A Brief Description of Mr. John Bunyan

He appeared in countenance to be of a stern and rough temper, but in his conversation mild and affable; not given to loquacity or much discourse in company, unless some urgent occasion required it; observing never to boast of himself or his parts, but rather seem low in his own eyes, and submit himself to the judgment of others, abhorring lying and swearing, being just in all that lay in his power to his word, not seeming to revenge injuries, loving to reconcile differences, and make friendship with all; he had a sharp quick eye, accompanied with an excellent discerning of persons, being of good judgment and quick wit. As for his person, he was tall of stature, strong boned, though not corpulent, somewhat of a ruddy face, with sparkling eyes, wearing his hair on his upper lip, after the old British fashion; his hair reddish, but in his latter days, time had sprinkled it with grey; his nose well set, but not declining or bending, and his mouth moderate large; his forehead somewhat high, and his habit always plain and modest. And thus have we impartially described the internal and external parts of a person, whose death hath been much regretted; a person who had tried the smiles and frowns of time; not puffed up in prosperity, nor shaken in adversity; always holding the golden mean.

His expression suggested a stern and rough temper, but in conversation he was gentle and friendly. He did not talk much in company unless there was an urgent reason. He was careful never to boast about himself or his abilities. Instead, he seemed humble and deferred to the judgment of others. He hated lying and swearing and kept his word as far as he was able. He did not seem to seek revenge for injuries. He loved to settle differences and make friends with everyone. He had a sharp, quick eye and was excellent at judging people. He also had good judgment and a quick wit. He was tall and strong-boned, though not fat. His face was somewhat ruddy, and his eyes sparkled. He wore a mustache, in the old British fashion. His hair was reddish, but in his later years it was streaked with gray. His nose was well set, neither drooping nor bent, and his mouth was moderately large. His forehead was somewhat high, and his clothing was always plain and modest. We have thus described, without bias, both the inner and outer qualities of a person whose death has been deeply mourned. He had experienced both good and bad times. He was not made proud by prosperity or shaken by adversity. He always kept to the golden mean.