All Loves Excelling

‘Nu hony in a B’ is the way in which John Bunyan rearranged the letters of his name in order to describe the effect of God’s grace in his life. This treatise on Ephesians 3:18-19 was originally entitled The Saint’s Knowledge of Christ’s Love and from some 440 Bible references Bunyan shows how knowing Christ’s love is the message of Scripture and also the essence of heaven, partly possessed and expressed on earth. Those who know it are rich beyond measure and they are the people who ‘sweeten the churches and bring glory to God and to religion.’

Born in 1628 in Elstow, England, John Bunyan did not display a serious love for Christ until after he got married. Then, after a group of women talked to him about Christ, Bunyan was converted by the Lord and was baptized. By 1655, he was preaching. He was imprisoned more than once for preaching without official permission, for about 15 years in total, and he spent much of that time writing. John Bunyan books include his masterpiece, Pilgrim’s Progress, which is widely claimed as the most read book in history, besides the Bible. Christians over the centuries have identified with this allegorical classic that describes each stage of Christian experience. Readers can find the majority of John Bunyan’s books in the outstanding three-volume set, titled The Works of John Bunyan (also available in individual volumes: 1, 2 and 3). This set includes, among others, one of Bunyan’s non-allegorical works; Acceptable Sacrifice, the last book he prepared for publication. In this title, which can be purchased as an individual volume in the Puritan Paperback Series, Bunyan helps readers to discern if they have contrite hearts. Lastly readers interested in Bunyan will want to look at his heart searching treatise, Prayer.