Pictures from Pilgrim's Progress

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Mark Riedel (Editor), Thomas Spurgeon (Introduction)

C H Spurgeon loved Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. He tells us in this book that he had read it more than 100 times. Drawn largely from short addresses given at the Metropolitan Tabernacle Prayer Meetings, these chapters comment on and apply the key incidents from Pilgrim’s Progress in a very practical way. Spurgeon urges his hearers (and readers) to share and learn from the experiences of Christian as he journeys to the Celestial City. Recommended reading for all readers, but young Christians will find it particularly helpful in ‘unlocking’ the meaning of the original allegory.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle where his preaching led to the conversion of many thousands. His printed sermons are still in print and he is widely respected as the Prince of Preachers.

First published posthumously in 1903, this edition has been completely re-typeset for issue as an eBook.

Genres: Theology, Christian

157 pages, Kindle Edition

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

[Josh Miller]

Loved the insight from one who self-professed to have read Pilgrim's Progress over 100 times in his lifetime. If you have read many of Spurgeon's sermons, you no doubt have come across his many references to characters in the Pilgrim's Progress.

I enjoyed reading his comments on how Bunyan fleshes out the characters presented in the Pilgrim's Progress. I also found it refreshing that Spurgeon corrected Bunyan's order of salvation in the story of Christian still having the burden on his back when he went through the Wicket Gate and THEN went to the cross. Spurgeon said that Bunyan should have had the cross be the FIRST thing that Christian goes to in order to gain salvation and lose his burden. I agree with Spurgeon but was interesting to hear Spurgeon correct Bunyan. However, the correction was with kindness and grace.

Another tidbit that I was unaware of is that this book was published by Spurgeon's son, Thomas, in 1903. It appears that Spurgeon had been writing this book toward the end of his life but never published it before he died in 1892. His son pulled together the writings and published it eleven years after his death.

[Becky Pliego]

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]

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.

[Jonathan Roberts]

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

[Faye]

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.

[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]

Thanks for the loan @parker

[Read1000books]

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.

[Matthew]

When your favorite book is commented on by your favorite preacher and theologian, it's a recipe for a blessing in your Christian walk.

[Tyna]

Read alongside The Pilgrim's Progress Banner of Truth Edition for the 2026 Spring Reading.
I enjoyed every page of this book and appreciated reading it alongside P.P's. There were many passages that I found to be gems but in particular I enjoyed Chapter 16 The Enchanted Ground.
As I came to the end of this chapter (I was reading the associated Bible verses) I realized the story of Eutychus (Acts 20:7-12) can be a ready example of why one attends church. Eutychus was able to be raised from the dead because he was in the church congregation-not alone and sleeping.
pg. 160 "Sleeping men are ever in danger; they cannot ward off the blow of the enemy, nor strike in their own defense. Christian, if thou art sleeping, thou art in danger."
Judges 4:21-22, 1 Sam 26:7, Juges 16:19.
pg. 164 "Christians who isolate themselves, and stand alone, are very liable to lie down on the settle or the soft couch, and go to sleep..."

[MaryLucille]

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]

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]

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]

Good

[Cole Newton]

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

[Tressa Lancaster]

I absolutely LOVED this book!

[Alex Koch]

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

[Jordan Litts]

Encouraging.