Using Psalm 51:17 as a starting point, Bunyan discusses the meaning of a ‘broken spirit’ and ‘contrite heart.’ Although the puritanical English can be difficult to follow at times, Bunyan makes some powerful observations about the nature of man, the deceit of sin, and the way in which God breaks our already-broken hearts in order to heal them completely through Christ. Bunyan’s work spans the centuries in order to speak directly to our haughty, misplaced self-reliance.

The Word, when managed by the arm of God finds out the sins of the sinner; it unravels his whole life, it strips him and lays him naked in his own sight before the face of God; neither can the sinner nor his wickedness be longer hid and covered; and now begins the sinner to see what he never saw before. [23]

The nature of sin, as sin, is not only to be vile, but to hide its vileness from the soul. Hence many think they do well when they sin. [56]

As bread to the hungry, as water to the thirsty, as light to the blind, and liberty to the imprisoned; so, and a thousand times more, is Jesus Christ to the wounded, and to them that are broken-hearted. [82]

When God shows a man the sin he has committed, the hell he has deserved, the heaven he has lost; and yet that Christ, and grace, and pardon may be had; this will make him serious, this will make him melt, this will break his heart, this will show him that there is more than air, than a noise, than an empty sound in religion; and this is the man, whose heart, whose life, whose conversation and all, will be engaged in the matters of the eternal salvation of his precious and immortal soul. [111]

The more righteous any is in his own eyes before conversion, the more need he has of a heart-breaking work, in order to his salvation; because a man is not by nature so easily convinced that his righteousness is to God abominable as he is that his debauchery and profaneness is. [113] 

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Bunyan addresses the absolute promise of God to forever save all who are His through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Bunyan is certainly very sound in doctrine and there are a great deal of gems to be mined from these pages. It’s not the grandest of Puritan works, yet remains unquestionably worth the time to read. For in this book, Bunyan has crafted a decidedly helpful tool in understanding God's election, salvation, and assurance.

Man by nature is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not where he goes, for darkness has blinded his eyes; neither can anything but Jesus Christ lead men out of this darkness. Natural conscience cannot do it; the ten commandments, though in the heart of man, cannot do it. This prerogative belongs only to Jesus Christ. [68]

Our iniquities testify against us, and would certainly prevail against us, to our utter rejection and damnation, had we not an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. [111]

Coming to Christ is not by the will, wisdom, or power of man, but by the gift, promise, and drawing of the Father. [131]

Unbelief is the daughter of ignorance. [155]

All the good that is in Christ is offered to the coming sinner, without money and without price. He has life to give away to such as want it, and that has not a penny to purchase it; and he will give it freely. [196]

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