which they had witnessed. In this manner he went on for about a year; at some times satisfied with himself, and at others distressed with fears and consciousness of guilt.-He seems ever after to have considered all the convictions and desires which he at this time experienced, as wholly originating from natural principles; but in this perhaps some persons will venture to dissent from him. A self-righteousness accompanied with self-complacency, and furnishing incentives to pride, is indeed a full proof of unregeneracy. But conscientiousness connected with disquietudes, humiliation for sin, and a disposition to wait for divine teaching, is an effect and evidence of life, though the mind be yet darkened with ignorance, error, and prejudice. And he, that hath given life will give it more abundantly; for the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more " and more unto the perfect day."

While BUNYAN was in this state of mind he went, in the course of his trade as a tinker, to BEDFORD; where he overheard some women discourse about regeneration: and though he could not understand their meaning, he was greatly affected by observing the earnestness, chearfulness, and humility of their behaviour; and was also convinced that his views of religion were at that time very defective.Being thus led to frequent their company, he was brought as it were into a new world. Such an entire change took place in his sentiments, dispositions, and affections; and his mind was so deeply engaged in contemplating the great concerns of eternity, and the things pertaining to the kingdom of GOD, that he found it very difficult to employ his thoughts on any secular affairs.

But this extraordinary flow of affections, not being attended by a proportionable measure of doctrinal information, laid him open to various attemps of SATAN and his emissaries. -The RANTERS, a set of the vilest antinomians that almost ever existed, first assailed him, by one of their party, who had formerly been Mr. BUNYAN'S companion in vice: but

1

he over-acted his part; and, proceeding even to deny the being of a God, probably furnished the character of ATHEIST in the 'Pilgrim's Progress.' - While Mr. BUNYAN was engaged in reading the books of the RANTERS, not being able to form his judgement about them, he was led to offer up the following prayer:O Lord, I am a fool, and not ' able to know the truth from error: Lord, leave me not to my own blindness, either to approve or condemn this • doctrine. If it be of God, let me not despise it; if it be ' of the Devil, let me not embrace it. Lord I lay my soul ' in this matter only at thy foot; let me not be deceived, I humbly beseech thee.' This most suitable request the Lord graciously answered; he soon saw through the delusions of the RANTERS; and probably referred to them, under the character of SELF-WILL, in the second part of this work.

The Epistles of ST. PAUL, which he now read with great attention, but without any guide or instructor, gave occasion to his being assaulted by many sore temptations. He found the apostle continually speaking of faith; and he could find no way by which he might understand the meaning of that word or discover whether he was a believer or not: so that, mistaking the words of CHRIST1, he was tempted, to seek a solution of his difficulty by trying to work a miracle; he thought however it would be right to pray, before he made the attempt, and this induced him to desist, though his difficulties still remained. He was delivered from great perplexities about the doctrine of election, by reflecting that none ever "trusted in God and was confounded:" and therefore it would

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be best for him to trust in God, and leave election, as a "secret "thing," with the Lord, to whom it belonged. And the general invitations of the gospel, and the assurance that " yet "there is room," helped him to repel the temptation to conclude, that the day of grace was past.

This brief account of his temptations and escapes may teach others the best way of resisting similar suggestions: and it

Matt. xvii. 20.

d

shows us, that numbers are durably harassed by such perplex. ities, for want of doctrinal knowledge and faithful instructors and counsellors.-He was, however, afterwards enabled by means of these inward trials to caution others to better effect, and more tenderly to sympathize with the tempted.

After some time Mr. BUNYAN became acquainted with Mr. GIFFORD, an Anti-pædo-baptist minister at BEDFORD, whose conversation was very useful to him: yet he was in some respects more discouraged than ever, by fuller discoveries of those evils in his heart, which he had not before noticed; and by doubts concerning the truth of the scriptures, which his entire ignorance of the evidences by which they are authenticated, rendered durably perplexing to him. He was, however, at length relieved by a sermon he heard on the love of CHRIST; though the grounds, on which he derived satisfaction and encouragement from it, are not very accurately stated. - Soon after this he was admitted, by adult baptifm, a member of Mr. GIFFORD'S church, A. D. 1655, being then 27 years of age, and after a little time, was earnestly desired by the congregation to expound or preach, in a manner which is customary among the Dissenters, as a preparation to the ministry. For a while he resisted their importunity, under a deep sense of his incompetency; but at length he was prevailed upon to speak in a small company, which he did greatly to their satisfaction and edification. Having been thus proved for a considerable time, he was at length called forth, and set apart by fasting and prayer to the ministerial office, which he executed with faithfulness and fuccess during a long course of years; though frequently with the greatest trepidation and inward disquietude.

As he was baptized 1655, and imprisoned 1660, he could not have been long engaged in the work, previous to that event: and it does not appear whether he obtained a stated employment as a minister; or whether he only preached occasionally, and continued to work at his trade; as many Dissenters very laudably do, when called to minister among poor

people, that they may not be "burdensome to them." Previous however to the restoration of CHARLES II, when the churches were principally filled by those, who have since been distinguished as non-conformists; he was expected to preach in a church near CAMBRIDGE; and a student of that university, not remarkable for sobriety, observing a concourse of people, was induced by curiosity to hear the tinker prate:' but the discourse made an unexpected impression on his mind; he embraced every future opportunity of hearing Mr. BUNYAN; and at length became an eminent preacher in CAM

BRIDGESHIRE.

When the restoration took place; and, contrary to equity, engagements, and sound policy, the laws, were framed and executed with a severity, evidently intended to exclude every man, who scrupled the least tittle of the doctrine, liturgy, discipline, or government of the established church, Mr. BUNYAN was one of the first that suffered by them: for being courageous and unreferved, he went on in his ministerial work without any disguise, and Nov. 12, 1660, was apprehended by a warrant from Justice WINGATE at HARLINGTON, near BEDFORD, with fixty other persons, and committed to the county jail. Security was offered for his appearance at the sessions; but it was refused, as his sureties would not consent that he should be restricted from preaching any more. He was accordingly confined till the quarter-sessions, when his indictment stated, -' That JOHN BUNYAN, of the town ' of BEDFORD, labourer, had devilishly and perniciously abstained from coming to church to hear divine service; ' and was a common upholder of several unlawful meetings ' and conventicles, to the great disturbance and distraction • of the good subjects of this kingdom, contrary to the laws • of our sovereign Lord the King.' The facts charged upon him in this absurd indictment were never proved; as no witnesses were produced. He had confessed, in conversation with the magistrates, that he was a dissenter, and had preached; these words being considered as equivalent to

conviction were recorded against him; and as he refused to conform he was sentenced to perpetual banishment. This sentence indeed was not executed: but he was confined in BEDFORD jail more than twelve years; notwithstanding several attempts were made to obtain his deliverance!

During this tedious imprisonment, or, at least, part of it, he had no books, except a Bible, and Fox's Martyrology: yet in this situation he penned the Pilgrim's Progress, and many other treatises. He was only thirty two years of age, when he was imprisoned; he had spent his youth in the most disadvantageous manner imaginable; had been no more than five years a member of the church at BEDFORD; and less time a preacher of the gospel: yet in this admired allegory he appears to have been most intimately acquainted with all the variety of characters, which ministers, long employed in the sacred service, and eminent for judgement and sagacity, have observed among professors, or opposers of evangelical truth!

No fewer than sixty Dissenters, and two ministers were confined with Mr. BUNYAN in this jail! and as some were discharged, others were committed during the time of his imprisonment: but this painful situation afforded him an opportunity of privately exercising his ministry to good effect. He learned in prison to make tagged thread laces, in the intervals of his other labours; and by this employment provided in the most unexceptionable manner for himself and his family. He seems to have been endued with extraordinary patience and courage, and to have experienced abundant consolations, while enduring these hardships: he was however sometimes distressed about his family, especially his eldest daughter, who was blind; but in these trying seasons he received comfort from meditating on the promises of scripture.

He was at some times favoured by the jailors, and permitted to see his family and friends; and, during the former