Pictures from Pilgrims Progress

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon (June 19, 1834 ? January 31, 1892) was a British Particular Baptist preacher who remains highly influential among Christians of different denominations, among whom he is still known as the "Prince of Preachers." This despite the fact that he was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist tradition, defending the Church in agreement with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith understanding, against liberalism and pragmatic theological tendencies even in his day.In his lifetime, Spurgeon preached to around 10,000,000 people, often up to 10 times each week at different places. His sermons have been translated into many languages. Spurgeon was the pastor of the congregation of the New Park Street Chapel (later the Metropolitan Tabernacle) in London for 38 years. He was part of several controversies with the Baptist Union of Great Britain and later had to leave that denomination. In 1857, he started a charity organization called Spurgeon's which now works globally. He also founded Spurgeon's College, which was named after him posthumously.Spurgeon was a prolific author of many types of works including sermons, an autobiography, a commentary, books on prayer, a devotional, a magazine, poetry, hymnist, and more. Many sermons were transcribed as he spoke and were translated into many languages during his lifetime. Arguably, no other author, Christian or otherwise, has more material in print than C.H. Spurgeon

Genres: Theology, Christian

Paperback

First published May 17, 2015

About the author

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Reviews

[Becky Pliego · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful. First time I read it alongside The Pilgrim’s Progress and Bunyan’s autobiography. Reading them all at the same time was fantastic.

[Scott Head · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just about anything from Charles Spurgeon is a gem, sometimes in the rough, but worth reading. The man who read Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress at least once a year surely has things to say about it. And the man who wrote a book commenting on commentaries is surely going to comment about his favorite book. This is a further investigation of the characters and places found in Bunyan's allegory, and they are, as Spurgeon does well, filled with insights and application. The act of taking another author's work, analyzing it and extending its moral lessons is in fact a form of homage, Bunyan's famous tale being among the most famous of Christian works. This book would carry a sense of standing upon another's coat-tails if it was anyone but a giant in his day like Spurgeon. Very few can pull of such a work. If you enjoy the many subtle allusions to specific scriptures and theological concepts in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, then this book is like sitting around with Charles Spurgeon over a good cigar talking about good books.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so helpful in deciphering some of the beautiful allegories in Pilgrim's Progress. Charles Spurgeon loved Pilgrim's Progress, he said it was his favorite book besides the Bible and he read it at least 100 times.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilgrim’s Progress is the second most printed book all time, next to the Bible. It should be no surprise that one of the foremost preachers of the Bible, Charles Spurgeon, would spend time teaching through this class book. Taught as a part of a weekday study these 20 chapters show us how much Spurgeon loved this book and how it informed his preaching! Highest recommendation

[Alex Jackson]

Alongside a re-read of Pilgrim's progress.

Spurgeon read Bunyan's masterpiece hundreds of times and explains it with wisdom and experience from pastoral ministry.

Spurgeon notes that instead of instructing Christian to go first to the wicket-gate, Evangelist should have directed Christian straight to the cross to deal with Christian's burden on his back..

"John Bunyan put the getting rid of the burden too far from the commencement of the pilgrimage. If he meant to show what usually happens, he was right; but if he meant to show what ought to have happened, he was wrong.
We must not say to the sinner:
“Now, sinner, if thou wilt be saved, go to the baptismal pool; go to the wicket-gate; go to the church; do this or that.”
No, the cross should be right in front of the wicket-gate; and we should say to the sinner: “Throw thyself down there, and thou art safe; but thou art not safe till thou canst cast off thy burden, and lie at the foot of the cross, and find peace in Jesus.”

[Payne Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the loan @parker

[Read1000books · Rating 3 out of 5]

You may have either read or heard of the book THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS by John Bunyan. Mr. Spurgeon states he read that book at least a hundred times. So he was well suited to write what amounts to no less than an explanatory commentary of Bunyan's most well known work. And need a commentary it does! Since it was written in 1678, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS contains words, phrases, and allusions that unfortunately are just not familiar to 21st century readers. Happily, this can be remedied by reading a modern English edition. But PICTURES... goes even a step further by explaining many of the symbols and situations found in the original work, and applying them to daily life. Read both books together and see if you aren't blessed.

[MaryLucille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book as a companion piece to John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” Spurgeon’s work is highly insightful, edifying, inspirational and encouraging on its own but the two together is profound.

[Rodrigo Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une-se o clássico O Peregrino com o Príncipe dos Pregadores e o resultado não poderia ser outro senão um excelente livro. Spurgeon faz suas colocações de forma muito edificante complementando o que já era muito bom no livro do Bunyan. Recomendo.

[Ann Coker]

I already love John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. It was an added pleasure and informative to read what Charles H. Spurgeon had to write about this classic.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prince of preachers on Pilgrim’s Progress. What could be better? I only wish Spurgeon had left more lectures on Pilgrim’s Progress than this volume, but these are a treat….

[Matthew Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Cole Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thoughts from a great theologian on a great book by another great theologian.

[Tressa Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book!

[Alex Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Blessing

This is C. H. Spurgeon's commentary on Pilgrim's Progress, and I believe that you will enjoy his comments.

Yours in Christ,

Alex