upon all my desires, "It is not of him that
willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy"
(Rom 9:16).

59. With this scripture I could not tell what to do; for I evidently
saw, that unless the great God, of his infinite grace and bounty,
had voluntarily chosen me to be a vessel of mercy, though I should
desire, and long and labour until my heart did break, no good
could come of it. Therefore, this would still stick with me, How
can you tell that you are elected? And what if you should not? How
then?

60. O Lord, thought I, what if I should not, indeed? It may be you
are not, said the tempter; it may be so, indeed, thought I. Why,
then, said Satan, you had as good leave off, and strive no further;
for if, indeed, you should not be elected and chosen of God, there
is no talk of your being saved; "For it is neither of him that
willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy."

61. By these things I was driven to my wits' end, not knowing
what to say, or how to answer these temptations. Indeed, I little
thought that Satan had thus assaulted me, but that rather it was
my own prudence, thus to start the question; for, that the elect
only attained eternal life, that I, without scruple, did heartily
close withal; but that myself was one of them, there lay all the
question.

62. Thus, therefore, for several days, I was greatly assaulted and
perplexed, and was often, when I have been walking, ready to sink
where I went, with faintness in my mind; but one day, after I had
been so many weeks oppressed and cast down therewith, as I was
now quite giving up the ghost of all my hopes of ever attaining
life, that sentence fell with weight upon my spirit, "Look at the
generations of old and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and
was confounded?"

63. At which I was greatly lightened and encouraged in my soul;
for thus, at that very instant, it was expounded to me, Begin at
the beginning of Genesis, and read to the end of the Revelation,
and see if you can find that there was ever any that trusted in
the Lord, and was confounded. So, coming home, I presently went to
my Bible to see if I could find that saying, not doubting but to
find it presently; for it was so fresh, and with such strength and
comfort on my spirit, that I was as if it talked with me.

64. Well, I looked, but I found it not; only it abode upon me;
then I did ask first this good man, and then another, if they knew
where it was, but they knew no such place. At this I wondered,
that such a sentence should so suddenly, and with such comfort and
strength, seize and abide upon my heart, and yet that none could
find it, for I doubted not but it was in holy Scripture.

65. Thus I continued above a year, and could not find the place;
but at last, casting my eye into the Apocrypha books, I found it
in Ecclesiasticus 2:10. This, at the first, did somewhat daunt me;
but because, by this time, I had got more experience of the love
and kindness of God, it troubled me the less; especially when
I considered, that though it was not in those texts that we call
holy and canonical, yet forasmuch as this sentence was the sum
and substance of many of the promises, it was my duty to take the
comfort of it; and I bless God for that word, for it was of God to
me: that word doth still, at times, shine before my face.

66. After this, that other doubt did come with strength upon me,
But how if the day of grace should be past and gone? How if you
have over-stood the time of mercy? Now, I remember that one day, as
I was walking into the country, I was much in the thoughts of this,
But how if the day of grace be past? And to aggravate my trouble,
the tempter presented to my mind those good people of Bedford, and
suggested thus unto me, That these being converted already, they
were all that God would save in those parts; and that I came too
late, for these had got the blessing before I came.

67. Now was I in great distress, thinking in very deed that this
might well be so; wherefore I went up and down bemoaning my sad
condition, counting myself far worse than a thousand fools, for
standing off thus long, and spending so many years in sin as I had
done; still crying out, Oh, that I had turned sooner; Oh, that I
had turned seven years ago! It made me also angry with myself, to
think that I should have no more wit, but to trifle away my time
till my soul and heaven were lost.

68. But when I had been long vexed with this fear, and was scarce
able to take one step more, just about the same place where I received
my other encouragement, these words broke in upon my mind, "Compel
them to come in, that my house may be filled"; "and yet there is
room" (Luke 14:22,23). These words, but especially them, "And yet
there is room" were sweet words to me; for, truly, I thought that
by them I saw there was place enough in heaven for me; and, moreover,
that when the Lord Jesus did speak these words, he then did think
of me; and that he knowing that the time would come that I should
be afflicted with fear that there was no place left for me in his
bosom, did before speak this word, and leave it upon record, that
I might find help thereby against this vile temptations. 'This, I
then verily believed.'

69. In the light and encouragement of this word, I went a pretty
while; and the comfort was the more, when I thought that the Lord
Jesus should think on me so long ago, and that he should speak them
words on purpose for my sake; for I did then think, verily, that
he did on purpose speak them, to encourage me withal.

70. 'But I was not without my temptations to go back again;
temptations, I say, both from Satan, mine own heart, and carnal
acquaintance; but I thank God these were outweighed by that sound
sense of death and of the day of judgment, which abode, as it were,
continually in my view; I should often also think on Nebuchadnezzar,
of whom it is said, He had given him all the kingdoms of the earth
(Dan 5:19). Yet, thought I, if this great man had all his portion
in this world, one hour in hell fire would make him forget all.
Which consideration was a great help to me.'

71. 'I was almost made, about this time, to see something concerning
the beasts that Moses counted clean and unclean. I thought those
beasts were types of men; the clean, types of them that were the
people of God; but the unclean, types of such as were the children
of the wicked one. Now, I read that the clean beasts chewed the
cud; that is, thought I, they show us we must feed upon the Word of
God. They also parted the hoof; I thought that signified we must
part, if we would be saved, with the ways of ungodly men. And also,
in further reading about them I found, that though we did chew the
cud as the hare, yet if we walked with claws like a dog, or if we
did part the hoof like the swine, yet if we did not chew the cud as
the sheep, we were still, for all that, but unclean; for I thought
the here to be a type of those that talk of the Word, yet walk
in the ways of sin; and that the swine was like him that parteth
with his outward pollutions, but still wanteth the Word of faith,
without which there could be no way of salvation, let a man be never
so devout (Deut 14).' After this I found, by reading the Word, that
those that must be glorified with Christ in another world must be
called by him here; called to the partaking of a share in his Word
and righteousness, and to the comforts and first fruits of his
spirit, and to a peculiar interest in all those heavenly things
which do indeed fore fit the soul for that rest and house of glory
which is in heaven above.

72. Here, again, I was at a very great stand, not knowing what to
do, fearing I was not called; for, thought I, if I be not called,
what then can do me good? 'None but those who are effectually
called, inherit the kingdom of heaven.' But oh! how I now loved
those words that spake of a Christian's calling! as when the Lord
said to one, "Follow me," and to another, "Come after me." And oh!
thought I, that he would say so to me too, how gladly would I run
after him!

73. I cannot now express with what longings and breakings in my soul
I cried to Christ to call me. Thus I continued for a time, all on
a flame to be converted to Jesus Christ; and did also see at that
day, such glory in a converted state, that I could not be contented
without a share therein. Gold! could it have been gotten for gold,
what could I have given for it! had I had a whole world it had all
gone ten thousand times over for this, that my soul might have been
in a converted state.

74. How lovely now was every one in my eyes that I thought to be
converted men and women! they shone, they walked like a people that
carried the broad seal of heaven about them. Oh! I saw the lot was
fallen to them in pleasant places, and they had a goodly heritage
(Psa 16:6). But that which made me sick was that of Christ, in
Mark, He went up into a mountain and called to him whom he would,
and they came unto him (Mark 3:13).

75. This scripture made me faint and fear, yet it kindled fire in
my soul. That which made me fear was this, lest Christ should have
no liking to me, for he called "whom he would." But oh! the glory
that I saw in that condition did still so engage my heart that
I could seldom read of any that Christ did call but I presently
wished, Would I had been in their clothes; would I had been born
Peter; would I had been born John; or would I had been by and had
heard him when he called them, how would I have cried, O Lord, call
me also. But oh! I feared he would not call me.

76. And truly the Lord let me go thus many months together and
showed me nothing; either that I was already, or should be called
hereafter. But at last, after much time spent, and many groans to
God, that I might be made partaker of the holy and heavenly calling,
that Word came in upon me--"I will cleanse their blood that I have
not cleansed, for the Lord dwelleth in Zion" (Joel 3:21). These
words I thought were sent to encourage me to wait still upon God,
and signified unto me, that if I were not already, yet time might
come I might be in truth converted unto Christ.[24]

77. About this time I began to break my mind to those poor people
in Bedford, and to tell them my condition, which, when they had
heard, they told Mr. Gifford of me, who himself also took occasion
to talk with me, and was willing to be 'well' persuaded of me, though
I think but from little grounds: but he invited me to his house,
where I should hear him confer with others, about the dealings of
God with the soul; from all which I still received more conviction,
and from that time began to see something of the vanity and inward
wretchedness of my wicked heart, for as yet I knew no great matter
therein; but now it began to be discovered unto me, and also
to work at that rate for wickedness as it never did before. Now I
evidently found that lusts and corruptions would strongly put forth
themselves within me, in wicked thoughts and desires, which I did
not regard before; my desires also for heaven and life began to
fail. I found also, that whereas before my soul was full of longing
after God, now my heart began to hanker after every foolish vanity;
yea, my heart would not be moved to mind that that was good;
it began to be careless, both of my soul and heaven; it would now
continually hang back, both to, and in every duty; and was as a
clog on the leg of a bird to hinder her from flying.

78. Nay, thought I, now I grow worse and worse; now am I further
from conversion than ever I was before. Wherefore I began to sink
greatly in my soul, and began to entertain such discouragement in
my heart as laid me low as hell. If now I should have burned at
a stake, I could not believe that Christ had love for me; alas, I
could neither hear him, nor see him, nor feel him, nor savour any
of his things; I was driven as with a tempest, my heart would be
unclean, the Canaanites would dwell in the land.

79. Sometimes I would tell my condition to the people of God,
which, when they heard, they would pity me, and would tell me of
the promises; but they had as good have told me that I must reach
the sun with my finger as have bidden me receive or rely upon the
promise; and as soon as I should have done it, all my sense and
feeling was against me; and I saw I had a heart that would sin,
and 'that' lay under a law that would condemn.

80. These things have often made me think of that child which the
father brought to Christ, who, while he was yet a coming to him,
was thrown down by the devil, and also so rent and torn by him that
he lay and wallowed, foaming (Luke 9:42; Mark 9:20).

81. Further, in these days I should find my heart to shut itself
up against the Lord, and against his holy Word. I have found my
unbelief to set, as it were, the shoulder to the door to keep him
out, and that too even then, when I have with many a bitter sigh
cried, Good Lord, break it open; Lord, break these gates of brass,
and cut these bars of iron asunder (Psa 107:16). Yet that word
would sometimes create in my heart a peaceable pause, "I girded
thee, though thou hast not known me" (Isa 45:5).

82. But all this while as to the act of sinning, I never was more
tender than now; I durst not take a pin or a stick, though but so
big as a straw, for my conscience now was sore, and would smart at
every touch; I could not now tell how to speak my words, for fear
I should misplace them. Oh, how gingerly[25] did I then go in all
I did or said! I found myself as on a miry bog that shook if I
did but stir; and 'was' there left both of God and Christ, and the
Spirit, and all good things.

83. 'But, I observe, though I was such a great sinner before
conversion, yet God never much charged the guilt of the sins of
my ignorance upon me; only he showed me I was lost if I had not
Christ, because I had been a sinner; I saw that I wanted a perfect
righteousness to present me without fault before God, and this
righteousness was nowhere to be found, but in the person of Jesus
Christ.'

84. 'But my original and inward pollution, that, that was my plague
and my affliction; that, I say, at a dreadful rate, always putting
forth itself within me; that I had the guilt of, to amazement;
by reason of that, I was more loathsome in my own eyes than was a
toad; and I thought I was so in God's eyes too; sin and corruption,
I said, would as naturally bubble out of my heart, as water would
bubble out of a fountain. I thought now that every one had a
better heart than I had; I could have changed heart with any body;
I thought none but the devil himself could equalize me for inward
wickedness and pollution of mind. I fell, therefore, at the sight
of my own vileness, deeply into despair; for I concluded that this
condition that I was in could not stand with a state of grace. Sure,
thought I, I am forsaken of God; sure I am given up to the devil,
and to a reprobate mind; and thus I continued a long while, even
for some years together.'