Christ, did a light shine forth from the dungeon on Bedford bridge
which has largely contributed to enlighten the habitable globe. The
Pilgrim has been translated into most of the languages and dialects
of the world. The Caffrarian and Hottentot, the enlightened Greek
and Hindoo, the remnant of the Hebrew race, the savage Malay and
the voluptuous Chinese--all have the wondrous narrative in their
own languages. Bunyan was imprisoned by bigots and tyrants, to
prevent his being heard or known; and his voice, in consequence,
reaches to the ends of the earth. Let every wretched persecutor
contemplate this instance of God's over-ruling power. You will surely
plunge the avenging sword into your own vitals if, by persecution,
you vainly endeavour to wound the saints of the living God. You
may make hypocrites throw off their disguise. The real Christian may
be discouraged, but he perseveres. He feels the truth of Bunyan's
quaint saying, 'the persecutors are but the devil's scarecrows,
the old one himself lies quat'; while the eye of God is upon him to
save the children of Zion.[256] His otherwise dreary imprisonment
was lightened, and the time beguiled by these delightful writings. His
fellow-prisoners were benefited by hearing him read his pilgrim's
adventures. But this has been so fully displayed in the introduction
to the Pilgrim that any further notice is unnecessary.[257]

While busily occupied with his Grace Abounding and Pilgrim's Progress,
he wrote a poetical epistle in answer to the kind inquiries of his
numerous friends and visitors. After thanking them for counsel and
advice, he describes his feelings in prison. His feet stood on Mount
Zion; his body within locks and bars, while his mind was free to
study Christ, and elevated higher than the stars. Their fetters
could not tame his spirit, nor prevent his communion with God. The
more his enemies raged, the more peace he experienced. In prison