Life of Bunyan [Works of the English Puritan divines] by Hamilton, James, 1814-1867

8/14/2019 Life of Bunyan [Works of the English Puritan divines] by Hamilton, James, 1814-1867

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Title:LifeofBunyan

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LIFEOFBUNYAN

byRev.JamesHamiltonScotchChurch,RegentSquare,London.

AfterthepleasantsketchesofpenssogracefulasSouthey'sandMontgomery's;aftertheelaboratebiographyofMrPhilip,whoseresearcheshaveleftfewdesiderataforanysubsequentdevotee;indeed,afterBunyan'sowngraphicandcharacteristicnarrative,thetaskonwhichwearenowenteringisonewhich,aswewouldhavecourtedittheless,sowefeelthatwehavepeculiarfacilitiesfor

performingit.Ourmainobjectistogiveasimpleandcoherentaccountofamostunusualman--andthenweshouldliketoturntosomeinstructivepurposethepeculiaritiesofhissingularhistory,andnolesssingularworks.

JohnBunyanwasbornatElstow,nearBedford,in1628.Hisfatherwasabrazierortinker,andbroughtuphissonasacraftsmanoflikeoccupation.ThereisnoevidenceforthegipsyoriginofthehouseofBunyan;andthoughextremelypoor,John'sfathergavehissonsuchaneducationaspoormencouldthenobtainfortheirchildren.Hewassenttoschoolandtaughttoreadandwrite.

TherehasbeensomeneedlesscontroversyregardingBunyan'searlydays.Somehavetooreadilytakenforgrantedthathewasinallrespectsareprobate;andothers--thechiefofwhomisDrSouthey--havelabouredtoshewthattherewaslittleintheladwhichanywouldcensure,savetherighteousovermuch.Thetruthis,thatconsideringhisrankoflife,hisconductwasnotflagitious;forheneverwasadrunkard,alibertine,oraloverofsanguinarysports:andtheprofanityandsabbath-breakingandheart-atheismwhichafterwardspreyedonhisawakenedconscience,areunhappilytoofrequenttomaketheirperpetratorconspicuous.ThethingwhichgaveBunyananynotorietyinthedaysofhisungodliness,andwhichmadehimafterwardsappeartohimselfsuchamonsterofiniquity,wastheenergywhichheputintoallhisdoings.Hehadazealforidle

play,andanenthusiasminmischief,whichweretheperversemanifestationsofaforcefulcharacter,andwhichmayhavewellentitledhimtoSouthey'sepithet--"ablackguard."ThereaderneednotgofartoseeyoungBunyan.PerhapsthereisnearyourdwellinganElstow--aquiethamletofsomefiftyhousessprinkledaboutinthepicturesqueconfusion,andwiththeeasyamplitudeofspace,whichgivesanoldEnglishvillageitslookofleisureandlongevity.Anditisnowvergingtothecloseofthesummer'sday.Thedawsaretakingshortexcursionsfromthesteeple,andtamerfowlshavegonehomefromthedarkeninganddewygreen.ButoldBunyan'sdonkeyis


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stillbrowzingthere,andyonderisoldBunyan'sself--thebrawnytramperdispreadonthesettle,retailingtothemoreclownishresidentstap-roomwitandroadsidenews.However,itisyoungBunyanyouwishtosee.Yonderheis,thenoisiestoftheparty,playingpitch-and-toss--thatonewiththeshaggyeyebrows,whoseentiresoulisascendinginthetwirlingpenny--grimenoughtobetheblacksmith'sapprentice,buthissingedgarmentshangingroundhimwithalankandidlefreedomwhichscornsindentures;hisenergeticmovementsandauthoritativevociferationsatoncebespeakingtheragamuffinringleader.Thepennyhascomedownwiththewrongsideuppermost,andtheloudexecrationatoncebewraysyoungBadman.YouhaveonlytorememberthatitisSabbathevening,andyouwitnessasceneoftenenactedonElstowgreentwohundredyearsago.

ThestrongdepravingelementinBunyan'scharacterwasUNGODLINESS.Hewalkedaccordingtothecourseofthisworld,fulfillingthedesiresofthefleshandofthemind;andconsciousofhisownrebellion,hesaiduntoGod,"Departfromme,forIdesirenottheknowledgeofthyways."Theonlyrestraininginfluenceofwhichhethenfeltthepower,wasterror.Hisdayswereoftengloomythroughforebodingsofthewrathtocome;andhisnightswerescaredwithvisions,whichtheboisterousdiversionsandadventuresofhiswaking-daycouldnotalwaysdispel.Hewoulddreamthatthelastdayhadcome,andthatthequakingearthwasopeningitsmouthtolethim

downtohell;orhewouldfindhimselfinthegraspoffiends,whoweredragginghimpowerlessaway.Andmusingovertheseterrorsofthenight,yetfeelingthathecouldnotabandonhissins,inhisdespairofheavenhisanxiousfancywouldsuggesttohimallsortsofstrangedesires.Hewouldwishthattherehadbeennohellatall;orthat,ifhemustneedsgothither,hemightbeadevil,"supposingtheywereonlytormentors,andIwouldratherbeatormentorthantormentedmyself."

Thesewerethefearsofhischildhood.Ashegrewolder,hegrewharder.Heexperiencedsomeremarkableprovidences,buttheyneitherstartlednormeltedhim.Heoncefellintothesea,andanothertimeoutofaboatintoBedfordriver,andeithertimehadanarrowescape

fromdrowning.Onedayinthefieldwithacompanion,anadderglidedacrosstheirpath.Bunyan'sreadyswitchstunneditinamoment;butwithcharacteristicdaring,heforcedopenthecreature'smouth,andpluckedoutthesting--afoolhardinesswhich,ashehimselfobserves,might,butforGod'smercy,havebroughthimtohisend.Inthecivilwarhewas"drawn"asasoldiertogotothesiegeofLeicester;butwhenreadytosetout,acomradesoughtleavetotakehisplace.Bunyanconsented.HiscompanionwenttoLeicester,and,standingsentry,wasshotthroughthehead,anddied.Theseinterpositionsmadenoimpressiononhimatthetime.

Hemarriedveryearly:"Andmymercywastolightuponawife,whosefatherwascountedgodly.ThiswomanandI,thoughwecametogether

aspooraspoormightbe--nothavingsomuchhouseholdstuffasadishorspoonbetwixtus,yetthisshehadforherportion,'ThePlainMan'sPathwaytoHeaven,'and'ThePracticeofPiety,'whichherfatherhadleftherwhenhedied,inthesetwobooksIwouldsometimesreadwithher;whereinIalsofoundsomethingsthatweresomewhatpleasingtome.Shealsowouldbeoftentellingofmewhatagodlymanherfatherwas,andwhatastrictandholylifehelivedinhisdays,bothinwordanddeeds.Whereforethesebooks,withtherelation,thoughtheydidnotreachmyhearttoawakenitaboutmysoulandsinfulstate,yettheydidbegetwithinmesomedesiresto


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reformmyviciouslife,andfallinveryeagerlywiththereligionofthetimes--towit,togotochurchtwicea-day,andthat,too,withtheforemost;andthereshouldverydevoutlybothsayandsingasothersdid,yetretainingmywickedlife.But,withal,Iwassooverrunwiththespiritofsuperstition,thatIadored,andthatwithgreatdevotion,evenallthings--thehigh-place,priest,clerk,vestment,service,andwhatelsebelongingtotheChurch;countingallthingsholythatwerethereincontained,andespeciallythepriestandclerk,mosthappy,and,withoutdoubt,greatlyblessed,becausetheyweretheservants,asIthenthought,ofGod,andwereprincipalinthetempletodohisworktherein."

Sostrongwasthissuperstitiousfeeling--onesharedbytheignorantpeasantryinmanyportionsofEngland,evenatthepresentday--that"hadhebutseenapriest,thoughneversosordidanddebauchedinhislife,hisspiritwouldfallunderhim;andhecouldhavelaindownattheirfeetandbeentrampleduponbythem--theirname,theirgarb,andwork,didsointoxicateandbewitchhim."Itlittlematterswhatformsuperstitiontakes--image-worship,priest-worship,ortemple-worship;nothingistransformingexceptChristintheheart,aSaviourrealized,accepted,andenthroned.Whilstadoringthealtar,andworshippingthesurplice,anddeifyingtheindividualwhoworeit,Bunyancontinuedtocurseandblaspheme,andspendhisSabbathsinthesameriotasbefore.

Oneday,however,heheardasermononthesinofSabbath-breaking.Itfellheavyonhisconscience;foritseemedallintendedforhim.Ithauntedhimthroughouttheday,andwhenhewenttohisusualdiversionintheafternoon,itscadencewasstillknellinginhistroubledear.Hewasbusyatagamecalled"Cat,"andhadalreadystrucktheballoneblow,andwasabouttodealanother,when"avoicedartedfromheavenintohissoul,'Wiltthouleavethysinsandgotoheaven,orhavethysinsandgotohell?'"Hisarmwasarrested,andlookinguptoheaven,itseemedasiftheLordJesuswaslookingdownuponhiminremonstranceandseveredispleasure;and,atthesameinstant,theconvictionflashedacrosshim,thathehadsinnedsolongthatrepentancewasnowtoolate."Mystateis

surelymiserable--miserableifIleavemysins,andbutmiserableifIfollowthem.Icanbutbedamned;andifImustbeso,Ihadasgoodbedamnedformanysinsasfew."Inthedesperationofthisawfulconclusionheresumedthegame;andsopersuadedwashethatheavenwasforeverforfeited,thatforsometimeafterhemadeithisdeliberatepolicytoenjoythepleasuresofsinasrapidlyandintenselyaspossible.

Tounderstandtheforegoingincident,andsomewhichmayfollow,thereadermustrememberthatBunyanwasmadeupofvividfancyandvehementemotion.Heseldombelieved;healwaysfeltandsaw.Andhecoulddonothingbyhalves.Hethrewawholeheartintohisloveandhishatred;andwhenherejoicedortrembled,theentiremanand

everymovementwasconvertedintoecstasyorhorror.Manyhaveexperiencedthedimcounterpartofsuchprocessesaswearenowdescribing;butwillscarcelyrecognisetheirownequivalenthistoryinthebrightrealizationsandagonizingvicissitudesofamindsoferventandideal.

Foramonthormorehewentoninresolutesinning,onlygrudgingthathecouldnotgetsuchscopeasthemadnessofdespairsolicited,whenonedaystandingataneighbour'swindow,cursingandswearing,and"playingthemadman,afterhiswontedmanner,"thewomanofthe


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houseprotestedthathemadehertremble,andthattrulyhewastheungodliestfellowforswearingthatsheeverheardinallherlife,andquiteenoughtoruintheyouthofthewholetown.Thewomanwasherselfanotoriouslyworthlesscharacter;andsosevereareproof,fromsostrangeaquarter,hadasingulareffectonBunyan'smind.Hewasinamomentsilenced.HeblushedbeforetheGodofheaven;andashetherestoodwithhanginghead,hewishedwithallhisheartthathewerealittlechildagain,thathisfathermightteachhimtospeakwithoutprofanity;forhethoughtitsoinveteratenow,thatreformationwasoutofthequestion.Nevertheless,soitwas,fromthatinstantonwardhewascuredofhiswickedhabit,andpeoplewonderedatthechange.

"QuicklyafterthisIfellintocompanywithonepoormanthatmadeprofessionofreligion;who,asIthenthought,didtalkpleasantlyoftheScripturesandofthematterofreligious.Wherefore,fallingintosomeloveandlikingofwhathesaid,IbetookmetomyBible,andbegantotakegreatpleasureinreading,butespeciallywiththehistoricalpartthereof;forasforPaul'sEpistles,andsuchlikeScriptures,Icouldnotawaywiththem,beingasyetignoranteitherofthecorruptionofmynature,orofthewantandworthofJesusChristtosaveme.WhereforeIfellintosomeoutwardreformation,bothinmywordsandlife,anddidsetthecommandmentsbeforemeformywaytoheaven;whichcommandmentsIalsodidstrivetokeep,and,

asIthought,didkeepthemprettywellsometimes,andthenIshouldhavecomfort;yetnowandthenshouldbreakone,andsoafflictmyconscience;butthenIshouldrepent,andsayIwassorryforit,andpromiseGodtodobetternexttime,andtheregothelpagain;forthenIthoughtIpleasedGodaswellasanymaninEngland.ThusIcontinuedaboutayear;allwhichtimeourneighboursdidtakemetobeaverygodlyman,anewandreligiousman,anddidmarvelmuchtoseesuchgreatandfamousalterationinmylifeandmanners;andindeedsoitwas,thoughIknewnotChrist,norgrace,norfaith,norhope;for,asIhavewellsinceseen,hadIthendied,mystatehadbeenmostfearful.But,Isay,myneighbourswereamazedatthismygreatconversion,fromprodigiousprofanenesstosomethinglikeamorallife;andsotheywellmight;forthismyconversionwasas

greatasforTomofBedlamtobecomeasoberman.Now,therefore,theybegantospeakwellofme,bothbeforemyfaceandbehindmyback.NowIwas,astheysaid,becomegodly;nowIwasbecomearighthonestman.Butoh!whenIunderstoodtheseweretheirwordsandopinionsofme,itpleasedmemightywell.Forthough,asyet,Iwasnothingbutapoorpaintedhypocrite,yetIlovedtobetalkedofasonethatwastrulygodly...AndthusIcontinuedforaboutatwelvemonthormore."

ThoughnotactingfromenlightenedMOTIVES,BunyanwasnowundertheguidanceofnewINFLUENCES.ForjustastheSpiritofGodputsfortharestraininginfluenceonmanyduringthedaysoftheircarnality,whichmakesthechangeattheirconversionlessconspicuousthanif

theyhadbeenliftedfromthedepthsofaflagitiousreprobacy;soothershelongsubjectstoapreparatoryprocess,duringwhichsomeoftheoldandmostoffensivethingsoftheirungodlinesspassaway;andwhentherevolution,effectedbytheentranceoftheevangelicmotive,atlasttakesplace,itisrathertopersonalconsciousnessthantooutwardobservationthatthechangeisperceptible.Therealandfinaltransformationisratherwithinthemanthanuponhim.SowasitwithJohnBunyan.Onebyoneheabandonedhisbesettingsins,andmademanyconcessionstoconscience,whileasyethehadnotyieldedhishearttotheSaviour.Itwasslowlyandregretfully,


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however,thatheseveredthe"righthand."Oneofhisprincipalamusementswasonewhichhecouldnotcomfortablycontinue.ItwasBELL-RINGING;bywhichheprobablymeansthemerrypealswithwhichtheyusedtodesecratetheirSabbathevenings.Itwasonlybydegreesthathewasabletoabandonthisfavouritediversion."Whatifoneofthebellsshouldfall?"Toprovideagainstthiscontingency,hetookhisstandunderabeamfastenedacrossthetower."Butwhatifthefallingbellshouldreboundfromoneofthesidewalls,andhitmeafterall?"Thisthoughtsenthimdownstairs,andmadehimtakehisstation,ropeinhand,atthesteepledoor."Butwhatifthesteepleitselfshouldcomedown?"Thisthoughtbanishedhimaltogether,andhebadeadieutobell-ringing.Andbyasimilarseriesofconcessions,eventually,butwithlongerdelay,hegaveupanotherpractice,forwhichhisconsciencecheckedhim--dancing.Alltheseimprovementsinhisconductwereasourceofmuchcomplacencytohimself,thoughallthiswhilehewantedthesoul-emancipatingandsin-subduingknowledgeofJesusChrist.TheSonhadnotmadehimfree.

Thereissuchathingascant.Itispossibleforflippantpretenderstoacquireapeculiarphraseology,anduseitwithapainfuldexterity;anditisalsopossibleforgenuineChristianstosubsideintoastateofmindsolistlessorsecular,thattheirtalkonreligioustopicswillhavetheinaneandheartlesssoundofthe

tinklingcymbal.Butasthereisanexperimentalreligion,soisitpossibleforthosewhohavefeltreligioninitsvitalitytoexchangetheirthoughtsregardingit,andtorelatewhatit--orrather,Godinit--hasdoneforthem.Therearefewthingswhichindicateahealthierstateofpersonalpietythansuchafrankandfull-heartedChristianintercourse.ItwasaspecimenofsuchcommuningswhichimpressedonthemindofBunyantheneedofsomethingbeyondanoutsidereformation.HehadgonetoBedfordinprosecutionofhiscalling,when,passingalongthestreet,henoticedafewpoorwomensittinginadoorway,andtalkingtogether.Hedrewneartolistentotheirdiscourse.Itsurprisedhim;forthoughhehadbythistimebecomeagreattalkeronsacredsubjects,theirthemeswerefarbeyondhisreach.God'sworkintheirsouls,theviewstheyhad

obtainedoftheirnaturalmiseryandofGod'sloveinChristJesus,whatwordsandpromiseshadparticularlyrefreshedthemandstrengthenedthemagainstthetemptationsofSatan;itwasofmatterssopersonalandvitalthattheyspaketooneanother."Andmethoughtheyspakeasifyouhadmadethemspeak;theyspokewithsuchpleasantnessofScripturelanguage,andwithsuchappearanceofgraceinalltheysaid,thattheyweretomeasiftheyhadfoundanewworld--asiftheywere'peoplethatdweltalone,andwerenottobereckonedamongtheirneighbours!'"

TheconversationofthesepoorpeoplemadeadeepimpressiononBunyan'smind.Hesawthattherewassomethinginrealreligionintowhichhehadnotyetpenetrated.Hesoughtthesocietyofthese

humbleinstructors,andlearnedfromthemmuchthathehadnotknownbefore.HebegantoreadtheBiblewithnewavidity;andthatportionwhichhadformerlybeenmostdistasteful,theEpistlesofPaul,nowbecamethesubjectofhisspecialstudy.AsectofAntinomians,whoboastedthattheycoulddowhatsoevertheypleasedwithoutsinning,nowfellinhisway.Professorsofreligionwererapidlyembracingtheiropinions,andtherewassomethingintheirwildfervourandapparentraptures,prepossessingtotheardentmindofBunyan.Hereadtheirbooks,andponderedtheirprinciples;butprefacedhisexaminationwiththesimpleprayer,--"OLord,Iama


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fool,andnotabletoknowthetruthsfromerror.Lord,leavemenottomyownblindness.IfthisdoctrinebeofGod,letmenotdespiseit;ifitbeofthedevil,letmenotembraceit.Lord,inthismatterIlaymysoulonlyatthyfoot:letmenotbedeceived,Ihumblybeseechthee."Hisprayerwasheard,andhewassavedfromthissnareofthedevil.

Theobjecttowhichtheeyeofaninquiringsinnershouldbeturned,isCHRIST--thefinishedworkandthesufficientSaviour.But,inpointoffact,thechiefstressofthemoreevangelicalinstructionhasusuallybeenlaidonFAITH--onthatactofthemindwhichunitesthesoultotheSaviour,andmakessalvationpersonal;anditisonlybystudyingfaithsthatmanyhavecomeatlasttoanindirectandcircuitousacquaintancewithChrist.BysomesuchmisdirectionBunyanwasmisled.Inquestoffaithhewentalongandjoylessjourney,andwasweariedwiththegreatnessofhisway.Itwassecretlyurgeduponhismind,thatifhehadfaithhewouldbeabletoworkmiracles;andpassagesofScripturewereborneinuponhismind,whichbespoketheomnipotenceoffaith.Oneday,ontheroadfromElstowtoBedford,itwassuggestedtohismindtotrysomemiracle,andthatmiracleshouldbe,"tosaytothepuddleswhichwereinthehorse-pads,'Bedry,'andtothedryplaces,'Beyoupuddles.'"However,beforedoingthis,hethoughtheshouldgooverthehedgeandprayforfaith,andthencomeandspeaktheword."But

whatif,afteryouhaveprayedandtriedtodoit,nothinghappens?"Thedreadofthisalternativemadehimpostponetheanxiousexperiment,andlefthimstillindoubt.

Thenhehadasortofwakingvision,suggestedbywhathehadseeninhispiousfriendsatBedford."Isawasiftheywereonthesunnysideofsomehighmountain,thererefreshingthemselveswiththepleasantbeamsofthesun,whileIwasshiveringandshrinkinginthecold,afflictedwithfrost,snow,anddarkclouds.Methoughtalso,betwixtmeandthem,Isawawallthatdidcompassaboutthismountain;nowthroughthiswallmysouldidgreatlydesiretopass,concludingthatifIcould,Iwouldevengointotheverymidstofthem,andtherealsocomfortmyselfwiththeheatoftheirsun.

AboutthiswallIthoughtmyselftogoagainandagain,stillpryingasIwent,toseeifIcouldfindsomegaporpassagetoentertherein.ButnonecouldIfindforsometime.AtthelastIsaw,asitwere,anarrowgap,likealittledoorwayinthewall,throughwhichIattemptedtopass.Now,thepassagebeingverystraitandnarrow,Imademanyofferstogetin,butallinvain,evenuntilIwaswellnighquitebeatout,bystrivingtogetin.Atlast,withgreatstriving,methoughtIatfirstdidgetinmyhead,andafterthat,byasidelingstriving,myshouldersandmywholebody.{1}ThenwasIexceedingglad;wentandsatdowninthemidstofthem,andsowascomfortedwiththelightandheatoftheirsun.Now,thismountainandwallwerethusmadeouttome:ThemountainsignifiedthechurchofthelivingGod;thesunthatshonethereon,the

comfortableshiningofhismercifulfaceonthemthatweretherein:thewall,Ithought,wastheworld,thatdidmakeseparationbetweentheChristiansandtheworld;andthegapwhichwasinthewall,IthoughtwasJesusChrist,whoisthewaytoGodtheFather.Butforasmuchasthepassagewaswonderfulnarrow,evensonarrowthatIcouldnot,butwithgreatdifficulty,enterinthereat,itshewedmethatnonecouldenterintolifebutthosethatwereindownrightearnest,andunlesstheyleftthatwickedworldbehindthem;forherewasonlyroomforbodyandsoul,butnotforbodyandsoulandsin."Thedreamdidhimgood,for,thoughitbroughthimnoabsolute


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assurance,itinspiritedhiseffortsafterit.

ThereisscarcelyafearwhichcanassailaninquiringspiritwhichdidnotatsomestageofhisprogressarrestthemindofBunyan.Atonetimehewasafflictedbyanerroneousviewofthedoctrineofelection.Lookingatthemfromtheouterandunderside,thosepurposesofeverlastinglovewhichsecuretheirsafetywhohavealreadygotwithintheprecinctsofsalvation,appearedbristlingandforbidding--afrowningchevauxdefrise,ratherthanafenceofprotectionandpreservation.Andwhensomewhatrelievedfromthisperplexity,hefellintoanother.Hefearedthatthedayofgracewasgone;andsoimpressedonhismindwasthismournfulconviction,thathecoulddolittleelsethanupbraidhisowninfatuationforallowingtheonepropitiousseasontopassforeveraway.Butthewords,"Compelthemtocomein,thatmyhousemaybefilled;"andthoseothers,"Andyetthereisroom,"broughthimrelief.Then,again,hesawthatthecallofChristwasneedfultomakeamanadisciple;andhefearedthatheshouldnevergetthatcall."Butoh!howInowlovedthosewordsthatspakeofaChristian'scallingaswhentheLordsaidtoone,Followme;andtoanother,Comeafterme:andoh!thoughtI,thathewouldsaysotometoo:howgladlywouldIrunafterhim!Howlovelynowwaseveryoneinmyeyes,thatIthoughttobeconverted,whethermanorwoman!Theyshone,theywalkedlikeapeoplethatcarriedthebroadsealofheavenuponthem.

Oh!Isawthelotwasfallentotheminpleasantplaces,andtheyhadagoodlyheritage.Butthatwhichmademesick,wasthatofChrist,--'Hewentupintoamountain,andcalledtohimwhomhewould,andtheycameuntohim.'ThisScripturemademefaintandfear,yetitkindledfireinmysoul.Thatwhichmademefearwasthis:lestChristshouldhavenolikingtome,forhecalledwhomhewould.Butoh!theglorythatIsawinthatconditiondidstillsoengagemyheart,thatIcouldseldomreadofanythatChristdidcallbutIpresentlywished,'WouldIhadbeenintheirclothes!wouldIhadbeenbornPeter!wouldIhadbeenbornJohn!or,wouldIhadbeenbye,andhadheardhimwhenhecalledthem,howwouldIhavecried,OLord,callmealso.Butoh!Ifearedhewouldnotcallme.'"

TherewasatthattimeaministerinBedfordwhosehistorywasalmostasremarkableasBunyan'sown.HisnamewasGifford.Hehadbeenastaunchroyalist,andconcernedintherisinginKent.Hewasarrested,and,withelevenofhiscomrades,wasdoomedtodie.Thenightbeforethedayfixedforhisexecutionhissistercametovisithim.Shefoundtheguardasleep,and,withherassistance,theprisonereffectedhisescape.Forthreedayshewashidinafield,inthebottomofadeepditch;butatlasthecontrivedtogetawaytoaplaceofsafetyintheneighbourhoodofBedford.Beingthereaperfectstranger,heventuredonthepracticeofphysic;buthewasstillabandonedtorecklesshabitsandoutrageousvice.Oneeveninghelostalargesumofmoneyatthegaming-table,andinthefiercenessofhischagrinhismindwasfilledwiththemostdesperate

thoughtsoftheprovidenceofGod.Inhisvexationhesnatchedupabook.ItwasavolumeofBolton,asolemnandforcefulwriterthenwellknown.Asentenceinthisbooksofixedonhisconsciencethatformanyweekshecouldgetnorestinhisspirit.WhenatlasthefoundforgivenessthroughthebloodofChrist,hisjoywasextreme,and,exceptfortwodaysbeforehisdeath,heneverlostthecomfortablepersuasionofGod'slove.Forsometimethefewpiousindividualsinthatneighbourhoodwouldnotbelievethatsuchareprobatewasreallyconverted;but,nothingdauntedbytheirdistrust,likehisprototypeofTarsus,hebegantopreachtheWord


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withboldness,and,endowedwithavigorousmindandaferventspirit,remarkablesuccessattendedhisministry.Alittlechurchwasformed,andhewasinvitedtobecomeitspastor;andtherehecontinuedtillhedied.{2}ItwastothisMrGiffordthatBunyanwasatthistimeintroduced;andthoughtheconversationsofthis"Evangelist"broughthimnoimmediatecomfort,itwaswellforhimtoenjoythefriendshipandsympathyofonewhoseownviewsweresoclearandhappy.

Itisinstructivetofind,that,amidallthedepressionoftheseanxiousdays,itwasnotanyonesin,noranyparticularclassofsins,whichmadehimsofearfulandunhappy.Hefeltthathewasasinner,andasasinnerhewantedaperfectrighteousnesstopresenthimfaultlessbeforeGod.Thisrighteousness,healsoknew,wasnowheretobefoundexceptinthepersonofJesusChrist."Myoriginalandinwardpollution,--thatwasmyplagueandaffliction.THATIsawatadreadfulrate,alwaysputtingforthitselfwithinme,--thatIhadtheguiltoftoamazement;byreasonofthatIwasmoreloathsomeinmineowneyesthanatoad;andIthoughtIwassoinGod'seyestoo.Sinandcorruption,Isaid,wouldasnaturallybubbleoutofmyheartaswaterwouldoutofafountain.IthoughtnowthateveryonehadabetterheartthanIhad.Icouldhavechangedheartswithanybody.Ithoughtnonebutthedevilhimselfcouldequalizemeforinwardwickednessandpollutionofmind.I

fell,therefore,atthesightofmyownvileness,deeplyintodespair;forIconcludedthatthisconditionthatIwasincouldnotstandwithastateofgrace.Sure,thoughtI,IamforsakenofGod;sureIamgivenuptothedevilandareprobatemind.AndthusIcontinuedalongwhile,evenforsomeyearstogether."

Duringthesepainfulapprehensionsregardinghisownstate,itisnomarvelthathelookedonsecularthingswithanapatheticeye."Whilethusafflictedwiththefearsofmyowndamnation,thereweretwothingswouldmakemewonder:theonewas,whenIsawoldpeoplehuntingafterthethingsofthislife,asiftheyshouldliveherealways;theotherwas,whenIfoundprofessorsmuchdistressedandcastdownwhentheymetwithoutwardlosses,asofhusband,wife,

child,&c.Lord,thoughtI,whata-doishereaboutsuchlittlethingsasthese!Whatseekingaftercarnalthingsbysome,andwhatgriefinothersforthelossofthem!Iftheysomuchlabourafter,andshiedsomanytearsforthethingsofthispresentlife,howamItobebemoaned,pitied,andprayedfor!Mysoulisdying,mysoulisdamning.Weremysoulbutinagoodcondition,andwereIbutsureofit,ah!howrichwouldIesteemmyself,thoughblessedbutwithbreadandwater!Ishouldcountthosebutsmallafflictions,andbearthemaslittleburdens.Awoundedspiritwhocanbear?"

Thislongintervalofgloomwasatlastrelievedbyabriefsunburstofjoy.Heheardasermononthetext,"Behold,thouartfair,mylove;"inwhichthepreachersaid,thataransomedsoulisprecious

totheSaviour,evenwhenitappearsveryworthlesstoitself,--thatChristlovesitwhentempted,assaulted,afflicted,andmourningunderthehidingofGod'scountenance.Bunyanwenthomemusingonthewords,tillthetruthofwhatthepreachersaidbegantoforceitselfuponhismind;andhalfincredulousatfirst,ahesitatinghopedawnedinuponhisspirit."ThenIbegantogiveplacetotheword,which,withpower,didoverandovermakethisjoyfulsoundwithinmysoul--"Thouartmylove,thouartmylove;andnothingshallseparatetheefrommylove."Andwiththatmyheartwasfilledfullofcomfortandhope;andnowIcouldbelievethatmysinsshould


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beforgivenme:yea,IwasnowsotakenwiththeloveandmercyofGod,thatIrememberIcouldnottellhowtocontaintillIgothome.IthoughtIcouldhavespokenofhislove,andhavetoldofhismercytome,eventotheverycrowsthatsatupontheploughedlandsbeforeme,hadtheybeencapabletohaveunderstoodme.Wherefore,Isaidinmysoul,withmuchgladness,Well,IwouldIhadpenandinkhere.IwouldwritethisdownbeforeIgoanyfarther;forsurelyIwillnotforgetthisfortyyearshence."

However,ashehimselfremarks,inlessthanfortydayshehadforgottenitall.Afloodofnewandfiercetemptationsbrokeoverhim,andhaditnotbeenforastrongsustainingarmwhichunseenupheldhim,hissoulmusthavesunkinthedeepandangrywaters.Atonetimehewasalmostoverwhelmedinahurricaneofblasphemoussuggestions,andatanothertimehisfaithhadwellnighmadeshipwreckontheshoalsofinfidelityordeliberateatheism.Buttheveryreluctanceanddismayofhisspiritshowedthatanewnaturewasinhim."Ioften,whenthesetemptationshavebeenwithforceuponme,didcomparemyselftothecaseofsuchachildwhomsomegipsyhathbyforcetookupinherarms,andiscarryingfromfriendandcountry;kicksometimesIdid,andalsoshriekandcry;butyetIwasboundinthewingsofthetemptation,andthewindwouldcarrymeaway."ItwasallthathecoulddotorefrainfromarticulatingsuchwordsasheimaginedwouldamounttothesinagainsttheHolyGhost;

andforayeartogetherhewashauntedwithsuchdiabolicalsuggestionsthathewaswearyofhislife,andfainwouldhavechangedconditionwithahorseoradog.Duringthisdrearytermitisnowonderthathisheartfelthard."Thoughheshouldhavegivenathousandpoundsforatear,hecouldnotshedone;andoftenhehadnoteventhedesiretoshedone."Everyordinancewasanaffliction.Hecouldnotlistentoasermon,ortakeupareligiousbook,butacrowdofwildandhorridfanciesrushedinbetwixtthesubjectandhisbewilderedmind,hecouldnotassumetheattitudeofprayerbuthefeltimpelledtobreakoff,almostasifsomeonehadbeenpullinghimaway;or,tomarhisdevotion,someridiculousobjectwassuretobepresentedtohisfancy.Itisnotsurprisingthatheshouldhaveconcludedthathewaspossessedbythedevil;anditisscarcely

possibletoperusehisownandsimilarrecitalswithouttheforcibleconvictionthattheyaremorethanthemereworkingsofthemind,eitherinitssaneoritsdisorderedstate.

Onlyrelievedbysomeglimpsesofcomfort,"which,likePeter'ssheet,wereofasuddencaughtupfromhimintoheavenagain,"thishorribledarknesslastednolessthanayear.Thelightwhichfirststoleinuponit,andinwhichitfinallymeltedaway,wasacleardiscoveryofthepersonofChrist,moreespeciallyadistinctperceptionofthedispositionswhichhemanifestedwhilehereonearth.Andonethinggreatlyhelpedhim.Healightedonacongenialmind,andanexperiencealmostidenticalwithhisown.Fromtheemancipationwhichthisnewacquaintancegavetohisspirit,aswell

asthetonewhichheimpartedtoBunyan'stheology,wehadbestrelatetheincidentinhisownwords."BeforeIhadgotthusfaroutofmytemptations,Ididgreatlylongtoseesomeancientgodlyman'sexperience,whohadwritsomehundredsofyearsbeforeIwasborn;forthosewhohadwritinourdays,Ithought(butIdesirethemnowtopardonme)thattheyhadwritonlythatwhichothersfelt;orelsehad,throughthestrengthoftheirwitsandparts,studiedtoanswersuchobjectionsastheyperceivedothersperplexedwith,withoutgoingdownthemselvesintothedeep.Well,aftermanysuchlongingsinmymind,theGodinwhosehandsareallourdaysandways,did


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castintomyhandsonedayabookofMartinLuther's:itwashisCommentontheGalatians;italsowassooldthatitwasreadytofallpiecefrompieceifIdidbutturnitover.NowIwaspleasedmuchthatsuchanoldbookhadfallenintomyhands;thewhich,whenIhadbutalittlewayperused,Ifoundmyconditioninhisexperiencesolargelyandprofoundlyhandled,asifhisbookhadbeenwrittenoutofmyheart.Thismadememarvel:forthus,thoughtI,thismancouldnotknowanythingofthestateofChristiansnow,butmustneedswriteandspeaktheexperienceofformerdays.Besides,hedothmostgravelyalso,inthatbook,debateofthesinofthesetemptations,namely,blasphemy,desperation,andthelike;shewingthatthelawofMoses,aswellasthedevil,death,andhell,hathaverygreathandtherein:fleewhich,atfirst,wasverystrangetome;butconsideringandwatching,Ifounditsoindeed.ButofparticularshereIintendnothing;onlythis,methinks,Imustletfallbeforeallmen,IdopreferthisbookofMartinLutherupontheGalatians--exceptingtheHolyBible--beforeallthebooksthateverIhaveseen,asmostfitforawoundedconscience."

TherewasonethingofwhichBunyanwasveryconscious--thathisextricationfromthefearfulpitwastheworkofanalmightyhand.Thetransitionwasveryblissful;butjustbecausehispresentviewsweresobrightandassuring,heknewthatfleshandbloodhadnotrevealedthem."NowIhadanevidence,asIthought,ofmysalvation

fromheaven,withmanygoldensealsthereon,allhanginginmysight.NowcouldIrememberthismanifestationandtheotherdiscoveryofgracewithcomfort,andshouldoftenlonganddesirethatthelastdaywerecome,thatImightbeforeverinflamedwiththesightandjoyandcommunionwithhim,whoseheadwascrownedwiththorns,whosefacewasspitonandbodybroken,andsoulmadeanofferingformysins:for,whereasbeforeIlaycontinuallytremblingatthemouthofhell,nowmethoughtIwasgotsofartherefrom,thatIcouldnot,whenIlookedback,scarcediscernit.Andoh!thoughtI,thatIwerefourscoreyearsoldnow,thatImightdiequickly,thatmysoulmightbegonetorest.""AndnowIfound,asIthought,thatIlovedChristdearly.Oh!methoughtthatmysoulcleaveduntohim,myaffectionscleaveduntohim.Ifeltlovetohimashotasfire;and

new,asJobsaid,IthoughtIshoulddieinmynest."

Anotherperiodoffearfulagony,however,awaitedhim,and,likethelast,itcontinuedforayear.Inperusinghisownrecitaloftheseterribleconflicts,thefirstrelieftoourtorturedsympathyisintherecollectionthatitisallovernow,andthatthesufferer,escapedfromhisgreattribulation,islongagobeforethethrone.Butinthecalmer,becauseremoter,contemplationofthisfierytrial,itiseasytosee"theendoftheLord."WhenHepermittedSatantotempthisservantJob,itwasnotforJob'ssakemerely,norforthesakeoftheblessedcontrastwhichsurprisedhislatterdays,thatheallowedsuchthick-comingwoestogatherroundthepatriarch;butitwastoprovideinhisparallelexperienceastorehouseof

encouragementandhopeforthefuturechildrenofsorrow.AndwhentheLordpermittedtheadversarysoviolentlytoassailourworthy,andwhenhecausedsomanyofhisownwavesandbillowstopassoverhim,itwasnotmerelyforthesakeofBunyan;itwasforthesakeofBunyan'sreadersdowntotheendoftime.Byselectingthisstrongspiritasthesubjectofthesetrials,theLordprovided,inhisintensefeelingsandvividrealizations,anormaltype--aglaringinstanceofthoseexperienceswhich,intheirfaintermodifications,arecommontomostChristians;and,throughhisgraphicpen,securedaguidebookforZion'spilgrimsinagesyettocome.Inthe


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temptationswearenowcalledtorecord,thereissomethingsopeculiar,thatwedonotknowifChristianbiographysuppliesanyexactcounterpart;butthetimeandmannerofitsoccurrencehavemanyandpainfulparallels.Itwasafterhehadenteredinto"rest"--whenhehadreceivedjoyfulassuranceofhisadmissionintoGod'sfamily,andwasdesiringtodepartandbewithChrist--itwasthenthatthisassaultwasmadeonhisconstancy,anditwasafiercerassaultthanany.Ifwedonotgreatlyerr,itisnotuncommonforbelieverstobevisitedafterconversionwithtemptationsfromwhichtheywereexemptinthedaysoftheirignorance;aswellastemptationswhich,butfortheirconversion,couldnothaveexisted.

Thetemptationtowhichwehavealluded,tookthisstrangeanddreadfulform--tosellandpartwithhisSaviour,toexchangehimforthethingsofthislife--foranything.Thishorridthoughthecouldnotshakeoutofhismind,daynornight,formanymonthstogether.Itintermixeditselfwitheveryoccupation,howeversacred,orhowevertrivial."Hecouldnoteathisfood,stoopforapin,chopastick,norcasthiseyetolookonthisorthat,butstillthetemptationwouldcome,'SellChristforthis,sellChristforthat,sellhim,sellhim.'Sometimesitwouldruninmythoughtsnotsolittleasahundredtimestogether,Sellhim,sellhim,sellhim:Againstwhich,Imaysay,forwholehourstogether,Ihavebeenforcedtostandascontinuallyleaningandforcingmyspiritagainst

it;lesthaply,beforeIwasaware,somewickedthoughtmightariseinmyheartthatmightconsentthereto:andsometimesthetempterwouldmakemebelieveIhadconsentedtoit;butthenshouldIbeastorturedonarackforwholedaystogether."--"But,tobebrief,onemorningasIdidlieinmybed,Iwas,asatothertimes,mostfiercelyassaultedwiththistemptationtosellandpartwithChrist--thewickedsuggestionstillrunninginmymind,Sellhim,sellhim,sellhim,sellhim,asfastasamancouldspeak,againstwhichIalso,asatothertimes,answered,No,no;notforthousands,thousands,thousands,atleasttwentytimestogether.Butatlast,aftermuchstriving,evenuntilIwasalmostoutofbreath,Ifeltthisthoughtpassthroughmyheart,Lethimgo,ifhewill;andIthoughtalsothatIfeltmyheartfreelyconsentthereto.Oh,the

diligenceofSatan!Oh,thedesperatenessofman'sheart!Nowwasthebattlewon,anddownfellI,asabirdthatisshotfromthetopofatree,intogreatguiltandfearfuldespair.Thusgettingoutofmybed,Iwentmopingintothefield,but,Godknows,withasheavyaheartasmortalman,Ithink,couldbear.Where,forthespaceoftwohours,Iwaslikeamanbereftoflife,andasnowpastallrecovery,andboundovertoeternalpunishment.Andwithal,thatscripturedidseizeuponmysoul,'Oprofaneperson,asEsau,who,foronemorselofmeat,soldhisbirth-right;foryeknowhowthatafterwards,whenhewouldhaveinheritedtheblessing,hewasrejected;forhefoundnoplaceofrepentance,thoughhesoughtitcarefullywithtears.'Thesewordsweretomysoullikefettersofbrass,inthecontinualsoundofwhichIwentforseveralmonths

together."

Theanxiouscasuistryinwhichhesoughtrelief,andthealternationofwistfulhopeandblankdespair,inwhichformanyadismaldayhewastossedtoandfro,nonebuthimselfcanproperlydescribe.Theyaredeeplyaffecting,andtosomemayproveinstructive.

"ThenbeganI,withsadandcarefulheart,toconsiderofthenatureandlargenessofmysin,andtosearchintothewordofGod,ifinanyplaceIcouldespyawordofpromise,oranyencouragingsentence


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bywhichImighttakerelief.WhereforeIbegantoconsiderthatofMarkiii.,'Allmannerofsinsandblasphemiesshallbeforgivenuntothesonsofmen,wherewithsoevertheyshallblaspheme:'whichplace,methought,atablush,didcontainalargeandgloriouspromiseforthepardonofhighoffences.Butconsideringtheplacemorefully,Ithoughtitwasrathertobeunderstoodasrelatingmorechieflytothosewhohad,whileinanaturalstate,committedsuchthingsastherearementioned;butnottome,whohadnotonlyreceivedlightandmercy,butthathad,bothafterandalsocontrarytothat,soslightedChristasIhaddone.Ifeared,therefore,thatthiswickedsinofminemightbethatsinunpardonable,ofwhichhetherethusspeaketh,'ButhethatblasphemethagainsttheHolyGhosthathneverforgiveness,butisindangerofeternaldamnation.'

"AndnowwasIbothaburdenandaterrortomyself;nordidIeversoknowasnowwhatitwastobewearyofmylifeandyetafraidtodie.OhowgladlywouldIhavebeenanybodybutmyself!anythingbutaman!andinanyconditionbutmyown!fortherewasnothingdidpassmorefrequentlyovermymind,thanthatitwasimpossibleformetobeforgivenmytransgression,andtobesavedfromwrathtocome."

HesethimselftocomparehissinwiththatofDavidandPeter,butsawthattherewerespecialtiesinhisguiltwhichmadeitfargreater.Theonlycasewhichhecouldcomparetohisownwasthatof

Judas.

"AboutthistimeIdidlightonthedreadfulstoryofthatmiserablemortal,FrancisSpira.Everysentenceinthatbook,everygroanofthatman,withalltherestofhisactionsinhisdolors,ashistears,hisprayers,hisgnashingofteeth,hiswringingofhands,histwisting,andlanguishing,andpiningaway,underthemightyhandofGodthatwasuponhim,wasasknivesanddaggerstomysoul;especiallythatsentenceofhiswasfrightfultome,'Manknowsthebeginningofsin,butwhoboundstheissuesthereof!'Thenwouldtheformersentence,astheconclusionofall,falllikeahotthunderboltagainuponmyconscience,'Foryouknowhow,thatafterwards,whenhewouldhaveinheritedtheblessing,hewas

rejected;forhefoundnoplaceofrepentance,thoughhesoughtitcarefullywithtears.'ThenshouldIbestruckintoaverygreattrembling,insomuchthatatsometimesIcould,forwholedaystogether,feelmyverybody,aswellasmymind,toshakeandtotterunderthesenseofthisdreadfuljudgmentofGod.

"NowIshouldfindmymindtofleefromGodasfromthefaceofadreadfuljudge;yetthiswasmytorment,Icouldnotescapehishand.'ItisafearfulthingtofallintothehandsofthehivingGod.'Butblessedbehisgrace,thatscriptureintheseflyingfitswouldcallasrunningafterme,--'Ihaveblottedout,asathickcloud,thytransgressions,andasacloudthysins;returnuntome,forIhaveredeemedthee.'This,Isay,wouldcomeinuponmymindwhenIwas

fleeingfromthefaceofGod;forIdidfleefromhisface,thatis,mymindandspiritfledbeforehim:byreasonofhishighnessIcouldnotendure.Thenwouldthattextcry,Returnuntome;itwouldcryaloud,withaverygreatvoice,Returnuntome,forIhaveredeemedthee.Indeedthiswouldmakememakealittlestop,and,asitwere,lookovermyshoulderbehindme,toseeifIcoulddiscernthattheGodofgracedidfollowmewithapardoninhishand.

"OnceasIwaswalkingtoandfroinagoodman'sshop,bemoaningofmyselfinmysadanddolefulstate,afflictingmyselfwithself-


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abhorrenceforthiswickedandungodlythought;lamentingalsothishardhapofmine,forthatIshouldcommitsogreatasin,greatlyfearingIshouldnotbepardoned;prayingalsoinmyheart,thatifthissinofminediddifferfromthatagainsttheHolyGhost,theLordwouldshewitme;andbeingnowreadytosinkwithfear,suddenlytherewasasiftherehadrushedinatthewindowthenoiseofwinduponme,butverypleasant,andasifIheardavoicespeaking,--'DidsteverrefusetobejustifiedbythebloodofChrist?'Andwithalmywholelifeofprofessionpastwasinamomentopenedtome,whereinIwasmadetoseethatdesignedlyIhadnot;somyheartansweredgroaningly,No.ThenfellwithpowerthatwordofGoduponme,Seethatyerefusenothimthatspeaketh.Thismadeastrangeseizureuponmyspirit:itbroughtlightwithit,andcommandedasilenceinmyheartofallthosetumultuousthoughtsthatbeforedidrise,likemasterlesshell-hounds,toroarandbellow,andmakeahideousnoisewithinme.ItshewedmealsothatJesusChristhadyetawordofgraceandmercyformethathehadnot,asIfeared,quiteforsakenandcastoffmysoul:Yea,thiswasakindofcheckformypronenesstodesperation;akindofthreateningofmeifIdidnot,notwithstandingmysinsandtheheinousnessofthem,venturemysalvationupontheSonofGod.Butastomydeterminingaboutthisstrangedispensation,whatitwas,Iknownot.Ihavenotyetintwentyyears'timebeenabletomakeajudgmentofit.IthoughtthenwhathereIshouldbeloathtospeak.Butverily,that

suddenrushingwindwasasifanangelhadcomeuponme;butbothitandthesalvation,Iwillleaveuntilthedayofjudgment.OnlythisIsay,itcommandedagreatcalminmysoul.Itpersuadedmetheremightbehope;itshewedme,asIthought,whatthesinunpardonablewas,andthatmysoulhadyettheblessedprivilegetofleetoJesusChristformercy.ButIsayconcerningthisdispensation,Iknownotwhatyettosayuntoit.Ileaveittobethoughtonbymenofsoundjudgment.Ilaynotthestressofmysalvationthereupon,butupontheLordJesusinthepromise;yetseeingIamhereunfoldingofmysecretthings,Ithoughtitmightnotbealtogetherinexpedienttoletthisalsoshewitself,thoughIcannotnowrelatethematterasthenIdidexperienceit.Thislastedinthesavourthereofaboutthreeorfourdays,andthenIbegantomistrustanddespairagain."

NosolidpeacecanenterthesoulexceptthatwhichisbroughtbytheComforter.Itisnotthewordreadandheard,butthewordrevealedbytheSpirit,whichissavingandassuring.ThereisundoubtedlyadivineoperationonthemindwhereveranyspecialimpressionisproducedbythetruthsofGod;andwhetherthatimpressionshouldbemadewithaudibleandvisiblemanifestationsaccompanyingit--asonthedayofPentecost--orshouldbesovividastoconvertamentalperceptionintoabodilysensation,aswearedisposedtothinkwasthecasewithsomeoftheremarkablesightsandheavenlyvoiceswhichgoodmenhaverecorded,isreallyoflittlemoment.InBunyan'scase,sowarmwashisimagination,thateveryclearperceptionwassuretobeinstantaneouslysoundinginhisear,orstandingouta

brightvisionbeforehisadmiringeyes.Thisfeatureofhismentalconformationhasbeennoticedalready;butthismaybetheproperplacetoalludetoitagain.

Aftertheshortbreathingtimewejustnoticed,Bunyanbegantosinkinthedeepwatersagain.ItwasinvainthatheaskedtheprayersofGod'speople,andequallyinvainthatheimpartedhisgrieftothosewhohadpassedthroughthesameconflictswiththedevil.One"ancientChristian,"towhomhestatedhisfearthathehadcommittedthesinforwhichthereisnoforgiveness,thoughtsotoo."Thuswas


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Ialwayssinking,whateverIdidthinkordo.SoonedayIwalkedtoaneighbouringtown,andsatdownuponasettleinthestreet,andfellintoaverydeeppanicaboutthemostfearfulstatemysinhadbroughtmeto;andafterlongmusing,Iliftedupmyhead;butmethoughtIsawasifthesunthatshinethintheheavensdidgrudgetogivelight;andasiftheverystonesinthestreet,andtilesuponthehouses,didbendthemselvesagainstme:methoughtthattheyallcombinedtogethertobanishmeoutoftheworld;Iwasabhorredofthem,andunfittodwellamongthem,orbepartakeroftheirbenefits,becauseIhadsinnedagainsttheSaviour.Thenbreakingoutinthebitternessofmysoul,Isaidtomysoul,withagrievoussigh,'HowcanGodcomfortsuchawretchasIam?'Ihadnosoonersaidit,butthisreturneduponme,asanechodothansweravoice,'Thissinisnotuntodeath.'AtwhichIwasasifraisedoutofthegrave,andcriedoutagain,'Lord,howcouldstthoufindoutsuchawordasthis?'forIwasfilledwithadmirationatthefitnessandattheunexpectednessofthesentence.Thefitnessoftheword;therightnessofthetimingofit;thepowerandsweetnessandlightandglorythatcamewithitalso,weremarvelloustometofind.IwasnowforthetimeoutofdoubtastothataboutwhichIwassomuchindoubtbefore.Iseemednowtostanduponthesamegroundwithothersinners,andtohaveasgoodrighttothewordandprayerasanyofthem."

Incomingtothisconclusion,hehadmadeagreatstepinadvance.Hismiseryhadhithertobeenoccasionedbyadeviceofthedevil,whichkeepsmanyanxioussoulsfromcomfort.Heregardedhisowncaseasaspecialexceptiontowhichagospel,otherwisegeneral,didnotapply;butthissnarewasnowbroken,and,thoughwithhaltingpace,hewasonthewaytosettledrestandjoy.FrequentlyhewouldfeelthathistransgressionshadcuthimofffromChrist,andlefthim"neitherfoot-holdnorhandholdamongallthepropsandstaysinthepreciouswordoflife;"butpresentlyhewouldfindsomegraciousassurance--heknewnothow--sustaininghim.Atonetimehewouldappeartohimselflikeachildfallenintoamill-pond,"whothoughtitcouldmakesomeshifttosprawlandscrambleinthewater,"yet,asitcouldfindnothingtowhichtocling,mustsinkatlast;butby

andbyhewouldperceivethatanunseenpowerwasbuoyinghimup,andencouraginghimtocryfromthedepths.Atanothertimehewouldbesodiscouragedanddaunted,thathescarcelydaredtopray,andyetinasortofdesperationbeginning,hefoundittruethat"menoughtalwaystoprayandnottofaint."Ononeoccasion,whilstendeavouringtodrawnearthethroneofgrace,thetemptersuggested"thatneitherthemercyofGod,noryetthebloodofChrist,atallconcernedhim,norcouldtheyhelphimbyreasonofhissin;thereforeitwasvaintopray."Yethethoughtwithhimself,"Iwillpray.""But,"saidthetempter,"yoursinisunpardonable.""Well,"saidhe,"Iwillpray.""Itistonoboot,"saidtheadversary.Andstillheanswered,"Iwillpray."Andsohebeganhisprayer,"Lord,Satantellsmethatneithertheymercy,norChrist'sblood,is

sufficienttosavemysoul.Lord,shallIhonourtheemostbybelievingthouwiltandcanst?orhim,bybelievingthouneitherwiltnorcanst?Lord,Iwouldfainhonourtheebybelievingthoucanstandthouwiliest."Andwhilsthewasthusspeaking,"asifsomeonehadclappedhimontheback,"thatscripturefastenedonhismind,"Omangreatisthyfaith."

Reliefcameslowlybutsteadily,andwasthemoreabiding,becausehehadlearnedbyexperiencetodistrustanycomfortwhichdidnotcomefromthewordofGod.Suchpassagesasthese,"Mygraceis


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sufficientforthee,"and"HimthatcomethuntomeIwillinnowisecastout,"greatlylightenedhisburden;buthederivedstillstrongerencouragementfromconsideringthattheGospel,withitsbenignity,ismuchmoreexpressiveofthemindanddispositionofGodthanthelawwithitsseverity."Mercyrejoicethoverjudgment.HowshallnottheministrationoftheSpiritberatherglorious?Foriftheministrationofcondemnationbeglory,muchmoredoththeministrationofrighteousnessexceedinglory.Foreventhatwhichwasmadeglorious,hadnogloryinthisrespect,byreasonoftheglorythatexcelleth."Or,asthesametruthpresenteditselftohismindinanaspectmorearrestingtoamindlikehis,"AndPetersaiduntoJesus,Master,itisgoodforustobehere;andletusmakethreetabernacles,oneforthee,andoneforMoses,andoneforElias.Forhewistnotwhattosay,forhewassoreafraid.Andtherewasacloudovershadowedthem,andavoicecameoutofthecloud,saying,ThisismybelovedSon,hearhim.""ThenIsawthatMosesandEliasmustbothvanish,andleaveChristandhissaintsalone."

Wehavenowarrivedatthehappytimewhenthesedoubtsanddistractionswereexchangedforsongsofdeliverance.WerelateitinthewordsofBunyan'sownnarrative:"OnedayasIwaspassingintothefield,andthattoowithsomedashesonmyconscience,fearinglestyetallwasnotright,suddenlythissentencefellupon

mysoul,'Thyrighteousnessisinheaven;'andmethoughtwithal,Isawwiththeeyesofmysoul,JesusChristatGod'srighthand;there,Isay,wasmyrighteousness;sothatwhereverIwas,orwhateverIwasdoing,Godcouldnotsayofme,'Hewantsmyrighteousness,'forthatwasjustbeforehim.Ialsosaw,moreover,thatitwasnotmygoodframeofheartthatmademyrighteousnessbetter,normybadframethatmademyrighteousnessworse;formyrighteousnesswasJesusChristhimself,'thesameyesterday,to-day,andforever.'Nowdidmychainsfalloffmylegsindeed;Iwasloosedfrommyafflictionsandmyirons;mytemptationsalsofledaway;sothatfromthattimethosedreadfulscripturesofGodleftofftotroubleme.NowwentIalsohomerejoicingforthegraceandloveofGod;sowhenIcamehomeIlookedtoseeifIcouldfindthat

sentence,'Thyrighteousnessisinheaven,'butcouldnotfindsuchasaying;whereforemyheartbegantosinkagain,onlythatwasbroughttomyremembrance,'HeismadeuntousofGod,wisdom,righteousness,sanctification,andredemption;'bythiswordIsawtheothersentencetrue.For,bythisscripture,IsawthatthemanChristJesus,asheisdistinctfromusastouchinghisbodilypresence,soheisourrighteousnessandsanctificationbeforeGod.Here,therefore,IlivedforsometimeverysweetlyatpeacewithGodthroughChrist.Oh!methought,Christ,Christ!TherewasnothingbutChristthatwasbeforemyeyes.IwasnotnowforlookinguponthisandtheotherbenefitsofChristapart,asofhisblood,burial,orresurrection,butconsideringhimasawholeChrist,asheiswhenallthese,andallotherhisvirtues,relations,offices,and

operationsmettogether,andthathesatontherighthandofGodinheaven.'Twasglorioustometoseehisexaltation,andtheworthandprevalencyofallhisbenefits;andthatbecausenowIcouldlookfrommyselftohim,andwouldreckonthatallthosegracesofGodthatnowweregreenonme,wereyetbutlikethosecrackedgroatsandfourpence-halfpenniesthatrichmencarryintheirpurses,whentheirgoldisintheirtrunksathome:Oh!Isawmygoldwasinmytrunkathome!inChristmyLordandSaviour.NowChristwasall;allmyRIGHTEOUSNESS,allmySANCTIFICATION,andallmyREDEMPTION.


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"Further,theLorddidalsoleadmeintothemysteryofunionwiththeSonofGod;thatIwasjoinedtohim,thatIwas'fleshofhisflesh,andboneofhisbone'(Eph.v.30);andnowwasthatwordofStPaulsweettome.Bythisalsowasmyfaithinhimasmyrighteousnessthemoreconfirmedinme;forifheandIwereone,thenhisrighteousnesswasmine,hismeritsmine,hisvictoryalsomine.NowcouldIseemyselfinheavenandearthatonce:inheavenbymyChrist,bymyhead,bymyrighteousnessandlife;thoughonearthbymybodyorperson.NowIsawChristJesuswaslookeduponofGod,andshouldalsobelookeduponbyus,asthatcommonorpublicperson,inwhomallthewholebodyofhiselectarealwaystobeconsideredandreckoned;thatwefulfilledthelawbyhim,rosefromthedeadbyhim,gotthevictoryoversin,death,thedevil,andhellbyhim;whenhedied,wedied;andsoofhisresurrection.'Thydeadmenshalllive;togetherwithmydeadbodyshalltheyarise,'saithhe:andagain,'Aftertwodayshewillreviveus,andthethirddayweshallliveinhissight:'whichisnowfulfilledbythesittingdownoftheSonofManontherighthandoftheMajestyintheheavens,accordingtothattotheEphesians,'Heheathraisedusuptogether,andmadeussittogetherinheavenlyplacesinChristJesus.'Ah!theseblessedconsiderationsandscriptures,withmanyothersoflikenature,wereinthosedaysmadetospangleinmineeye,sothatIhavecausetosay,'PraiseyetheLordGodinhissanctuary;praisehiminthefirmamentofhispower;praisehimfor

hismightyacts:praisehimaccordingtohisexcellentgreatness.'"

ExtricatedfromtheSloughofDespond,Bunyanwentonhiswayrejoicing;andthoughsometimesinterruptedbydisquietingthoughtsandstrongtemptations,hissubsequentcareerwasapathofgrowingcomfortandprevailingpeace.Attheageoftwenty-sixhewasadmittedamemberofthatBaptistchurchofwhichMrGiffordwasthefaithfulpastor,--arareman,who,inangrytimes,andinasmallcommunion,preservedhiscatholicity.Holdingthat"unionwithChrist,"andnotagreementconcerninganyordinancesorthingsexternal,isthefoundationofChristianfellowship,withhisdyinghandheaddressedalettertohisbelovedpeople,inwhichthefollowingsentenceoccurs,theutteranceofaheartenlargedby

Christianmagnanimity,andbentonthoseobjectswhichalonelookimportantwhenthebelieveriswaitingonthetopofPisgah:--"ConcerningseparationfromtheChurchaboutbaptism,layingonofhands,anointingwithoil,psalms,oranyotherexternals,Ichargeeveryoneofyourespectively,asyouwillgiveanaccountofittoourLordJesusChrist,whowilljudgebothquickanddeadathiscoming,thatnoneofyoubefoundguiltyofthisgreatevil,whichsomehavecommitted,andthatthroughazealforGod,yetnotaccordingtoknowledge.TheyhaveerredfromthelawoftheloveofChrist,andhavemadearentinthetrueChurch,whichisbutone."IfourBaptistbrethrenarejustlyproudthattheburningandshininglightofBunyanwassetupontheircandlestick,theyhaveequalreasontoboastofthetorchatwhichhisblandanddiffussivelight

waskindled.JohnBunyandoubtlessowedtoJohnGiffordthepeculiartypeofhisChristianity,itscomprehensiveness,anditssect-forgettingzealforthethingsofJesusChrist.

Hehadnotlongbeenamemberofthechurchwhenhewascalledtoexerciseitsactualministry.Giffordwasgonetohiseverlastingrest;andasasubstituteforhislabours,itwasputuponafewofthebrethrentospeakthewordofexhortationtotherest.OftheseBunyanwasone.Atfirsthedidnotventurefartherthantoaddresshisfriendsintheirmoreprivatemeetings,ortofollowup,witha


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briefapplication,thesermonsdeliveredbyothersintheirvillage-preaching.Buttheseexerciseshavingaffordedtheutmostsatisfactiontohisjudiciousthoughwarm-heartedhearers,hewasurgedforwardtomorepublicservices.Thesehewastoohumbletocovet,andtooearnesttorefuse.Thoughhiseducationwassufficientlyrude,Godhadgivenhimfromthefirstastrongathleticmindandaglowingheart,--thatdownrightlogicandteemingfancy,whoseboldstrokesandburningimagesheattheSaxontempertotheweldingpoint,andmakethepopularoratorofourEnglishmultitude.Thenhisloworiginalandroughwildhistory,howevermuchtheymighthavesubjectedhimtoscornhadheexchangedtheleathernapronforasilkenone,orscrambledfromthehedge-sideintothehigh-placesofthechurch,entailednosuspicion,andawakenedmuchsurprise,whentheBedfordtownsmensawtheirblasphemingneighbouranewman,andinawaysodisinterestedpreachingthefaithwhichheoncedestroyed.Thetownturnedouttohear,andthoughtherewassomemockery,manyweredeeplymoved.Hisownaccountofitis:--"AtfirstIcouldnotbelievethatGodshouldspeakbymetotheheartofanyman,stillcountingmyselfunworthy;yetthosewhowerethustouched,wouldloveme,andhaveaparticularrespectforme;andthoughIdidputitfromme,thattheyshouldbeawakenedbyme,stilltheywouldconfessitandaffirmitbeforethesaintsofGod...Wherefore,seeingtheminboththeirwordsanddeedstobesoconstant,andalsointheirheartssoearnestlypressingafterthe

knowledgeofJesusChrist,rejoicingthateverGoddidsendmewheretheywere,thenIbegantoconcludeitmightbeso,thatGodhadownedinhisworksuchafoolishoneasI;andthencamethatwordofGodtomyheartwithsuchsweetrefreshment:'Theblessingofthemthatwerereadytoperishiscomeuponme;yea,Icausedthewidow'shearttosingforjoy.'Atthis,therefore,Irejoiced;yea,thetearsofthosewhomGodhadawakenedbymypreachingwouldbebothsolaceandencouragementtome.Ithoughtonthosesayings,'Whoishethatmakethmeglad,butthesamethatismadesorrybyme!'Andagain,'ThoughIbenotanapostletoothers,yetdoubtlessIamuntoyou:forthesealofmyapostleshipareyeintheLord.'"

TherewasasolemnizingandsubduingpowerinBunyan'sministry,

becauseitwasheart-felt.Sofarasthetruthsheutteredwerecapableofbecomingsubjectsofpersonalconsciousness,hehadexperiencedthem;andsofarastheyweresubjectsofintellectualconviction,hewasnotonlyfullypersuadedofthem,butsawthemsoclearandevident,thathisrealizationswerecontinuallyquickeningintosensations.HethusbeganwithaJohn-Baptistministry,towhichsucceededaPentecostalevangel;andatlastitgrewintothePaulineamplitudeandcompleteness,"thewholecounselofGod.""Inmypreachingoftheword,Itookspecialnoticeofthisonething,namely,thattheLorddidleadmetobeginwherethewordbeginswithsinners;thatis,tocondemnallflesh,andtoopenandallegethatthecurseofGodbythelawdothbelongtoandlayholdonallmenastheycomeintotheworld,becauseofsin.NowthispartofmyworkI

fulfilledwithgreatsense;fortheterrorsofthelaw,andguiltformytransgressions,layheavyonmyconscience.IpreachedwhatIfelt,whatIsmartinglydidfeel;eventhatunderwhichmypoorsouldidgroanandtrembletoastonishment.IndeedIhavebeenasonesenttothemfromthedead;Iwentmyselfinchainstopreachtotheminchains;andcarriedthatfireinmyownconsciencethatIpersuadedthemtobeawareof...ThusIwentonforthespaceoftwoyears,cryingoutagainstmen'ssins,andtheirfearfulstatebecauseofthem.AfterwhichtheLordcameinuponmyownsoulwithsomesurepeaceandcomfortthroughChrist;forhedidgivememany


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sweetdiscoveriesofhisblessedgracethroughhim.WhereforenowIalteredinmypreaching(forstillIpreachedwhatIsawandfelt).Now,therefore,IdidmuchlabourtoholdforthJesusChristinallhisoffices,relations,andbenefits,untotheworld,anddidstrivealsotodiscover,tocondemn,andremovethosefalsesupportsandpropsonwhichtheworlddothbothlean,andbythemfallandperish.OnthesethingsalsoIstaidaslongasontheother.Afterthis,GodledmeintosomethingofthemysteryofunionwithChrist;wherefore,thatIdiscoveredandshewedtothemalso.AndwhenIhadtravelledthroughthesethreechiefpointsofthewordofGod,Iwascaughtinmypresentpractice,andcastintoprison,whereIhavelainaloneaslongagaintoconfirmthetruthbywayofsuffering,asIwasbeforeintestifyingofit,accordingtothescriptures,inawayofpreaching."

Bunyan'spreachingwasnoincoherentrant.Wordsoftruthandsobernessformedthestapleofeachsermon;andhisburningwordsandstartlingimageswereonlytheelectricscintillationsalongthechainofhisscripturaleloquence.Thoughthecommonpeopleheardhimmostgladly,hehadoccasionalhearersofahigherclass.Onceonaweek-dayhewasexpectedtopreachinaparishchurchnearCambridge,andaconcourseofpeoplehadalreadycollectedinthechurchyard.Agaystudentwasridingpast,whenhenoticedthecrowd,andaskedwhathadbroughtthemtogether.Hewastoldthat

thepeoplehadcomeouttohearoneBunyan,atinker,preach.Heinstantlydismounted,andgaveaboytwopencetoholdhishorse,forhedeclaredhewasdeterminedtohearthetinkerPRATE.Sohewentintothechurch,andheardthetinker;butsodeepwastheimpressionwhichthatsermonmadeonthescholar,thathetookeverysubsequentopportunitytoattendBunyan'sministry,andhimselfbecamearenownedpreacherofthegospelinCambridgeshire.Stillhefeltthathiserrandwastothemultitude,andhisgreatanxietywastopenetratethedarkestplacesoftheland,andpreachtothemostabandonedpeople.Intheselaboursofunostentatiousheroism,hesometimesexcitedthejealousyoftheregularparishministers,andevenunderthetolerantruleoftheProtector,wasinsomedangerofimprisonment.However,itwasnottilltheRestorationthathewas

inseriousjeopardy;butthereafterhewasamongthefirstvictimsofthegrandcombinationbetwixtpriestsandrulerstoexterminatethegospelinEngland.

Onthe12thofNovember1660,hehadpromisedtomeetalittlecongregationinaprivatehouseatSamsellinBedfordshire.Beforethehourofmeetinghewasapprisedthatawarrantwasouttoseizehim;buthefeltthatheowedittothegospelnottorunawayatsuchatime.AccordinglywhenthepeoplewereassembledwithnoweaponsbuttheirBibles,theconstableenteredandarrestedthepreacher.Hehadonlytimetospeakafewwordsofcounselandencouragementtohishearers,"YouseewearepreventedofouropportunitytospeakandhearthewordofGod,andarelikelyto

sufferforthesame.Butbenotdiscouraged.Itisamercytosufferforsogoodacause.Wemighthavebeenapprehendedasthievesormurderers,orforotherwickedness;butblessedbeGod,itisnotso.WesufferasChristiansforwelldoing;andbetterbethepersecutedthanthepersecutors."Afterbeingtakenbeforeajustice,hewascommittedtogaoltilltheensuingsessionsshouldbeheldatBedford.Thereanindictmentwaspreferred--"ThatJohnBunyan,ofthetownofBedford,labourer,beingapersonofsuchandsuchconditions,hehathsincesuchatimedevilishlyandperniciouslyabstainedfromcomingtochurchtoheardivineservice;


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andisacommonupholderofseveralunlawfulmeetingsandconventicles,tothegreatdisturbanceanddistractionofthegoodsubjectsofthiskingdom,contrarytothelawsofoursovereignlordtheKing,"&c.Ofcoursehewasconvicted,andsentencedtoimprisonment,withcertification,thatifhedidnotconformwithinagivenperiod,hewouldhebanishedoutofthekingdom.

AfterBunyanceasestobehisownbiographer,ourmaterialsbecomeexceedingscanty.Thisisthelesstobelamentedwhenwereflectthatthehistoryofhis"hiddenlife"isalreadytold.Theprocesseshavenowbeenrelatedwhichformedanddevelopedtheinnerman;andthefewexternaleventsthatbefelhim,andthefewimportantthingsthathedid,duringtheremainingeight-and-twentyyearsofhismortalpilgrimage,mayberecordedinasinglepage.

Hisimprisonmentwasprotractedfromsessionstosessions,tillhehadmeasuredouttwelvewearyyearsinBedfordgaol.PerhapsweshouldnotcallthemWEARY.Theyhadtheiralleviations.Hiswifeandchildrenwereallowedtovisithim.Hisblindandmostbeloveddaughterwaspermittedtocheerhissolitudeandherown.HehadhisBible,andhis"BookofMartyrs."Hehadhisimagination,andhispen.Aboveall,hehadagoodconscience.Hefeltitablessedexchangetoquitthe"ironcage"ofdespairfora"den"oftvisitedbyacelestialcomforter;andwhich,howevercheerless,didnotlack

adoortoheaven.

Whetheritwastheman'sownhumanity,orwhetheritwasthatGodwhoassuagedJoseph'scaptivity,gaveBunyanspecialfavourintheeyesofthekeeperofhisprison,thefactiscertain,thathemetwithsingularindulgenceattheleastlikelyhands.Notonlywasheallowedmanyalittleindulgenceinhiscell,buthewassufferedtogoandcomewithafreedomwhichcouldhardlyhavebeenexceededhadthecountygaolbeenhisownhiredhouse.Formonthstogetherhewasaconstantattenderofthechurch-meetingsofhisbrethreninBedford,andwasactuallychosenpastorduringtheperiodofhisincarceration.Ononeoccasionsomeofthebishopswhohadheardarumouroftheunusuallibertyconcededtohim,sentamessengerfrom

LondontoBedfordtoascertainthetruth.Theofficerwasinstructedtocallattheprisonduringthenight.ItwasanightwhenBunyanhadreceivedpermissiontostayathomewithhisfamily;butsouneasydidhefeel,thathetoldhiswifehemustgobacktohisoldquarters.Solatewasitthatthegaolerblamedhimforcomingatsuchanuntimelyhour;butalittleafterwardsthemessengerarrived."Arealltheprisonerssafe?""Yes.""IsJohnBunyansafe?""Yes.""Letmeseehim."Bunyanwascalled,andthemessengerwenthisway;andwhenhewasgonethegaolertoldhim,"Well,youmaygooutagainjustwhenyouthinkproper;foryouknowwhentoreturnbetterthanIcantellyou."

Butthebestalleviationsofhiscaptivitywerethosewonderfulworks

whichhethereprojectedorcomposed.Someofthesewerecontroversial;butoneofthemwashisownlife,underthetitle,"GraceaboundingtotheChiefofSinners,"andanotherwasthe"PILGRIM'SPROGRESS."

In1672heobtainedhisliberty,andhisfriendsimmediatelybuiltforhimalargemeeting-house,wherehecontinuedtopreachwithlittleinterruptiontillhisdeath.OnceayearhevisitedLondon,andwastheresopopular,thattwelvehundredpeoplewouldgathertogetheratseveninthemorningofawinter'sworking-daytohear


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him.Amongsttheadmiringlisteners,DrOwenwasfrequentlyfound;andoncewhenCharlestheSecondaskedhowalearnedmanlikehimcouldsitdowntohearatinkerprate,thegreattheologianissaidtohaveanswered,"MayitpleaseyourMajesty,couldIpossessthetinker'sabilitiesforpreaching,Iwouldmostgladlyrelinquishallmylearning."Butpopularashewas,hewasnotfondofpraise.Onedayafterhehadconcludedanimpressivediscourse,hisfriendspressedroundtothankhimforhis"sweetsermon.""Aye,"hebluntlyanswered,"youneednotremindmeofthat;forthedeviltoldmeasmuchbeforeIleftthepulpit."

Hehadnumberedsixtyyears,andwrittenasmanybooks,whenhewasreleasedfromhisabundantlabours.Ayounggentleman,hisneighbour,hadfallenunderhisfather'sdispleasure,andwasmuchconcernedathisfather'sestrangementaswellasattheprospectofbeingdisinherited.HebeggedMrBunyan'sfriendlyinterpositiontopropitiatehisfather,andpreparethewayforhisreturntoparentalfavourandaffection.Thekind-heartedmanundertookthetask,andhavingsuccessfullyachievedit,wasreturningfromReadingtoLondononhorseback,whenhewasthoroughlydrenchedwithexcessiverains.HearrivedcoldandwetatthehouseofMrStrudwick,agroceronSnowHill.Herehewasseizedwithfitsofshivering,whichpassedoffinviolentfever,andaftertendays'sickness,onthe31stofAugust1688,hispilgrimageended,andhewentinbythegateinto

thecity.

AsthemostappropriateintroductiontothefollowingselectionsfromthepracticalwritingsofBunyan,wewouldchosethisrapidhistoryoftheMAN,withafewremarksontheTHEOLOGIANandtheAUTHOR.

I.Bunyan'stheologicalmeritswerankveryhigh.NoonecanturnoverhispageswithoutnoticingtheabundanceofhisScripturalquotations;andthesequotationsnoonecanexaminewithoutperceivinghowminutelyhehadstudied,andhowdeeplyhehadpondered,thewordofGod.ButitispossibletobeveryTEXTUAL,

andyetbynomeansveryscriptural.AmanmayheaveanexactacquaintancewiththeliteralBible,andyetentirelymissthegreatBiblemessage.Hemaypossessadexterouscommandofdetachedpassagesandinsulatedsentences,andyetbeentirelyignorantofthatpeculiarschemewhichformsthegreatgospelrevelation.ButthiswasBunyan'speculiarexcellence.HewasevenbetteracquaintedwiththeGospelastheschemeofGod,thanhewasfamiliarwiththeBible-text;andtheconsequenceis,thatthoughheissometimesirrelevantinhisreferences,andfancifulininterpretingparticularpassages,hisdoctrineisalmostalwaysaccordingtotheanalogyoffaith.ThedoctrineofafreeandinstantjustificationbytheimputedrighteousnessofChrist,noneevenofthePuritanscouldstatewithmoreLuther-likeboldness,nordefendwithanaffection

moreworthyofPaul.Inhislastandbestdays,Coleridgewrote,"Iknowofnobook,theBibleexcepted,asaboveallcomparison,whichI,accordingtomyjudgmentandexperience,couldsosafelyrecommendasteachingandenforcingthewholesavingtruth,accordingtothemindthatwasinChristJesus,asthePilgrim'sProgress.ItisinmyconvictionthebestSummaTheologiaeEvangelicaeeverproducedbyawriternotmiraculouslyinspired."{3}Withoutquestioningthisverdict,wewouldincludeintheencomiumsomeofhisotherwritings,whichpossiblyColeridgeneversaw.SuchastheTractscontainedinthisvolume.{4}TheyexhibitGospel-truthsinsoclearalight,and


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statetheminsuchafrankandhappytone,thathewhorunsmayread,andhewhoreadsinearnestwillrejoice.ThePilgrimisapeerlessguidetothosewhohavealreadypassedinatthewicket-gate;butthosewhoarestillseekingpeacetotheirtroubledsouls,willfindthebestdirectoryin"TheJerusalemSinnerSaved."

II.Invaluableasatheologian,Bunyanstandsaloneasacontributortotheologicalliterature.Inrecenttimesnomanhasdonesomuchtodrawtheworld'sdelightedattentiontothesubjectsofsupremesolicitude.Noproductionofamortalpenhasfoundsomanyreadersasoneworkofhis;andnonehasawakenedsofrequentlythesighingbehest,"Letmediethedeathoftherighteous."

Nonehaspaintedthebeautyofholinessintaintsmorelovely,norspokenintonesmorethrillingtotheheartofuniversalhumanity.Atfirstthefavouriteofthevulgar,heisnowthewonderofthelearned;andfromtheobscurity,notinglorious,ofsmokycupboardsandcottagechimneys,hehasbeenescorteduptothehighestplacesofclassicalrenown,anddulycanonizedbythepontiffsoftasteandliterature.Theman,whomCowperpraisedanonymously,

"Lestsodespisedanameshouldmoveasneer,

hasatlastextortedemulousplauditsfromalargerhostofwritersthaneverconspiredtopraiseamanofgenius,whowasalsoamanofGod.JohnsonandFranklin,Scott,Coleridge,andSouthey,ByronandMontgomery,MacintoshandMacaulay,haveexertedtheirphilosophicalacumenandpoeticfeelingtoanalyzehisvariousspell,andaccountforhisunequalledfame;andthoughtheround-corneredcopies,withtheirdivertingwoodcuts,havenotdisappearedfromthepoorman'single,illustratededitionsblazefromtheshelvesofeverysumptuouslibrary,newpictures,fromitsexhaustlessthemes,lightupthewallsofeachannualexhibition;andamidstthegracefullitterofthedrawing-roomtable,youaresuretotakeupdesignsfromthePilgrim'sProgress.Souniversalistheascendancyofthetinker-

teacher,soworld-widethedioceseofhimwhomWhitefieldcreatedBishopBunyan,thatprobablyhalftheideaswhichtheoutside-worldentertainsregardingexperimentalpiety,theyhave,insomeformorother,derivedfromhim.Oneofthemostpopularpreachersinhisday,inhislittletreatises,aswellasinhislongerallegories,hepreachestocountlessthousandsstill.Thecauseofthisunexampledpopularityisaquestionofgreatpracticalmoment.

And,firstofall,Bunyanspeakstothewholeofman,--tohisimagination,hisintellect,hisheart.Hehadinhimselfalltheseingredientsoffull-formedhumanity,andinhisbooksheletsallofthemout.Frenchwritersandpreachersareapttodealtooexclusivelyintheonearticle--fancy;andthoughyouareamusedfor

themomentwiththerocket-showerofbrilliantandmany-tintedideaswhichfallsparklingaroundyou,whentheexhibitionisended,youaredisappointedtofindthatthewholewasmomentary,andthatfromalltherubyandemeraldrainscarcelyonegemofsolidthoughtremains.{5}Scottishwritersandpreachersareapttoindulgetheargumentativecacoethesoftheircountry,andcrammingintoatractorsermonasmuchhard-thinkingastheBramah-pressureofhydrostaticintellectscancondenseintotheironparagraphs,theyleavenoroomforsuchdelicatematerialsasfancyorfeeling,illustration,imagery,oraffectionateappeal;{6}whilstIrishauthorsandpulpit-


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oratorsaresosurchargedwiththeirownexuberantenthusiasm,thattheirmainhopeofmakingyouthinkastheythink,istomakeyoufeelastheyfeel.TheheartistheirAristotle;andiftheycannotwinyoubyasmileormeltyoubyatear,theywouldthinkitlabourlosttotryasyllogism.BunyanwasneitherFrench,norScotch,norIrish.Heembodiedinhisperson,thoughgreatlymagnified,theaveragemindofEngland--playful,affectionate,downright.Hisintellectualpowercomeschieflyoutinthathomelyself-commendingsense--thebriefbusiness-likereasoning,whichmightbetermedSaxonlogic,andofwhichSwiftinonecentury,andCobbettinanother,areobviousinstances.Hispremisesarenotalwaystrue,norhisinferencesalwayslegitimate;butthereissuchevidentabsenceofsophistry,andevenofthatrefiningandhair-splittingwhichusuallybegetthesuspicionofsophistry--hisstatementsaresosincere,andhisconclusionssodirect,thelanguageissoperspicuous,andtheappealismadesohonestlytoeachreader'sunderstanding,thathispopularityasareasonerisinevitable.WeneednotsaythattheauthorofthePilgrimpossessedimagination;butitisimportanttonotetheserviceitrenderedtohispreaching,andthecharmwhichitstillimpartstohismiscellaneousworks.Thepictorialpowerhepossessedinararedegree.Hismentaleyeperceivedthetruthmostvividly.Somemindsaremovinginaconstantmystery.Theyseemenliketreeswalking.ThedifferentdoctrinesoftheBibleallweardimoutlinestothem,jostlingandjumbling;andafteraperplexing

morriceofbewilderinghintsandhalfdiscoveries,theyvanishintothemistyback-groundofnonentity.ToBunyan'sbrightandbroad-wakingeyeallthingswereclear.Theemenwalkedandthetreesstoodstill.Everythingwasseeninsharpreliefanddefiniteoutline--aREALITY.Andbesidesthepictorial,hepossessedinhighestperfectiontheillustrativefaculty.Notonlydidhisownmindperceivethetruthmostvividly,buthesawtheverywaytogiveothersaclearperceptionofitalso.Thisisthegreatsecretofsuccessfulteaching.Likeamanwhohaschamberedhisdifficultwaytothetopofarockyeminence,butwho,oncehehasreachedthesummit,perceivesaneasierpath,anddirectshiscompanionsalongitsgentlerslopes,andgivesthemahelping-handtoliftthemoverthefinalobstacles;itwasbygiantstrugglesoverthedebrisof

crumblinghopes,andthroughjunglesofdespair,andupthecliffsofapparentimpossibility,thatBunyanforcedhiswaytothepinnacleofhiseventualjoy;butnosoonerwashestandingthere,thanhiseagle-eyedetectedtheeasierpath,andhemadeitthebusinessofhisbenevolentministrytoguideothersintoit.Thoughnotthetruth,anillustrationisastepping-stonetowardsit;anindentationintherockwhichmakesiteasiertoclimb.Nomanhadahappierknackinhewingoutthesenotchesinthecliff,andnooneknewbetterwheretoplacethem,thanthispilgrim'spioneer.Besides,herightlyjudgedthatthevalueofthesesuggestivesimiles--theseillustrativestepping-stones--dependsverymuchontheirbreadthandfrequency.ButBunyanappealsnotonlytotheintellectandimagination,buttotheheartsofmen.Therewasnobitternessin

Bunyan.Hewasamanofkindnessandcompassion.HowsorryheisforMrBadman!andhowhemakesyousympathizewithChristianandMrReady-to-haltandMrFeeble-mind,andalltheotherinterestingcompanionsofthateventfuljourney!Andinhissermonshowpiteouslyhepleadswithsinnersfortheirownsouls!andhowimpressiveistheundisguisedvehemencyofhisyearningaffections!InthesamesentenceBunyanhasawordforthemanofsense,andanotherforthemanoffancy,andathirdforthemanoffeeling;andbythusblendingtheintellectual,theimaginative,andtheaffectionate,hespeakshometothewholeofman,andhasmadehis


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worksalesson-bookforallmankind.

AnothersecretofBunyan'spopularityisthefelicityofhisstyle.HisEnglishisvernacular,idiomatic,universal;varyingwiththesubject;homelyinthecontinuousnarrative;racyandpungentinhislivelyandoftenrapiddiscourse;and,whenoccasionrequires,"amodelofunaffecteddignityandrhythmicalflow;"butalwaysplain,strong,andnatural.However,inspeakingofhisstyle,wedonotsomuchintendhiswordsashisentiremodeofexpression.Athoughtislikeagem;butlikeagemitmaybespoiledinthesetting.Acarelessartistmaychipitandgrievouslycurtailitsdimensions;aclumsycraftsman,inhisfearofdestroyingit,maynotsufficientlypolishit;orinhissolicitudetoshowoffitsbeauty,mayoverdotheaccompanyingornaments.Bunyanwastooskilfulaworkmansotomismanagethematter.Hisexpressionneithercurtailsnorencumbersthethought,butmakesthemostofit;thatis,presentsittothereaderasitisseenbythewriter.Thoughthereisagreatappearanceofamplitudeabouthiscompositions,fewofhiswordscouldbewanted.Somestylesareanill-spunthread,fullofinequalities,andshaggyfrombeginningtoendwithprojectingfibreswhichspoilitsbeauty,andaddnothingtoitsstrength;butinitseasycontinuousnessandtrimcompactness,thethreadofBunyan'sdiscourseflowsfirmandsmoothfromfirsttolast.Itsfulnessregalestheear,anditsfelicityaidstheunderstanding.

Footnotes:

{1}ThosewhoareinterestedinthehistoricparallelssuppliedbyChristianbiography,willfindasimilarinstructivedreamintheLifeofGeneralBurn,vol.i.pp.127-130.

{2}Ivimey'sLifeofBunyan,pp.51-53.

{3}Remains,vol.iii.p.391.

{4}Theotheritemscontainedinthebookthatthistextcomesfromwere:JerusalemSinnerSaved;PhariseeandthePublican;TheTrinityandtheChristian;TheLawandaChristian;Bunyan'sLastSermon;Bunyan'sDyingSayingsandAnExhortationtoPeaceandUnity.AllofthemareavailablefromProjectGutenberg--DP.

{5}"Pascalwasanexception.D'Aubigne,sofaraswritinginFrenchmakesaFrenchman,isanother.Theirworksarefulloffancy,butitisthefancywhichgivestotruthitswings.Therocketischarged,notwithcolouredsparks,butburningjewels.

{6}Here,again,exceptionsoccur,andthegreatestofourScottishpreachersisacontradictiontothecharacteristicstyleofhis

country.

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Life of Bunyan [Works of the English Puritan divines] by Hamilton, James, 1814-1867

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