John Bunyan
John Bunyan 1628 - 1688
Introduction
John Bunyan, 'the Immortal Tinker', who rose from humble origins to become one of the world's most widely-read Christian writers, lived most of his life in and around the town of Bedford. Although a prolific writer in later years, he is best known for his spiritual allegory The Pilgrim's Progress, which was an immediate success on publication in 1678, and has since become a world classic, having been translated into over 200 languages.
Bunyan was born in the parish of Elstow, which lies a mile to the south of Bedford, in 1628. He was the son of a tinker and, as a child, he travelled the district helping his father and learning the trade. He had a normal happy childhood, playing 'tip-cat' on the village green and suchlike, and learning to read and write at the local school. His youth, however, was not so trouble-free. Civil War broke out, and Bunyan, still in his teens, joined the Parliamentary forces against the King.
On returning to Elstow in his early twenties, Bunyan resumed his work as a tinker and married a local girl who eventually bore him four children, one of them a blind girl. Her birth was probably one of the factors that caused Bunyan to reflect seriously on his life for the first time, and to question the value of his favourite pastimes of bell-ringing, dancing and playing tip-cat. In his youth, Bunyan had few equals in 'cursing, swearing, lying and blaspheming the Holy name of God', and by his own account he now became aware of the need to find a deeper purpose.
Although the Civil War was over, its repercussions were still being felt throughout the country. One gradual change was the increasing demand for a simple form of worship, and the emergence of Independent Congregations. Bunyan found the answer he was looking for in a small, newly-formed congregation which met at St. John's Church, south of the river of Bedford. He became friends with their pastor, John Gifford, and joined the congregation in the early 1650's. In 1655 Bunyan moved to St. Cuthbert's Street in Bedford, and it was while living in the town that he discovered to his surprise that he himself was a gifted preacher.
In 1660, a year after the death of Bunyan's wife, Cromwell's Protectorate came to an end and the monarchy was restored. In the belief that national unity could only be achieved by religious uniformity, the State attempted to restrain the developing Independent Congregations by forbidding preaching. Bunyan, already much-renowned as a speaker, refused to be silenced and was arrested in the hamlet of Samsell just after he had begun a meeting. He was held at nearby Harlington Manor overnight and then appeared before the local justices in Bedford where he was sentenced to remain in prison until he should conform.
Bunyan was 32 when he was taken to the County Gaol which then stood on the corner of Silver Street and High Street, less than five minutes from his home. At first he must have thought in terms of only a few weeks' imprisonment, but months went by and no release was forthcoming. He second wife, Elizabeth, tried to get his case reopened by pleading with Sir Matthew Hale, the Lord Chief Justice of England, when he stayed at the Swan Chambers in Bedford, but in vain. All in all, Bunyan spent the next 12 years in prison.
Since he was not a common criminal, several privileges were allowed him. Food was brought into his cell, and he was able to support his family by making and selling bootlaces. Daily visits by friends, and the occasional excursions from prison, kept him in close contact with members of the Congregation. Most of his time, however, was spent in writing. He completed several books including his autobiography, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners but, more importantly, it was while he was in gaol that he wrote The Pilgrim's Progress.
In 1672 King Charles II issued the Declaration of Religious Indulgence and Bunyan, along with other Church offenders, was set at liberty. He was immediately appointed pastor of the Independent Congregation, which later bought a barn and orchard in Mill Street as their place of meeting. Bunyan quickly re-established himself as a preacher and was fully occupied as leader of the church. But his freedom was shortlived.
In 1673 the King was forced to withdraw his Declaration, and three years later, on an ecclesiastic technicality, Bunyan was returned to prison. It is almost certain that he went back to the County Gaol,although it is traditionally held that Bunyan served his second shorter sentence in the Town Gaolon the Town Bridge. Be that as it may, he was released from prison in June 1677, and on 18th February 1678 he published The Pilgrim's Progress.
Bunyan lived for another ten years. In that time, as well as writing a further 40 books, including The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, and the Holy War, he travelled extensively in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Surrey and London, teaching and preaching his gospel.
Bunyan died in August 1688 after contracting pneumonia while on a visit to London. He is buried in a vault in Bunhill Fields in City Road, London.
For more information about John Bunyan please download the documents below:
 | John Bunyan Birthplace ( 27 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| | John Bunyan Baptism Pool ( 19 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| Bunyan Meeting Free Church and Bunyan Museum. ( 25 KB ) - DOWNLOAD |
| John Bunyan Pilgrims Progress ( 25 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| John Bunyan County Gaol ( 26 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| John Bunyan Town Gaol ( 22 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| John Bunyan Swan Hotel ( 37 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| John Bunyan St John Rectory ( 13 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| John Bunyan Chapel of Herne ( 22 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |
| John Bunyan Central Library ( 21 Kb ) - DOWNLOAD |