So many words could be written about John Bunyan and still never come near describing the blessings and exhortation that proceed from his life.
He began the son of a local tinker, (a man who repairs pots and pans.) Not trained in holy or righteous living, he fell into profligacy and an immoral pattern of living fairly early on. His swearing and profane speech was so egregious that he was at one time rebuked for it by "a very loose and ungodly wretch," the result of which was to so shame and reprove him to reform himself by conforming himself to Christian religion.
God was not content to leave him in his sin, and began to work a most wonderful and lasting conviction upon him which few Christians have ever experienced. You must read it for yourself in Grace Abounding to the Chiefest of Sinners.
After his true spiritual conversion, he began a speaking ministry that saw very much spiritual fruit. Though abashed and ashamed to be speaking the holy words of God, others who heard him claimed much spiritual fruit from his words. So much so that the local religious leaders became jealous, and caused him to be brought before the tribunal for "preaching without a license."
At this time in England, the official state religion was the Church of England. If you were not in compliance with it, you were considered a renegade and spiritual heretic, and could be banished and imprisoned. This is exactly what happened to John Bunyan, and because he would not agree to stop preaching, he remained in jail for a total of 12 years - all with full knowledge that his wife and four children lay penniless and unable to fend for themselves.
A more grievous and difficult path has rarely been followed, and yet John Bunyan held to his integrity. Though separated from his children and family, the like of which he described as having his flesh torn from his bones, he used his time profitably and began writing pamphlets and discourses on matters of the Christian religion. Some were published and sold at large -providing at least a meager income for his family.
At last, Bunyan was set free for good and became ordained as a minister of his local church, and spent the rest of his life preaching and ministering to the local people. He died at 60 years of age, and his last words were, " 'Weep not for me, but for yourselves. I go to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will, no doubt, through the mediation of his blessed Son, receive me, though a sinner; where I hope we ere long shall meet, to sing the new song, and remain everlastingly happy, world without end. Amen."
He was and is one of the most faithful friends God has ever given to His Church.
