11 The word “hell” in the two verses means the unseen place of the dead, the invisible world, or the grave.—ED.
12 How awful and vast must have been the sufferings of the Saviour, when He paid the redemption price for the countless myriads of His saints; redeemed “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” How magnificent His glory when “ten thousand times ten thousands, and thousands of thousands, shall sing with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing, for ever and ever.” Such were the ecstatic vision which Bunyan enjoyed, drawn from the unerring pages of eternal truth.—ED.
13 This singular use of the law term “premunire,” meaning that the soul has trusted in a foreign jurisdiction, incurred God’s anger, and forfeited its liberty and all its goods.—ED.
14 These are solemn truths, in homely, forcible language. Let the soul be convinced that by the obedience of Christ it is released from the law, it has no fear of Satan or of future punishment; Christ is all and in all.—ED.
15 “Indenture”; a written agreement, binding one party to reward the other for specified services. As man is by nature bound to love God with all his soul, he cannot be entitled to any reward for anything beyond his duty. When he feels that he has failed in his obedience, he must fly to Christ for that mercy which he can never obtain by indenture of service or merit and reward.—ED.
16 Same as 15—Ed.
17 Same as 15—Ed.
18 For a deeply affecting account of the author’s experience about this period read Grace Abounding, No. 259-261.—ED.
19 “Scrabble”; to go on the hands and feet or knees. See a remarkable illustration of the word “scrabble” in Grace Abounding, No. 335.—ED.
20 As Bunyan was a Baptist, this is full proof that his friends did not ascribe regeneration to water baptism. It is an awful delusion to suppose that immersion in or sprinkling with water can effect or promote the new birth or spiritual regeneration of the soul.—ED.