A Few Sighs from Hell
Overview
"How awful is that cry of anguish which has reached us from beyond the tomb, even from the infernal realms, and on which Bunyan, with his singular and rare ability, fixes our attention. It is the voice of one who had received his good things in this fleeting life; who had fared sumptuously every day, without providing for eternity, and now cries for a drop of water to cool his parched tongue." In this work, Bunyan offers a verse-by-verse exposition of The Rich Man and Lazarus from Luke 16. This edition reintroduces a biographical preface about John Bunyan, written by his pastor for the first edition but dropped from subsequent editions.
Top Highlights
“That those who judge according to outward appearance, do for the most part judge amiss (John 7:24). 2. That they who look upon their outward enjoyments to be token of God’s special grace unto them, are also deceived (Rev 3:17). For as it is here in the parable, a man of wealth and a child of the devil may make but one person; or a man may have abundance of outward enjoyments, and yet be carried by the devils into eternal burnings (Luke 12:20).” (Volume 3, Page 675)
“From whence observe that the ungodly world do love their dogs better than the children of God.7” (Volume 3, Page 677)
“Ah! poor soul, it is the rich man that goes to hell. And ‘the rich man died,’ and in hell, mark, ‘in hell he lift up his eyes,’ &c.” (Volume 3, Page 675)
“you will see (Luke 16:15), that which is had in high estimation with men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Volume 3, Page 675)
“That the ungodly world do not desire to entertain and receive the poor saints of God into their houses” (Volume 3, Page 677)
Bunyan has always been one of the most popular of the Puritans—no doubt because, while possessing the Word-centeredness as well as the depth of doctrine and experience of other Puritans, he also possessed a warm simplicity of style.
—Reformation and Revival Ministries, Reformation and Revival Volume 5, 2003
Bunyan is best known for his ageless classic, The Pilgrim's Progress. His literary genius in this work [is such] that people are prone to forget that this tinker from Bedford was first and foremost a Pastor and preacher...
—Thomas K. Ascol, The Founders Journal
For over 150 years the accepted edition of The Works of John Bunyan has been that edited by George Offor... This scholarly labor has contributed much toward a better appreciation of Bunyan's gospel motivated writings...
—From Bunyan Ministries
- Title: A Few Sighs from Hell
- Author: John Bunyan
- Editor: George Offor
- Publisher: John Knox Press
- Publication Date: 2006
- Pages: 58
John Bunyan (1628–1688) is one of the most prominent Puritans of all time. Bunyan was well known as a respected preacher during his lifetime and remembered through his writing to this day—namely The Pilgrim's Progress.
After joining the Bedford Baptist Church of Bedford, England, in 1654, Bunyan began preaching in nearby villages. He was prosecuted under an Elizabethan act against nonconformity and imprisoned for three months which was extended to twelve years. Bunyan became the pastor of St. John's Church the same month as his release from prison.
The author of more than 60 books, Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, Holy War, and his autobiographical book Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, gained a prominent and unique place in history. The Works of John Bunyan (3 vols.) includes 61 Bunyan-penned classics.