The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can ReadBunyan, John
Religion
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read
Bunyan, John
Christian life -- Juvenile literature; Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages -- Juvenile literature
It was told you before, that Prudence bid the boys, if at any time they
would, they should ask her some questions that might be profitable, and
she would say something to them.
MATT. Then Matthew, who had been sick, asked her, "Why, for the most
part, physic should be bitter to our palates?"
PRUD. To show how unwelcome the Word of God, and the effects thereof,
are to a sinful heart.
MATT. Why does physic, if it does good, purge and cause that we vomit?
PRUD. To show that the Word, when it works effectually, cleanseth the
heart and mind. For look, what the one doth to the body, the other doth
to the soul.
MATT. What should we learn by seeing the flame of our fire go upwards,
and by seeing the beams and sweet influences of the sun strike
downwards?
PRUD. By the going up of the fire, we are taught to ascend to heaven by
fervent and hot desires. And by the sun's sending his heat, beams, and
sweet influences downwards, we are taught that the Saviour of the world,
though high reaches down with His grace and love to us below.
MATT. Where have the clouds their water?
PRUD. Out of the sea.
MATT. What may we learn from that?
PRUD. That ministers should fetch their teaching from God.
MATT. Why do they empty themselves upon the earth?
PRUD. To show that ministers should give out what they know of God to
the world.
MATT. Why is the rainbow caused by the sun?
PRUD. To show that the promise of God's grace is made sure to us in
Christ.
MATT. Why do the springs come from the sea to us through the earth?
PRUD. To show that the grace of God comes to us through the body of
Christ.
MATT. Why do some of the springs rise out of the tops of high hills?
PRUD. To show that the spirit of grace shall spring up in some that are
great and mighty, as well as in many that are poor and low.
MATT. Why doth the fire fasten upon the candle-wick?
PRUD. To show that, unless grace doth kindle upon the heart, there will
be no true light of life in us.
MATT. Why is the wick, and tallow, and all, spent to maintain the light
of the candle?
PRUD. To show that body, and soul, and all, should be at the service of,
and spend themselves to maintain in good condition, that grace of God
that is in us.
MATT. Why doth the pelican pierce her own breast with her bill?
PRUD. To nourish her young ones with her blood, and thereby to show that
Christ the Blessed so loveth His young (His people), as to save them
from death by His blood.
MATT. What may one learn by hearing the cock to crow?
PRUD. Learn to remember Peter's sin and Peter's sorrow. The cock's
crowing shows also that day is coming on: let, then, the crowing of the
cock put thee in mind of that last and terrible day of judgment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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