Twelve Manuscripts part of the first folio 1692 45. Exposit. on 10 first chap. of Genesis, 46. Justification by Imputed Righteousness, 47. Paul's departure and crown, 48. Of the Trinity and a Christian, 49. Of the Law and a Christian, 50. Israel's Hope encouraged, 51. Desires of the righteous granted, 52. The unsearchable riches of Christ, 53. Christ Compleat Saviour in's Interest, 54. Saint's Knowledge of Christ's love, 55. House of the Forest of Lebanon, 56. A description of Antichirst,
Four Manuscripts yet unprinted. 57. A Christian Dialogue.[3] 58. The Heavenly Footman.[4] 59. A Pocket Concordance.[3] 60. An Account of his Imprisonment.[5]
Here's sixty pieces of his labours, and he was sixty years of age.
He was born at Elstow, nigh Bedford, about 1628. And about 1652 was, by irresistible grace, converted: and in 1660 he had preached five years, and then, for that, was thrown into Bedford Gaol; and in 1671 was called to the pastoral office at Bedford, being the 11th of his twelve years and an half's imprisonment; and died at London, Aug. 31, 1688.
[Where the date is in brackets it is supplied from original copies in the Editor's possession.]
REASONS
WHY CHRISTIAN PEOPLE SHOULD PROMOTE BY SUBSCRIPTIONS THE PRINTING IN FOLIO THE LABOURS OF MR. JOHN BUNYAN, LATE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, AND PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATION AT BEDFORD.
I. He was a very able and excellent minister of the gospel; viz., able to express himself, and had excellent matter known to all Christians that have heard him preach.
II. He became thus able and excellent a minister by a great degree of Gospel Grace bestowed upon his own soul, more than probable for that very end; for that God wrought him from a very great profane sinner, and an illiterate poor man, to this profound understanding the true or genuine spiritual meaning of the Scriptures, whereby he could experimentally preach to souls with power, and affection, and apostolical learning, the true nature of the gospel.
III. God's bestowing such great grace, to turn so great a sinner, to make such a great gospel labourer, and thrust him into his harvest, argues there was great need, and therefore without question his labours ought to be preserved.