Additional information
by George Offor (Introduction by), John Bunyan (Author)
This allegorical tale is a two person dialogue to help Christians understand and avoid deceptive and evil behavior. Mr. Wiseman, being wise, explains the nature of bad behavior to Mr. Attentive, who is attentively learning. Mr. Badman is the third person example of bad behavior. As George Offor explains "The author's object is to warn poor thoughtless sinners, not with smooth words, to which they would take no heed; but to thunder upon their consciences the peril of their souls, and the increasing wretchedness into which they were madly hurrying. He who is in imminent, but unseen danger, will bless the warning voice if it reach his ears, however rough and startling the sound may be." This edition uses the George Offor text with his introduction, notes and chapter divisions. Also included are the side notes (in the page margin), scripture references, and five woodcut engravings from the first edition. The pointing hand symbols are included which were used to signify "things either fully known by me John Bunyan], as being eye and ear-witness thereto, or that I have received from such hands, whose relation, as to this, I am bound to believe."
Author Biography
John Bunyan (1628-1688) was born in Harrowden, Elstow, England. Early in life he was a tinker who worked in his father's occupation. He had years of vain pleasures followed by a time of law abiding religiosity. After he struggled in his thinking, Bunyan became a true Christian and was baptized in 1653. His natural gift for preaching became evident, and his ordination was by popular demand. His conviction to preach was at whatever the cost and in 1660 he was imprisoned for 12 years for preaching without a license. He is a favorite among the Puritans and was an ambitious writer with over 60 works to his name, including the famous "The Pilgrim's Progress."
