The Warrant for John Bunyan's A R R E S T Issued March 4, 1674. Signed By J Napier, W Beecher, G. Blundell, Hum: Monoux, Will ffranklin, John Ventris, Will Spencer, Will Gery, St Jo Chernocke, Wm Daniels, T Browne, Gaius Squire, and W ffoster 1674.

This warrant for John Bunyan's arrest was issued in 1674, and is responsible for Bunyan's second, albeit brief, incarceration in 1675. It was during this second incarceration that he wrote "The Pilgrim's Progress". Truly, "The wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain." ~ Psalm 76:10 ~
At the time, (1674), John Bunyan was forty-six years old.

To the Constables of Bedford and to every one of them

J Napier W Beecher G. Blundell Hum: Monoux . Will ffranklin John Ventris

Whereas information and complaint is made unto us that (notwithstanding the Kings Majties late Act of most gracious generall and free pardon to all his subjects for past misdemeanours that by his said clemencie and indulgent grace and favor they might be mooved and induced for the time to come more carefully to observe his Highenes lawes and Statutes and to continue in theire loyall and due obedience to his Majtie) Yett one John Bunnyon of youre said Towne Tynker hath divers times within one month last past in contempt of his Majtie's good Lawes preached or teached at a Conventicle Meeting or Assembly under color or ptence of exercise of Religion in other manner than according to the Liturgie or practiss of the Church of England .... These are therefore in his Majties name to comand you forthwith to apprehend and bring the Body of the said John Bunnion before us or any of us or other his Majties Justice of Peace within the said County to answer the premisses and further to doo and receave as to Lawe and Justice shall appertaine and hereof you are not to faile. Given under our handles and seales this ffourth day of March in the seven and twentieth yeare of the Raigne of our most gracious Soveraigne Lord King Charles the Second ... A . que D-ni juxta &c 1674 Will Spencer Will Gery . St Jo Chernocke . Wm Daniels T Browne .. W ffoster Gaius Squire

This document bears the signature of thirteen magistrates. One of them is Foster, a fierce enemy of John Bunyan. At this time, Foster was Chancellor of the Bishop of Lincoln, the Diocesan, and Commissary of the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford. Of the other magistrates, Sir John Napier, Sir William Beecher and Sir George Blundell, were included in the bench when John Bunyan was first sentenced in 1661.


See also 'A Relation of My Imprisonment'
and
'Prison Meditations'.