Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

Most Christians are familiar with John Bunyan’s famous book, Pilgrim’s Progress. It is required reading for Christian School students. Mr. Bunyan wrote other books, one of which I just found. Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners was written from his jail cell in 1666. It is the story of Bunyan’s conversion told with stark honesty. He relates the evil habits of his youth, the temptations he struggled with after his conversion, and the mercies, comforts and deliverances he received at the hand of God. There are distinct sections that deal with different aspects of his life: the questions and misconceptions that plagued his soul; his call to be a preacher; the perils he found in preaching; and the years he spent in prison. There is an interesting section relating a sort of transcript of the court proceedings he went through. Mr. Bunyan was not jailed for what he preached but for the fact that he preached at all! He wasn’t sanctioned by the church.

Bunyan was a true man of God and patterned everything he did to what he saw in the Word of God. He felt it was his calling to proclaim to others what Christ had done for him. “Oh! 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.”

His life bore out the truth of his words. Though he was never hanged, he never faltered in his commitment. Bunyan listed seven abominations that he saw as traps to his very soul. They are reminders very much worth writing down as warnings in our own life.

One quote from the book that I wrote down to meditate on (I wrote many), shows Bunyan’s understanding of salvation: “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, today, and forever, Hebrews 13:8

The book ends with a continuation written by a friend of Bunyan’s. It tells how he lived out the final years of his life after his release from prison. This book is not your run-of-the-mill autobiography!  Bunyan’s life is a devotional study.

I found this book when looking for free books to apply to my Kindle (If you do not have a Kindle, you can read Kindle books on your computer or phone - for information - click here). It is free! You can find this free book here.   Also Google the title and there will be a plethora of places found. You will not be sorry you did. You will always be enriched when you take time to meditate on spiritual things.