church, from small livings to greater, and from lower dignities to higher; Bunyan's relation of the disputes between Bye-ends and Christian on this subject, gave offence. Bye-ends had thought, that a man seeking preferment, implied a desire of greater usefulness, for it enlarged his sphere of action; filled his pockets, that he might be more charitable; and though he might, for the accomplishment of those laudable purposes, accommodate himself to the times, and not to be so strict in point of doctrines; yet they would only shew that he was of a very self-denying temper, and of a sweet winning disposition. Christian, on the other hand, contended, that such a conduct was condemned by the Lord, who told those Jews that followed him into the wilderness, they did it only to eat of the loaves. John vi. 26; and that it was making religion a stalking-horse for gain; and such, according to scripture, as none but heathens and pharisees; and the like were distinguished for. And he made instance of the same, by referring to Hamor. Gen. xxxiv. and to the pharisees in our Lord's days, who made long prayers, and wished to be thought very holy, but whose real object was to devour widow's houses. Luke xx. He also remarked the case of Judas, Jolin xiii. 29, and Simon Magus, Acts viii. 18, 19. But it doth not seem probable, that Bunyan's imprisonment could be extended for what was parabolical. The close of Bunyan's lifeis said to have been truly blessed. As he lived, so he died; triumphant in the faith; on the 12th of August, 1688, at the house of a friend, in London, being in his 60th year. He was buried in Bunhill Fields burying-ground, made memorable as the cemetery of many of the saints of God. THE FOR HIS BOOK. WHEN at the first I took my pen in hand, Thus for to write, I did not understand And thus it was: I, writing of the way About their journey, and the way to glory, Like sparks that from the coals of fire do fly. Neither did I but vacant seasons spend From worser thoughts which make me do amiss. Thus I set pen to paper with delight, And quickly had my thoughts in black and white. For having now my method by the end, For length and breadth, the bigness which you see, Well, when I bad thus put my ends together, I shew'd them others, that 1 might see whether They would condemn them, or them justify : And some said, Let them live; some, Let them die: Some said, John, print it; others said, Not so: Some said, It might do good; others said, No. Now I was in a strait, and did not see For, thought I, some I see would have it done, Though others in that channel do not run ; To prove them who advised for the best, Thus I thought fit to put it to the test. I farther thought, if now I did deny If that thou wilt not read, let it alone; May I not write in such a style as this? In such a method too, and yet not miss My end, thy good? Why may it not be done? Dark clouds bring waters, when the bright bring none. You see the ways the fisherman doth take Also his snares, lines, angles, hooks, and nets: How does the fowler seek to catch his game Is not without those things that do excel, Well, yet I am not fully satisfied, That this your book will stand, when soundly tried. |