In the Preface Bunyan outlines some reasons for writing his 'drop of honey' that he has been much refreshed by himself.
Then we begin to hear about Bunyan's life before his conversion. We learn about Bunyan's:
(i) descent;
(ii) schooling;
(iii) childhood disobedience;
(iv) childhood dreams and visions;
(v) youthful sins;
(vi) near-death experiences;
(vii) marriage;
(viii) early Christian reading;
(ix) convictions in sermons;
(x) conviction after being rebuked;
(xi) relationship with a poor Christian;
(xii) first times reading the Bible;
(xiii) outward reformation;
(xiv) neighbours' response to his change;
(xv) love of bell ringing and dancing.
It was interesting to read Bunyan's regular suppression of his conviction of sin: ' I had no sooner thus conceived in my mind, but suddenly this conclusion was fastened on my spirit, for the former hint did set my sins again before my face, that I had been a great and grievous sinner, and that it was now too late for me to look after heaven; for Christ would not forgive me, nor pardon my transgressions. Then I fell to musing upon this also; and while I was thinking on it, and fearing lest it should be so, I felt my heart sink in despair, concluding it was too late; and therefore I resolved in my mind I would go on in sin; for, thought I, if the case be thus, my state is surely miserable; miserable if I leave my sins, and but miserable if I follow them; I can but be damned, and if I must be so, I had as good be damned for many sins, as to be damned for few. '
It is amazing how gullible we are to Satan's lies about our hopelessness before God.
R
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