John Bunyan – licensed Pilgrim’s Progress, Feb. 18, 1678

WHEN at the first I took my pen in hand
    Thus for to write, I did not understand
   That I at all should make a little book
   In such a mode: nay, I had undertook
   To make another; which, when almost done,
   Before I was aware I this begun.
    And thus it was: I, writing of the way
   And race of saints in this our gospel-day,
   Fell suddenly into an allegory
   About their journey, and the way to glory,
    In more than twenty things which I set down
   This done, I twenty more had in my crown,
   And they again began to multiply,
   Like sparks that from the coals of fire do fly.
               (Opening lines of Bunyan’s Apology for Pilgrim’s Progress) 
 As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a
certain place where was a den, and laid me down in that place to
sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and behold, I saw
a man clothed with rags, standing in a certain place, with his face
from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his
back. Isa 64:6; Luke 14:33; Psalm 38:4. I looked and saw him open the
book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled; and not
being able longer to contain, he brake out with a lamentable cry,
saying, "What shall I do?" Acts 2:37; 16:30; Habak 1:2,3.
               (Opening lines of Pilgrim’s Progress) 
 Pilgrim’s Progress was licensed for publication this date (2/18/1678) in England. 

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