Customer Reviews

Works of John Bunyan (3 Volume Set) (v. 1-3)

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"The Works of John Bunyan", edited by George Offor

This review intends to inform readers of the contents of these three volumes so they may buy these books without the risk of guessing. Fortunately for me I guessed correctly!

To answer your first question, reader: Yes, "Pilgrim's Progress" IS INCLUDED in volume 3! Part I, Christian's journey, begins on page 89 after an 88 page introduction by the editor. Part II, Christiana's journey begins on page 168. And part III, The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, begins later in the volume on page 586. All parts are included. (Note that the latter is not commonly included as a part of "Pilgrim's Progress" in most books.)

Having said the above, if you are *only* looking for "Pilgrim's Progress", especially parts I and II, then these collected works are not for you. These books are physically HEAVY to hold, much too heavy for comfortable reading; you will need a stand, table or desk to avoid cramping your hands while reading.

The print, while quite legible, is small; some sections seem 6pt or smaller, especially the footnotes. As is common with many reprints of early editions, a few letters per page are faint, and a few have slight blotches such as a filled "e" center or a slightly thicker "t" crossbar, etc. As mentioned before, the print is still quite legible; if you are looking for the collected works please do not let the print deter you!

The sturdy binding and covers on the volumes handles the unexpectedly heavy contents well. I suppose the dimensions are roughly 9x7x1.125".

The copyright information says "Reprinted from the edition of 1854 published by W.G Blackie and Son, Glasgow". Reprints from the middle of the 19th century somehow seem appropriate for the writings of Bunyan; it gives one a feeling of history. And I *DO* love old books!

The editor describes the difficulty of obtaining 1st edition prints of Bunyan, especially since most editions were cheaply and badly printed "for the poor". Another interesting editorial comment is that Bunyan was somewhat of a misogynist.

As expected from a 1854 reprint, there are many woodcuts throughout the volumes, and they are excellent.

The 19th century compiler and editor, George Offor, supplies many footnotes. The footnotes, especially in the "Pilgrim's Progress", are often of a devotional nature such as "Take heed reader!", etc. But there are also many other footnotes clarifying rare words, doctrinal points, cross references, circumstances of writing, etc. Many of the footnotes have initials next to them, presumably indicating selected editorial comments of other commentators. (I was unable to find a clear list relating the initials to full names.)

Volumes I & II are entitled "Experimental, Doctrinal and Practical". Volume III is titled "Allegorical, Figurative and Symbolical".

To help you decide for yourself whether to purchase these books, here are the contents:

Volume I: "Experimental, Doctrinal And Practical" (771 pages)

- Grace Abounding To The Chief Of Sinners (his personal testimony)

- Bunyan's Prison Meditations

- The Jerusalem Sinner Saved

- The Greatness Of The Soul

- The Work Of Jesus Christ As An Advocate

- Christ: A Complete Saviour

- Come And Welcome To Jesus Christ

- Of Justification By An Imputed Righteousness

- Saved By Grace

- The Strait Gate

- Light For Them That Sit In Darkness

- A Treatise On The Fear Of God

- The Doctrine Of The Law And Grace Unfolded

- Israel's Hope Encouraged

- A Discourse Touching Prayer

- The Saint's Privilege And Profit

- The Acceptable Sacrifice

- Paul's Departure And Crown

- The Desire Of The Righteous Granted

Volume II: "Experimental, Doctrinal And Practical" (758 pages)

- The Saints' Knowledge Of Christ's Love

- Of Antichrist And His Ruin

- The Resurrection Of The Dead, And Eternal Judgement

- Some Gospel Truths Opened According To The Scriptures

- A Vindication Of Gospel Truths Opened According To The Scriptures

- A Discourse On The Pharisee And The Publican

- A Defence Of The Doctrine Of Justification By Faith In Jesus Christ

- Reprobation Asserted

- Questions About The Nature And Perpetuity Of The Seventh-Day Sabbath

- Of The Trinity And A Christian

- Of The Law And A Christian

- Scriptural Poems

- An Exposition On The First Ten Chapters Of Genesis

- A Holy Life: The Beauty Of Christianity

- Christian Behaviour

- A Caution To Stir Up To Watch Against Sin

- A Discourse Of The Building, NaTure, Excellecy, And Government Of The House Of God

- Bunyan On The Terms Of Communion, And Fellowship Of Christians, At The Table Of The Lord

- A Confession Of My Faith, And A Reason Of My Practice

- Differences In Judgement About Water Baptism No Bar To Communion

- Peaceable Principles And True

- On The Love Of Christ

- A Case Of Conscience Resolved

- John Bunyan's Catechism (called "Instruction For The Ignorant")

- Seasonable Counsel

- An Exhortation To Peace And Unity

- Bunyan's Last Sermon

Volume III: "Allegorical, Figurative And Symbolical" (790 pages)

(Note: the first 88 pages of this volume, called chapters I-IX, comprise an introduction written by the editor describing the writing of "Pilgrim's Progress" itself. That which you and I know as "Pilgrim's Progress", the journey of Christian begins on page 89 and is labeled "First Part" in the volume's table of contents. The "Second Part", the story of Christiana, begins on page 168. The third part appears later in the volume, beginning on page 586, and is labeled as "The Life And Death Of Mr. Badman.")

The editor writes the following introduction:

- The Pilgrim's Progress From This World To That Which Is To Come

- Chapter I: Life A Pilgrimage ...

- Chapter II: ... having been written in prison ...

- Chapter III: Bunyan's Extraordinary Qualifications To Write The Progress

- Chapter IV: Bunyan's release from jail ...

- Chapter V: The inquiry "Was Bunyan assisted in writing?" ... No.

- Chapter VI: A bibliographical account of the Progress' editions ...

- Chapter VII: An account of the versions, commentaries, ...

- Chapter VIII:The opinions of learned men ...

- Chapter IX: Obervations upon ... some prominent parts

- First Part (this is the actual "Pilgrim's Progress")

- Second Part

- The Holy War Made By Shaddai Upon Diabolus, For The Regaining Of The Metropolis Of The World

- The Heavenly Footman

- The Holy City (Or "The New Jerusalem")

- Solomon's Temple Spiritualized

- Discourse On The House Of The Forest Of Lebanon

- The Water Of Life

- The Barren Fig-Tree

- The Life And Death Of Mr. Badman (This May Be Considered The Third Part Of The "Pilgrim's Progress")

- A Few Sighs From Hell

- One Thing Is Needful

- Ebal And Gerizim

- A Book For Boys And Girls

When you order this, you only get Volume 1 of a 3-volume set. Also, the type is very small. Otherwise, I like Bunyan and I like having his works collected together...

To date I have read many of John Bunyan's writings including P-Progress, Mr. Bad man, Heavenly footman, Grace Abounding, The ruin of Antichrist, The barren figtree, The Holy War, many poems, and many more writings. I can tell you this much, any money you would spend to puchase any of Bunyan's writings will be money very ell spent. Just make sure they are Bunyan's writings and not a writing ABOUT his writings.

The above Title of this book clearly states "(3 Volume Set)" and yet I only received the 3rd volume. The ISBN that they have listed is for the 3 volume set and not just one volume. I called Amazon (actually they called me, it was nifty) and complained. They saw that it was a mistake, seemingly a common one judging by what some people have already said here. And now they are sending me all 3 volumes. My real complaint is that now I have to wait an entire month before receiving it and I needed volume 1 for school!!! Can't beat the price, so I will have to borrow a book until mine arrives. If this happens to you just call Amazon and force them to send you all 3 books because the ISBN is for a 3 volume set and not just one volume!! DONT LET THEM FOOL YOU!!

If you are paying close to eighty dollars, make sure that your order says (3 Volume Set).If not, then you are only recieving volume one!

Must read for anyone, everyone, who seeks to adopt an orthodox Christian walk. Bunyan, all the Reformation and Puritan writers as well as Spurgeon are required reading.

Great preaching and exposition of the holy scriptures. Bunyans writing is one of a kind. These volumes are for a serious student of the bible.