On This Day

On Nov. 12, 1660 John Bunyan left home to conduct a small worship service in a friend's house. Earlier that year King Charles II of England returned to restore the monarchy and to return the Church of England to its position of authority. All non-Anglican houses of worship were closed, making Bunyan's preaching an act of treason.

Arriving at the farmhouse, Bunyan learned that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. His friends urged him to run. He replied, "No. I will not stir neither have the meeting dismissed. Let us not be daunted. To preach God's Word is so good a work that we shall be well rewarded if we suffer for that." The service was soon disrupted and Bunyan was arrested by the local constable. He spent the next 12 years imprisoned in Bedford, England during which time his family suffered and his beloved blind daughter, Mary, passed away.

Bunyan supported his family by making shoe laces in prison, but he soon discovered a hidden gift - his ability to write. Though he authored many books while incarcerated his most famous work is The Pilgrim's Progress. It sold 100,000 copies during his lifetime and millions since.