John Bunyan's Holy War was first published in 1682, six years before its illustrious author's death. Bunyan wrote this great book when he was still in all the fullness of his intellectual power and in all the ripeness of his spiritual experience. The Holy War is not the Pilgrim's Progress--there is only one Pilgrim's Progress. At the same time, we have Lord Macaulay's word for it that if the Pilgrim's Progress did not exist the Holy War would be the best allegory that ever was written: and even Mr. Froude admits that the Holy War alone would have entitled its author to rank high up among the acknowledged masters of English literature.
A scottish author Alexander Whyte offers an inquiry into the work of the English Christian writer and preacher of the 17th century John Bunyan. One who knew this puritan theologist well wrote, “The grace of God was magnified in him and by him, and a rich anointing of the Spirit was upon him.” Active as pastor, writer, helper, counselor, organizer, administrator, and pastor-in-chief to a multitude of churches, he is regarded by right as a literary genius nowadays.