THE LIFE OF JOHN BUNYAN. EXTRACTED FROM VARIOUS AUTHORITIES. THE whole compass of biography exhibits not a character more interesting, than that of a man converted from singular depravity of manners, to eminent piety; and raised from the deepest obscurity, to be an author celebrated for genius, and uncommonly useful to mankind. Such was the excellent writer of the Pilgrim's Progress. John Bunyan was born at Elstow, within a mile of Bedford, in the year 1628. His descent was, as himself expresses it, of a low and inconsiderable generation,' his father being an itinerant tinker, and his mother of the like rank. They gave him the best education in their power, which was common reading and writing, of which he afterwards made a very excellent use; but for the present he gave him self up to the most execrable vices, particularly 'cursing, swearing, lying, and blaspheming the holy name of God.' The care of Providence over his life was conspicuous in several instances, particularly while he was a soldier in the parliament army, in 1645. He was drafted for the siege of Leicester, but a comrade desiring to change with him, took his place, and was shot through the head while standing sentinel. Soon after this period his mind was deeply impressed with a sermon he heard at church on sabbath-breaking, to which he was much addicted; but resuming his usual Sunday sports the same afternoon, his heart was arrested in a most extraordinary manner— ́ A voice did suddenly dart into his soul, wilt thou leave thy sins and go to heaven, or have thy sins and go to hell?' and looking up to heaven, he was as if he had, with the eyes of his understanding, seen the Lord Jesus looking down upon him, as very hotly dis pleased, and threatening him with grievous punishment for his ungodly practices.' A dreadful temptation succeeded this. He thought that as his perdition was certain, he might as well be damned for many sins as for few; he therefore de |