Thucydides - "The History of the Peloponnesian War"

Jens Peter Jacobsen - "Mogens and Other Stories"

Sir Walter Scott - "Quentin Durward"

J. H. Fabre - "The Wonders of Instinct"

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




268. Wherefore, to be brief, at last, being still desired by the
church, after some solemn prayer to the Lord, with fasting, I was
more particularly called forth, and appointed to a more ordinary
and public preaching the word, not only to, and amongst them that
believed, but also to offer the gospel to those who had not yet
received the faith thereof; about which time I did evidently find
in my mind a secret pricking forward thereto; though I bless God,
not for desire of vain glory, for at that time I was most sorely
afflicted with the fiery darts of the devil concerning my eternal
state.

269. But yet could not be content, unless I was found in the
exercise of my gift, unto which also I was greatly animated, not
only by the continual desires of the godly, but also by that saying
of Paul to the Corinthians, "I beseech you, brethren (ye know the
household of Stephanus, that it is the first fruits of Achaian, and
that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints)
that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth
with us, and laboureth" (1 Cor 16:15,16).

270. By this text I was made to see that the Holy Ghost never
intended that men who have gifts and abilities should bury them in
the earth, but rather did command and stir up such to the exercise
of their gift, and also did commend those that were apt and ready
so to do, "They have addicted themselves to the ministry of the
saints." This scripture, in these days, did continually run in my
mind, to encourage me and strengthen me in this my work for God;
I have also been encouraged from several other scriptures and
examples of the godly, both specified in the Word and other ancient
histories (Acts 8:4, 18:24,25; 1 Peter 4:10; Rom 12:6; Foxe's Acts
and Monuments).

271. Wherefore, though of myself, of all the saints the most
unworthy, yet I, but with great fear and trembling at the sight
of my own weakness, did set upon the work, and did according to my
gift, and the proportion of my faith, preach that blessed gospel
that God had showed me in the holy Word of truth; which, when the
country understood, they came in to hear the Word by hundreds, and
that from all parts, though upon sundry and divers accounts.

272. And I thank God he gave unto me some measure of bowels and
pity for their souls, which also did put me forward to labour with
great diligence and earnestness, to find out such a word as might,
if God would bless it, lay hold of, and awaken the conscience, in
which also the good Lord had respect to the desire of his servant;
for I had not preached long before some began to be touched by the
Word, and to be greatly afflicted in their minds at the apprehension
of the greatness of their sin, and of their need of Jesus Christ.

273. But I at first could not believe that God should speak by me
to the heart of any man, still counting myself unworthy; yet those
who thus were touched would love me and have a peculiar respect for
me; and though I did put it from me, that they should be awakened
by me, still they would confess it and affirm it before the saints
of God; they would also bless God for me, unworthy wretch that I
am! and count me God's instrument that showed to them the way of
salvation.

274. Wherefore, seeing them in both their words and deeds to be
so constant, and also in their hearts so earnestly pressing after
the knowledge of Jesus Christ, rejoicing that ever God did send
me where they were; then I began to conclude it might be so, that
God had owned in his work such a foolish one as I, and then came
that word of God to my heart with much sweet refreshment, "The
blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; and I caused
the widow's heart to sing for joy" (Job 29:13).

275. At this therefore I rejoiced, yea, the tears of those whom God
did awaken by my preaching would be both solace and encouragement
to me; for I thought on those sayings, "Who is he that maketh
me glad but the same which is made sorry by me?" (2 Cor 2;2); and
again, Though "I be not an apostle to others, yet, doubtless, I
am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord" (1
Cor 9:2). These things, therefore, were as another argument unto
me that God had called me to, and stood by me in this work.

276. In my preaching of the Word, I took special notice of this one
thing, namely, that the Lord did lead me to being 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.
Now this part of my work I fulfilled with great sense;[59] for
the terrors of the law, and guilt for my transgressions, lay heavy
on my conscience. I preached what I felt, what I smartingly did
feel, even that under which my pour soul did groan and tremble to
astonishment.

277. Indeed I have been as one sent to them from the dead; I went
myself in chains to preach to them in chains; and carried that
fire in my own conscience that I persuaded them to beware of. I can
truly say, and that without dissembling, that when I have been to
preach, I have gone full of guilt and terror even to the pulpit
door, and there it hath been taken off, and I have been at liberty
in my mind until I have done my work, and then immediately, even
before I could get down the pulpit stairs, I have been as bad as I
was before; yet God carried me on, but surely with a strong hand,
for neither guilt or hell could take me off my work.

278. Thus I went for the space of two years, crying out against
men's sins, and their fearful state because of them. After which
the Lord came in upon my own soul with some staid peace and comfort
through Christ; for he did give me many sweet discoveries of his
blessed grace through him. Wherefore now I altered in my preaching,
for still I preached what I saw and felt; now therefore I did much
labour to hold forth Jesus Christ in all his offices, relations,
and benefits unto the world; and did strive also to discover, to
condemn, and remove those false supports and props on which the
world doth both lean, and by them fall and perish. On these things
also I staid as long as on the other.

279. After this, God led me into something of the mystery of union
with Christ; wherefore that I discovered and showed to them also.
And when I had traveled through these three chief points of the
Word of God, about the space of five years or more, I was caught
in my present practice and cast into prison, where I have lain[60]
above as long again, to confirm the truth by way of suffering, as
I was before in testifying of it according to the Scriptures in a
way of preaching.

280. When I have been preaching, I thank God, my heart hath often
all the time of this and the other exercise, with great earnestness,
cried to God that he would make the Word effectual to the salvation
of the soul; still being grieved lest the enemy should take the
Word away from the conscience, and so it should become unfruitful.
Wherefore I did labour so to speak the Word, as that thereby, if it
were possible, the sins and person guilty might be particularized
by it.

281. Also, when I have done the exercise, it hath gone to my heart
to think the Word should now fall as rain on stony places, still
wishing from my heart, O that they who have heard me speak this
day did but see as I do what sin, death, hell, and the curse of
God is; and also what the grace, and love, and mercy of God is,
through Christ, to men in such a case as they are, who are yet
estranged from him. And, indeed, I did often say in my heart before
the Lord, That if to be hanged up presently before their eyes would
be a means to awaken them, and confirm them in the truth, I gladly
should be contented.

282. For I have been in my preaching, especially when I have been
engaged in the doctrine of life by Christ, without works, as if an
angel of God had stood by at my back to encourage me. Oh, it hath
been with such power and heavenly evidence upon my own soul, while
I have been labouring to unfold it, to demonstrate it, and to fasten
it upon the consciences of others, that I could not be contented
with saying, I believe, and am sure; methought I was more than sure,
if it be lawful so to express myself, that those things which then
I asserted were true.

283. When I went first to preach the Word abroad, the doctors
and priests of the country did open wide against me.[61] But I
was persuaded of this, not to render railing for railing, but to
see how many of their carnal professors I could convince of their
miserable state by the law, and of the want and worth of Christ;
for, thought I, This shall answer for me in time to come, when they
shall be for my hire before their faces (Gen 30:33).

284. I never cared to meddle with things that were controverted,
and in dispute amongst the saints, especially things of the lowest
nature; yet it pleased me much to contend with great earnestness
for the word of faith and the remission of sins by the death and
sufferings of Jesus; but I say, as to other things, I should let
them alone, because I saw they engendered strife, and because that
they neither, in doing nor in leaving undone, did commend us to
God to be his. Besides, I saw my work before me did run in another
channel, even to carry an awakening word; to that therefore did I
stick and adhere.[62]

285. I never endeavoured to, nor durst make use of other men's lines
(Rom 15:18)[63], though I condemn not all that do, for I verily
thought, and found by experience, that what was taught me by the
Word and Spirit of Christ, could be spoken, maintained, and stood
to by the soundest and best established conscience; and though I
will not now speak all that I know in this matter, yet my experience
hath more interest in that text of Scripture than many amongst men
are aware (Gal 1:11,12).

286. If any of those who were awakened by my ministry did after
that fall back, as sometimes too many did, I can truly say their
loss hath been more to me than if one of my own children, begotten
of my body, had been going to its grave; I think, verily, I may
speak it without an offence to the Lord, nothing hath gone so near
me as that, unless it was the fear of the loss of the salvation
of my own soul. I have counted as if I had goodly buildings and
lordships in those places where my children were born; my heart
hath been so wrapped up in the glory of this excellent work, that
I counted myself more blessed and honoured of God by this than if
he had made me the emperor of the Christian world, or the lord of
all the glory of 'the' earth without it! O these words, "He which
converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul
from death" (James 5:20). '"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of
life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Prov 11:30). "They that
be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they
that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever"
(Dan 12:3). "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?
Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his
coming? For ye are our glory and joy" (1 Thess 2:19,20). These, I
say, with many others of a like nature, have been great refreshments
to me.'

287. I have observed, that where I have had a work to do for God,
I have had first, as it were, the going of God upon my spirit to
desire I might preach there. I have also observed that such and
such souls in particular have been strongly set upon my heart,
and I stirred up to wish for their salvation; and that these very
souls have, after this, been given in as the fruits of my ministry.
I have also observed, that a word cast in by the by hath done more
execution in a sermon than all that was spoken besides; sometimes
also when I have thought I did no good, then I did the most of
all; and at other times when I thought I should catch them I have
fished for nothing.

288. 'I have also observed, that where there hath been a work to
do upon sinners, there the devil hath begun to roar in the hearts,
and by the mouths of his servants. Yea, oftentimes when the wicked
world hath raged most, there hath been souls awaked by the Word.
I could instance particulars, but I forbear.'

289. My great desire in my fulfilling my ministry was to get into
the darkest places of the country, even amongst those people that
were furthest off of profession; yet not because I could not endure
the light, for I feared not to show my gospel to any, but because
I found my spirit leaned most after awakening and converting work,
and the Word that I carried did lead itself most that way 'also';
"yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ
was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation" (Rom
15:20).

290. In my preaching I have really been in pain, and have, as it
were, travailed to bring forth children to God; neither could I
be satisfied unless some fruits did appear in my work. If I were
fruitless it mattered not who commended me; but if I were fruitful,
I cared not who did condemn. I have thought of that, "He that
winneth souls is wise" (Prov 11:30); and again, "Lo, children are
an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As
arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath filled his quiver full of them; they
shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the
gate" (Psa 127:3-5).

291. 'It pleased me nothing to see people drink in opinions if
they seemed ignorant of Jesus Christ, and the worth of their own
salvation, sound conviction for sin, especially for unbelief, and
an heart set on fire to be saved by Christ, with strong breathing
after a truly sanctified soul; that it was that delighted me; those
were the souls I counted blessed.'

292. But in this work, as in all other, I had my temptations
attending me, and that of diverse kinds, as sometimes I should be
assaulted with great discouragement therein, fearing that I should
not be able to speak the word at all to edification; nay, that I
should not be able to speak sense unto the people; at which times
I should have such a strange faintness and strengthlessness seize
upon my body that my legs have scarce been able to carry me to the
place of exercise.

293. Sometimes, again, when I have been preaching, I have been
violently assaulted with thoughts of blasphemy, and strongly tempted
to speak the words with my mouth before the congregation. I have
also at some times, even when I have begun to speak the Word with
much clearness, evidence, and liberty of speech, yet been before
the ending of that opportunity so blinded, and so estranged from
the things I have been speaking, and have also been so straitened
in my speech, as to utterance before the people, that I have been
as if I had not known or remembered what I have been about, or as
if my head had been in a bag all the time of the exercise.

294. Again, when as sometimes I have been about to preach upon
some smart and scorching[64] portion of the Word, I have found the
tempter suggest, What, will you preach this? this condemns yourself;
of this your own soul is guilty; wherefore preach not of it at all;
or if you do, yet so mince it as to make way for your own escape;
lest instead of awakening others, you lay that guilt upon your own
soul, as you will never get from under.

295. 'But, I thank the Lord, I have been kept from consenting
to these so horrid suggestions, and have rather, as Samson, bowed
myself with all my might, to condemn sin and transgression wherever
I found it, yea, though therein also I did bring guilt upon my own
conscience! "Let me die," thought I, "with the Philistines" (Judg
16:29,30), rather than deal corruptly with the blessed Word of
God, "Thou that teachest another, teachest not thou thyself?" It
is far better that thou do judge thyself, even by preaching plainly
to others, than that thou, to save thyself, imprison the truth in
unrighteousness; blessed be God for his help also in this.'

296. I have also, while found in this blessed work of Christ, been
often tempted to pride and liftings up of heart; and though I dare
not say I have not been infected with this, yet truly the Lord, of
his precious mercy, hath so carried it towards me, that, for the
most part, I have had but small joy to give way to such a thing;
for it hath been my every day's portion to be let into the evil of
my own heart, and still made to see such a multitude of corruptions
and infirmities therein, that it hath caused hanging down of the
head under all my gifts and attainments; I have felt this thorn in
the flesh, the very mercy of God to me (2 Cor 12:7-9).

297. I have had also, together with this, some notable place or
other of the Word presented before me, which word hath contained
in it some sharp and piercing sentence concerning the perishing of
the soul, notwithstanding gifts and parts; as, for instance, that
hath been of great use unto me, "Though I speak with the tongues
of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding
brass, and a tinkling cymbal" (1 Cor 13:1,2).

298. A tinkling cymbal is an instrument of music, with which a
skillful player can make such melodious and heart-inflaming music,
that all who hear him play can scarcely hold from dancing; and yet
behold the cymbal hath not life, neither comes the music from it,
but because of the art of him that plays therewith; so then the
instrument at last may come to nought and perish, though, in times
past, such music hath been made upon it.

299. Just thus I saw it was and will be with them who have gifts,
but want saving grace, they are in the hand of Christ, as the
cymbal in the hand of David; and as David could, with the cymbal,
make that mirth in the service of God, as to elevate the hearts of
the worshippers, so Christ can use these gifted men, as with them
to affect the souls of his people in his church; yet when he hath
done all, hang them by as lifeless, though sounding cymbals.[65]

300. This consideration, therefore, together with some others, were,
for the most part, as a maul on the head of pride, and desire of
vain glory; what, thought I, shall I be proud because I am a sounding
brass? Is it so much to be a fiddle? Hath not the least creature
that hath life, more of God in it than these? Besides, I knew
it was love should never die, but these must cease and vanish; so
I concluded, a little grace, a little love, a little of the true
fear of God, is better than all these gifts; yea, and I am fully
convinced of it, that it is possible for a soul that can scarce
give a man an answer, but with great confusion as to method, I say
it is possible for them to have a thousand times more grace, and
so to be more in the love and favour of the Lord than some who,
by virtue of the gift of knowledge, can deliver themselves like
angels.[66]

301. 'Thus, therefore, I came to perceive, that though gifts
in themselves were good to the thing for which they are designed,
to wit, the edification of others; yet empty and without power to
save the soul of him that hath them, if they be alone; neither are
they, as so, any sign of a man's state to be happy, being only a
dispensation of God to some, of whose improvement, or non-improvement,
they must, when a little love more is over, give an account to him
that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.'

302. 'This showed me too, that gifts being alone, were dangerous,
not in themselves, but because of those evils that attend them that
have them, to wit, pride, desire of vain glory, self-conceit, &c.,
all which were easily blown up at the applause and commendation of
every unadvised Christian, to the endangering of a poor creature
to fall into the condemnation of the devil.'

303. 'I saw therefore that he that hath gifts had need be let into
a sight of the nature of them, to wit, that they come short of
making of him to be in a truly saved condition, lest he rest in
them, and so fall short of the grace of God.'

304. 'He hath also cause to walk humbly with God, and be little in
his own eyes, and to remember withal, that his gifts are not his
own, but the church's; and that by them he is made a servant to
the church; and he must give at last an account of his stewardship
unto the Lord Jesus; and to give a good account, will be a blessed
thing.'

305. 'Let all men therefore prize a little with the fear of the
Lord; gifts indeed are desirable, but yet great grace and small
gifts are better than great gifts and no grace. It doth not say,
the Lord gives gifts and glory, but the Lord gives grace and glory;
and blessed is such an one, to whom the Lord gives grace, true
grace, for that is a certain forerunner of glory.'

306. 'But when Satan perceived that his thus tempting and assaulting of
me would not answer his design, to wit, to overthrown my ministry,
and make it ineffectual, as to the ends thereof; then he tried
another way, which was to stir up the minds of the ignorant and
malicious, to load me with slanders and reproaches; now therefore
I may say, That what the devil could devise, and his instruments
invent, was whirled up and down the country against me, thinking,
as I said, that by that means they should make my ministry to be
abandoned.'

307. 'It began therefore to be rumoured up and down among the
people, that I was a witch, a Jesuit, a highwayman, and the like.'

308. 'To all which, I shall only say, God knows that I am innocent.
But as for mine accusers, let them provide themselves to meet
me before the tribunal of the Son of God, there to answer for all
these things, with all the rest of their iniquities, unless God
shall give them repentance for them, for the which I pray with all
my heart.'

309. 'But that which was reported with the boldest confidence,
was, that I had my misses, my whores, my bastards, yea, two wives
at once, and the like. Now these slanders, with the other, I glory
in, because but slanders, foolish, or knavish lies, and falsehoods
cast upon me by the devil and his seed; and should I not be dealt
with thus wickedly by the world, I should want one sign of a saint,
and a child of God. "Blessed are ye [said the Lord Jesus] when men
shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of
evil against you falsely for my sake; rejoice, and be exceeding
glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they
the prophets which were before you" (Matt 4:11).'

310. 'These things, therefore, upon mine own account, trouble me
not; no, though they were twenty times more than they are. I have
a good conscience, and whereas they speak evil of me, as an evil
doer, they shall be ashamed that falsely accuse my good conversation
in Christ.[67]'

311. 'So then, what shall I say to those that have thus bespattered
me? shall I threaten them? Shall I chide them? Shall I flatter
them? Shall I intreat them to hold their tongues? No, not I, were
it not for that these things make them ripe for damnation, that
are the authors and abettors, I would say unto them, Report it,
because it will increase my glory.'

312. 'Therefore I bind these lies and slanders to me as an ornament,
it belongs to my Christian profession to be vilified, slandered,
reproached and reviled; and since all this is nothing else, as my
God and my conscience do bear me witness; I rejoice in reproaches
for Christ's sake.'

313. 'I also calling all those fools, or knaves, that have thus
made it anything of their business, to affirm any of the things
afore-named of me, namely, that I have been naught with other women,
or the like. When they have used to the utmost of their endeavours,
and made the fullest inquiry that they can, to prove against me
truly, that there is any woman in heaven, or earth, or hell, that
can say, I have at any time, in any place, by day or night, so much
as attempted to be naught with them; and speak I thus, to beg mine
enemies into a good esteem of me; no, not I: I will in this beg
relief of no man; believe or disbelieve me in this, all is a case
to me.[68]'

314. 'My foes have missed their mark in this their shooting at me.
I am not the man. I wish that they themselves be guiltless. If all
the fornicators and adulterers in England were hanged by the neck
till they be dead, JOHN BUNYAN, the object of their envy, would be
still alive and well. I know not whether there be such a thing as
a woman breathing under the copes of the whole heaven, but by their
apparel, their children, or by common fame, except my wife.'

315. 'And in this I admire the wisdom of God, that he made me shy
of women from my first conversion until now. Those know, and can also
bear me witness, with whom I have been most intimately concerned,
that it is a rare thing to see me carry it pleasant towards a
woman; the common salutation of a woman I abhor, it is odious to
me in whomsoever I see it. Their company alone, I cannot away with.
I seldom so much as touch a woman's hand, for I think these things
are not so becoming me. When I have seen good men salute those
women that they have visited, or that have visited them, I have at
times made my objection against it, and when they have answered,
that it was but a piece of civility, I have told them, it is not
a comely sight; some indeed have urged the holy kiss; but then I
have asked why they made baulks,[69] why they did salute the most
handsome, and let the ill-favoured go; thus, how laudable soever
such things have been in the eyes of others, they have been unseemly
in my sight.'