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About the Book

Bunyan. Cowper. Brainerd.

John Bunyan suffered long-term imprisonment, even when a simple promise to cease preaching would have freed him, and he was moved to rely on God even more… Despite month after month of debilitating depression, William Cowper's poetry reflected the sustaining character of God and led him to worship more deeply… David Brainerd so desired to honor God that through the loneliness of wilderness ministry and the agony of tuberculosis, he pressed on, transforming world missions forever.

When Augustine handed over the leadership of his church in A.D. 426, his successor was so overwhelmed by a sense of inadequacy that he declared, "The swan is silent," fearing the spiritual giant's voice would be lost in time. But for 1,600 years Augustine has not been silent-and neither have the men who faithfully trumpeted the cause of Christ after him. Their lives have inspired every generation of believers and should compel us to a greater passion for God.

In this noteworthy Swans Are Not Silent book, John Piper invites you into the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd to discover how God takes the privilege of faith and strengthens it with trials so that we experience a greater hunger for him. The perseverance of these godly servants exemplifies the essential fruit that affliction can produce in your own life. Their enduring faith will fortify you in your suffering, reminding you that "behind a frowning providence, God hides a smiling face." And their stories and witness will inspire in you a similar passion for the supremacy of God in your life.

Hardcover 2001; Paperback 2008
Crossway Books (Wheaton, Illinois)

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Table of Contents

Introduction – Where the Fruit of Affliction Grows

1. “To Live Upon God That Is Invisible”

Suffering and Service in the Life of John Bunyan

2. “The Clouds Ye So Much Dread Are Big with Mercy”
Insanity and Spiritual Songs in the Life of William Cowper

3. “Oh, That I Might Never Loiter on My Heavenly Journey!”
Misery and Mission in the Life of David Brainerd

Conclusion – A Plea to Follow in the Fruitful Wake of the Suffering Swans

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Translations

English-UK
Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press
Purchase: Loot.Co.Za
ISBN: 978-0-85111-553-5

German
Publisher: Christliche Literatur-Verbreitung
Purchase: Manz
ISBN: 978-3-89397-663-8

Italian
Publisher: Alfa & Omega
ISBN: 978-88-88747-95-8

Korean
Publisher: Revival and Reformation Press
Purchase: God People Mall
ISBN: 978-89-6092-042-2

Korean
Publisher: Scripture Union Korea
ISBN: 89-5874-045-0

Portuguese
Publisher: Shedd Publicações
Purchase: Impacto Publicasoes
ISBN: 85-88315-13-0

Russian
Publisher: Grace Publishing International
ISBN: 978-1-933508-17-7

Spanish
Publisher: Editorial Unilit
Purchase: Libreria Anita
ISBN: 978-0-7899-1445-3

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Related Resources

• Contenting For Our All (book)
• Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ (book)
• The Legacy of Sovereign Joy (book)
• The Roots of Endurance (book)
• Biographical Sketch of David Brainerd (conference message)
• Biographical Sketch of John Bunyan (conference message)
• Biographical Sketch of William Cowper (conference message)