An Exhortation To Peace And Unity

by John Bunyan

These words contain a counsel and a caution: the counsel is, That we endeavour the unity of the Spirit; the caution is, That we do it in the bond of peace; as if I should say, I would have you live in unity, but yet I would have you to be careful that you do not purchase unity with the breach of charity.

Genres: Christian, Philosophy, History, Essays, Classics

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1970

About the author

John Bunyan, a Christian writer and preacher, was born at Harrowden (one mile south-east of Bedford), in the Parish of Elstow, England. He wrote The Pilgrim's Progress, arguably the most famous published Christian allegory. In the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 30 August.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, this short exhortation might be slow-going for those (like me) who aren't used to John Bunyan's writing outside of Pilgrim's Progress -- some have even questioned whether it was really Bunyan that wrote this book. But what an excellent, intelligent, well-researched little book this is! Particularly in my era of Christians being almost comically divided not only in their thoughts about what leads to salvation, but everything from homosexuality to the rights of transgender people to whether it's even necessary to lead a 'holy' life at all... the thoughts of the author were a breath of much needed conviction. And if composed by Bunyan, it's even more remarkable that his reflections would be so on point after more than three hundred years.

This book starkly outlines the desperate need for unity in the Christian community. Employing a number of different lists --a format I love and can more easily follow -- the author brilliantly discusses the explicit scriptural command to peace, the causes of discord, the fruits of peace when it is sought after/achieved, a list of warnings to know how to prevent disunity, and a list of PRACTICAL (yes, huzzah for this!) applications to eliminate division among the body.

I'm impressed and encouraged by what the author was able to canvas in just a few pages. Highly recommended for anyone who struggles with Christianity as a broken, scattered, hostile machine rather than a loving shoulder.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book in which John Bunyan (though some doubt its authorship) laments the interdenominational fighting which comes at the cost of those souls which are actually lost. If you weren't taking a hard look at your denomination's rhetoric before reading this book, you most definitely will once you've finished it.

[Aaron Schuschu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first Bunyan I wasn’t uncomfortable about, but still very much a product of its era.