The Doctrine of Law and Grace Unfolded

Bunyan’s primary objective is to define what the Law is, as given to Adam, and later more fully developed through Moses at Sinai. It requires implicit, universal, and perfect obedience, failure in even the minutest point is not an option for the resulting penalty is eternal ruin.

He shows us that a man, under the influence of that law, may reform his conduct, become a member of a Christian church, even, appear to be “a virgin” waiting for his Lord, but yet to have “step even upon the lowest round of the ladder that reacheth to heaven.” While man is a stranger to the new birth, “his destiny is the lion's den; to be thrown into Hell to the very devils.”

Bunyan is harsh in addressing those who say, “Let us sin that grace may abound,” perverting the consoling doctrine of Divine grace unto the destruction of their souls. “What! because Christ is a Savior, wilt thou be a sinner! because His grace abounds, therefore thou wilt abound in sin! O wicked wretch!...Tell the hogs of this world what a hog-sty is prepared for them, even that which God hath prepared to put the devil and his angels into.”

To the distressed, sin-beaten Christian, this book abounds with consolation, and instructions how to overcome the devices of Satan, who will use the Ten Commandments, like ten great guns, to obliterate all your hopes. “Learn to outshoot the devil with his own bow, and to cut off his head with his own sword. Doth Satan tell thee thou prayest but faintly and with cold devotions? Answer him, I am glad you told me, I will trust even more to Christ's prayers, and groan, sigh, and cry more earnestly at the Throne of Grace.” To such readers as have been driven to the verge of despair by a fear of having committed the unpardonable sin, there is strong comfort, and a very explicit scriptural definition of that awful offense. It is my earnest desire that the reading of this book may produce in you solid peace and comfort.