author of books thus popular, and the originator of infl 1ences thus beneficent and far-spreading? Yet Providence had selected him. Nor are we hence to infer that that age was meager in great and gifted minds. It was a stirring and revolutionary period of English history, both in the State and Church; and, as such eras usually are, it was prolific of stalwart men. It was the age of Milton and Dryden, of Baxter and Owen, of John Howe and Philip Henry, of Poole and Cudworth, of Chief Justice Hale and Archbishop Usher, and others whose names are worthy of a place in the same brilliant galaxy of genius and piety. "But," to use the words of Dr. Cheever, the best commentator on the Pilgrim's Progress, "for complete originality of genius, Bunyan, all things considered, stands foremost amongst them all. The form of his work, the nature of the subject, and its creation so completely out of the depths of his own soul, unaided by learning or art, place it before every other uninspired production." As in general accordance with this sentiment, we may quote again the renowned British Reviewer and Essayist: "We are not afraid to say, that, though there were many clever men in England during the latter half of the seventeenth century, there were only two great creative minds. One of those minds produced the Paradise Lost, the other the Pilgrim's Progress."

We cannot but feel a profound interest in a character so remarkable, in a life so eventful, in an experience so wonderful, as Bunyan's. Rising from so lowly a parentage, changed from an early career of peculiar irreligion and profaneness to preeminent and saintly piety, with scarcely any mental training, ignorant and illiterate till the time of his marriage and conversion—yet afterwards aspiring to authorship and actually producing upwards of sixty distinct works or treatises, which have been published, many of them distinguished for sound argumentative reasoning, for simplicity and strength of style, and beauty of illustration, and bearing unmistakable marks of genius and a singularly accurate knowledge and clear insight of the Sacred Scriptures we must certainly feel a most lively interest in the varied facts and incidents of his history. An acquaintance with those facts and incidents, to some extent, is necessary to a proper appreciation of his writings For

Bunyan's works, more than those of any author we know of, bear the features and footprints, the image and superscription, of his own remarkable experience. We are grateful, therefore, for the fullest and faithfulest records of his life. We linger with unwonted pleasure on every incident and epoch of his career. We traverse, with delight and a powerful sympathy with him, all the steps of his chequered path, from the moment when we get a glimpse of the rude and roistering youth, till we witness the serene and triumphant exit of the veteran and great-hearted pilgrim to a better world. We would, then, follow him in the itineracies of his humble calling, and in his experiences as a soldier in Cromwell's army-would witness his convictions of sin and compunctions of conscience as he overheard pious women conversing on the things of religion-would trace the workings of the Holy Spirit upon his mind, bringing him, through many temptations, trials and conflicts, to a knowledge and acceptance of the way of salvation-would go with him, still, through those tremendous battles with Satan, which he fought so long and so well-would enter into his feelings as he was baptized in the river Ouse and consecrated himself to God and the Church, with the opening heavens and the surrounding earth attesting to the sacredness and solemnity of his vows-would mark his humility and fidelity in the performance of duty, and in meeting those divine intimations and Heaven-sent impressions, drawing him to the work of the ministry, which, with trembling solicitude, he cautiously undertook-would accompany him to adjacent villages and listen to his faithful preaching, under which sinners trembled in view of their guilt and Jehovah's wrath, and then wondered and rejoiced at the pitying tenderness and infinite mercy of the Cross-would observe the jealous plotting and persecution of his enemies, resulting in his arrest and long imprisonment, and behold, through it all, his true martyr-spirit, his heroic. faith and fortitude, his sublime patience and Christian cheerfulness, and his faithful labors with hand and pen-would see him released and again preaching as the Bedford pastor, with multitudes thronging to his ministry and crowding to overflow the places of worship at his out-stations, and even in London, when his appointments were known. It was in that

metropolis that Dr. Owen sometimes heard him, and, when ridiculed by the king for hearing an illiterate tinker prate, answered, "Please your majesty, could I possess that tinker's abilities for preaching, I would gladly relinquish all my learning." Bunyan's affection for his family, his tenderness toward his little blind daughter who came to cheer him in his prison--his intense love of liberty and justice, and his inflexible adherence to what he believed to be truth and right-we would know and feel them all.

From such a survey of Bunyan's life, and in sympathy with his character and pursuits, his joys and sorrows, we could hardly fail of being impressed with several lessons of value and importance, the benefit of which would not only be an ample recompense for our time and study, but furnish a sufficient reason for familiarizing ourselves with the history and characteristics of the Glorious Dreamer.

Bunyan may be singled out as a prominent and striking illustration of what sometimes occurs under the Divine administration, a method of Providence and a miracle of grace, which sets at naught human wisdom, and clearly reveals the interposition of God, accomplishing His purposes in a manner so unlooked-for, and yet so decisive, that there is no mistaking the agency at work. It is thus that "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are; that no flesh should glory in His presence." That the Elstow tinker and tagged lace-maker of Bedford prison should ever reach the distinction by which he is now honored, through the wide and commanding influence of the productions of his unlettered genius, was the most unlikely thing in the world. How evidently the finger of God is in it! It is a marvel of His providence and grace, that strikes us with miraculous force and like an inspiration from Heaven.

The Christian character of Bunyan, in its decided traits and marked experiences, in the vivid exhibitions of its living energy and controlling

strength, may be studied as a proof of Christianity, an evidence of its reality and power. It bears the seal of the Spirit's regenerative work within, and illustrates without how beautifully and gloriously religion brings the alien heart and life into harmony and union with God. We point to such an example to allay the doubts of the sceptic, and to show the speculative believer the necessity of the new birth and a spiritual life. Nor is the evidence less convincing, from such a character, as to the value of the Holy Scriptures and what they are capable of doing for a man whose faith grasps their great truths, and whose mind is surcharged with the heavenly electricity which they impart. Our English Bible was the source of the bulk of Bunyan's knowledge. It moulded his character. It formed his style. It armed him with matchless skill and power. And here we have an illustrious example of what unlettered piety can do, when guided by the Word and fired with the glory of God, and pervaded by a passion for souls. How should the humble and unlearned take courage and heart, and live to noblest purpose!

"Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime."

From the study of Bunyan's life, we may see also the safety of true and noble character, and with what contented cheerfulness a good man may, even amid unrequited toils, severe sufferings, and malicious persecution, calmly and hopefully await the decisions of Providence and the judgment of posterity. In the siftings and winnowings of truth and error in conflict-in the trials and turnings of human character, revealing its sum and substance to the gaze of revolving ages, and the searching scrutiny of candid investigation-a man at length must pass for what he was and not what he seemed. "The story of Bunyan is," says Dr. Wm. R. Williams," one of the golden threads binding together into harmony and symmetry, what, seen apart, seem but fragmentary and incoherent influences-the track of a divine Providence controlling the fates and reputations of the race. It is a Providence disappointing men's judgments and purposes, exalting the lowly and depressing the illustrious

rebuking despondency on the one hand, and on the other curbing presumption, setting up one and putting down another. This is done even now and even here, as one of the many intimations, which even time and earth present, of that final and universal reparation which is reserved for the general resurrection and the last judgment. Then the unforgetting and universal Sovereign will avenge all the forgotten of His people, nor leave unpunished one among the tallest and mightiest of His enemies. As the foreshadowing of this, there is often, in this life, what Milton has called, a resurrection of character. Seen in Bunyan and others on earth, it will be one day accomplished as to all the families of mankind."

We must bring our desultory remarks to a close, with a passing word about this goodly volume, which unfolds more fully the life and times of Bunyan than any other single book. It was written by an evangelical minister and able author, and though not of the denomination of his subject, he has in the main treated Bunyan's opinions fairly. The worthy and enterprising publisher has given this edition an admirable form and dress. The portrait is a copy of a drawing from life. The numerous other engravings are real illustrations, and add to the value and attractiveness of the work. We commend it to those who may read this introductory sketch, and to the blessing of Ged.

NEW HAVEN,

S. D. P.