JOHN BUNYAN.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2924, 29 June 1878, Page 2

JOHN BUNYAN.

John Bunyan was born at Elstonnear Bedford, 1628, and died in London 1688. He was the son of a tinker, and followed the trade of his parent, who appears to have been an honest and industrious working man, and who gave our author the best instruction to be obtained— namely, how to read and write. Daring the 'civil war he served ia the parliamentary army. The earliest change in John's religious career is reported to have been caused by the. accusation of an old woman, who told him that "he was the ungbdliest fellow for swearing that ever she heard in all her life." From this time he became very superstitious, and, looked, upon events that happened as judgments upon him for his wickedness, it is not so.clear that he was so vicious as die. thought himself. He offended the doctors and priests, and was indicted for preaching at Elston in 1657, but escaped without punishment. Shortly after—in 1660 —he was again brought up, and convicted of holding " unlawful meetings, to the great disturbance and distraction of good citizens." He might have escaped even this time had he only.consented to preach no more" to the distraction of his fellows." But John believed he ' had a "call," so he would not desist. He accordingly xbecame a -prisoner, for conscience sake, in Bedford Gaol, where he remained till 1672, when he was released by James 11. Among the stories told of him, one is that, during his imprisonment, he made a

journey to London to preach, for giving him permission to do which the gaoler received severe censure. Another is that a good Quaker once visited him in the hope of converting him. ." Friend John, I am come to thee with a message from, the Lord; and, having searched half the "prisons in England for thee, I am glad to find thee at last." The Quaker having ■ thus delivered himself, Bunyan replied, " If the Lord had sent you, you need npi .' have taken such pains to find me out, for the Lord knows I have been in Bedford Gaol for these twelve years past!"—' Martyrs of Progress.