John Bunyan (28 November 1628 - 31 August 1688) was an English Christian writer and preacher, famous for writing The Pilgrim\'s Progress.
He was arrested on 12 November 1660, whilst preaching privately in Lower Samsell by Harlington, Bedfordshire, 10 miles south of Bedford..
Thus, John Bunyan no longer had that freedom to preach which he had enjoyed under the Puritan Commonwealth.
It became punishable by law to conduct divine service except in accordance with the ritual of the church, or for one not in Episcopal orders to address a congregation.
Meeting-houses were quickly closed and all citizens were required to attend their Anglican parish church.
The Restoration of the monarchy by Charles II of England began Bunyan\'s persecution as England returned to Anglicanism.
In that same year, Bunyan married his second wife, Elizabeth, by whom he had two more children, Sarah and Joseph.
He continued preaching, however, and did not suffer imprisonment until November 1660, when he was taken to the County gaol in Silver Street, Bedford.
In 1658, aged 30, he was arrested for preaching at Eaton Socon and indicted for preaching without a licence.
As his popularity and notoriety grew, Bunyan increasingly became a target for slander and libel; he was described as a witch, a Jesuit, a highwayman and was said to have mistresses and multiple wives.
Though he was a Reformed Baptist, in the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 30 August, and on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA) on August 29.
John Bunyan (28 November 1628 - 31 August 1688) was an English Christian writer and preacher, famous for writing The Pilgrim\'s Progress
