John Bunyan wrote at least 60 books, many of them during 16 years in jail in Bedford, England.
Bunyan was imprisoned because he preached without a license from the tax-supported Church of England. He was a Dissenter, who refused to apply for the license. He was told he could leave jail if he would promise not to preach again, but his conscience did not let him make such a promise.
He served two prison sentences. He was released in 1672, after a 12-year term, when King Charles II issued a Declaration of Religious Indulgences, releasing leaders of dissenting groups such as Congregationalists and Baptists. But Charles changed his mind the next year, so Bunyan returned to jail for another four years.
Bunyan was born on this day, November 28, in 1628. He is best known for his book, The Pilgrim’s Progress, which was begun in jail.
During his imprisonment, Bunyan was allowed to have visitors and occasionally was able to leave the jail for a day visit with his family.
Bunyan was married twice. He and his first wife had four children, the last of whom was born blind. At this time, Bunyan was unconverted, and baby Mary’s blindness is thought to have been a major factor in his turning to God. Bunyan wrote about his conversion in Grace Abounding. After his first wife died, he married again and had two more children.
The prison was only five minutes from his home so he often had home-cooked food, brought by his blind daughter Mary. A flute he is said to have made from a prison stool leg is in a museum. In jail, he made bootlaces to support his family.
The Pilgrim’s Progress tells of a man named Christian on a difficult journey to the Celestial City. The people he meets have symbolic names, suggesting life’s journey is a mix of the bad and the good: Obstinate and Worldly Wiseman, but also Prudence, Piety, and Charity; Sloth, Presumption, and Mistrust, but also Hopeful, Knowledge, Watchful, and Sincere.
Christian passes through the City of Destruction, the Slough of Despond, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and Vanity Fair.
Upon arriving in Celestial City, after facing the struggles of life, he is welcomed by Christ.
This allegory is a classic of English literature, read and admired by devout believer and sincere doubter alike.
In this Thanksgiving season, we give thanks for people such as John Bunyan who find God’s strength and providence amid life’s difficulty--people who can weave these experiences into words of inspiration that lift our spirits as we face our own trials.
A Verse for Today
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
Each day through New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013, daily inspirational thoughts will appear on this website, in keeping with Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. These are from my book, Reflections for the Festive Seasons. © 2002. All rights reserved.
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