In 1653 he joined the Baptists, and soon, without preparation, began to preach.

For this he was thrown into jail, where he remained for more than twelve years.

It was during this period that, with no other books than the Bible and Fox's Book of Martyrs, he excogitated his allegory.

In 1672 he was released through the influence of Barlow, Bishop of Lincoln.

He immediately began to preach, and continued to do so until 1688, when he died from a fever brought on by exposure.
In his first work, _Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners_, he gives us his own experience,--fearful dreams of early childhood, his sins and warnings in the parliamentary army, with divers temptations, falls, and struggles.
Of his great work, _The Pilgrim's Progress_, it is hardly necessary to speak at length.