"For faith hath joined Christ and the soul together, and being so joined, the soul is one spirit with him: not essentially; but in agreement, and oneness of design. Besides, when Christ is truly received and embraced to the justifying of the sinner, in that man’s heart he dwells by his word and Spirit, through the same faith also. Now Christ, by his Spirit and Word, must needs season the soul he thus dwells in. So then the soul being seasoned, it seasoneth the body; and body and soul, season the life and conversation."
"For the true beholding of Jesus to justification and life, changes from glory to glory. Nor can that man that hath so believed, as that by his faith he hath received and embraced Christ for life before God, be destitute of good works." (here)
Though Bunyan may be called a Calvinist, yet he, like many other Calvinists, had no problem putting faith at the beginning of Christian salvation. Union with Christ is by faith, and faith union brings justification and imputation (the great exchange), and removal of wrath, and thence follows moral transformation (regeneration, renewing, sanctification, cleansing, etc.). Faith receives Christ "for life," for regeneration. There can be no spiritual life when there is no union with Christ and there is no union with Christ apart from faith.
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