John Bunyan’s Conference Between Christ and a Sinner - A Poem Written in Prison - Introduction

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Blitz

A scholarly introduction frames John Bunyan as the “prince of allegorists,” presenting Salvation of an immortal soul as the central theme of his prison poem. It recounts the Restoration’s culture of vice, profanity, and Sabbath-breaking, alongside persecution of nonconformists. Bunyan’s conversion, scriptural knowledge, zeal for the gospel, and ministry to Bedford villages are highlighted, portraying his courage and influence on scattered congregations despite relentless oppression.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages76

Reading Time1 h 57 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Bunyan’s voice and the poem’s purpose

Political and religious persecution after the Restoration

Bunyan’s conversion, ministry, and courage

Loyalty, monarchy, and the literary record

aa.og157 9 # rofitabIrroitations; A POEM WRITTEN BY JOHN BU N Y A N, WHILST CONFINED IN BEDFORD JAIL. NOW FIRST REPRINTED FROM A UNIQUE COPY DISCOVEREDBY THE PUBLISHER,AND EDITED WITH INTRODUCTION AN D NOTES BY GEORGE OFFOR. LON DON: JOHN CAMDEN HOTTEN,PICCADILLY. 186o. | JOHN BUNYAN’S CONFERENCE BETWEEN
CHRIST AND A SINNER.
A POEM WRITTEN IN PRISON,1661.
INTRODUCTION.
HE well-known voice of John Bunyan,the
prince of allegorits,falutes us in very homely
but pungent rhymes,upon the moft important
of all fubjects,the Salvation of an Immortal
Soul.Shut up in prifon for proclaiming divine truth,
through having,unlicencedbythe ftate,enforced theneceffity
of perfonal holinefs,proving that obedience to the laws of
God is effential to human happinefs;folemn duties which
were then deemed to be crimes worthy of imprifonment,
tranfportation,and death.
The reftoration of a licentious monarch opened the
flood-gates of vice and profanenefs.A voluptuous court,
full of fplendid courtefans,fet a baneful example to the
people.In addition to the natural enmity of fallen man
to the gofpel,all pious men were now branded as repub-
licans,and moft unjuftly treated as enemies to monarchy.
The fabbathswere fpent in profanenefs and vulgar fports
by royal command;the inhabitants of the villages and
country towns were invited,by ringing the bells of the | | | --- | --- | b | vi | Introduction. | | --- | --- | | | parifh churches,to join in May-games,dancing,and
fimilar.recreations.With fuch a commencement of the
week it may very readily be imagined that the ordinary
days were fpent in labour and licentioufnefs.In the midft
of all this Vanity Fair there were found a feed to ferve God.
This excited the enmity of the feed of the ferpent.Godly
minifters were filenced,ejected from their livings,im-
prifoned,banifhed,or murdered as felons for noncon-
formity.
Bunyan had been for fome years diftinguifhed for his
converfion from moft degraded habits to piety and holi-
nefs of conduct,—-for his furprizing knowledge of the
facred Scriptures,—for his zeal for the honour of the
Gofpel,—and his fuccefsful exertions for the falvation of
finners.
He had been for feveral years fent,by the church of
which he was a member,as a meffenger of mercy to the
villages round Bedford;and had founded many churches
which fourih to this day.Upon the fierce outbreak of
wickednefs and perfecution thefe little inoffenfive flocks
were driven to meet in private houfes,fecluded barns,or
wild woods.The peculiar talent,the unfpotted life,and
the mental courage of Bunyan eminently fitted him to
comfort his brethren in tribulation.He opened to them
the unfearchable riches of Chrift,”—“the come and
welcome to Jefus Chrift,"—“the greatnefs of the foul,
and the unfpeakablenefs of the lofs of it,"—“the holy
city and its eternal extatic enjoyments,from which no
human power could difinherit them,"and"the Pilgrim's
Progrefs to the Celeftial City.”* | | | *The title to fome of his fermons preached in prifon. | | Introduction. | vii | | --- | --- | | While in the enjoyment of liberty he maintained his
family by his trade as a brazier,preaching the gofpel free
of charge to his hearers.His whole conduct,talents,
and difinterefted invaluable labours,eminently fitted him
for the honour of being the firft confeffor,worthy of
bonds for Chrift's fake,in that county.
This fingularly talented andenergetic man lived through
times moft eventful.His birth was accompanied by
that fecond Magna Charta,the Bill of Rights,wrung
from the vacillating Charles;—his death took place at the
fight of James,foon followed by the Ac of Toleration,
then as great an honour as it

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the poem as described in the introduction?

The introduction states that Bunyan’s verses address the salvation of an immortal soul and the necessity of personal holiness, arguing that obedience to God’s laws is essential to human happiness.

How does the introduction characterize the social and religious conditions during Bunyan’s imprisonment?

It describes a Restoration-era opening of “flood-gates of vice,” profane entertainment on the Sabbath by royal command, and widespread branding and persecution of pious nonconformists.

Why does the introduction emphasize Bunyan’s ministry and personal qualities?

It credits his conversion, scriptural learning, zeal for the gospel, and success in the salvation of sinners, explaining how his talent and courage strengthened believers meeting in private or hidden places.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Blitz