John Bunyan, Who Wrestled with Losing His Family While in Prison

“The parting with my wife and poor children hath often been to me in this place as the pulling of the flesh from my bones, and that not only because I am somewhat too fond of these great mercies, but also because I have often brought to my mind the many hardships, and wants that my poor family was like to meet with, should I be taken from them, especially my poor blind child, who lay nearer my heart than all I have besides. Oh, the thought of the hardship I thought my blind ne might go under would break my heart to pieces…But yet, recalling myself, thought I, I must venture all with God, though it goes to the quick to leave you. Oh, I saw in this condition, I was a man who was pulling down his old house upon the head of his wife and children, yet thought I, I must do it. I must do it.”