This is an absolute gem of a book and the welcome re-appearance of a classic.  It is doubtful if there has ever been anyone more able and qualified to write what is, in effect, a commentary of Bunyan’s masterpiece than Spurgeon who once said,  “Next to the Bible, the book I value most is John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. I believe I have read it through at least a hundred times.”

As I read this book, I kept having to remind myself that I am not reading an exposition of Scripture but of Pilgrim’s Progress, so close is the style to an expository sermon, with Spurgeon drawing out lessons from Bunyan’s writing as he would do with Scripture itself.

Originally appearing in the Sword and Trowel, and probably delivered at Monday evening prayer meetings at the Tabernacle, Spurgeon paints word sketches from a variety of characters and scenes from Pilgrim’s Progress, working his way through the storyline and shows how, in his own words, “they have their living representatives today”.  Again and again, I recognised myself or others.

An example of Spurgeon’s approach – and I draw attention to this in order to whet your appetite for the book – Spuregon has two chapters on Help – both a character study of someone who may truly be called Help, as well as different ways in which the ministry of helps could profitably be exercises.

One final comment.  I was so encouraged to find someone of Spurgeon’s stature who agreed with me about a major flaw in this wonderful spiritual analogy: “John Bunyan put the getting rid of the burden too far from the commencement of the pilgrimage…the cross should be right in front of the wicket-gate”.  We should send sinners to the cross, not to the Wicket-gate.

(Banner of Truth Trust, 2024. Review written in 2024)