John Bunyan (1628-1688) was a tinker by trade, who made his living repairing pots and pans. He had hardly any education beyond learning to read and write. But he wrote one of the best-loved books of devotion in the English language, and one of its great literary treasures. The first part of The Pilgrim's Progress was published on this day in 1678.
It's the story of the journey of Christian to the Celestial City, and his adventures on the way. His companions are Mr Valiant-for-Truth and Mr Greatheart. He encounters the Slough of Despond, Vanity Fair and the Giant Despair. It's a road trip that stands for the journey we all take through life, and Bunyan's vivid imagery, powerful imagination and spiritual insight have helped millions of Christians through the ages.
In many ways he had a hard life. He enlisted in the Parliamentary army during the Civil War in 1644, and though he saw little service he had a narrow escape when a comrade who took his place on sentry-duty was shot through the head. He had a profound sense of his own sin, but found comfort in Martin Luther's commentary on Galatians and in the teaching of the Free Church pastor John Gifford, whose church he attended in Bedford. He had three children with his first wife, one of whom, Mary, was born blind. His wife died in 1659 and he married again not long afterwards.
After the Restoration of King Charles II the authorities clamped down on Independent preachers like Bunyan and he spent 12 years in Bedford jail. He was released but then re-imprisoned, beginning The Pilgrim's Progress during his second jail term.
He died after catching a chill during a rainstorm on his way to London with the manuscript of his book The Acceptable Sacrifice and is buried in Bunhill Fields.
Here are 10 quotes from The Pilgrim's Progress.
1. A man there was, though some did count him mad, the more he cast away the more he had.
2. Just as Christian came up to the Cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, fell from off his back, and began to tumble down the hill, and so it continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre. There it fell in, and I saw it no more!
3. It is always hard to see the purpose in wilderness wanderings until after they are over.
4. [Valiant-forTruth] Then said he, "I am going to my Father's; and though with great difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who now will be my rewarder."
When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the river-side, into which as he went he said, "Death, where is thy sting?" And as he went down deeper, he said, "Grave, where is thy victory?" So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.
5. Now, Mr Great-heart was a strong man, so he was not afraid of a lion.
6. To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it. I will yet go forward.
7. Wake up, see your own wretchedness, and fly to the Lord Jesus. He is the righteousness of God, for He Himself is God. Only by believing in His righteousness will you be delivered from condemnation.
8. He that is down needs fear no fall,
He that is low, no pride
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
9. One leak will sink a ship: and one sin will destroy a sinner.
10. Who would true valour see,
Let him come hither;
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather
There's no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.
