"Grace Abounding to the Ch.ef of Sinners; or a brief relation of the exceeding mercy of God to his poor servant, John Bunyan; namely, in his taking him out of the dunghill, and converting him to the faith of his blessed Son Jesus Christ; where is also showed, what sight of and what trouble he had for sin, and also what various temptations he hath met with, and how God hath carried him through them all." It gives a full relation of his religious experience from early childhood till he began to preach; and has supplied the ground-work of all subsequent lives of its author. The editions published since his decease contain a brief Continuation, written by one who styles himself "a true friend and long acquaintance of Mr. Bunyan," and which is commonly attributed to Charles Doe, a contemporary Baptist preacher. The oldest Life of Bunyan is probably the brief sketch published in 1692. (See p. 270.) The only copy of it that I have seen was appended to an edition of the Pilgrim printed in Glasgow just one hundred years after. His latest biographer is Mr. Philip, whose re searches have added much to our stock of information respecting the author of the Pilgrim's Progress. Dr. Southey, in the Memoir prefixed to his edition of the Pilgrim, has furnished some valuable illustrations of Bunyan's literary history, and "done ampler justice to his genius than most of his predecessors;" but his political and ecclesiastical prejudices rendered him incapable of appreciating his religious opinions and character. The other Memoirs of Bunyan are but brief sketches, except that by Mr. Ivimey, which was a republication of "Grace Abounding," with some Reflections, and an enlarged Continuation. It has now been out of print for many years. The volume now presented to the reader comprises the substance not only of Bunyan's own narrative, already referred to, but also of all that is known with certainty respecting his life, labours, character, and writings. The additional information has been drawn from Bunyan's other works, from preceding biographies, and from numerous other authentic sources. The whole has been rewritten, and compass so condensed and arranged as to give, within the of a small volume, a more complete and connected account than is elsewhere to be found. New-York, February, 1844. S. B. W. O thou whom, borne on fancy's eager wing That mingles all my brown with sober gray, COWPER. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Bunyan's birth and parentage: his childhood, CHAPTER II. Bunyan in the army: his marriage and out- CHAPTER IV. Bunyan's religious experience: his extraor- dinary temptations and spiritual conflicts . . . . . 75 CHAPTER VI. Bunyan becomes a member of the Baptist Church at Bedford: he begins to preach ..... 117 CHAPTER VII. Bunyan's first publication: his controversy CHAPTER VIII. Abridgment of religious liberty: Bunyan's CHAPTER XII. Bunyan is elected pastor of the church at Bedford: his release from prison. ... .... 219 CHAPTER XIII. Bunyan defends his practice of commun- ing with all true Christians. . . . CHAPTER XIV. Character and style of Bunyan's preach- ing, with specimens from his printed discourses. . 239 CHAPTER XV. Publication of the Pilgrim's Progress, with remarks on and notices of that work . . . . . . . 263 CHAPTER XVI. Calumnious report: publication of the Holy War, Life of Badman, etc.... CHAPTER XVII. Last year of Bunyan's life: his dying |