is given in the introduction to the Pilgrim's Progress.[271] The
set time for his liberation was now drawing near, but the singular
means by which it was accomplished must be reserved for our next
chapter.

PERIOD SIXTH.

BUNYAN IS DELIVERED FROM PRISON--CONTROVERSY WITH THE CHRISTIAN
CHURCH ON THE SUBJECT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER--PUBLISHES THE PILGRIM'S
PROGRESS, AND MANY BOOKS, AND BECOMES EXTREMELY POPULAR--HIS DECEASE
AND CHARACTER.

As Charles II felt himself securely seated on his throne, his design
to establish an absolute monarchy became more and more apparent.
The adulation of his professed friends, and the noisy popularity
with which he was greeted, appear to have fostered his crafty designs
to rid himself of parliamentary government. His whole conduct was
that of a Papist, who keeps no faith with Protestants; or of a
statesman, whose religion, honour, and truthfulness, were wholly
subservient to expediency. To further his object, he formed a council
of five noblemen, two of whom were Roman Catholics, and the other
three either careless as to religion or professed infidels. The
first letter of their names formed the word CABAL. Aided by these
he sought to extinguish liberty, and extirpate the Protestant
faith.[272] To furnish himself with the means of indulging his
unbridled passions, he, like a buccaneer, seized the Dutch merchantmen
returning from India and Smyrna, without any declaration of war,
and laid his hands upon all the money borrowed of his merchants
which had been deposited in the exchequer. He then united himself
with France to destroy Holland, the stronghold of liberty. To gratify