The Hidden Smile of God: The Fruit of Affliction in the Lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd

The Swans Are Not Silent #2

by John Piper

Bunyan. Cowper. Brainerd.

We read their stories and wonder how they endured. How does one survive twelve years in a dank prison cell? How does one survive month after month of a depression so debilitating that death seems the only hope? How does one endure tuberculosis? Or cancer, or emptiness, or death, or loneliness, or divorce? Whatever the trial may be, how does one endure without the soul shriveling up and blowing away with the breeze?

In the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd, we find the strength of soul that not only endures hardship, but honors God in the midst of it. The Giver and Sustainer of life enabled them to worship through all their suffering. That's why their affliction bore so much fruit. The story of their suffering, their perseverance, and their passion is one that can inspire the same hunger for the supremacy of God in your life.

John Piper invites you to read their stories, consider their lives, and be encouraged that no labor and no suffering in the path of Christian obedience is ever in vain. Even the bleak hill of Golgotha was a skull with a frown of affliction on its face. But "behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face."

Just as Bunyan's, Cowper's, and Brainerd's suffering produced the worship and humility that is essential to Christian living, we too can look to God for great privileges to come from our own pain. And we too can remember, "The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower."

Genres: Biography, Christian, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian Living, History

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.

John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There is a great gulf between the Christianity that wrestles with whether to worship at the cost of imprisonment and death, and the Christianity that wrestles with whether the kids should play soccer on Sunday morning.”

[Walker Hardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unlike any other biographical account that I’ve read because Piper does a great job of showing how the suffering (specifically depression and mental health related issues) of three great men was ultimately all for the Glory of the God’s Kingdom. I’d recommend it to anyone who struggles with depression or knows someone close who does and wants to love them well so that they may see Christ through it all.
“Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.” -Cowper

P.S. it’s also a very quick read, and I found it hard to put down when I had the chance to pick it up

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this about seventeen years ago...I think I remember it on the after-Christmas trip to Alabama in 2004-5. I didn't know Bunyan at all back then. I know and appreciate him more and more, so it was good to revisit his life. Cowper's story is one that strongly resonated with me on first acquaintance and still does today. With Brainerd, on the other hand, I haven't ever been able to find any sense of connection. Woven around and throughout their stories, Piper had some helpful things to say about the place of suffering in the Christian's life, and he said them eloquently.

You know that scene in Sense and Sensibility where Edward reads Cowper? Well, I'd a thousand times rather hear his awkward rendering than hear Bob Souer read any poetry in his newscaster voice.

[David Gregg · Rating 3 out of 5]

All of Piper's biographical sketches are pearl. The conference version is available for streaming or download as MP3 for free at the Desiring God website.

[Norman Falk · Rating 5 out of 5]

El primer libro que me viene a la mente cuando pienso en recomendar un libro a una persona que pasa por sufrimientos.

[Jeremy Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Piper is easy to read. Very practical and down to earth. He has taken three great men and their lives and have given an excellent short biography of their lives doctrine beliefs and most importantly how they suffered. So not only is this book informative from a historical view point but it is an inspiration to keep on going in the face of great difficulty. Sickness mental health and the lost of loved ones are all here. How did these men overcome these challenges. Piper brings that out very well. He says “ we Morden western Christians have come to see safety and ease as a right”…this thought runs throughout this book and you are left marvelling at how these men stood and face such difficulties in their time. A good read.

[William Schrecengost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and encouraging. This whole series has been excellent

[Jonty Haywood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the biographies of these three men. Piper recounts the stories of their lives while drawing out lessons for us to learn (I think this is because this material was originally a sermon collection). At times this approach comes across as 'preachy' but I think in general it helped me to bridge the head-heart divide by thinking about what these men did within a grid of biblical teaching which I can meditate on.

Sadly, I felt that parts of the book were constrained by Piper's own theology. I wonder if a book about three men who went through such intense persecution as well as physical and mental illness sits uncomfortably with what Piper teaches on 'Christian Hedonism'. This drawback was most obvious in the chapter about William Cowper.

That being said, I found this an encouraging read. How wonderful to hear the stories of men who faced such hardship and be spurred on by their example! How wonderful to be able to look at their genuine praise for God in the midst of such awful suffering! May we all be able to say along with them, and along with Job:

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord"

[Peter Krol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific look at 3 men, whom God used mightily, despite deep suffering both within and without. I had never realized how deeply Cowper wrestled with depression and suicidal anxiety, even as he was writing remarkable poetry about the kind providence of his heavenly Father.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. So much here to encourage the soul that is downcast, to help comfort the hurting, to remind us that here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome book for me to read because I have recently been wondering whether my faith was "real", given some of the challenges and feelings I've experienced. This book brought me face to face with well-known (in fundamental Christian circles) men who shared the same struggles as I have, particularly William Cowper. I came away not just with a sense of how the book resonated, but also with specific things I can do that will help bolster me in my walk. How great it is to have flawed people who nonetheless can shine a light on what direction, spiritually, to head.

[Jenel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suffering, joy, mission. Values worth building a life on and reading volumes from those who did.

I love biographies, but I didn’t really love this one. It felt like reading in KJV and the stories of the men weren’t told in a very compelling way.

However, the last chapter that summarized the fruit from the lives of these three men and the call to life in the kingdom was well worth the listen.

And, it really did make me want to read more on the life of David Brainerd. 😊

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Piper write biographies of people from history and the reader walks away loving God more and knowing more about their life at the same time. This is no different. Covering the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd, Piper shows that the man of God is not always the pampered, but often the deepest wounded.

[Rod Innis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. The topics, suffering, affliction, depression are difficult but the men this book are about, although they lived centuries ago, still impact the people of God today. It is really not about the greatness of these men but about the greatness of their God!

[Micah Douthit · Rating 4 out of 5]

These mini biographies are great. This series is a very good way to get a top level view of so many giants of the faith. Piper's discussion of Cowper's mental health (and mental health in general) is very well done--specifically pages 112-114

[Robert Batista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una de las frases que marcó mi vida es una biografía que Piper incluye sobre John Newton, donde dice: "Mientras muchos pastores procuraban ser respetados, John Newton procuró amar y ser amado... se puede ser respetado sin que te amen, pero no puedes ser amado sin que te respeten".

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short biographical sketch of three evangelicals and how they suffered and yet glorified God

[Parker James Lipetska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and comforting

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reflections on suffering!

[Jordan Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
The intro is worth its weight in gold.

[Margo Berendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes Christian biographies are daunting to me - I love them once I finally get started, but starting them is hard, especially since most Christian biographies I have read involve A LOT of suffering. I only started this one because a friend suggested we read it together (she's trying to read more Christian biographies too, and less fiction). But I'm really glad I read it. At first I thought, oh it'll be good to get a biography of not just one but three different famous Christians in one book, like hitting three birds with one stone, but once I got into the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper and David Brainerd I wanted more details about their lives and felt like the book didn't go into enough detail. But what was neat about the book was the comparisons and contrasts between these three men that lived in the late 1600's and early 1700's. They suffered in different ways: Bunyan suffered as a prisoner because of his beliefs, Cowper suffered severe depression, Brainerd suffered from consumption and loneliness in his calling as a missionary to the Native Americans. Piper, the author, drew some powerful lessons from contrasting their suffering.

There is a certain irony to the fruit of these afflictions. Bunyan's confinement taught him the pilgrim path of Christian freedom. Cowper's mental illness yielded sweet music of the mind for troubled souls. Brainerd's smoldering misery of isolation and disease exploded in global missions beyond all imagination. Irony and disproportion are all God's way. He keeps us off balance with his unpredictable connections.... Not surprisingly, therefore, suffering fits into God's design in ways that sometimes baffle us and test us to the limit (1 Peter 4:12).

A quote from Bunyan:

Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either - but right through every human heart and through all human hearts... That is why I turn back to the years of my imprisonment and say, sometimes to the astonishment of those about me, "Bless you, prison for having been in my life."

This one really made me gulp hard:

He [Bunyan] learned that if we are to suffer well, we must die not only to sin, but also to the imperious claims of precious and innocent things, including family and freedom... Thus we must learn to "live upon God that is invisible," not only because God is superior to sinful pleasures, but also because he is superior to sacred ones as well.

I never made the obvious connection before: Bunyan was a Puritan, the very same as the pilgrims who landed in the New World, seeking a place where they could be free of persecution and free to worship and build a society founded on the word of God. Piper does a good job of setting the historical context of Bunyan's life. From 1645 to 1658, Oliver Cromwell led England without establishing himself as a monarch, and was a champion for religious freedom (including Puritans and Jews). But in 1660, a couple years after Cromwell's death, Charles II was reinstated as King and religious persecution of the Puritans and others became worse than ever; John Bunyan was imprisoned for his preaching because he didn't conform to the strict requirements of the Church of England; two thousand other Puritans were forcibly removed from their churches.

I suspect one of the reasons the Puritans are still being read today with so much profit is that their entire experience, unlike ours, was one of persecution and suffering. To our chipper culture this may seem somber at times, but the day you hear that you have cancer, or that your child is blind, or that a mob is coming, you turn away from the light books to the weighty ones that were written on the precipice of eternity...

Another great observation:

There have always been, as there are today, people who try to solve the problem of suffering by denying the sovereignty of God - that is, the all-ruling providence of God over Satan and over nature and over human hearts. But is remarkable how many of those who stand by the doctrine of God's sovereignty over suffering have been those who suffered most and who found in the doctrine the most comfort and help....In the same way it was said of Jesus, "They sought to take him, but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come." (John 7:30). Bunyan concludes, "The times, then and the seasons, even for the sufferings of the people of God, are not in the hands of their enemies, but in the hand of God; as David said, 'My times are in thy hand.'" (Psalm 31:15).

A biblical lesson on suffering from Bunyan that surprised me:

If one should ask, may we ever, then avail ourselves of opportunities to escape suffering, Bunyan answers: "If it is in thy heart to fly, fly; if it be in thy heart to stand, stand. Anything but a denial of truth... Yea, the same man may both fly and stand, as the call and working of God with his heart may be. Moses fled, Exodus 2:15; Moses stood, Hebrews 11:27. David fled, 1 Samuel 19:12; david stood, 1 Samuel 24:8. Jeremiah fled, Jer. 37:11-12; Jeremiah stood, 38:17. Christ withdrew himself, Luke 19:10; Christ stood, John 18:1-8. Paul fled, 2 Cor 11:33; Paul stood, Acts 20:22-23.

In introducing William Cowper and the powerful truths in his poems and hymns, Piper says of his own urge to write of God in poetry:

One of the reasons for this [writing poetry] is that I live with an almost constant awareness of the breach between the low intensity of my own passion [for God] and the staggering realities of the universe around me - heaven, hell, creation, eternity, life, Jesus Christ,
justification by faith, God. All of us (whether we know it or not) try to close this breach between the weakness of our emotions and the wonder of the world. Some of us do it with poetry.... There is a deep relief that comes when we find a way of seeing and savoring some precious reality, then saying it in a way that comes a little closer to closing the breach between what we've glimpsed with our mind and what we've grasped with our heart.

An excerpt from Cowper's poem Tirocinium really made me appreciate this saint in a new light; he is truly a gifted poet. I also learned alot about John Newton, who was a faithful friend and minister to Cowper. The author is bold to point out Cowper's weakness, also; the self-centeredness that may have contributed to his depression.

Periodic self-examination is needed and wise and biblical. But for the most part,
mental health is the use of the mind to focus on worthy reality outside ourselves. While I was a student at Wheaton College, a very wise and deep and happy teacher of literatture, Clyde Kilby,
showed us and taught us this path to health. Once he said, "I shall not demean my own uniqueness by envy of others. I shall stop boring into myself to discover what psychological or social categories I might belong to. Mostly I shall simply forget about myself and do my work." He had learned the deep significance of this outward-oriented self-forgetfulness from C.S. Lewis ad drew our attention to it often. Mental health is, in great measure, the gift of self-forgetfulness. The reason is that introspection destroys what matters most to us - the authentic experience of great things outside ourselves. [includes a great quote from Lewis in Surprise by Joy]

If the Christian life has become the path of ease and fun in the modern West, then corporate worship is the place of increasing entertainment... Cowper was sick [mentally]. But in his sickness he saw things that we so desperately need to see. He saw hell. And sometimes he saw heaven. He knew terror. And sometimes he knew ecstasy. When I stand to welcome the people to worship on Sunday morning, I know that there are William Cowpers in the congregation. There are spouses who can barely talk. There are sullen teenagers living double lives at home and school. There are widows who still feel the amputation of a fifty year partner. There are single people who have not been hugged for twenty years. There are men in the prime of their lives with cancer. There are moms who have carried two tiny caskets. There are soldiers of the cross who have risked all for Jesus and bear the scars. There are tired and discouraged and lonely strugglers. Shall we come to them with a joke? They can read the comics anyday. What they need from me is not more bouncy, frisky smiles and stories. What they need is a kind of joyful earnestness that makes the broken heart feel hopeful and helps the ones who are drunk with trifles sober up for greater joys. What William Cowper gives us from his suffering is a vision that sustains the suffering church. Until we suffer we will not be interested. But that day is coming fo rall of us. And we do well not to wait until it comes before we learn the lessons of Cowper's great hymn, "God Moves in a Mysterious Way." .... There is an entire theology of suffering in Cowper's hymns. It is sturdy and sound and redwood-like in the midst of our sapling sermonettes. Oh, how our people need to study and savor and sing the great God-centered truth of these verses! How shall entertaining worship services - with the aim of feeling lighthearted and friendly - help a person prepare to suffer, let alone prepare to die? If we know how to suffer well, and if we feel that "to die is gain" because of Jesus, then we will know how to live well.... Worship is the display of the surpassing worth of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Suffering in the path of Christian obedience, with joy - because the steadfast love of the Lord is better than life (Psalm 63:3) - is the clearest display of the worth of God in our lives.

Brainerd's sickness was physical, not mental, though he often wrote of being deeply discouraged in his missionary work. But I loved this conclusion Piper draws about him:

Brainerd's life is a vivid, powerful testimony to the truth that God can and does use weak, sick, discouraged, beat-down, lonely, struggling saints who cry to him day and night to accomplish amazing things for his glory

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Oh fearful saints,
Fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy
And shall break
In blessings on your head.”
-William Cowper

Not everyone is a fan of John Piper, I get it. I don’t agree with all of his theology myself. But no matter your opinion, this is a really encouraging book that outlines the suffering and impact of three heroes of the faith: John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd.

John Bunyan authored the Pilgrim’s Progress while he suffered in jail for his faith.

William Cowper dealt with severe depression and doubt his whole life, constantly doubting his salvation and living in fear of damnation. Yet in his pain, he wrote beautiful poetry and hymns, such as “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” and “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.” (Side note: he wrote the latter after attempting suicide three times and failing.) Some Christians have looked upon Cowper’s doubts and sufferings and questioned his salvation, but Piper looks upon his life with eyes of compassion and holds him up as a true hero of faith, even though his depression and doubt was with him even on his deathbed.

David Brainerd was a missionary to the Native Americans (not the icky kind that made them cut their hair and crap) who suffered from tuberculosis and severe depression and died at 27, having influenced many, many for Christ and leaving a lasting legacy for other missionaries to follow. He also was very honest in his diaries about his depressions and doubts and longing to die, yet he pressed on in the work he believed God had given him. (Jonathan Edwards was a good friend/mentor to Brainerd and later edited and published his diaries. Unfortunately, he removed some of the most honest pieces about his doubts and depression. Cmon Jonathan, why you gotta be like that?)

Piper’s writing style isn’t my favorite, but I really enjoyed learning about these three men, especially William Cowper.

[Rommy Carolina Cortez Polanco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abarca el sufrimiento desde 3 orígenes diferentes y para eso, utiliza como ejemplos las experiencias de Bunyan, Cowper y Breinard, para hablar sobre el sufrimiento por la predicación del evangelio, por la depresión y por la enfermedad, respectivamente.

[Danx Daniel Bravo · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Piper logra un equilibrio entre lo práctico y lo profundo en "La sonrisa escondida de Dios". Este libro ofrece un enfoque accesible a través de tres breves biografías de grandes hombres de la fe: John Bunyan, William Cowper y David Brainerd. Con un estilo sencillo y directo, Piper no solo presenta sus vidas, doctrinas y creencias, sino que también destaca cómo enfrentaron el sufrimiento.

El libro resulta doblemente valioso: combina un punto informativo desde el lado histórico con profundidad espiritual que sirve de inspiración. A través de las páginas, el lector es testigo de cómo estos hombres enfrentaron aflicciones como la enfermedad, la salud mental y la pérdida de seres queridos. John Piper subraya una idea central: Nosotros, los cristianos modernos, a menudo consideramos la seguridad y la comodidad como "derechos", mientras que estas figuras históricas enfrentaron la adversidad con una valentía que nos deja asombrados.

John Bunyan, conocido por El progreso del peregrino, nos anima a confiar en la soberanía de Dios en medio de las pruebas:

“Permíteme suplicarte que no te ofendas con Dios, ni con los hombres, si la cruz pesa mucho sobre ti. No te ofendas con Dios, porque Él no hace nada sin una causa, ni con los hombres, porque […] ellos sirven a Dios para tu bien. Por consiguiente, toma con gratitud lo que te viene de Dios por medio de ellos”.

William Cowper, poeta y compositor de himnos, nos recuerda la importancia de no confiar en las “certezas” de la desesperación, incluso en medio de la depresión:

“Nos fortificamos contra las oscuras horas de la depresión a base de cultivar una profunda desconfianza con respecto a las certezas del desespero. El desespero es despiadado en las certezas de su pesimismo... Así es siempre con los engaños de las tinieblas. Ahora, mientras tenemos la luz, cultivemos la desconfianza por las certezas del desespero”.

Finalmente, David Brainerd, conocido por su celo misionero, expresa su insaciable deseo de Dios y su búsqueda constante de santidad:

“«Cuando realmente disfruto de Dios, siento que mi anhelo de Él se vuelve más insaciable aún, y mi sed de santidad más inextinguible […] ¡Oh, la santidad! ¡Oh, quiero más de Dios en mi alma! ¡Oh, este dolor agradable! Hace que mi alma se esfuerce más aún por alcanzar a Dios […] ¡Oh, que yo nunca me desvíe de mi viaje celestial!”.
"Mi alma se sentía refrescada y consolada, y no podía menos que bendecir a Dios, que me había
capacitado en buena medida para serle fiel en el último día. ¡Oh, qué dulce es gastarse y fatigarse para Dios!".

La sonrisa de Dios no es solo un relato histórico, sino también un llamado a perseverar en medio de las pruebas, confiando en que Dios tiene un propósito incluso en los momentos más oscuros. A través de las vidas de creyentes fieles que abrazan el sufrimiento como un medio para glorificar a Dios, el libro nos inspira a ver el sufrimiento, dolor y la adversidad bajo la luz de una esperanza eterna.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outside of Scripture, my faith has been most encouraged by the stories of saints gone before me. This book is full of rich encouragement for those in Christ as Piper tells the stories of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd - all men who suffered in different ways, but looked to the same Savior in their affliction. It is the second book in a series called "The Swans Are Not Silent". When swans suffer, they sing sweetly. It seems ironic, but it's a small parable for the sweet fruit God produces in our lives as a result of suffering in faith. The title "Hidden Smile of God" is taken from a line in the hymn "God Moves in a Mysterious Way", written by William Cowper:

"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face."

For any person of faith who's endured any form of suffering, there is a temptation to allow our circumstances to tell us who God is - a frowning providence would then suggest God has a frowning face (i.e., God has bad intentions for us in permitting bad circumstances in our lives). But God has told us otherwise in His Word - "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Suffering serves to sanctify the saints into the image of their Savior. And if we truly know the sweetness of our Savior, we will see being made into His likeness as the best fruit God could ever produce in our lives. He hides a smiling face behind a frowning providence because that providence is producing our best good (knowing Christ and being made like Him) for the greatness of His glory.

John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd knew the heart of their Savior for them in their suffering (though, they may have doubted it at times). The result of their faith in the One who was well-acquainted will suffering produced lasting fruit in their lives. Thankful to have tasted some of this fruit as I read this book.

[Lady Safari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review


Thank you, Mr Piper for this series!

I really enjoyed this book. Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress has always been a firm favorite book for me. I have always been able to relate to so much of it. So, it was a real blessing to hear more about how this book was birthed. And yes, there is no such thing as a painless birth!

As I listened to how these three men grew and strived in their suffering, it really inspired me. I too, want to strive in the Lord and in this period of lockdown, when I was confined, unsure, I too, found that place of deep hope and peace in the Lord. I know my suffering is tiny compared to these 3 men of faith, but a journey always starts with the first step.

I can say that I have never heard of Brainerd, and my fasting has been pitiful when compared to his. After hearing about this, I too, hunger for that deeper intimacy and hope and faith that is born from fasting, and it is my hope that as my next fast starts, I will climb to that greater height.

Also, thank you to the narrator. I have enjoyed your narration and look forward to meeting you and Mr Piper in the next book of this series!

[Brandon H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Irony and disproportion are all God's way. He keeps us off-balance with his unpredictable connections. We think we know how to do something big, and God makes it small. We think that all we have is weak and small, and God makes it big.”- John Piper

An instructive look at how suffering positively produces spiritual growth in the life of a believer through examining the hardships in the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd.

I enjoyed this book from Piper's The Swans are not Silent series. Those struggling with suffering and at the end of their rope may find this book helpful. I did.

Another quote -

"Oh, how we need Bunyan. We are soft and thin-skinned. We are worldly. We fit far too well into our God-ignoring culture. We are fearful and anxious and easily discouraged. We have taken our eyes off the celestial city and the deep pleasures of knowing God and of denying ourselves the pleasures the lesser things that titillate for a moment but then shrink our capacities for great joy."

[Kate Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the UK this book is called Tested by Fire, and it's very thought provoking and inspirational, especially for those who struggle with suffering, depression, doubt--and who doesn't, at some point in their life?

Basically, it's three short biographies of the mentioned men, and then John Piper goes into what we can learn from their lives. It's somewhat weighty reading, with lots of quotations and extracts from 18th century works, but it's also fast-moving in terms of how short the biographies are.

I think a sign of a good book in this genre (Christian living/faith/etc) is when you feel the need to stop reading and reflect and pray, and I felt that many times. The lives of those who went before us, their weaknesses and frailties as well as their incredible strengths and faith, are a huge inspiration to the modern day saint.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read their stories and wonder how they endured. How does one survive twelve years in a dank prison cell? How does one survive month after month of a depression so debilitating that death seems the only hope? How does one endure tuberculosis? Or cancer, or emptiness, or death, or loneliness, or divorce? Whatever the trial may be, how does one endure without the soul shriveling up and blowing away with the breeze? In the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd, we find the strength of soul that not only endures hardship, but honors God in the midst of it. The Giver and Sustainer of life enabled them to worship through all their suffering. That's why their affliction bore so much fruit. The story of their suffering, their perseverance, and their passion is one that can inspire the same hunger for the supremacy of God in your life.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in John Piper’s series, “The Swans are not Silent,” (I have not yet read the others). This volume details the lives of John Bunyan (long imprisonment yet was a prolific inspirational writer), David Brainerd (served as a missionary to American Indians while suffering from TB, and died painfully from it at age 29, leaving an incredible journal of faith), and William Cowper (wrote many inspiring poems and hymns of faith, while suffering lifelong depression and suicidal tendencies). God used them mightily through their suffering. And all three left amazing footprints in history that have greatly inspired and motivated millions to lives of deeper purpose and service, no matter the struggles they face along the way. The Audible.com version was beautifully read by Bob Souer.