John Bunyan was born in 1628 to a poor family in England. Little is known of his early years, other than he was at war for three years, and had a very vulgar mouth. His wife came from a Christian background and through her influences, and the discipleship of a local Baptist pastor, John Bunyan was saved and soon began to preach to others.

In 1660, due to the political climate in England, John Bunyan was ordered to cease his preaching. He refused to cease and refused to hide, and he was consequently imprisoned for 12 years. During this time and a later imprisonment, Bunyan continued his writing of books, among which is the famous Pilgrim's Progress, which is considered the second best selling book of all time next to the Bible.

Bunyan was not an educatd man, but had the gift of God to preach. The famous theologian of the time, John Owen, went to hear Bunyan preach. When King Charles II heard that Owen had gone, he asked him why he went to hear an illiterate preacher. Owen's response was, "May it please your Majesty, could I possess the tinker’s abilities for preaching, I would willingly relinquish all my learning."