The Project Gutenberg EBook of Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan (#3 in our series by John Bunyan) Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the header without written permission. Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is important information about your specific rights and restrictions in how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. **Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** **eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** *****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** Title: Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Author: John Bunyan Release Date: September, 1996 [EBook #654] [This file was first posted on October 22, 1996] [Most recently updated: September 8, 2002] Edition: 10 Language: English Character set encoding: ASCII
Transcribed from the 1905 The Religious Tract Society edition by David
Price, email [email protected]
GRACE ABOUNDING TO THE CHIEF OF SINNERS
In a faithful account of the life and death of John Bunyan
Or
A brief relation of the exceeding mercy of God in Christ to him
Namely
In His taking him out of the dunghill, and converting him to the faith
of His blessed son Jesus Christ. Here is also particularly shewed,
what sight of, and what troubles he had for sin; and also, what various
temptations he hath met with, and how God hath carried him through them.
A PREFACE
OR, BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE PUBLISHING THIS WORK. WRITTEN BY THE
AUTHOR THEREOF, AND DEDICATED TO THOSE WHOM GOD HATH COUNTED HIM WORTHY
TO BEGET TO FAITH, BY HIS MINISTRY IN THE WORD
Children, Grace be with you. Amen. I being taken
from you in presence, and so tied up that I cannot perform that duty,
that from God doth lie upon me to you-ward, for your farther edifying
and building up in faith and holiness, etc., yet that you may see my
soul hath fatherly care and desire after your spiritual and everlasting
welfare, I now once again, as before, from the top of Shenir
and Hermon, so now from the lions’ dens, from the mountains
of the leopards (Song iv. 8), do look yet after you all,
greatly longing to see your safe arrival into THE desired Haven.
I thank God upon every remembrance of you; and rejoice, even while I
stick between the teeth of the lion in the wilderness, that the grace
and mercy, and knowledge of Christ our Saviour, which God hath bestowed
upon you, with abundance of faith and love; your hungerings and thirstings
after farther acquaintance with the Father, in the Son; your tenderness
of heart, your trembling at sin, your sober and holy deportment also,
before both God and men, is a great refreshment to me; For ye
are our glory and joy. 1 Thess. ii. 20.
I have sent you here enclosed, a drop of that honey that I have taken
out of the carcase of a lion. Judg. xiv. 5-8. I have eaten
thereof myself, and am much refreshed thereby. (Temptations, when
we meet them at first, are as the lion that roared upon Samson;
but if we overcome them, the next time we see them, we shall find a
nest of honey within them.) The Philistines understand
me not. It is something of a relation of the work of God upon
my soul, even from the very first, till now, wherein you may perceive
my castings down, and risings up: for He woundeth, and His hands make
whole. It is written in the Scripture, Isa. xxxviii. 19, The
father to the children shall make known Thy truth. Yea, it
was for this reason I lay so long at Sinai, Lev. iv. 10, 11, to see
the fire, and the cloud, and the darkness, that I might fear
the Lord all the days of my life upon earth, and tell of His
wondrous works to my children. Psalm lxxviii. 3-5.
Moses, Numb. xxxiii. 1, 2, writ of the journeys of the children of Israel,
from Egypt to the land of Canaan; and commanded also that
they did remember their forty years’ travel in the wilderness.
Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee
these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove
thee, and to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldst
keep His commandments, or no. Deut. viii. 2.
Wherefore this I have endeavoured to do; and not only so, but to publish
it also; that, if God will, others may be put in remembrance of what
He hath done for their souls, by reading His work upon me.
It is profitable for Christians to be often calling to mind the very
beginnings of grace with their souls. It is a night to be much
observed unto the Lord, for bringing them out from the land of
Egypt. This is that night of the Lord to be observed of
all the children of Israel in their generations. Exod.
xii. 42. O my God (saith David), Ps. xlii. 6, my
soul is cast down within me; therefore will I remember
thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from
the hill Mizar. He remembered also the lion and the bear,
when he went to fight with the giant of Gath. 1 Sam. xvii.
36, 37.
It was Paul’s accustomed manner, Acts xxii., and that,
when tried for his life, Acts xxiv., even to open before his judges
the manner of his conversion: he would think of that day, and that hour,
in which he first did meet with grace; for he found it supported him.
When God had brought the children of Israel out of the Red Sea, far
into the wilderness, yet they must turn quite about thither again, to
remember the drowning of their enemies there, Numb. xiv. 25, for though
they sang his praise before, yet they soon forgat his works. Psalm
cvi. 11, 12.
In this discourse of mine, you may see much; much I say, of the grace
of God towards me: I thank God, I can count it much; for it was above
my sins and Satan’s temptations too. I can remember my fears
and doubts, and sad months, with comfort; they are as the head of Goliah
in my hand: there was nothing to David like Goliah’s
sword, even that sword that should have been sheathed in his bowels;
for the very sight and remembrance of that did preach forth God’s
deliverance to him. Oh! the remembrance of my great sins, of my
great temptations, and of my great fear of perishing for ever!
They bring afresh into my mind, the remembrance of my great help, my
great supports from heaven, and the great grace that God extended to
such a wretch as I.
My dear children, call to mind the former days, and years of ancient
times: remember also your songs in the night, and commune with your
own Hearts, Ps. lxxiii. 5-12. Yea, look diligently, and leave
no corner therein unsearched for that treasure hid, even the treasure
of your first and second experience of the grace of God towards you.
Remember, I say, the word that first laid hold upon you: remember your
terrors of conscience, and fear of death and hell: remember also your
tears and prayers to God; yea, how you sighed under every hedge for
mercy. Have you never a hill Mizar to remember? Have
you forgot the close, the milk-house, the stable, the barn, and the
like, where God did visit your souls? Remember also the word,
the word, I say, upon which the Lord hath caused you to hope: if you
have sinned against light, if you are tempted to blaspheme, if you are
drowned in despair, if you think God fights against you, or if heaven
is hid from your eyes; remember it was thus with your father; but
out of them all the Lord delivered me.
I could have enlarged much in this my discourse, of my temptations
and troubles for sin; as also of the merciful kindness and working of
God with my soul: I could also have stepped into a style much higher
than this, in which I have here discoursed, and could have adorned all
things more than here I have seemed to do, but I dare not: God did not
play in tempting of me; neither did I play, when I sunk as into the
bottomless pit, when the pangs of hell caught hold upon me;
wherefore I may not play in relating of them, but be plain and simple,
and lay down the thing as it was; he that liketh it, let him receive
it, and he that doth not, let him produce a better. Farewell.
My dear Children,
The milk and honey are beyond this wilderness. God be
merciful to you, and grant that you be not slothful to go in
to possess the land.
JOHN BUNYAN.
GRACE ABOUNDING TO THE CHIEF OF SINNERS
OR,
A BRIEF RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST, TO HIS POOR
SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN
In this my relation of the merciful working of God upon my soul, it
will not be amiss, if in the first place, I do in a few words give you
a hint of my pedigree, and manner of bringing up; that thereby the goodness
and bounty of God towards me, may be the more advanced and magnified
before the sons of men.
2. For my descent then, it was, as is well known by many, of a
low and inconsiderable generation; my father’s house being of
that rank that is meanest, and most despised of all the families in
the land. Wherefore, I have not here, as others, to boast of noble
blood, or of any high-born state, according to the flesh; though, all
things considered, I magnify the heavenly Majesty, for that by this
door He brought me into the world, to partake of the grace and life
that is in Christ by the gospel.
3. But yet, notwithstanding the meanness and inconsiderableness
of my parents, it pleased God to put it into their hearts, to put me
to school, to learn both to read and write; the which I also attained,
according to the rate of other poor men’s children: though, to
my shame, I confess, I did soon lose that I had learned, even almost
utterly, and that long before the Lord did work His gracious work of
conversion upon my soul.
4. As for my own natural life, for the time that I was without
God in the world, it was, indeed, according to the course of this
world and the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.
Eph. ii. 2, 3. It was my delight to be ‘taken captive by
the devil at his will,’ 2 Tim. ii. 26; being filled with
all unrighteousness; the which did also so strongly work, and put forth
itself, both in my heart and life, and that from a child, that I had
but few equals (especially considering my years, which were tender,
being but few) both for cursing, swearing, lying, and blaspheming the
holy name of God.
5. Yea, so settled and rooted was I in these things, that they
became as a second nature to me; the which, as I have also with soberness
considered since, did so offend the Lord, that even in my childhood
he did scare and affrighten me with fearful dreams, and did terrify
me with fearful visions. For often, after I have spent this and
the other day in sin, I have in my bed been greatly afflicted, while
asleep, with the apprehensions of devils and wicked spirits, who still,
as I then thought, laboured to draw me away with them, of which I could
never be rid.
6. Also I should, at these years, be greatly afflicted and troubled
with the thoughts of the fearful torments of hell-fire; still fearing,
that it would be my lot to be found at last among those devils and hellish
fiends, who are there bound down with the chains and bonds of darkness,
unto the judgment of the great day.
7. These things, I say, when I was but a child, but nine or ten
years old, did so distress my soul, that then in the midst of my many
sports and childish vanities, amidst my vain companions, I was often
much cast down, and afflicted in my mind therewith, yet could I not
let go my sins: yea, I was also then so overcome with despair of life
and heaven, that I should often wish, either that there had been no
hell, or that I had been a devil; supposing they were only tormentors;
that if it must needs be, that I went thither, I might be rather a tormentor,
than be tormented myself.
8. A while after those terrible dreams did leave me, which also I soon
forgot; for my pleasures did quickly cut off the remembrance of them,
as if they had never been: wherefore with more greediness, according
to the strength of nature, I did still let loose the reins of my lust,
and delighted in all transgressions against the law of God: so that
until I came to the state of marriage, I was the very ringleader of
all the youth that kept me company, in all manner of vice and ungodliness.
9. Yea, such prevalency had the lusts and fruits of the flesh
in this poor soul of mine, that had not a miracle of precious grace
prevented, I had not only perished by the stroke of eternal justice,
but had also laid myself open, even to the stroke of those laws which
bring some to disgrace and open shame before the face of the world.
10. In these days the thoughts of religion were very grievous
to me; I could neither endure it myself, nor that any other should;
so that when I have seen some read in those books that concerned Christian
piety, it would be as it were a prison to me. Then I
said unto God, Depart from me, for I desire not the knowledge
of Thy ways. Job xxi. 14, 15. I was now void of all
good consideration, heaven and hell were both out of sight and mind;
and as for saving and damning, they were least in my thoughts.
O Lord, Thou knowest my life, and my ways were not hid from
Thee!
11. But this I well remember, that though I could myself sin with
the greatest delight and ease, and also take pleasure in the vileness
of my companions; yet, even then, if I had at any time seen wicked things,
by those who professed goodness, it would make my spirit tremble.
As once above all the rest, when I was in the height of vanity, yet
hearing one to swear, that was reckoned for a religious man, it had
so great a stroke upon my spirit, that it made my heart ache.
12. But God did not utterly leave me, but followed me still, not
now with convictions, but judgments; yet such as were mixed with mercy.
For once I fell into a creek of the sea, and hardly escaped drowning.
Another time I fell out of a boat into Bedford river, but, mercy
yet preserved me alive: besides, another time, being in a field, with
one of my companions, it chanced that an adder passed over the highway,
so I having a stick in my hand, struck her over the back; and having
stunned her, I forced open her mouth with my stick, and plucked her
sting out with my fingers; by which act had not God been merciful unto
me, I might by my desperateness, have brought myself to my end.
13. This also I have taken notice of, with thanksgiving: When
I was a soldier, I with others, were drawn out to go to such a place
to besiege it; but when I was just ready to go, one of the company desired
to go in my room: to which, when I had consented, he took my place;
and coming to the siege, as he stood sentinel, he was shot in the head
with a musket-bullet and died.
14. Here, as I said, were judgments and mercy, but neither of
them did awaken my soul to righteousness; wherefore I sinned still,
and grew more and more rebellious against God, and careless of my own
salvation.
15. Presently after this, I changed my condition into a married
state, and my mercy was, to light upon a wife whose father was counted
godly: This woman and I, though we came together as poor as poor might
be (not having so much household stuff as a dish or a spoon betwixt
us both), yet this she had for her part: The Plain Man’s Pathway
to Heaven and The Practice of Piety; which her father had
left her when he died. In these two books I would sometimes read
with her, wherein I also found some things that were somewhat pleasing
to me (but all this while I met with no conviction). She also
would be often telling of me what a godly man her father was, and how
he would reprove and correct vice, both in his house, and among his
neighbours; what a strict and holy life he lived in his days, both in
word and deed.
16. Wherefore these books, with this relation, though they did
not reach my heart, to awaken it about my sad and sinful state, yet
they did beget within me some desires to religion: so that because I
knew no better, I fell in very eagerly with the religion of the times;
to wit, to go to church twice a day, and that too with the foremost;
and there should very devoutly, both say and sing, as others did, yet
retaining my wicked life; but withal, I was so over-run with the spirit
of superstition, that I adored, and that with great devotion, even all
things (both the high-place, priest, clerk, vestment, service, and what
else) belonging to the church; counting all things holy that were therein
contained, and especially, the priest and clerk most happy, and without
doubt, greatly blessed, because they were the servants, as I then thought,
of God, and were principal in the holy temple, to do His work therein.
17. This conceit grew so strong in a little time upon my spirit,
that had I but seen a priest (though never so sordid and debauched in
his life), I should find my spirit fall under him, reverence him, and
knit unto him; yea, I thought, for the love I did bear unto them (supposing
them the ministers of God), I could have laid down at their feet, and
have been trampled upon by them; their name, their garb, and work did
so intoxicate and bewitch me.
18. After I had been thus for some considerable time, another
thought came in my mind; and that was, whether we were of the Israelites
or no? For finding in the scripture that they were once the peculiar
people of God, thought I, if I were one of this race, my soul must needs
be happy. Now again, I found within me a great longing to be resolved
about this question, but could not tell how I should: at last I asked
my father of it; who told me, No, we were not. Wherefore
then I fell in my spirit, as to the hopes of that, and so remained.
19. But all this while, I was not sensible of the danger and evil
of sin; I was kept from considering that sin would damn me, what religion
soever I followed, unless I was found in Christ: nay, I never thought
of Him, or whether there was such a One, or no. Thus man,
while blind, doth wander, but wearieth himself with vanity,
for he knoweth not the way to the city of God. Eccles. x.
15.
20. But one day (amongst all the sermons our parson made) his
subject was, to treat of the Sabbath day, and of the evil of breaking
that, either with labour, sports or otherwise. (Now, I was, notwithstanding
my religion, one that took much delight in all manner of vice, and especially
that was the day that I did solace myself therewith): wherefore I fell
in my conscience under his sermon, thinking and believing that he made
that sermon on purpose to show me my evil doing. And at that time
I felt what guilt was, though never before, that I can remember; but
then I was, for the present, greatly loaden therewith, and so went home
when the sermon was ended, with a great burthen upon my spirit.
21. This, for that instant did benumb the sinews of my best delights,
and did imbitter my former pleasures to me; but hold, it lasted not,
for before I had well dined, the trouble began to go off my mind, and
my heart returned to its old course: but oh! how glad was I, that this
trouble was gone from me, and that the fire was put out, that I might
sin again without control! Wherefore, when I had satisfied nature
with my food, I shook the sermon out of my mind, and to my old custom
of sports and gaming, I returned with great delight.
22. But the same day, as I was in the midst of a game of Cat,
and having struck it one blow from the hole, just as I was about to
strike it the second time, a voice did suddenly dart from heaven into
my soul, which said, Wilt thou leave thy sins and go to heaven, or
have thy sins and go to hell? At this I was put to
an exceeding maze; wherefore leaving my cat upon the ground, I looked
up to heaven, and was, as if I had, with the eyes of my understanding,
seen the Lord Jesus looking down upon me, as being very hotly displeased
with me, and as if He did severely threaten me with some grievous punishment
for these and other ungodly practices.
23. I had no sooner thus conceived in my mind, but, suddenly,
this conclusion was fastened on my spirit (for the former hint did set
my sins again before my face), That I had been a great and
grievous sinner, and that it was now too late for me to look
after heaven; for Christ would not forgive me, nor pardon
my transgressions. Then I fell to musing on this also; and
while I was thinking of it, and fearing lest it should be so; I felt
my heart sink in despair, concluding it was too late; and therefore
I resolved in my mind I would go on in sin: for, thought I, if the case
be thus, my state is surely miserable; miserable if I leave my sins,
and but miserable if I follow them; I can but be damned, and if I must
be so, I had as good be damned for many sins, as be damned for few.
24. Thus I stood in the midst of my play, before all that then
were present: but yet I told them nothing: but I say; having made this
conclusion, I returned desperately to my sport again; and I well remember,
that presently this kind of despair did so possess my soul, that I was
persuaded I could never attain to other comfort than what I should get
in sin; for heaven was gone already, so that on that I must not think;
wherefore I found within me great desire to take my fill of sin, still
studying what sin was yet to be committed, that I might taste the sweetness
of it; and I made as much haste as I could to fill my belly with its
delicates, lest I should die before I had my desire; for that I feared
greatly. In these things, I protest before God, I lye not, neither
do I feign this form of speech; these were really, strongly, and with
all my heart, my desires: The good Lord, Whose mercy is unsearchable,
forgive me my transgressions!
25. And I am very confident, that this temptation of the devil
is more usual among poor creatures, than many are aware of, even to
over-run the spirits with a scurvy and seared frame of heart, and benumbing
of conscience, which frame he stilly and slily supplieth with such despair,
that, though not much guilt attendeth souls, yet they continually have
a secret conclusion within them, that there is no hope for them; for
they have loved sins, therefore after them they will go. Jer.
ii. 25, and xviii. 12.
26. Now therefore I went on in sin with great greediness of mind,
still grudging that I could not be so satisfied with it, as I would.
This did continue with me about a month, or more; but one day, as I
was standing at a neighbour’s shop window, and there cursing and
swearing, and playing the madman, after my wonted manner, there sate
within, the woman of the house, and heard me; who, though she also was
a very loose and ungodly wretch, yet protested that I swore and cursed
at that most fearful rate, that she was made to tremble to hear me;
and told me further, that I was the ungodliest fellow for swearing,
that she ever heard in all her life; and that I, by thus doing, was
able to spoil all the youth in the whole town, if they come but in my
company.
27. At this reproof I was silenced, and put to secret shame;
and that too, as I thought, before the God of heaven; wherefore, while
I stood there, and hanging down my head, I wished with all my heart
that I might be a little child again, that my father might learn me
to speak without this wicked way of swearing; for, thought I, I am so
accustomed to it, that it is in vain for me to think of a reformation;
for I thought it could never be.
28. But how it came to pass, I know not; I did from this time
forward, so leave my swearing, that it was a great wonder to myself
to observe it; and whereas before I knew not how to speak unless I put
an oath before, and another behind, to make my words have authority;
now I could, without it, speak better, and with more pleasantness than
ever I could before. All this while I knew not Jesus Christ, neither
did I leave my sports and plays.
29. But quickly after this, I fell into company with one poor
man that made profession of religion; who, as I then thought, did talk
pleasantly of the scriptures, and of the matters of religion; wherefore
falling into some love and liking to what he said, I betook me to my
Bible, and began to take great pleasure in reading, but especially with
the historical part thereof; for as for Paul’s Epistles, and such
like scriptures, I could not away with them, being as yet ignorant,
either of the corruptions of my nature, or of the want and worth of
Jesus Christ to save me.
30. Wherefore I fell to some outward reformation both in my words
and life, and did set the commandments before me for my way to heaven;
which commandments I also did strive to keep, and, as I thought, did
keep them pretty well sometimes, and then I should have comfort; yet
now and then should break one, and so afflict my conscience; but then
I should repent, and say, I was sorry for it, and promise God to do
better next time, and there get help again; for then I thought I pleased
God as well as any man in England.
31. Thus I continued about a year; all which time our neighbours
did take me to be a very godly man, a new and religious man, and did
marvel much to see such a great and famous alteration in my life and
manners; and indeed so it was, though yet I knew not Christ, nor grace,
nor faith, nor hope; for, as I have well seen since, had I then died,
my state had been most fearful.
32. But, I say, my neighbours were amazed at this my great conversion,
from prodigious profaneness, to something like a moral life; and truly,
so they well might; for this my conversion was as great, as for Tom
of Bethlehem to become a sober man. Now therefore they began to
praise, to commend, and to speak well of me, both to my face, and behind
my back. Now I was, as they said, become godly; now I was become
a right honest man. But oh! when I understood these were their
words and opinions of me, it pleased me mighty well. For, though
as yet I was nothing but a poor painted hypocrite, yet, I loved to be
talked of as one that was truly godly. I was proud of my godliness,
and indeed, I did all I did, either to be seen of, or to be well spoken
of, by men: and thus I continued for about a twelvemonth, or more.
33. Now you must know, that, before this, I had taken much delight
in ringing, but my conscience beginning to be tender, I thought
such practice was but vain, and therefore forced myself to leave
it; yet my mind hankered; wherefore I would go to the steeple-house,
and look on, though I durst not ring: but I thought this did not become
religion neither; yet I forced myself, and would look on still, but
quickly after, I began to think, how if one of the bells should
fall? Then I chose to stand under a main beam, that lay overthwart
the steeple, from side to side, thinking here I might stand sure; but
then I should think again, should the bell fall with a swing, it might
first hit the wall, and then, rebounding upon me, might kill me for
all this beam; this made me stand in the steeple-door; and now, thought
I, I am safe enough; for if the bell should now fall, I can slip out
behind these thick walls, and so be preserved notwithstanding.
34. So after this I would yet go to see them ring, but would not
go any farther than the steeple-door; but then it came into my head,
how if the steeple itself should fall? And this thought (it may
for aught I know) when I stood and looked on, did continually so shake
my mind, that I durst not stand at the steeple-door any longer, but
was forced to flee, for fear the steeple should fall upon my head.
35. Another thing was, my dancing; I was a full year before I
could quite leave that; but all this while, when I thought I kept this
or that commandment, or did, by word or deed, anything that I thought
was good, I had great peace in my conscience, and should think with
myself, God cannot choose but be now pleased with me; yea, to relate
it in mine own way, I thought no man in England could please
God better than I.
36. But poor wretch as I was! I was all this while ignorant
of Jesus Christ; and going about to establish my own righteousness;
and had perished therein, had not God in mercy showed me more of my
state by nature.
37. But upon a day, the good providence of God called me to Bedford,
to work on my calling; and in one of the streets of that town, I came
where there were three or four poor women sitting at a door, in the
sun, talking about the things of God; and being now willing to hear
them discourse, I drew near to hear what they said, for I was now a
brisk talker also myself, in the matters of religion; but I may say,
I heard but understood not; for they were far above, out of my
reach. Their talk was about a new birth, the work of God on their
hearts, also how they were convinced of their miserable state by nature;
they talked how God had visited their souls with His love in the Lord
Jesus, and with what words and promises they had been refreshed, comforted,
and supported, against the temptations of the devil: moreover, they
reasoned of the suggestions and temptations of Satan in particular;
and told to each other, by which they had been afflicted and how they
were borne up under his assaults. They also discoursed of their
own wretchedness of heart, and of their unbelief; and did contemn, slight
and abhor their own righteousness, as filthy, and insufficient to do
them any good.
38. And, methought, they spake as if joy did make them speak;
they spake with such pleasantness of scripture language, and with such
appearance of grace in all they said, that they were to me, as if they
had found a new world; as if they were people that dwelt alone, and
were not to be reckoned among their neighbours. Numb.
xxiii. 9.
39. At this I felt my own heart began to shake, and mistrust my
condition to be naught; for I saw that in all my thoughts about religion
and salvation, the new-birth did never enter into my mind; neither knew
I the comfort of the word and promise, nor the deceitfulness and treachery
of my own wicked heart. As for secret thoughts, I took no notice
of them; neither did I understand what Satan’s temptations were,
nor how they were to be withstood, and resisted, etc.
40. Thus, therefore, when I had heard and considered what they
said, I left them, and went about my employment again, but their talk
and discourse went with me; also my heart would tarry with them, for
I was greatly affected with their words, both because by them I was
convinced that I wanted the true tokens of a truly godly man, and also
because by them I was convinced of the happy and blessed condition of
him that was such a one.
41. Therefore I should often make it my business to be going again
and again into the company of these poor people; for I could not stay
away; and the more I went amongst them, the more I did question my condition;
and as I still do remember, presently I found two things within me,
at which I did sometimes marvel (especially considering what a blind,
ignorant, sordid and ungodly wretch but just before I was). The
one was a very great softness and tenderness of heart, which caused
me to fall under the conviction of what by scripture they asserted,
and the other was a great bending in my mind, to a continual meditating
on it, and on all other good things, which at any time I heard or read
of.
42. By these things my mind was now so turned, that it lay like
an horse-leech at the vein, still crying out, Give, Give, Prov.
xxx. 15; yea, it was so fixed on eternity, and on the things about the
kingdom of heaven (that is, so far as I knew, though as yet, God knows,
I knew but little), that neither pleasures, nor profits, nor persuasions,
nor threats, could loose it, or make it let go its hold; and though
I may speak it with shame, yet it is in very deed, a certain truth,
it would then have been as difficult for me to have taken my mind from
heaven to earth, as I have found it often since, to get again from earth
to heaven.
43. One thing I may not omit: There was a young man in our town,
to whom my heart before was knit, more than to any other, but he being
a most wicked creature for cursing, and swearing, and whoreing, I now
shook him off, and forsook his company; but about a quarter of a year
after I had left him, I met him in a certain lane, and asked him how
he did: he, after his old swearing and mad way, answered, he was well.
But, Harry, said I, why do you curse and swear thus?
What will become of you, if you die in this condition?
He answered me in a great chafe, What would the devil do for company,
if it were not for such as I am?
44. About this time I met with some Ranters’ books,
that were put forth by some of our countrymen, which books were also
highly in esteem by several old professors; some of these I read, but
was not able to make any judgment about them; wherefore as I read in
them, and thought upon them (seeing myself unable to judge), I would
betake myself to hearty prayer in this manner. 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 of 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. I had one religious intimate companion all this
while, and that was the poor man I spoke of before; but about this time,
he also turned a most devilish Ranter, and gave himself up to all manner
of filthiness, especially uncleanness: he would also deny that there
was a God, angel, or spirit; and would laugh at all exhortations to
sobriety; when I laboured to rebuke his wickedness he would laugh the
more, and pretend that he had gone through all religions, and could
never light on the right till now. He told me also, that in a
little time I should see all professors turn to the ways of the Ranters.
Wherefore, abominating those cursed principles, I left his company forthwith,
and became to him as great a stranger, as I had been before a familiar.
45. Neither was this man only a temptation to me, but my calling
lying in the country, I happened to light into several people’s
company, who though strict in religion formerly, yet were also swept
away by these Ranters. These would also talk with me of their
ways, and condemn me as legal and dark; pretending that they only had
attained to perfection, that could do what they would and not sin.
Oh! these temptations were suitable to my flesh, I being but a young
man and my nature in its prime; but God, who had, as I hoped, designed
me for better things, kept me in the fear of His name, and did not suffer
me to accept such cursed principles. And blessed be God, Who put
it into my heart to cry to Him to be kept and directed, still distrusting
my own wisdom; for I have since seen even the effects of that prayer,
in His preserving me, not only from Ranting errors, but from those also
that have sprung up since. The Bible was precious to me in those
days.
46. And now methought, I began to look into the Bible with new
eyes, and read as I never did before, and especially the epistles of
the apostle St Paul were sweet and pleasant to me; and indeed I was
then never out of the Bible, either by reading or meditation; still
crying out to God, that I might know the truth, and way to heaven and
glory.
47. And as I went on and read, I lighted upon that passage, To
one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another the word
knowledge by the same Spirit; and to another faith, etc.
1 Cor. xii. And though, as I have since seen, that by this scripture
the Holy Ghost intends, in special, things extraordinary, yet on me
it did then fasten with conviction, that I did want things ordinary,
even that understanding and wisdom that other Christians had.
On this word I mused, and could not tell what to do, especially this
word ‘Faith’ put me to it, for I could not help it, but
sometimes must question, whether I had any faith, or no; but I was loath
to conclude, I had no faith; for if I do so, thought I, then I shall
count myself a very cast-away indeed.
48. No, said I, with myself, though I am convinced that I am an
ignorant sot, and that I want those blessed gifts of knowledge and understanding
that other people have; yet at a venture I will conclude, I am not altogether
faithless, though I know not what faith is; for it was shewn me, and
that too (as I have seen since) by Satan, that those who conclude themselves
in a faithless state, have neither rest nor quiet in their souls; and
I was loath to fall quite into despair.
49. Wherefore by this suggestion I was, for a while, made afraid
to see my want of faith; but God would not suffer me thus to undo and
destroy my soul, but did continually, against this my sad and blind
conclusion, create still within me such suppositions, insomuch that
I could not rest content, until I did now come to some certain knowledge,
whether I had faith or no, this always running in my mind, But how
if you want faith indeed? But how can you tell you
have faith? And besides, I saw for certain, if I had not,
I was sure to perish for ever.
50. So that though I endeavoured at the first to look over the
business of Faith, yet in a little time, I better considering the matter,
was willing to put myself upon the trial whether I had faith or no.
But alas, poor wretch! so ignorant and brutish was I, that I knew not
to this day no more how to do it, than I know how to begin and accomplish
that rare and curious piece of art, which I never yet saw or considered.
51. Wherefore while I was thus considering, and being put to my
plunge about it (for you must know, that as yet I had in this matter
broken my mind to no man, only did hear and consider), the tempter came
in with this delusion, That there was no way for me to know I
had faith, but by trying to work some miracle; urging those scriptures
that seem to look that way, for the enforcing and strengthening his
temptation. Nay, one day, as I was between Elstow and Bedford,
the temptation was hot upon me, to try if I had faith, by doing some
miracle; which miracle at this time was this, I must say to the puddles
that were in the horsepads, Be dry; and to the dry places,
Be you puddles: and truly one time I was going to say so indeed;
but just as I was about to speak, this thought came into my mind; But
go under yonder hedge and pray first, that God would make you able.
But when I had concluded to pray, this came hot upon me; That if I prayed,
and came again and tried to do it, and yet did nothing notwithstanding,
then to be sure I had no faith, but was a cast-away, and lost; nay,
thought I, if it be so, I will not try yet, but will stay a little longer.
52. So I continued at a great loss; for I thought, if they only
had faith, which could do so wonderful things, then I concluded, that
for the present I neither had it, nor yet for the time to come, were
ever like to have it. Thus I was tossed betwixt the devil and
my own ignorance, and so perplexed, especially at some times, that I
could not tell what to do.
53. About this time, the state and happiness of these poor people
at Bedford was thus, in a kind of a vision, presented to me,
I saw as if they were on the sunny side of some high mountain, there
refreshing themselves with the pleasant beams of the sun, while I was
shivering and shrinking in the cold, afflicted with frost, snow and
dark clouds: methought also, betwixt me and them, I saw a wall that
did compass about this mountain, now through this wall my soul did greatly
desire to pass; concluding, that if I could, I would even go into the
very midst of them, and there also comfort myself with the heat of their
sun.
54. About this wall I bethought myself, to go again and again,
still prying as I went, to see if I could find some way or passage,
by which I might enter therein: but none could I find for some time:
at the last, I saw, as it were, a narrow gap, like a little door-way
in the wall, through which I attempted to pass: Now the passage being
very strait and narrow, I made many offers to get in, but all in vain,
even until I was well-nigh quite beat out, by striving to get in; at
last, with great striving, methought I at first did get in my head,
and after that, by a sideling striving, my shoulders, and my whole body;
then I was exceeding glad, went and sat down in the midst of them, and
so was comforted with the light and heat of their sun.
55. Now this mountain, and wall, etc., was thus made out to me:
The mountain signified the church of the living God: the sun that shone
thereon, the comfortable shining of His merciful face on them that were
therein; the wall I thought was the word, that did make separation between
the Christians and the world; and the gap which was in the wall, I thought,
was Jesus Christ, Who is the way to God the Father. John xiv.
6; Matt. vii. 14. But forasmuch as the passage was wonderful narrow,
even so narrow that I could not, but with great difficulty, enter in
thereat, it showed me, that none could enter into life, but those that
were in downright earnest, and unless also they left that wicked world
behind them; for here was only room for body and soul, but not for body
and soul and sin.
56. This resemblance abode upon my spirit many days; all which
time I saw myself in a forlorn and sad condition, but yet was provoked
to a vehement hunger and desire to be one of that number that did sit
in the sunshine: Now also I should pray wherever I was: whether at home
or abroad; in house or field; and would also often, with lifting up
of heart, sing that of the fifty-first Psalm, O Lord, consider my
distress; for as yet I knew not where I was.
57. Neither as yet could I attain to any comfortable persuasion
that I had faith in Christ; but instead of having satisfaction here,
I began to find my soul to be assaulted with fresh doubts about my future
happiness; especially with such as these, whether I was elected?
But how, if the day of grace should now be past and gone?
58. By these two temptations I was very much afflicted and disquieted;
sometimes by one, and sometimes by the other of them. And first,
to speak of that about my questioning my election, I found at this time,
that though I was in a flame to find the way to heaven and glory, and
though nothing could beat me off from this, yet this question did so
offend and discourage me, that I was, especially sometimes, as if the
very strength of my body also had been taken away by the force and power
thereof. This scripture did also seem to me to trample upon all
my desires; It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth;
but of God that showeth mercy. Rom. ix. 16.
59. With this scripture I could not tell what to do: for I evidently
saw, unless that the great God, of His infinite grace and bounty, had
voluntarily chosen me to be a vessel of mercy, though I should desire,
and long, and labour until my heart did break, no good could come of
it. Therefore this would stick with me, How can you tell that
you are elected? And what if you should not?
How then?
60. O Lord, thought I, what if I should not indeed? It may
be you are not, said the Tempter; it may be so indeed, thought I.
Why then, said Satan, you had as good leave off, and strive no farther;
for if indeed, you should not be elected and chosen of God, there is
no talk of your being saved; For it is not of him that willeth, nor
of him that runneth; but of God that showeth mercy.
61. By these things I was driven to my wits’ end, not
knowing what to say, or how to answer these temptations: (indeed, I
little thought that Satan had thus assaulted me, but that rather it
was my own prudence thus to start the question): for that the elect
only attained eternal life; that, I without scruple did heartily close
withal; but that myself was one of them, there lay the question.
62. Thus therefore, for several days, I was greatly assaulted
and perplexed, and was often, when I have been walking, ready to sink
where I went, with faintness in my mind; but one day, after I had been
so many weeks oppressed and cast down therewith as I was now quite giving
up the ghost of all my hopes of ever attaining life, that sentence fell
with weight upon my spirit, Look at the generations of old,
and see; did ever any trust in God, and were confounded?
63. At which I was greatly lightened, and encouraged in my soul;
for thus, at that very instant, it was expounded to me: Begin at
the beginning of Genesis, and read to the end of the Revelations, and
see if you can find, that there were ever any that trusted in
the Lord, and were confounded. So coming home, I presently
went to my Bible, to see if I could find that saying, not doubting but
to find it presently; for it was so fresh, and with such strength and
comfort on my spirit, that it was as if it talked with me.
64. Well, I looked, but I found it not; only it abode upon me:
Then did I ask first this good man, and then another, if they knew where
it was, but they knew no such place. At this I wondered, that
such a sentence should so suddenly, and with such comfort and strength,
seize, and abide upon my heart; and yet that none could find it (for
I doubted not but that it was in holy scripture).
65. Thus I continued above a year, and could not find the place;
but at last, casting my eye upon the Apocrypha books, I found
it in Ecclesiasticus, Eccles. ii. 10. This, at the first,
did somewhat daunt me; but because by this time I had got more experience
of the love and kindness of God, it troubled me the less, especially
when I considered that though it was not in those texts that we call
holy and canonical; yet forasmuch as this sentence was the sum and substance
of many of the promises, it was my duty to take the comfort of it; and
I bless God for that word, for it was of God to me: that word doth still
at times shine before my face.
66. After this, that other doubt did come with strength upon me,
But how if the day of grace should be past and gone?
How if you have overstood the time of mercy? Now I remember that
one day, as I was walking in the country, I was much in the thoughts
of this, But how if the day of grace is past? And
to aggravate my trouble, the Tempter presented to my mind those good
people of Bedford, and suggested thus unto me, that these being
converted already, they were all that God would save in those parts;
and that I came too late, for these had got the blessing before I came.
67. Now I was in great distress, thinking in very deed that this
might well be so; wherefore I went up and down, bemoaning my sad condition;
counting myself far worse than a thousand fools for standing off thus
long, and spending so many years in sin as I had done; still crying
out, Oh! that I had turned sooner! Oh! that I had turned seven
years ago! It made me also angry with myself, to think that I
should have no more wit, but to trifle away my time, till my soul and
heaven were lost.
68. But when I had been long vexed with this fear, and was scarce
able to take one step more, just about the same place where I received
my other encouragement, these words broke in upon my mind, Compel
them to come in, that my house may be filled; and yet
there is room. Luke xiv. 22, 23. These words,
but especially those, And yet there is room, were sweet words
to me; for truly I thought that by them I saw there was place enough
in heaven for me; and moreover, that when the Lord Jesus did speak these
words, He then did think of me: and that He knowing that the time would
come, that I should be afflicted with fear, that there was no place
left for me in His bosom, did before speak this word, and leave it upon
record, that I might find help thereby against this vile temptation.
This I then verily believed.
69. In the light and encouragement of this word I went a pretty
while; and the comfort was the more, when I thought that the Lord Jesus
should think on me so long ago, and that He should speak those words
on purpose for my sake; for I did think verily, that He did on purpose
speak them to encourage me withal.
70. But I was not without my temptations to go back again; temptations
I say, both from Satan, mine own heart, and carnal acquaintance; but
I thank God these were outweighed by that sound sense of death, and
of the day of judgment, which abode, as it were, continually in my view:
I would often also think on Nebuchadnezzar; of whom it is said,
He had given him all the kingdoms of the earth.
Dan. v. 18, 19. Yet, thought I, if this great man had all his
portion in this world, one hour in hell-fire would make him forget all.
Which consideration was a great help to me.
71. I was also made, about this time, to see something concerning
the beasts that Moses counted clean and unclean: I thought those
beasts were types of men; the clean, types of them that were
the people of God; but the unclean, types of such as were the
children of the wicked one. Now I read, that the clean beasts
chewed the cud; that is, thought I, they show us, we must feed
upon the word of God: they also parted the hoof. I thought
that signified, we must part, if we would be saved, with the ways of
ungodly men. And also, in further reading about them, I found,
that though we did chew the cud, as the hare; yet if we walked
with claws, like a dog; or if we did part the hoof, like the swine,
yet if we did not chew the cud, as the sheep, we were still, for all
that, but unclean: for I thought the hare to be a type of those
that talk of the word, yet walk in the ways of sin; and that the swine
was like him that parted with his outward pollutions, but still wanteth
the word of faith, without which there could be no way of salvation,
let a man be never so devout. Deut. xiv. After this, I found
by reading the word, that those that must be glorified with Christ in
another world must be called by Him here; called to the partaking
of a share in His word and righteousness, and to the comforts and first-fruits
of His Spirit; and to a peculiar interest in all those heavenly things,
which do indeed prepare the soul for that rest, and house of glory,
which is in heaven above.
72. Here again I was at a very I great stand, not knowing what
to do, fearing I was not called; for, thought I, if I be not called,
what then can do me good? None but those who are effectually called
inherit the kingdom of heaven. But oh! how I now loved those words
that spake of a Christian’s calling! as when the Lord said
to one, Follow Me; and to another, Come after Me: and
oh, thought I, that He would say so to me too: how gladly would I run
after Him!
73. I cannot now express with what longings and breathings in
my soul, I cried to Christ to call me. Thus I continued for a
time, all on a flame to be converted to Jesus Christ; and did also see
at that day, such glory in a converted state, that I could not be contented
without a share therein. Gold! could it have been gotten for gold,
what would I have given for it? Had I had a whole world, it had
all gone ten thousand times over for this, that my soul might have been
in a converted state.
74. How lovely now was every one in my eyes, that I thought to
be converted men and women. They shone, they walked like a people
that carried the broad seal of heaven about them. Oh! I saw the
lot was fallen to them in pleasant places, and they had a goodly heritage.
Psalm xvi. But that which made me sick, was that of Christ, in
St Mark, He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him
whom He would, and they came unto Him. Mark iii. 13.
75. This scripture made me faint and fear, yet it kindled fire
in my soul. That which made me fear, was this; lest Christ should
have no liking to me, for He called whom He would. But
oh! the glory that I saw in that condition, did still so engage my heart,
that I could seldom read of any that Christ did call, but I presently
wished, Would I had been in their clothes, would I
had been born Peter; would I had been born John; or, would I
had been by and had heard Him when He called them, how would
I have cried, O Lord, call me also! But, oh!
I feared He would not call me.
76. And truly, the Lord let me go thus many months together,
and shewed me nothing; either that I was already, or should be called
hereafter: but at last after much time spent, and many groans to God,
that I might be made partaker of the holy and heavenly calling; that
word came in upon me: I will cleanse their blood, that I have not
cleansed, for the Lord dwelleth in Zion. Joel iii.
21. These words I thought were sent to encourage me to wait still
upon God; and signified unto me, that if I were not already, yet time
might come, I might be in truth converted unto Christ.
77. About this time I began to break my mind to those poor people
in Bedford, and to tell them my condition; which when they had
heard, they told Mr Gifford of me, who himself also took occasion to
talk with me, and was willing to be well persuaded of me, though I think
from little grounds: but he invited me to his house, where I should
hear him confer with others, about the dealings of God with their souls;
from all which I still received more conviction, and from that time
began to see something of the vanity and inward wretchedness of my wicked
heart; for as yet I knew no great matter therein; but now it began to
be discovered unto me, and also to work at that rate as it never did
before. Now I evidently found, that lusts and corruptions put
forth themselves within me, in wicked thoughts and desires, which I
did not regard before; my desires also for heaven and life began to
fail; I found also, that whereas before my soul was full of longing
after God, now it began to hanker after every foolish vanity; yea, my
heart would not be moved to mind that which was good; it began to be
careless, both of my soul and heaven; it would now continually hang
back, both to, and in every duty; and was as a clog on the leg of a
bird, to hinder me from flying.
78. Nay, thought I, now I grow worse and worse: now I am farther
from conversion than ever I was before. Wherefore I began to sink
greatly in my soul, and began to entertain such discouragement in my
heart, as laid me as low as hell. If now I should have burned
at the stake, I could not believe that Christ had love for me: alas!
I could neither hear Him, nor see Him, nor feel Him, nor favour any
of His things; I was driven as with a tempest, my heart would be unclean,
and the Canaanites would dwell in the land.
79. Sometimes I would tell my condition to the people of God;
which, when they heard, they would pity me, and would tell me of the
promises; but they had as good have told me, that I must reach the sun
with my finger, as have bidden me receive or rely upon the promises:
and as soon I should have done it. All my sense and feeling were
against me; and I saw I had an heart that would sin, and that lay under
a law that would condemn.
80. These things have often made me think of the child which the
father brought to Christ, who, while he was yet coming to
Him, was thrown down by the devil, and also so rent and torn
by him, that he lay down and wallowed, foaming. Luke
ix. 42; Mark ix. 20.
81. Further, in these days, I would find my heart to shut itself
up against the Lord, and against His holy word: I have found my unbelief
to set, as it were, the shoulder to the door, to keep Him out; and that
too even then, when I have with many a bitter sigh, cried, Good Lord,
break it open: Lord, break these gates of brass, and cut these
bars of iron asunder. Psalm cvii. 16. Yet that
word would sometimes create in my heart a peaceable pause, I girded
thee, though thou hast not known Me. Isaiah xlv. 5.
82. But all this while, as to the act of sinning, I was never
more tender than now: my hinder parts were inward: I durst not take
a pin or stick, though but so big as a straw; for my conscience now
was sore, and would smart at every touch: I could not now tell how to
speak my words, for fear I should misplace them. Oh, how gingerly
did I then go, in all I did or said! I found myself as on a miry
bog, that shook if I did but stir, and was, as there, left both of God
and Christ, and the Spirit, and all good things.
83. But I observed, though I was such a great sinner before conversion,
yet God never much charged the guilt of the sins of my ignorance upon
me; only He showed me, I was lost if I had not Christ, because I had
been a sinner: I saw that I wanted a perfect righteousness to present
me without fault before God, and this righteousness was no where to
be found, but in the Person of Jesus Christ.
84. But my original and inward pollution; That, that was my plague
and affliction, that I saw at a dreadful rate, always putting forth
itself within me; that I had the guilt of, to amazement; by reason of
that, I was more loathsome in mine own eyes than was a toad, and I thought
I was so in God’s eyes too: Sin and corruption, I said, would
as naturally bubble out of my heart, as water would bubble out of a
fountain: I thought now, that every one had a better heart than I had;
I could have changed heart with any body; I thought none but the devil
himself could equalise me for inward wickedness and pollution of mind.
I fell therefore at the sight of my own vileness deeply into despair;
for I concluded, that this condition that I was in, could not stand
with a state of grace. Sure, thought I, I am forsaken of God;
sure, I am given up to the devil, and to a reprobate mind: and thus
I continued a long while, even for some years together.
85. While I was thus afflicted with the fears of my own damnation,
there were two things would make me wonder; the one was, when I saw
old people hunting after the things of this life, as if they should
live here always: the other was, when I found professors much distressed
and cast down, when they met with outward losses; as of husband, wife,
child, etc. Lord, thought I, what a-do is here about such little
things as these! What seeking after carnal things, by some, and
what grief in others for the loss of them! if they so much labour after,
and shed so many tears for the things of this present life, how am I
to be bemoaned, pitied, and prayed for! My soul is dying, my soul
is damning. Were my soul but in a good condition, and were I but
sure of it, ah! how rich should I esteem myself, though blessed but
with bread and water! I should count those but small afflictions,
and should bear them as little burthens. A wounded spirit who
can bear!
86. And though I was much troubled, and tossed, and afflicted, with
the sight and sense and terror of my own wickedness, yet I was afraid
to let this sight and sense go quite off my mind: that unless guilt
of conscience was taken off the right way, that is, by the blood of
Christ a man grew rather worse for the loss of his trouble of mind,
than better. Wherefore, if my guilt lay hard upon me, then I should
cry that the blood of Christ might take it off: and if it was going
off without it (for the sense of sin would be sometimes as if it would
die, and go quite away), then I would also strive to fetch it upon my
heart again, by bringing the punishment of sin in hell fire upon my
spirit; and should cry, Lord, let it not go off my heart,
but the right way, by the blood of Christ, and the application
of Thy mercy, through Him, to my soul, for that scripture lay much
upon me, without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb. ix. 22. And that which made me the more afraid of this, was,
because I had seen some, who though when they were under wounds of conscience,
would cry and pray; yet seeking rather present ease from their trouble,
than pardon for their sin, cared not how they lost their guilt, so they
got it out of their mind: now, having got it off the wrong way, it was
not sanctified unto them; but they grew harder and blinder, and more
wicked after their trouble. This made me afraid, and made me cry
to God the more, that it might not be so with me.
87. And now I was sorry that God had made me man, for I feared
I was a reprobate; I counted man as unconverted, the most doleful of
all the creatures. Thus being afflicted and tossed about my sad
condition, I counted myself alone, and above the most of men unblessed.
88. Yea, I thought it impossible that ever I should attain to
so much goodness of heart, as to thank God that He had made me a man.
Man indeed is the most noble by creation, of all creatures in the visible
world; but by sin he has made himself the most ignoble. The beasts,
birds, fishes, etc. I blessed their condition; for they had not
a sinful nature; they were not obnoxious to the wrath of God; they were
not to go to hell-fire after death; I could therefore have rejoiced,
had my condition been as any of theirs.
89. In this condition I went a great while, but when comforting
time was come, I heard one preach a sermon on these words in the song,
Song iv. 1, Behold, thou art fair, my love, behold, thou art fair.
But at that time he made these two words, my love, his chief
and subject matter: from which, after he had a little opened the text,
he observed these several conclusions: 1. That the church, and so
every saved soul, is Christ’s love, when loveless.
2. Christ’s love without a cause. 3. Christ’s
love, when hated of the world. 4. Christ’s love,
when under temptation and under destruction. 5. Christ’s
love, from first to last.
90. But I got nothing by what he said at present; only when
he came to the application of the fourth particular, this was the word
he said; If it be so, that the saved soul is Christ’s
love, when under temptation and desertion; then poor tempted
soul, when thou art assaulted, and afflicted with temptations,
and the hidings of God’s face, yet think on these two words,
‘My love,’ still.
91. So as I was going home, these words came again into my
thoughts; and I well remember, as they came in, I said thus in my heart,
What shall I get by thinking on these two words? This thought
had no sooner passed through my heart, but these words began thus to
kindle in my spirit, Thou art My Love, thou art My Dove,
twenty times together; and still as they ran in my mind, they waxed
stronger and warmer, and began to make me look up; but being as yet,
between hope and fear, I still replied in my heart, But is it true,
but is it true? At which that sentence fell upon me,
He wist not that it was true, which was done by the Angel.
Acts xii. 9.
92. Then I began to give place to the word which with power, did
over and over make this joyful sound within my soul, ‘Thou
art my Love, thou art My Love, and nothing shall separate thee from
My Love. And with that my heart was filled full of comfort
and hope, and now I could believe that my sins should be forgiven me;
yea, I was now so taken with the love and mercy of God, that I remember
I could not tell how to contain till I got home: I thought I could have
spoken of His love, and have told of His mercy to me, even to the very
crows, that sat upon the ploughed lands before me, had they been capable
to have understood me: wherefore I said in my soul, with much gladness,
Well, I would I had a pen and ink here, I would write this
down before I go any farther; for surely I will not forget
this forty years hence. But, alas! within less than forty
days I began to question all again; which made me begin to question
all still.
93. Yet still at times I was helped to believe, that it was a
true manifestation of grace unto my soul, though I had lost much of
the life and favour of it. Now about a week or a fortnight after
this I was much followed by this scripture, Simon, Simon;
behold, Satan hath desired to have you, Luke xxii. 31, and sometimes
it would sound so loud within me, yea, and as it was, call so strongly
after me, that once, above all the rest, I turned my head over my shoulder,
thinking verily that some man had behind me, called me; being at a great
distance, methought he called so loud: it came, as I have thought since,
to have stirred me up to prayer, and to watchfulness: it came to acquaint
me, that a cloud and a storm was coming down upon me: but I understood
it not.
94. Also, as I remember, that time that it called to me so loud,
was the last time that it sounded in mine ears; but me thinks I hear
still with what a loud voice these words, Simon, Simon, sounded
in mine ears. I thought verily, as I have told you, that somebody
had called after me, that was half a mile behind me: and although that
was not my name, yet it made me suddenly look behind me, believing that
he that called so loud, meant me.
95. But so foolish was I, and ignorant, that I knew not the reason
of this sound; (which as I did both see and feel soon after, was sent
from heaven as an alarm, to awaken me to provide for what was coming,)
only I should muse and wonder in my mind, to think what should be the
reason of this scripture, and that at this rate, so often and so loud,
should still be sounding and rattling in mine ears: but, as I said before,
I soon after perceived the end of God therein.
96. For, about the space of a month after, a very great storm
came down upon me, which handled me twenty times worse than all I had
met with before; it came stealing upon me, now by one piece, then by
another: First, all my comfort was taken from me; then darkness seized
upon me; after which, whole floods of blasphemies, both against God,
Christ, and the scriptures, were poured upon my spirit, to my great
confusion and astonishment. These blasphemous thoughts were such
as stirred up questions in me against the very being of God, and of
His only beloved Son: As, whether there were in truth, a God or Christ?
And whether the holy scriptures were not rather a fable, and cunning
story, than the holy and pure word of God?
97. The tempter would also much assault me with this, How can
you tell but that the Turks had as good scriptures to prove their
Mahomet the Saviour, as we have to prove our Jesus is?
And, could I think, that so many ten thousands, in so many
countries and kingdoms, should be without the knowledge of the
right way to heaven, (if there were indeed a heaven); and that
we only, who live in a corner of the earth, should alone be blessed
therewith? Every one doth think his own religion
rightest, both Jews and Moors, and Pagans; and
how if all our faith, and Christ, and scriptures, should be but
a think so too?
98. Sometimes I have endeavoured to argue against these suggestions,
and to set some of the sentences of blessed Paul against them;
but alas! I quickly felt, when I thus did, such arguings as these would
return again upon me, Though we made so great a matter of
Paul, and of his words, yet how could I tell, but that in very
deed, he being a subtle and cunning man, might give himself up
to deceive with strong delusions: and also take the pains and
travel, to undo and destroy his fellows.
99. These suggestions, (with many others which at this time
I may not, and dare not utter, neither by word or pen,) did make such
a seizure upon my spirit, and did so overweigh my heart, both with their
number, continuance, and fiery force, that I felt as if there were nothing
else but these from morning to night within me; and as though indeed
there could be room for nothing else; and also concluded, that God had,
in very wrath to my soul, given me up to them, to be carried away with
them, as with a mighty whirlwind.
100. Only by the distaste that they gave unto my spirit, I
felt there was something in me that refused to embrace them.
But this consideration I then only had, when God gave me leave to swallow
my spittle; otherwise the noise, and strength, and force of these temptations
would drown and overflow, and as it were, bury all such thoughts, or
the remembrance of any such thing. While I was in this temptation,
I often found my mind suddenly put upon it to curse and swear, or to
speak some grievous thing against God, or Christ His Son, and of the
scriptures.
101. Now I thought, surely I am possessed of the devil:
at other times, again, I thought I should be bereft of my wits; for
instead of lauding and magnifying God the Lord, with others, if I have
but heard Him spoken of, presently some most horrible blasphemous thought
or other would bolt out of my heart against Him; so that whether I did
think that God was, or again did think there was no such thing, no love,
nor peace, nor gracious disposition could I feel within me.
102. These things did sink me into very deep despair; for I concluded
that such things could not possibly be found amongst them that loved
God. I often, when these temptations had been with force upon
me, did compare myself to the case of such a child, whom some gipsy
hath by force took up in her arms, and is carrying from friend and country.
Kick sometimes I did, and also shriek and cry; but yet I was bound in
the wings of the temptation, and the wind would carry me away.
I thought also of Saul, and of the evil spirit that did possess him:
and did greatly fear that my condition was the same with that of his.
1 Sam. x.
103. In these days, when I have heard others talk of what was
the sin against the Holy Ghost, then would the tempter so provoke me
to desire to sin that against sin, that I was as if I could not, must
not, neither should be quiet until I had committed it; now no sin would
serve but that. If it were to be committed by speaking of such
a word, then I have been as if my mouth would have spoken that word,
whether I would or no; and in so strong a measure was this temptation
upon me, that often I have been ready to clap my hand under my chin,
to hold my mouth from opening; and to that end also, I have had thoughts
at other times, to leap with my head downward, into some muckhill-hole
or other, to keep my mouth from speaking.
104. Now again I beheld the condition of the dog and toad, and
counted the estate of every thing that God had made, far better than
this dreadful state of mine, and such as my companions were. Yea,
gladly would I have been in the condition of a dog or horse: for I knew
they had no souls to perish under the everlasting weight of hell, or
sin, as mine was like to do. Nay, and though I saw this, felt
this, and was broken to pieces with it; yet that which added to my sorrow
was, I could not find, that with all my soul I did desire deliverance.
That scripture did also tear and rend my soul in the midst of these
distractions, The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it
cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There
is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Isa. lvii.
20, 21.
105. And now my heart was, at times, exceeding hard; if I would
have given a thousand pounds for a tear, I could not shed one: no nor
sometimes scarce desire to shed one. I was much dejected, to think
that this would be my lot. I saw some could mourn and lament their
sin; and others again, could rejoice and bless God for Christ; and others
again, could quietly talk of, and with gladness remember the word of
God; while I only was in the storm or tempest. This much sunk
me, I thought my condition was alone, I should therefore much bewail
my hard hap, but get out of, or get rid of these things, I could not.
106. While this temptation lasted, which was about a year, I could
attend upon none of the ordinances of God, but with sore and great affliction.
Yea, then I was most distressed with blasphemies. If I had been
hearing the word, then uncleanness, blasphemies and despair would hold
me a captive there: if I have been reading, then sometimes I had sudden
thoughts to question all I read: sometimes again, my mind would be so
strangely snatched away, and possessed with other things, that I have
neither known, nor regarded, nor remembered so much as the sentence
that but now I have read.
107. In prayer also I have been greatly troubled at this time;
sometimes I have thought I have felt him behind me pulling my clothes:
he would be also continually at me in time of prayer, to have done,
break off, make haste, you have prayed enough, and stay no longer; still
drawing my mind away. Sometimes also he would cast in such wicked
thoughts as these; that I must pray to him, or for him: I have thought
sometimes of that, Fall down; or, if thou wilt fall down
and worship me. Matt. iii. 9.
108. Also, when because I have had wandering thoughts in the time
of this duty, I have laboured to compose my mind, and fix it upon God;
then with great force hath the tempter laboured to distract me, and
confound me, and to turn away my mind, by presenting to my heart and
fancy, the form of a bush, a bull, a besom, or the like, as if I should
pray to these: To these he would also (at sometimes especially) so hold
my mind, that I was as if I could think of nothing else, or pray to
nothing else but to these, or such as they.
109. Yet at times I should have some strong and heart-affecting
apprehensions of God, and the reality of the truth of His gospel.
But, oh! how would my heart, at such times, put forth itself with unexpressible
groanings. My whole soul was then in every word; I should cry
with pangs after God, that He would be merciful unto me; but then I
should be daunted again with such conceits as these: I should think
that God did mock at these my prayers, saying, and that in the audience
of the holy angels, This poor simple wretch doth hanker after Me,
as if I had nothing to do with My mercy, but to bestow it on
such as he. Alas, poor soul! how art thou deceived!
It is not for such as thee to have favour with the Highest.
110. Then hath the tempter come upon me, also, with such discouragements
as these: You are very hot for mercy, but I will cool you; this frame
shall not last always: many have been as hot as you for a spurt, but
I have quenched their zeal (and with this, such and such, who were
fallen off, would be set before mine eyes). Then I should be afraid
that I should do so too: But, thought I, I am glad this comes into my
mind: well, I will watch, and take what care I can. Though
you do, said Satan, I shall be too hard for you; I will
cool you insensibly, by degrees, by little and little.
What care I, saith he, though I be seven years in chilling
your heart, if I can do it at last? Continual rocking
will lull a crying child asleep: I will ply it close, but I will
have my end accomplished. Though you be burning hot at present,
I can pull you from this fire; I shall have you cold before it
be long.
111. These things brought me into great straits; for as I
at present could not find myself fit for present death, so I thought,
to live long, would make me yet more unfit; for time would make me forget
all, and wear even the remembrance of the evil of sin, the worth of
heaven, and the need I had of the blood of Christ to wash me, both out
of mind and thought: but I thank Christ Jesus, these things did not
at present make me slack my crying, but rather did put me more upon
it (like her who met with adulterer, Deut. xxii. 26), in which
days that was a good word to me, after I had suffered these things a
while:- I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, etc.,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. viii. 38, 39. And now
I hoped long life would not destroy me, nor make me miss of heaven.
112. Yet I had some supports in this temptation, though they were
then all questioned by me; that in Jer. iii. at the first was
something to me; and so was the consideration of verse 5 of that chapter;
that though we have spoken and done as evil things as we could, yet
we should cry unto God, My Father, Thou art the Guide of my youth,
and shall return unto Him.
113. I had, also, once a sweet glance from that in 2 Cor. v. 21:
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin, that we
might be made the righteousness of God in Him. I
remember that one day, as I was sitting in a neighbour’s house,
and there very sad at the consideration of my many blasphemies; and
as I was saying in my mind, What ground have I to say that, who
have been so vile and abominable, should ever inherit eternal
life? That word came suddenly upon me, What shall we say
to these things? If God be for us, who can be against
us? Rom. viii. 31. That also was an help unto me, Because
I live, ye shall live also. John xiv. 19. But
these words were but hints, touches, and short visits, though very sweet
when present; only they lasted not; but, like to Peter’s
sheet, of a sudden were caught up from me, to heaven again.
Acts x. 16.
114. But afterwards the Lord did more fully and graciously discover
Himself unto me, and indeed, did quite, not only deliver me from the
guilt that, by these things was laid upon my conscience, but also from
the very filth thereof; for the temptation was removed, and I was put
into my right mind again, as other Christians were.
115. I remember that one day, as I was travelling into the country,
and musing on the wickedness and blasphemy of my heart, and considering
the enmity that was in me to God, that scripture came into my mind,
Having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Col. i. 20. By which I was made to see, both again and again,
that God and my soul were friends by His blood; yea, I saw that the
justice of God, and my sinful soul could embrace and kiss each other,
through His blood. This was a good day to me; I hope I shall never
forget it.
116. At another time, as I sat by the fire in my house, and was
musing on my wretchedness, the Lord made that also a precious word unto
me, Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh
and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that
through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that
is the devil; and deliver those who through fear of death, were all
their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb. ii. 14, 15.
I thought that the glory of these words was then so weighty on me, that
I was both once and twice ready to swoon as I sate; yet not with grief
and trouble, but with solid joy and peace.
117. At this time also I sate under of holy Mr Gifford,
whose doctrine, by God’s grace, was much for my stability.
This man made it much his business to deliver the people of God from
all those false and unsound tests, that by nature we are prone to.
He would bid us take special heed, that we took not up any truth upon
trust; as from this, or that, or any other man or men; but to cry mightily
to God, that He would convince us of the reality thereof, and set us
down therein by His own Spirit in the holy word; For, said he,
if you do otherwise, when temptations come, if strongly, you
not having received them with evidence from heaven, will find
you want that help and strength now to resist, that once you
thought you had.
118. This was as seasonable to my soul, as the former and
latter rains in their season (for I had found, and that by sad experience,
the truth of these his words: for I had felt no man can say,
especially when tempted by the devil, that Jesus Christ is Lord,
but by the Holy Ghost). Wherefore I found my soul,
through grace, very apt to drink in this doctrine, and to incline to
pray to God, that in nothing that pertained to God’s glory, and
my own eternal happiness, He would suffer me to be without the confirmation
thereof from heaven; for now I saw clearly, there was an exceeding difference
betwixt the notion of the flesh and blood, and the revelations of God
in heaven: also a great difference betwixt that faith that is feigned,
and according to man’s wisdom, and that which comes by a man’s
being born thereto of God. Matt. xvi. 15; 1 John v. 1.
119. But, oh! now, how was my soul led from truth to truth by
God! Even from the birth and cradle of the Son of God, to His
accession, and second coming from heaven to judge the world!
120. Truly, I then found, upon this account, the great God was
very good unto me; for, to my remembrance, there was not any thing that
I then cried unto God to make known, and reveal unto me, but He was
pleased to do it for me; I mean, not one part of the gospel of the Lord
Jesus, but I was orderly led into it: methought I saw with great evidence,
from the relation of the four evangelists, the wonderful work of God,
in giving Jesus Christ to save us, from His conception and birth, even
to His second coming to judgment: methought I was as if I had seen Him
born, as if I had seen Him grow up; as if I had seen Him walk through
this world, from the cradle to the cross; to which also, when He came,
I saw how gently He gave Himself to be hanged, and nailed on it for
my sins and wicked doings. Also as I was musing on this His progress,
that dropped on my spirit, He was ordained for the slaughter.
1 Peter i. 12, 20.
121. When I have considered also the truth of His resurrection,
and have remembered that word, Touch Me not, Mary, etc., I have
seen as if He had leaped out of the grave’s mouth, for joy that
He was risen again, and had got the conquest over our dreadful foes.
John xx. 17. I have also in the spirit, seen Him a man, on the
right hand of God the Father for me; and have seen the manner of His
coming from heaven, to judge the world with glory, and have been confirmed
in these things by these scriptures following, Acts i. 9, 10, and vii.
56, and x. 42; Heb. vii. 24 and ix. 28; Rev. i. 18; 1 Thess. iv. 17,
18.
112. Once I was troubled to know whether the Lord Jesus was man
as well as God, and God as well as man: and truly, in those days, let
men say what they would, unless I had it with evidence from heaven,
all was nothing to me; I counted myself not set down in any truth of
God. Well, I was much troubled about this point, and could not
tell how to be resolved; at last, that in Rev. v. 6 came into my mind:
And I beheld, and, to, in the midst of the throne, and of
the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb,
as it had been slain. In the midst of the throne, thought
I, there is the Godhead; in the midst of the elders, there is His manhood;
but, oh! methought this did glister! It was a goodly touch, and
gave me sweet satisfaction. That other scripture also did help
me much in this, For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall
be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting
Father, the Prince of Peace, etc. Isa. ix. 6.
123. Also besides these teachings of God in His word, the Lord
made use of two things to confirm me in this truth; the one was the
errors of the Quakers and the other was the guilt of sin; for as the
Quakers did oppose this truth, so God did the more confirm me in it,
by leading me into the scripture that did wonderfully maintain it.
124. The errors that this people then maintained, were:-
‘1. That the holy scriptures were not the word of God.
‘2. That every man in the world had the spirit of Christ,
grace, faith, etc.
‘3. That Christ Jesus, as crucified, and dying sixteen hundred
years ago, did not satisfy divine justice for the sins of the people.
‘4. That Christ’s flesh and blood were within the
saints.
‘5. That the bodies of the good and bad that are buried
in the church-yard, shall not arise again.
‘6. That the resurrection is past with good men already.
‘7. That that man Jesus, that was crucified between two
thieves, on mount Calvary, in the land of Canaan, by Jerusalem,
was not ascended above the starry heavens.
‘8. That He should not, even the same Jesus that died by
the hands of the Jews, come again at the last day; and as man, judge
all nations,’ etc.
125. Many more vile and abominable things were in those days fomented
by them, by which I was driven to a more narrow search of the scriptures,
and was through their light and testimony, not only enlightened, but
greatly confirmed and comforted in the truth: And, as I said, the guilt
of sin did help me much; for still as that would come upon me, the blood
of Christ did take it off again, and again, and again; and that too
sweetly, according to the scripture. O friends! cry to God
to reveal Jesus Christ unto you; there is none teacheth like
Him.
126. It would be too long here to stay, to tell you in particular,
how God did set me down in all the things of Christ, and how He did,
that He might so do, lead me into His words; yea, and also how He did
open them unto me, and make them shine before me, and cause them to
dwell with me, talk with me, and comfort me over and over, both of His
own being, and the being of His Son, and Spirit, and word, and gospel.
127. Only this, as I said before, I will say unto you again, that
in general, He was pleased to take this course with me; first, to suffer
me to be afflicted with temptations concerning them, and then reveal
them unto me; as sometimes I should lie under great guilt for sin, even
crushed to the ground therewith; and then the Lord would show me the
death of Christ; yea, so sprinkle my conscience with His blood, that
I should find, and that before I was aware, that in that conscience,
where but just now did reign and rage the law, even there would rest
and abide the peace and love of God, through Christ.
128. Now I had an evidence, as I thought, of my salvation, from
heaven, with many golden seals thereon, all hanging in my sight.
Now could I remember this manifestation, and the other discovery of
grace, with comfort; and should often long and desire that the last
day were come, that I might be for ever inflamed with the sight, and
joy, and communion of Him, Whose head was crowned with thorns, Whose
face was spit upon, and body broken, and soul made an offering for my
sins. For whereas before I lay continually trembling at the mouth
of hell, now methought I was got so far therefrom, that I could not,
when I looked back, scarce discern it! And oh! thought I, that
I were fourscore years old now, that I might die quickly, that my soul
might be gone to rest.
129. But before I had got thus far out of these my temptations,
I did greatly long to see some ancient godly man’s experience,
who had writ some hundreds of years before I was born; for those who
had writ in our days, I thought (but I desire them now to pardon me)
that they had writ only that which others felt; or else had, through
the strength of their wits and parts, studied to answer such objections
as they perceived others were perplexed with, without going down themselves
into the deep. Well, after many such longings in my mind, the
God, in Whose hands are all our days and ways, did cast into my hand
(one day) a book of Martin Luther’s; it was his Comment
on the Galatians; it also was so old, that it was ready to fall
piece from piece if I did but turn it over. Now I was pleased
much that such an old book had fallen into my hand, the which when I
had but a little way perused, I found my condition in his experience
so largely and profoundly handled, as if his book had been written out
of my heart. This made me marvel: for thus thought I, This
man could not know any thing of the state of Christians now,
but must needs write and speak the experience of former days.
130. Besides, he doth most gravely also in that book, debate
of the rise of these temptations, namely, blasphemy, desperation, and
the like; showing that the law of Moses, as well as the devil,
death, and hell, hath a very great hand therein: the which, at first,
was very strange to me; but considering and watching, I found it so
indeed. But of particulars here, I intend nothing; only this methinks
I must let fall before all men - I do prefer this book of Martin
Luther upon the Galatians (excepting the Holy Bible) before
all the books that ever I had seen, as most fit for a wounded conscience.
131. And now I found, as I thought, that I loved Christ dearly:
Oh! methought my soul cleaved unto Him, my affections cleaved unto Him;
I felt love to Him as hot as fire; and now, as Job said, I
thought I should die in my nest; but I did quickly find,
that my great love was but little; and that I, who had, as I thought,
such burning love to Jesus Christ, could let Him go again for a very
trifle, - God can tell how to abase us, and can hide pride from man.
Quickly after this my love was tried to purpose.
132. For after the Lord had, in this manner, thus graciously delivered
me from this great and sore temptation, and had set me down so sweetly
in the faith of His holy gospel, and had given me such strong consolation
and blessed evidence from heaven, touching my interest in His love through
Christ; the tempter came upon me again, and that with a more grievous
and dreadful temptation than before.
133. And that was, To sell and part with this most blessed Christ,
to exchange Him for the things of this life, for any thing.
The temptation lay upon me for the space of a year, and did follow me
so continually, that I was not rid of it one day in a month: no, not
sometimes one hour in many days together, unless when I was asleep.
134. And though, in my judgment, I was persuaded, that those who
were once effectually in Christ (as I hoped, through His grace, I had
seen myself) could never lose Him for ever; The land shall
not be sold for ever, for the land is mine, saith God. Lev.
xxv. 23. Yet it was a continual vexation to me, to think that
I should have so much as one such thought within me against a Christ,
a Jesus, that had done for me as He had done; and yet then I had almost
none others, but such blasphemous ones.
135. But it was neither my dislike of the thought, nor yet any
desire and endeavour to resist, that in the least did shake or abate
the continuation or force and strength thereof; for it did always, in
almost whatever I thought, intermix itself therewith, in such sort,
that I could neither eat my food, stoop for a pin, chop a stick, or
cast mine eye to look on this or that, but still the temptation would
come, Sell Christ for this, or sell Christ for that; sell Him,
sell Him.
136. Sometimes it would run in my thoughts, not so little
as a hundred times together, Sell Him, sell Him, sell Him: against
which, I may say, for whole hours together, I have been forced to stand
as continually leaning and forcing my spirit against it, lest haply,
before I were aware, some wicked thought might arise in my heart, that
might consent thereto; and sometimes the tempter would make me believe
I had consented to it; but then I should be, as tortured upon a rack
for whole days together.
137. This temptation did put me to such scares, lest I should
at some times, I say, consent thereto, and be overcome therewith, that
by the very force of my mind, in labouring to gainsay and resist this
wickedness, my very body would be put into action or motion, by way
of pushing or thrusting with my hands or elbows; still answering, as
fast as the destroyer said, Sell Him; I will not, I will not, I
will not, I will not; no, not for thousands, thousands, thousands
of worlds: thus reckoning, lest I should, in the midst of these
assaults, set too low a value on Him; even until I scarce well knew
where I was, or how to be composed again.
138. At these seasons he would not let me eat my food at quiet;
but, forsooth, when I was set at the table at my meat, I must go hence
to pray; I must leave my food now, just now, so counterfeit holy also
would this devil be. When I was thus tempted, I would say in myself,
Now I am at meat; let me make an end. NO, said he, you
must do it now, or you will displease God, and despise Christ.
Wherefore I was much afflicted with these things; and because of the
sinfulness of my nature (imagining that these were impulses from God),
I should deny to do it, as if I denied God, and then should I be as
guilty, because I did not obey a temptation of the devil, as if I had
broken the law of God indeed.
139. But to be brief: one morning as I did lie in my bed, I was,
as at other times, most fiercely assaulted with this temptation, To
sell and part with Christ; the wicked suggestion still running in
my mind, Sell Him, sell Him, sell Him, sell Him, sell Him, as
fast as a man could speak: against which also, in my mind, as at other
times, I answered, No, no, not for thousands, thousands, thousands,
at least twenty times together: but at last, after much striving, even
until I was almost out of breath, I felt this thought pass through my
heart, Let Him go, if He will; and I thought also, that I felt
my heart freely consent thereto. Oh! the diligence of Satan!
Oh! the desperateness of man’s heart!
140. Now was the battle won, and down fell I as a bird that is
shot from the top of a tree, into great guilt, and fearful despair.
Thus getting out of my bed, I went moping into the field; but God knows,
with as heavy a heart as mortal man, I think, could bear; where for
the space of two hours, I was like a man bereft of life; and, as now,
past all recovery, and bound over to eternal punishment.
141. And withal, that scripture did seize upon my soul: Or
profane persons as Esau, who for one morsel of meat, sold his birthright:
for ye know, how that afterward, when he would have inherited the
blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance,
though he sought it carefully with tears. Heb. xii. 16, 17.
142. Now was I as one bound, I felt myself shut up unto the judgment
to come; nothing now, for two years together, would abide with me, but
damnation, and an expectation of damnation: I say, nothing now would
abide with me but this, save some few moments for relief, as in the
sequel you will see.
143. These words were to my soul, like fetters of brass to my
legs, in the continual sound of which I went for several months together.
But about ten or eleven o’clock on that day, as I was walking
under an hedge (full of sorrow and guilt, God knows), and bemoaning
myself for this hard hap, that such a thought should arise within me,
suddenly this sentence rushed in upon me, The blood of Christ remits
all guilt. At this I made a stand in my spirit: with that
this word took hold upon me, The blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanseth
us from all sin. 1 John i. 7.
144. Now I began to conceive peace in my soul, and methought I
saw, as if the tempter did leer and steal away from me, as being ashamed
of what he had done. At the same time also I had my sin, and the
blood of Christ, thus represented to me, That my sin, when compared
to the blood of Christ, was no more to it, than this little clod or
stone before me, is to this vast and wide field that here I see.
This gave me good encouragement for the space of two or three hours;
in which time also, methought, I saw, by faith, the Son of God, as suffering
for my sins: but because it tarried not, I therefore sunk in my spirit,
under exceeding guilt again.
145. But chiefly by the aforementioned scripture concerning Esau’s
selling of his birthright; for that scripture would lie all day long,
all the week long, yea, all the year long in my mind, and hold me down,
so that I could by no means lift up myself; for when I would strive
to turn to this scripture or that, for relief, still that sentence would
be sounding in me; For ye know, how that afterwards, when he would
have inherited the blessing, he found no place of repentance,
though he sought it carefully with tears.
146. Sometimes, indeed, I should have a touch from that in
Luke xxii. 31, I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not;
but it would not abide upon me; neither could I, indeed, when I considered
my state, find ground to conceive in the least, that there should be
the root of that grace in me, having sinned as I had done. Now
was I tore and rent in an heavy case for many days together.
147. Then began I with sad and careful heart to consider of the
nature and largeness of my sin, and to search into the word of God,
if I could in any place espy a word of promise, or any encouraging sentence,
by which I might take relief. Wherefore I began to consider that
of Mark iii. 28: All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons
of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme.
Which place, methought at a blush, did contain a large and glorious
promise for the pardon of high offences; but considering the place more
fully, I thought it was rather to be understood, as relating more chiefly
to those who had, while in a natural estate, committed such things as
there are mentioned; but not to me, who had not only received light
and mercy, but that had both after, and also contrary to that, so slighted
Christ as I had done.
148. I feared, therefore, that this wicked sin of mine, might
be that sin unpardonable, of which He there thus speaketh. But
he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, hath never forgiveness,
but is in danger of eternal damnation. Mark iii. 29.
And I did the rather give credit to this, because of that sentence in
the Hebrews: For you know how that afterwards, when he would
have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place
of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. And
this stuck always with me.
149. And now was I both a burthen and a terror to myself; nor
did I ever so know, as now, what it was to be weary of my life, and
yet afraid to die. Oh! how gladly now would I have been anybody
but myself! anything but a man, and in any condition but my own!
For there was nothing did pass more frequently over my mind, than that
it was impossible for me to be forgiven my transgression, and to be
saved from the wrath to come.
150. And now I began to call again time that was spent; wishing
a thousand times twice told, that the day was yet to come when I should
be tempted to such a sin; concluding with great indignation, both against
my heart, and all assaults, how I would rather have been torn in pieces,
than be found a consenter thereto. But alas! these thoughts, and
wishings, and resolvings were now too late to help me; this thought
had passed my heart, God hath let me go, and I am fallen. Oh!
thought I, that it were with me as in months past, as in the
days when God preserved me! Job xxix. 2.
151. Then again, being loth and unwilling to perish, I began to
compare my sin with others to see if I could find that any of those
that were saved, had done as I had done. So I considered David’s
adultery, and murder, and found them most heinous crimes; and those
too committed after light and grace received: but yet by considering
that his transgressions were only such as were against the law of Moses,
from which the Lord Christ could, with the consent of His word, deliver
him: but mine was against the gospel; yea, against the Mediator thereof;
I had sold my Saviour.
152. Now again should I be as if racked upon the wheel, when I
considered, that, besides the guilt that possessed me, I should be so
void of grace, so bewitched. What, thought I, must it be no sin
but this? Must it needs be the great transgression?
Ps. xix. 13. Must that wicked one touch my soul?
1 John v. 18. Oh! what sting did I find in all these sentences?
153. What, thought I, is there but one sin that is unpardonable?
but one sin that layeth the soul without the reach of God’s
mercy; and must I be guilty of that? must it needs be that?
Is there but one sin among so many millions of sins, for
which there is no forgiveness; and must I commit this? Oh! unhappy
sin! Oh! unhappy man! These things would so
break and confound my spirit, that I could not tell what to do; I thought
at times, they would have broke my wits; and still, to aggravate my
misery, that would run in my mind, You know, how, that afterwards,
when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected.
Oh! no one knows the terrors of those days but myself.
154. After this I began to consider of Peter’s
sin, which he committed in denying his Master: and indeed, this came
nighest to mine of any that I could find, for he had denied his Saviour,
as I, after light and mercy received; yea, and that too, after warning
given him. I also considered, that he did it both once and twice;
and that, after time to consider betwixt. But though I put all
these circumstances together, that, if possible I might find help, yet
I considered again, that his was but a denial of his Master,
but mine was, a selling of my Saviour. Wherefore I thought
with myself, that I came nearer to Judas, than either to David
or Peter.
155. Here again my torment would flame out and afflict me;
yea, it would grind me, as it were to powder, to consider the preservation
of God towards others, while I fell into the snare; for in my thus considering
of other men’s sins, and comparing them with mine own, I could
evidently see, God preserved them, notwithstanding their wickedness,
and would not let them, as He had let me, become a son of perdition.
156. But oh! how did my soul at this time prize the preservation
that God did set about His people! Ah, how safely did I see them
walk, whom God had hedged in! They were within His care, protection,
and special providence: though they were full as bad as I by nature;
yet because He loved them, He would not suffer them to fall without
the range of mercy: but as for me, I was gone, I had done it: He would
not preserve me, nor keep me; but suffered me, because I was a reprobate,
to fall as I had done. Now did those blessed places that speak
of God’s keeping His people, shine like the sun before me, though
not to comfort me, yet to show me the blessed state and heritage of
those whom the Lord had blessed.
157. Now I saw, that as God had His hand in all the providences
and dispensations that overtook His elect; so He had His hand in all
the temptations that they had to sin against Him; not to animate them
to wickedness, but to choose their temptations and troubles for them;
and also to leave them for a time, to such sins only that might not
destroy, but humble them; as might not put them beyond, but lay them
in the way of the renewing His mercy. But oh! what love, what
care, what kindness and mercy did I now see, mixing itself with the
most severe and dreadful of all God’s ways to His people!
He would let David, Hezekiah, Solomon, Peter, and others, fall;
but He would not let them fall into sin unpardonable, nor into hell
for sin. Oh! thought I, these be the men that God hath loved;
these be the men that God, though He chastiseth them, keeps them in
safety by Him; and them whom He makes to abide under the shadow of the
Almighty. But all these thoughts added sorrow, grief, and horror
to me, as whatever I now thought on, it was killing to me. If
I thought how God kept His own, that was killing to me; if I thought
of how I was fallen myself, that was killing to me. As all things
wrought together for the best, and to do good to them that were the
called, according to His purpose, so I thought that all things wrought
for my damage, and for my eternal overthrow.
158. Then again I began to compare my sin with the sin of Judas,
that, if possible, I might find if mine differed from that, which in
truth is unpardonable: and oh! thought I, if it should differ from it,
though but the breadth of an hair, what a happy condition is my soul
in! And by considering, I found that Judas did this intentionally,
but mine was against my prayer and strivings: besides, his was committed
with much deliberation, but mine in a fearful hurry, on a sudden: all
this while I was tossed to and fro like the locusts, and driven from
trouble to sorrow; hearing always the sound of Esau’s fall
in mine ears, and the dreadful consequences thereof.
159. Yet this consideration about Judas’s sin was,
for awhile, some little relief to me; for I saw I had not, as to the
circumstances, transgressed so fully as he. But this was quickly
gone again, for I thought with myself, there might be more ways than
one to commit this unpardonable sin; also I thought there might be degrees
of that, as well as of other transgressions; wherefore, for aught I
yet could perceive, this iniquity of mine might be such, as might never
be passed by.
160. I was often now ashamed that I should be like such an ugly
man as Judas: I thought also how loathsome I should be unto all the
saints at the day of judgment: insomuch that now I could scarce see
a good man, that I believed had a good conscience, but I should feel
my heart tremble at him, while I was in his presence. Oh! now
I saw a glory in walking with God, and what a mercy it was to have a
good conscience before Him.
161. I was much about that time tempted to content myself by receiving
some false opinion; as, that there should be no such thing as a day
of judgment; that we should not rise again; and that sin was no such
grievous thing: the tempter suggesting thus: For if these things
should indeed be true, yet to believe otherwise would yield you
ease for the present. If you must perish, never torment
yourself so much beforehand: drive the thoughts of damning
out of your mind, by possessing your mind with some such conclusions
that Atheists and Ranters use to help themselves withal.
162. But oh! when such thoughts have led through my heart,
how, as it were, within a step, hath death and judgment been in my view!
methought the judge stood at the door; I was as if it was come already;
so that such things could have no entertainment. But methinks,
I see by this, that Satan will use any means to keep the soul from Christ;
he loveth not an awakened frame of spirit; security, blindness, darkness,
and error, is the very kingdom and habitation of the wicked one.
163. I found it a hard work now to pray to God, because despair
was swallowing me up; I thought I was as with a tempest driven away
from God; for always when I cried to God for mercy, this would come
in, ’Tis too late, I am lost, God hath let me fall;
not to my correction, but condemnation: my sin is unpardonable; and
I know, concerning Esau, how that after he had sold his birthright,
be would have received the blessing, but was rejected. About
this time I did light on that dreadful story of that miserable mortal
Francis Spira; a book that was to my troubled spirit, as salt, when
rubbed into a fresh wound: every sentence in that book, every groan
of that man, with all the rest of his actions in his dolours, as his
tears, his prayers, his gnashing of teeth, his wringing of hands, his
twining and twisting, and languishing, and pining away under that mighty
hand of God that was upon him, were as knives and daggers in my soul;
especially that sentence of his was frightful to me, Man knows
the beginning of sin? but who bounds the issues thereof?
Then would the former sentence, as the conclusion of all, fall like
an hot thunderbolt again upon my conscience; For you know how that
afterwards, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was
rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought
it carefully with tears.
164. Then should I be struck into a very great trembling,
insomuch that at sometimes I could, for whole days together, feel my
very body, as well as my mind, to shake and totter under the sense of
this dreadful judgment of God, that should fall on those that have sinned
that most fearful and unpardonable sin. I felt also such a clogging
and heat at my stomach, by reason of this my terror, that I was, especially
at some times, as if my breast-bone would split asunder; then I thought
of that concerning Judas, who by falling headlong, he burst asunder
in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. Acts i.
18.
165. I feared also that this was the mark that the Lord did set
on Cain, even continual fear and trembling, under the heavy load
of guilt that he had charged on him for the blood of his brother Abel.
Thus did I wind, and twine, and shrink under the burthen that was upon
me; which burthen also did so oppress me, that I could neither stand,
nor go, nor lie, either at rest or quiet.
166. Yet that saying would sometimes come into my mind, He
hath received gifts for the rebellious. Psalm lxviii. 18.
The rebellious, thought I! why surely they are such as once were
under subjection to their Prince; even those who after they have sworn
subjection to His government, have taken up arms against Him; and this,
thought I, is my very condition: I once loved Him, feared Him, served
Him; but now I am a rebel; I have sold Him, I have said, Let Him
go, if He will; but yet He has gifts for rebels; and then why not
for me?
167. This sometimes I thought on, and should labour to take hold
thereof, that some, though small refreshment, might have been conceived
by me; but in this also I missed of my desire; I was driven with force
beyond it; I was like a man going to execution, even by that
place where he would fain creep in and hide himself, but may not.
168. Again, after I had thus considered the sins of the saints
in particular, and found mine went beyond them, then I began
to think with myself, Set the case I should put all theirs together,
and mine alone against them, might I not then find some encouragement?
for if mine, though bigger than any one, yet should be but equal
to all, then there is hopes; for that blood that hath virtue enough
in it to wash away all theirs, had virtue enough in it to do away mine,
though this one be full as big, if not bigger than all theirs.
Here again, I should consider the sin of David, of Solomon,
of Manasseh, of Peter, and the rest of the great offenders;
and should also labour, what I might with fairness, to aggravate and
heighten their sins by several circumstances.
169. I should think with myself that David shed blood to
cover his adultery, and that by the sword of the children of Ammon;
a work that could not be done, but by continuance, deliberate contrivance,
which was a great aggravation to his sin. But then this would
turn upon me: Ah! but these were but sins against the law, from which
there was a Jesus sent to save them; but yours is a sin against the
Saviour, and who shall save you from that?
170. Then I thought on Solomon, and how he sinned in loving
strange women, falling away to their idols, in building them temples,
in doing this after light, in his old age, after great mercy received:
but the same conclusion that cut me off in the former consideration,
cut me off as to this; namely, that all those were but sins against
the law, for which God had provided a remedy; but I had sold my Saviour,
and there remained no more sacrifice for sin.
171. I would then add to these men’s sins, the sins of Manasseh;
how that he built altars for idols in the house of the Lord; he also
observed times, used enchantments, had to do with wizards, was a wizard,
had his familiar spirits, burned his children in the fire in sacrifice
to devils, and made the streets of Jerusalem run down with the
blood of innocents. These, thought I, are great sins, sins of
a bloody colour, but yet it would turn again upon me, They are none
of them of the nature of yours; you have parted with Jesus, you
have sold your Saviour.
172. This one consideration would always kill my heart, my
sin was point blank against my Saviour; and that too, at
that height, that I had in my heart said of Him, Let Him go,
if He will. Oh! methought this sin was bigger than the sins
of a country, of a kingdom, or of the whole world, no one pardonable;
nor all of them together, was able to equal mine; mine out-went
them every one.
173. Now I should find my mind to flee from God, as from the face
of a dreadful judge, yet this was my torment, I could not escape His
hand: (It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the
living God. Hebrew x.) But, blessed be His grace,
that scripture, in these flying fits, would call, as running after me,
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions;
and as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me, for I have redeemed
thee. Isaiah xliv. 22. This, I say, would come in upon
my mind, when I was fleeing from the face of God; for I did flee from
His face; that is, my mind and spirit fled before Him; by reason of
His highness, I could not endure: then would the text cry, Return
unto Me; it would cry aloud with a very great voice, Return
unto Me, for I have redeemed thee. Indeed, this would make
me make a little stop, and, as it were, look over my shoulder behind
me, to see if I could discern that the God of grace did follow me with
a pardon in His hand; but I could no sooner do that, but all would be
clouded and darkened again by that sentence, For you know, how that
afterwards, when he would have inherited the blessing, he found
no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Wherefore I could not refrain, but fled, though at some times it cried,
Return, return, as if it did hollow after me: but I feared to
close in therewith, lest it should not come from God; for that other,
as I said, was still sounding in my conscience, For you know that
afterwards, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was
rejected, etc.
174. Once as I was walking to and fro in a good man’s
shop, bemoaning of myself in my sad and doleful state, afflicting myself
with self-abhorrence for this wicked and ungodly thought; lamenting
also this hard hap of mine for that I should commit so great a sin,
greatly fearing that I should not be pardoned; praying also in my heart,
that if this sin of mine did differ from that against the Holy Ghost,
the Lord would show it me. And being now ready to sink with fear,
suddenly there was, as if there had rushed in at the window, the noise
of wind upon me, but very pleasant, and as if I heard a voice speaking,
Did’st thou ever refuse to be justified by the blood of Christ?
and withal, my whole life of profession past, was in a moment opened
to me, wherein I was made to see, that designedly I had not: so my heart
answered groaningly, No. Then fell, with power, that word
of God upon me, See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh.
Hebrew xii. 25. This made a strange seizure upon my spirit; it
brought light with it, and commanded a silence in my heart, of all those
tumultuous thoughts, that did before use, like masterless hell-hounds,
to roar and bellow, and make an hideous noise within me. It showed
me also that Jesus Christ had yet a word of grace and mercy for me,
that He had not, as I had feared, quite forsaken and cast off my soul;
yea, this was a kind of chide for my proneness to desperation; a kind
of threatening of me, if I did not, notwithstanding my sins, and the
heinousness of them, venture my salvation upon the Son of God.
But as to my determining about this strange dispensation, what it was,
I know not; or from whence it came, I know not; I have not yet in twenty
years’ time been able to make a judgment of it; I thought then
what here I should be loth to speak. But verily that
sudden rushing wind was, as if an angel had come upon me; but both it,
and the salutation, I will leave until the day of judgment: only this
I say, it commanded a great calm in my soul; it persuaded me there might
be hope: it showed me, as I thought, what the sin unpardonable was,
and that my soul had yet the blessed privilege to flee to Jesus Christ
for mercy. But I say, concerning this dispensation; I know not
yet what to say unto it; which was also, in truth, the cause, that at
first I did not speak of it in the book; I do now also leave it to be
thought on by men of sound judgment. I lay not the stress of my
salvation thereupon, but upon the Lord Jesus, in the promise; yet seeing
I am here unfolding of my secret things, I thought it might not be altogether
inexpedient to let this also show itself, though I cannot now relate
the matter as there I did experience it. This lasted in the savour
of it for about three or four days, and then I began to mistrust, and
to despair again.
175. Wherefore still my life hung in doubt before me, not knowing
which way I should tip; only this I found my soul desire, even to cast
itself at the foot of grace, by prayer and supplication. But oh!
’twas hard for me now, to have the face to pray to this Christ
for mercy, against Whom I had thus most vilely sinned: ’twas hard
work, I say, to offer to look Him in the face, against Whom I had so
vilely sinned; and indeed, I have found it as difficult to come to God
by prayer, after backsliding from Him, as to do any other thing.
Oh! the shame that did now attend me! especially when I thought, I am
now a-going to pray to Him for mercy, that I had so lightly esteemed
but a while before! I was ashamed; yea, even confounded, because
this villany had been committed by me: but I saw that there was but
one way with me; I must go to Him, and humble myself unto Him, and beg
that He, of His wonderful mercy, would show pity to me, and have mercy
upon my wretched sinful soul.
176. Which, when the tempter perceived, he strongly suggested
to me, That I ought not to pray to God, for prayer was not
for any in my case; neither could it do me good, because I had
rejected the Mediator, by Whom all prayers came with acceptance
to God the Father; and without Whom, no prayer could
come into His presence: wherefore now to pray, is but
to add sin to sin; yea, now to pray, seeing God has cast
you off, is the next way to anger and offend Him more than you
ever did before.
177. For God (saith he) hath been weary of you for
these several years already, because you are none of His; your
bawlings in His ears, hath been no pleasant voice to Him;
and therefore He let you sin this sin, that you might be quite
cut off; and will you pray still? This the devil urged,
and set forth that in Numbers, when Moses said to the
children of Israel, That because they would not go up to possess
the land, when God would have them, therefore for ever after
He did bar them out from thence, though they prayed they might
with tears. Numbers xiv. 36, 37, etc.
178. As it is said in another place, Exodus xxi. 14, The man
that sins presumptuously shall be taken from God’s altar, that
he may die; even as Joab was by King Solomon, when
he thought to find shelter there. 1 Kings ii. 27, 28, etc.
These places did pinch me very sore; yet my case being desperate, I
thought with myself, I can but die; and if it must be so, it shall once
be said, That such an one died at the foot of Christ in prayer.
This I did, but with great difficulty, God doth know; and that because,
together with this, still that saying about Esau would be set
at my heart, even like a flaming sword, to keep the way of the tree
of life, lest I should take thereof and live. Oh! who knows how
hard a thing I found it, to come to God in prayer!
179. I did also desire the prayers of the people of God for me,
but I feared that God would give them no heart to do it; yea I trembled
in my soul to think, that some or other of them would shortly tell me,
that God hath said those words to them, that He once did say to the
prophet concerning the children of Israel, Pray not for this people,
for I have rejected them. Jeremiah xi. 14. So, Pray
not for him, for I have rejected him, yea, I thought that He had
whispered this to some of them already, only they durst not tell me
so; neither durst I ask them of it, for fear if it should be so, it
would make me quite beside myself: Man knows the beginning of sin
(said Spira), but who bounds the issues thereof?
180. About this time I took an opportunity to break my mind to
an ancient Christian, and told him all my case: I told him also, that
I was afraid that I had sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost; and he
told me, He thought so too. Here therefore I had but cold
comfort; but talking a little more with him, I found him, though a good
man, a stranger to much combat with the devil. Wherefore I went
to God again, as well as I could, for mercy still.
181. Now also did the tempter begin to mock me in my misery, saying,
That seeing I had thus parted with the Lord Jesus, and provoked
Him to displeasure, Who would have stood between my soul
and the flame of devouring fire, there was now but one way;
and that was, to pray that God the Father would be a Mediator
betwixt His Son and me; that we might be reconciled again,
and that I might have that blessed benefit in Him, that His blessed
saints enjoyed.
182. Then did that scripture seize upon my soul, He is
of one mind, and who can turn Him! Oh! I saw, it was as easy
to persuade Him to make a new world, a new covenant, or a new Bible,
besides that we have already, as to pray for such a thing. This
was to persuade Him, that what He had done already was mere folly, and
persuade Him to alter, yea, to disannul the whole way of salvation.
And then would that saying rend my soul asunder; Neither is there
salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven
given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts iv.
12.
183. Now the most free, and full and gracious words of the gospel,
were the greatest torment to me; yea, nothing so afflicted me, as the
thoughts of Jesus Christ, the remembrance of a Saviour; because I had
cast Him off, brought forth the villany of my sin, and my loss by it,
to mind; nothing did twinge my conscience like this: every time that
I thought of the Lord Jesus, of His grace, love, goodness, kindness,
gentleness, meekness, death, blood, promises, and blessed exhortations,
comforts, and consolations, it went to my soul like a sword; for still
unto these my considerations of the Lord Jesus, these thoughts would
make place for themselves in my heart: Aye, this is the Jesus, the
loving Saviour, the Son of God, Whom you have parted with, Whom
you have slighted, despised, and abused. This is the only
Saviour, the only Redeemer, the only One that could so love sinners,
as to wash them from their sins in His own most precious blood;
but you have no part nor lot in this Jesus: you have put Him
from you; you have said in your heart, Let Him go, if He
will. Now, therefore, you are severed from Him; you have severed
yourself from Him: behold then His goodness, but yourself to be no
partaker of it. Oh! thought I, what have I lost, what have
I parted with! What has disinherited my poor soul! Oh! ’tis
sad to be destroyed by the grace and mercy of God; to have the Lamb,
the Saviour, turn lion and destroyer. Rev. vi. I also trembled,
as I have said, at the sight of the saints of God, especially at those
that greatly loved Him, and that made it their business to walk continually
with Him in this world; for they did, both in their words, their carriages,
and all their expressions of tenderness and fear to sin against their
precious Saviour, condemn, lay guilt upon, and also add continual affliction
and shame upon my soul. The dread of them was upon me, and
I trembled at God’s Samuels. 1 Sam. xvi. 4.
184. Now also the tempter began afresh to mock my soul another
way, saying, That Christ indeed did pity my case, and was
sorry for my loss; but forasmuch as I had sinned and transgressed as
I had done, He could by no means help me, nor save me from what
I feared: for my sin was not of the nature of theirs, for
Whom He bled and died; neither was it counted with those that were
laid to His charge, when He hanged on a tree: therefore, unless
He should come down from heaven, and die anew for this sin, though
indeed He did greatly pity me, yet I could have no benefit of
Him. These things may seem ridiculous to others, even as ridiculous
as they were in themselves, but to me they were most tormenting cogitations:
every one of them augmented my misery, that Jesus Christ should have
so much love as to pity me, when yet He could not help me; nor did I
think that the reason why He could not help me, was, because His merits
were weak, or His grace and salvation spent on others already, but because
His faithfulness to His threatening, would not let Him extend His mercy
to me. Besides, I thought, as I have already hinted, that my sin
was not within the bounds of that pardon, that was wrapped up in a promise;
and if not, then I knew assuredly, that it was more easy for heaven
and earth to pass away, than for me to have eternal life. So that
the ground of all these fears of mine did arise from a steadfast belief
I had of the stability of the holy word of God, and also from my being
misinformed of the nature of my sin.
185. But oh! how this would add to my affliction, to conceit that
I should be guilty of such a sin, for which He did not die. These
thoughts would so confound me, and imprison me, and tie me up from faith,
that I knew not what to do. But oh! thought I, that He would come
down again! Oh! that the work of man’s redemption was yet
to be done by Christ! how would I pray Him and entreat Him to count
and reckon this sin among the rest for which He died! But this
scripture would strike me down as dead; Christ being raised from
the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over
Him. Rom. vi. 9.
186. Thus, by the strange and unusual assaults of the tempter,
my soul was like a broken vessel, driven as with the winds, and tossed
sometimes headlong into despair; sometimes upon the covenant of works,
and sometimes to wish that the new covenant, and the conditions thereof,
might so far forth, as I thought myself concerned, be turned another
way, and changed, But in all these, I was as those that jostle against
the rocks; more broken, scattered and rent. Oh! the un-thought-of
imaginations, frights, fears, and terrors, that are affected by a thorough
application of guilt yielding to desperation! This is the man
that hath his dwelling among the tombs with the dead; that is
always crying out, and cutting himself with stones.
Mark v. 1, 2, 3. But, I say, all in vain; desperation will not
comfort him, the old covenant will not save him: nay, heaven and earth
shall pass away, before one jot or tittle of the word and law of grace
will fail or be removed. This I saw, this I felt, and under this
I groaned; yet this advantage I got thereby, namely, a farther confirmation
of the certainty of the way of salvation; and that the scriptures were
the word of God. Oh! I cannot now express what then I saw and
felt of the steadiness of Jesus Christ, the rock of man’s salvation:
What was done, could not be undone, added to, nor altered. I saw,
indeed, that sin might drive the soul beyond Christ, even the sin which
is unpardonable; but woe to him that was so driven, for the word would
shut him out.
187. Thus I was always sinking, whatever I did think or do.
So one day I walked to a neighbouring town, and sate down upon a settle
in the street, and fell into a very deep pause about the most fearful
state my sin had brought me to; and after long musing, I lifted up I
sat my head, but methought I saw, as if the sun that shineth in the
heavens did grudge to give light; and as if the very stones in the street,
and tiles upon the houses, did bend themselves against me. Methought
that they all combined together to banish me out of the world.
I was abhorred of them, and unfit to dwell among them, or be partaker
of their benefits, because I had sinned against the Saviour. O
how happy now was every creature over I was! For they stood fast,
and kept their station, but I was gone and lost.
188. Then breaking out in the bitterness of my soul, I said to
myself with a grievous sigh, How can God comfort such a wretch!
I had no sooner said it, but this returned upon me, as an echo doth
answer a voice: This sin is not unto death. At which I
was, as if I had been raised out of the grave, and cried out again,
Lord, how couldst Thou find out such a word as this! For
I was filled with admiration at the fitness, and at the unexpectedness
of the sentence; the fitness of the word, the rightness of the timing
of it; the power, and sweetness, and light, and glory that came with
it also, were marvellous to me to find: I was now, for the time, out
of doubt, as to that about which I was so much in doubt before; my fears
before were, that my sin was not pardonable, and so that I had
no right to pray, to repent, etc., or that, if I did, it would be of
no advantage or profit to me. But now, thought I, if this sin
is not unto death, then it is pardonable; therefore from this I have
encouragement to come to God by Christ for mercy, to consider the promise
of forgiveness, as that which stands with open arms to receive me as
well as others. This therefore was a great easement to my mind,
to wit, that my sin was pardonable, that it was not the sin unto death
(1 John v. 16, 17). None but those that know what my trouble (by
their own experience) was, can tell what relief came to my soul by this
consideration: it was a release to me from my former bonds, and a shelter
from the former storm: I seemed now to stand upon the same ground with
other sinners, and to have as good right to the word and prayer as any
of they.
189. Now I say, I was in hopes that my sin was not unpardonable,
but that there might be hopes for me to obtain forgiveness. But
oh! how Satan did now lay about him for to bring me down again!
But he could by no means do it, neither this day, nor the most part
of the next, for this good sentence stood like a mill-post at my back:
yet towards the evening of the next day, I felt this word begin to leave
me, and to withdraw its supportation from me, and so I returned to my
old fears again, but with a great deal of grudging and peevishness,
for I feared the sorrow of despair; nor could my faith now long retain
this word.
190. But the next day at evening, being under many fears, I went
to seek the Lord, and as I prayed, I cried, and my soul cried to Him
in these words, with strong cries: O Lord, I beseech Thee, show me
that Thou hast loved me with everlasting love. Jer. xxxi.
3. I had no sooner said it, but with sweetness this returned upon
me, as an echo, or sounding again, I have loved thee with an everlasting
love. Now I went to bed in quiet; also when I awakened the
next morning, it was fresh upon my soul; and I believed it.
191. But yet the tempter left me not; for it could not be so little
as an hundred times, that he that day did labour to then break my peace.
Oh! the combats and conflicts that I did then meet with; as I strove
to hold by this word, that of Esau would fly in my face like
lightning: I should be sometimes up and down twenty times in an hour;
yet God did bear me up, and keep my heart upon this word; from which
I had also, for several days together, very much sweetness, and comfortable
hopes of pardon: for thus it was made out unto me, I loved thee
whilst thou wast committing this sin, I loved thee before, I
love thee still, and I will love thee for ever.
192. Yet I saw my sin most barbarous, and a filthy crime,
and could not but conclude, and that with great shame and astonishment,
that I had horribly abused the holy Son of God: wherefore I felt my
soul greatly to love and pity Him, and my bowels to yearn towards Him;
for I saw He was still my friend, and did reward me good for evil; yea,
the love and affection that then did burn within to my Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ, did work at this time such a strong and hot desire of
revengement upon myself for the abuse I had done unto Him, that to speak
as I then thought, had I had a thousand gallons of blood within my veins,
I could freely then have spilt it all, at the command and feet of this
my Lord and Saviour.
193. And as I was thus in musing, and in my studies, considering
how to love the Lord, and to express my love to Him, that saying came
in upon me, If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord,
who should stand? But there is forgiveness with
Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. Psalm cxxx. 3, 4.
These were good words to me, especially the latter part thereof; to
wit, that there is forgiveness with the Lord, that He might be feared;
that is, as then I understood it, that He might be loved, and had in
reverence; for it was thus made out to me, That the great God did
set so high an esteem upon the love of His poor creatures, that
rather than He would go without their love, He would pardon their
transgressions.
194. And now was that word fulfilled on me, and I was also
refreshed by it; That thou mayest remember and be confounded, and
never open thy mouth any more, because of thy shame, when I am pacified
toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.
Ezek. xvi. 63. Thus was my soul at this time (and as I then did
think for ever) set at liberty from being afflicted with my former guilt
and amazement.
195. But before many weeks were gone, I began to despond again,
fearing, lest, notwithstanding all that I had enjoyed, that I might
be deceived and destroyed at the last; for this consideration came strong
into my mind, That whatever comfort and peace I thought I might
have from the word of the promise of life, yet unless there could
be found in my refreshment, a concurrence and agreement in the scriptures,
let me think what I will thereof, and hold it never so fast,
I should find no such thing at the end; And the scripture cannot
be broken. John x. 35.
196. Now began my heart again to ache, and fear I might meet with
a disappointment at last. Wherefore I began with all seriousness
to examine my former comfort, and to consider whether one that had sinned
as I had done, might with confidence trust upon the faithfulness of
God, laid down in those words, by which I had been comforted, and on
which I had leaned myself: but now were brought those sayings to my
mind. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,
and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers
of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and
the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to
renew them again unto repentance. Heb. vi. 4-6.
For, if we sin wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of
the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sin, but a certain
fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which
shall devour the adversaries. Heb. x. 26, 27. As
Esau, who for one morsel of meat, sold his birthright.
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited
the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance,
though he sought it carefully with tears. Heb. xii. 16, 17.
197. Now was the word of the gospel forced from my soul; so that
no promise or encouragement was to be found in the Bible for me: and
now would that saying work upon my spirit to afflict me, Rejoice
not, O Israel, for joy, as other people. Hos. ix. 1.
For I saw indeed, there was cause of rejoicing for those that held to
Jesus; but for me, I had cut myself off by my transgressions, and left
myself neither foot-hold, or hand-hold, among all the stays and props
in the precious word of life.
198. And truly, I did now feel myself to sink into a gulph, as
an house whose foundation is destroyed; I did liken myself in this condition,
unto the case of some child that was fallen into a mill-pit, who though
it could make some shift to scramble and sprawl in the water, yet because
it could find neither hold for hand nor foot, therefore at last it must
die in that condition. So soon as this fresh assault had fastened
on my soul, that scripture came into my heart, This for many days.
Dan. x. 14. And indeed I found it was so; for I could not be delivered,
nor brought to peace again, until well nigh two years and a half were
completely finished. Wherefore these words, though in themselves,
they tended to discouragement, yet to me, who feared this condition
would be eternal, they were at some times as an help and refreshment
to me.
199. For, thought I, many days are not for ever, many
days will have an end; therefore seeing I was to be afflicted not
a few but many days, yet I was glad it was but for many days.
Thus, I say, I would recall myself sometimes, and give myself an help,
for as soon as ever the words came into my mind, at first, I knew my
trouble would be long, yet this would be but sometimes; for I could
not always think on this, nor ever be helped by it, though I did.
200. Now while the scriptures lay before me, and laid sin anew
at my door, that saying, in Luke xviii. 1, with others, did encourage
me to prayer: then the tempter laid again at me very sore, suggesting,
That neither the mercy of God, nor yet the blood of Christ,
did at all concern me, nor could they help me for my sin; therefore
it was but in vain to pray. Yet, thought I, I will pray.
But, said the tempter, your sin is unpardonable. Well,
said I, I will pray. ’Tis to no boot, said he.
Yet said I, I will pray. So I went to prayer to God; and
while I was at prayer, I uttered words to this effect: Lord, Satan
tells me, that neither Thy mercy, nor Christ’s blood, is
sufficient to save my soul: Lord, shall I honour Thee most, by
believing Thou wilt, and canst? or him, by believing Thou
neither wilt not nor canst? Lord, I would fain honour
Thee, by believing Thou wilt and canst.
201. And as I was thus before the Lord, that scripture fastened
on my heart (O man, great is thy faith), Matt. xv. 28, even as if one
had clapped me on the back, as I was on my knees before God: yet I was
not able to believe this, that this was a prayer of faith, till almost
six months after; for I could not think that I had faith, or that there
should be a word for me to act faith on; therefore I should still be,
as sticking in the jaws of desperation, and went mourning up and down
in a sad condition.
202. There was nothing now that I longed for more than to be put
out of doubt, as to this thing in question, and as I was vehemently
desiring to know, if there was indeed hope for me, these words came
rolling into my mind, Will the Lord cast off for ever?
and will He be favourable no more? Is His mercy clean gone
for ever? Doth His promise fail for evermore?
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath He in anger
shut up His tender mercies? Ps. lxxvii. 7-9.
And all the while they run in my mind, methought I had still this as
the answer, ’Tis a question whether He hath or no: it may
be He hath not. Yea, the interrogatory seemed to me to carry
in it a sure affirmation that indeed He had not, nor would so cast off,
but would be favourable: that His promise doth not fail, and that He
had not forgotten to be gracious, nor would in anger shut up tender
mercy. Something also there was upon my heart at the same time,
which I cannot now call to mind, which, with this text, did sweeten
my heart, and make me conclude, that His mercy might not be quite gone,
nor clean gone for ever.
203. At another time I remembered, I was again much under this
question, Whether the blood of Christ was sufficient to save
my soul? in which doubt I continued from morning, till about seven
or eight at night: and at last, when I was, as it were, quite worn out
with fear, lest it should not lay hold on me, these words did sound
suddenly within my heart: He is able. But methought, this
word able, was spoke loud unto me; it showed a great word,
it seemed to be writ in great letters, and gave such a jostle
to my fear and doubt (I mean for the time it tarried with me, which
was about a day) as I never had from that, all my life, either before
or after. Heb. vii. 25.
204. But one morning as I was again at prayer, and trembling under
the fear of this, That no word of God could help me, that piece
of a sentence darted in upon me, My grace is sufficient.
At this, methought I felt some stay, as if there might be hopes.
But, oh! how good a thing it is for God to send His word! for, about
a fortnight before, I was looking on this very place, and then I thought
it could not come near my soul with comfort, therefore I threw down
my book in a pet: then I thought it was not large enough for me; no,
not large enough; but now it was as if it had arms of grace so wide,
that it could not only enclose me, but many more such as I besides.
205. By these words I was sustained, yet not without exceeding
conflicts, for the space of seven or eight weeks; for my peace would
be in it, and out, sometimes twenty times a day; comfort now, and trouble
presently; peace now, and before I could go a furlong, as full of fear
and guilt as ever heart could hold. And this was not only now
and then, but my whole seven weeks’ experience: for this about
the sufficiency of grace, and that of Esau’s
parting with his birthright, would be like a pair of scales within my
mind; sometimes one end would be uppermost, and sometimes again the
other; according to which would be my peace or trouble.
206. Therefore I did still pray to God, that He would come in
with this scripture more fully on my heart; to wit, that He would help
me to apply the whole sentence, for as yet I could not: that He gave,
that I gathered; but farther I could not go, for as yet it only helped
me to hope there might be mercy for me; My grace is sufficient:
And though it came no farther, it answered my former question, to wit,
That there was hope; yet because for thee was left out, I was
not contented, but prayed to God for that also. Wherefore, one
day, when I was in a meeting of God’s people, full of sadness
and terror; for my fears again were strong upon me; and, as I was now
thinking, my soul was never the better, but my case most sad and fearful,
these words did with great power suddenly break in upon me; My grace
is sufficient for thee, My grace is sufficient for thee, My
grace is sufficient for thee, three times together: And oh! methought
that every word was a mighty word unto me; as My, and grace,
and sufficient, and for thee; they were then, and sometimes
are still, far bigger than others be.
207. At which time my understanding was so enlightened, that I
was as though I had seen the Lord Jesus look down from heaven, through
the tiles upon me, and direct these words unto me. This sent me
mourning home; it broke my heart, and filled me full of joy, and laid
me low as the dust; only it stayed not long with me, I mean in this
glory and refreshing comfort; yet it continued with me for several weeks,
and did encourage me to hope: but as soon as that powerful operation
of it was taken from my heart, that other, about Esau, returned
upon me as before: so my soul did hang as in a pair of scales again,
sometimes up, and sometimes down; now in peace, and anon again in terror.
208. Thus I went on for many weeks, sometimes comforted, and sometimes
tormented; and especially at sometimes my torment would be very sore,
for all those scriptures forenamed in the Hebrews, would be set
before me, as the only sentences that would keep me out of heaven.
Then again I would begin to repent that ever that thought went through
me; I would also think thus with myself: Why, how many scriptures
are there against me? There are but three or four;
And cannot God miss them, and save me for all them?
Sometimes again I would think, Oh! if it were not for these three
or four words, now how might I be comforted! And I could hardly
forbear at some times, to wish them out of the book.
209. Then methought I should see as if both Peter and
Paul, and John, and all the writers, did look with scorn
upon me, and hold me in derision; and as if they had said unto me, All
our words are truth, one of as much force as another: it is not
we that have cut you of, but you have cast away yourself.
There is none of our sentences that you must take hold upon,
but these and such as these; it is impossible, Heb. vi.; there
remains no more sacrifice for sin, Heb. x. And it
had been better for them not to have known the will of God, than
after they had known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered
unto them, 2 Peter ii. 21. For the Scriptures cannot
be broken. John x. 35.
210. These, as the elders of the city of refuge, I saw, were to
be judges both of my case and me, while I stood with the avenger
of blood at my heels, trembling at their gate for deliverance; also
with a thousand fears and mistrusts, I doubted that they would shut
me out for ever. Joshua xx. 3. 4.
211. Thus I was confounded, not knowing what to do, or how to
be satisfied in this question, Whether the scriptures could agree
in the salvation of my soul? I quaked at the apostles; I knew
their words were true, and that they must stand for ever.
212. And I remember one day, as I was in divers frames of spirit,
and considering that these frames were according to the nature of several
scriptures that came in upon my mind; if this of grace, then was I quiet;
but of that of Esau, then tormented. Lord, thought I, if
both these scriptures should meet in my heart at once, I wonder
which of them would get the better of me. So methought
I had a longing mind that they might come both together upon me; yea,
I desired of God they might.
213. Well, about two or three days after, so they did indeed;
they bolted both upon me at a time, and did work and struggle strangely
in me for a while; at last that about Esau’s birthright
began to wax weak, and withdraw, and vanish; and this, about the sufficiency
of grace prevailed with peace and joy. And as I was in a muse
about this thing, that scripture came in upon me, Mercy rejoiceth
against judgment. James ii. 13.
214. This was a wonderment to me; yet truly, I am apt to think
it was of God; for the word of the law and wrath, must give place to
the word of life and grace; because, though the word of condemnation
be glorious, yet the word of life and salvation doth far exceed in glory.
2 Cor. iii. 8-11. Mark ix. 5-7. John vi. 37.
Also that Moses and Elias must both vanish, and leave
Christ and His saints alone.
215. This scripture also did now most sweetly visit my soul; And
him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.
Oh! the comfort that I had from this word, in no wise!
As who should say, By no means, for nothing whatever he hath
done. But Satan would greatly labour to pull this promise
from me, telling of me, That Christ did not mean me and such
as I, but sinners of a lower rank, that had not done as I had
done. But I would answer him again, Satan, here is in these
words no such exception; but him that comes, him, any him: him that
cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. And
this I well remember still, that of all the slights that Satan used
to take this scripture from me, yet he never did so much as put this
question, But do you come aright? And I have thought the
reason was, because he thought I knew full well what coming aright was;
for I saw that to come aright, was to come as I was, a vile and ungodly
sinner, and to cast myself at the feet of mercy, condemning myself for
sin. If ever Satan and I did strive for any word of God in all
my life, it was for this good word of Christ; he at one end, and I at
the other: Oh! what work did we make! It was for this in John,
I say, that we did so tug and strive, he pulled, and I pulled; but God
be praised, I got the better of him; I got some sweetness from it.
216. But notwithstanding all these helps, and blessed words of
grace, yet that of Esau’s selling of his birthright, would
still at times distress my conscience: for though I had been most sweetly
comforted, and that but just before, yet when that came into my mind,
’twould make me fear again: I could not be quite rid thereof,
’twould every day be with me: wherefore now I went another way
to work, even to consider the nature of this blasphemous thought, I
mean, if I should take the words at the largest, and give them their
own natural force and scope, even every word therein: so when I had
thus considered, I found, that if they were fairly taken, they would
amount to this; That I had freely left the Lord Jesus Christ
to His choice, whether He would be my Saviour or no; for
the wicked words were these, Let Him go, if He will. Then
that scripture gave me hope, I will never leave thee, nor forsake
thee. Heb. xiii. 5. ‘O Lord,’ said
I, but I have left Thee. Then it answered again, But
I will not leave thee. For this I thanked God also.
217. Yet I was grievous afraid He should, and found it exceeding
hard to trust Him, seeing I had so offended Him: I could have been exceeding
glad that this thought had never befallen; for then I thought I could
with more ease and freedom in abundance, have leaned on His grace.
I saw it was with me, as it was with Joseph’s brethren;
the guilt of their own wickedness did often fill them with fears that
their brother would at last despise them. Gen. l. 15, 16, etc.
218. Yet above all the scriptures that I yet did meet with that
in Joshua xx. was the greatest comfort to me, which speaks of
the slayer that was to flee for refuge: And if the avenger of blood
pursue the slayer, then saith Moses, they that are the elders
of the city of refuge shall not deliver him into his hands,
because he smote his neighbour unwittingly and hated him not
aforetime. Oh! blessed be God for this word: I was convinced
that I was the slayer; and that the avenger of blood pursued me, I felt
with great terror; only now it remained that I inquire whether I have
right to enter the city of refuge: so I found, that he must not, who
lay in wait to shed blood: It was not the wilful murderer,
but he who unwittingly did it, he who did it unawares; not out
of spite, or grudge, or malice, he that shed it unwittingly: even he
who did not hate his neighbour before. Wherefore,
219. I thought verily I was the man that must enter, because I
had smitten my neighbour unwittingly, and hated Him not aforetime.
I hated Him not aforetime; no, I prayed unto Him, was tender of sinning
against Him; yea, and against this wicked temptation I had strove for
a twelvemonth before; yea, and also when it did pass through my heart,
it did in spite of my teeth: wherefore I thought I had a right to enter
this city, and the elders, which are the apostles, were not to
deliver me up. This therefore was great comfort to me, and gave
me much ground of hope.
220. Yet being very critical, for my smart had made me that I
knew not what ground was sure enough to bear me, I had one question
that my soul did much desire to be resolved about; and that was, Whether
it be possible for any soul that hath sinned the unpardonable sin, yet
after that to receive, though but the least, true spiritual comfort
from God though Christ? The which after I had much
considered, I found the answer was, No, they could not; and that for
these reasons:-
221. First, Because those that have sinned that sin, they
are debarred a share in the blood of Christ; and being shut out of that,
they must needs be void of the least ground of hope, and so of spiritual
comfort; For to such there remains no more sacrifice for sin.
Heb. x. 26, 27. Secondly, Because they are denied a share
in the promise of life: It shall never be forgiven him neither
in this world, neither in the world to come. Matt.
xii. 32. Thirdly, The Son of God excludes them also from
a share in His blessed intercession, being for ever ashamed to own them,
both before His holy Father, and the blessed angels in heaven.
Mark viii.
222. When I had with much deliberation considered of this matter,
and could not but conclude that the Lord had comforted me, and that
too after this my wicked sin: then methought I durst venture to come
nigh unto those most fearful and terrible scriptures, with which all
this while I had been so greatly affrighted, and on which indeed, before
I durst scarce cast mine eye (yea, had much ado an hundred times, to
forbear wishing them out of the Bible), for I thought they would destroy
me; but now, I say, I began to take some measure of encouragement, to
come close to them to read them, and consider them, and to weigh their
scope and tendency.
223. The which when I began to do, I found their visage changed:
for they looked not so grimly, as before I thought they did: and first
I came to the sixth of the Hebrews, yet trembling for fear it
should strike me; which when I had considered, I found that the falling
there intended, was a falling quite away; that is as I conceived,
a falling from and absolute denying of the gospel, of remission of sins
by Jesus Christ; for, from them the apostle begins his argument, verses
1, 2, 3, 4. Secondly, I found that this falling away, must
be openly, even in the view of the world, even so as to put Christ
to an open shame. Thirdly, I found those he there intended,
were for ever shut up of God, both in blindness, hardness, and impenitency:
It is impossible they should be renewed again unto repentance.
By all these particulars, I found to God’s everlasting praise,
my sin was not the sin in this place intended.
First, I confessed I was fallen, but not fallen away; that is,
from the profession of faith in Jesus unto eternal life.
Secondly, I confessed that I had put Jesus Christ to shame
by my sin, but not to open shame; I did not deny Him before men,
nor condemn Him as a fruitless One before the world.
Thirdly, Nor did I find that God had shut me up, or denied me
to come (though I found it hard work indeed to come) to Him by sorrow
and repentance: blessed be God for unsearchable grace!
224. Then I considered that in the 10th chapter of the Hebrews,
and found that the wilful sin there mentioned, is not every wilful
sin, but that which doth throw off Christ, and then His commandments
too. Secondly, That must be done also openly, before two
or three witnesses, to answer that of the law, verse 28.
Thirdly, This sin cannot be committed, but with great despite
done to the Spirit of Grace; despising both the dissuasions from that
sin, and the persuasions to the contrary. But the Lord knows,
though this my sin was devilish, yet it did not amount to these.
225. And as touching that in the 12th of the Hebrews, about
Esau’s selling of his birthright; though this was that
which killed me, and stood like a spear against me, yet now I did consider,
First, that his was not a hasty thought against the continual
labour of his mind, but a thought consented to, and put in practice
likewise, and that after some deliberation, Gen. xxv. Secondly,
It was a public and open action, even before his brother, if not before
many more; this made his sin of a far more heinous nature than otherwise
it would have been. Thirdly, He continued to slight his
birthright: He did eat and drink, and went his way: thus
Esau despised his birthright, yea, twenty years after he was
found to despise it still. And Esau said, I have enough, my
brother, keep that thou hast unto thyself. Gen. xxxiii.
9.
226. Now as touching this, that Esau sought a place
of repentance; thus I thought: First, This was not for the
birthright, but the blessing: this is clear from the apostle,
and is distinguished by Esau himself; He took away my birthright
(that is, formerly); and behold now he hath taken away my
blessing. Gen. xxvii. 36. Secondly, Now, this
being thus considered, I came again to the apostle, to see what might
be the mind of God, in a New-Testament style and sense concerning Esau’s
sin; and so far as I could conceive, this was the mind of God, that
the birthright signified regeneration, and the blessing,
the eternal inheritance; for so the apostle seems to hint.
Lest there be any profane person, as Esau, who for
one morsel of meat sold his birthright; as if he should say,
That shall cast off all those blessed beginnings of God, that at present
are upon him, in order to a new-birth; lest they become as Esau,
even be rejected afterwards, when they would inherit the blessing.
227. For many there are, who, in the day of grace and mercy, despise
those things which are indeed the birthright to heaven, who yet when
the deciding day appears, will cry as lord as Esau, Lord,
Lord, open to us; but then, as Isaac would not repent, no
more will God the Father, but will say, I have blessed these, yea,
and they shall be blessed; but as for you, Depart,
you are the workers of iniquity. Gen. xxvii. 32; Luke
xiii. 25-27.
228. When I had thus considered these scriptures, and found that
thus to understand them, was not against, but according to other scriptures;
this still added further to my encouragement and comfort, and also gave
a great blow to that objection, to wit, That the scriptures
could not agree in the salvation of my soul. And now
remained only the hinder part of the tempest, for the thunder was gone
beyond me, only some drops did still remain, that now and then would
fall upon me; but because my former frights and anguish were very sore
and deep, therefore it oft befall me still, as it befalleth those that
have been scared with fire. I thought every voice was, Fire!
fire! Every little touch would hurt my tender conscience.
229. But one day, as I was passing in the field, and that too
with some dashes on my conscience, fearing lest yet all was not right,
suddenly this sentence fell upon my soul, Thy righteousness is in
heaven; and methought withal, I saw with the eyes of my soul, Jesus
Christ at God’s right hand: there, I say, was my righteousness;
so that wherever I was, or whatever I was doing, God could not say of
me, He wants My righteousness; for that was just before Him.
I also saw moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made
my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness
worse; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ Himself, The same yesterday,
to-day, and for ever. Heb. xiii. 8.
230. Now did my chains fall off my legs indeed; I was loosed from
my afflictions and irons; my temptations also fled away; so that from
that time those dreadful scriptures of God left off to trouble me: now
went I also home rejoicing, for the grace and love of God; so when I
came home, I looked to see if I could find that sentence; Thy righteousness
is in heaven, but could not find such a saying; wherefore my heart
began to sink again, only that was brought to my remembrance, 1 Cor.
i. 30, Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness,
and sanctification, and redemption; by this word I saw the other
sentence true.
231. For by this scripture I saw that the Man Christ Jesus, as
He is distinct from us, as touching His bodily presence, so He is our
righteousness and sanctification before God. Here therefore I
lived, for some time, very sweetly at peace with God through Christ;
Oh! methought, Christ! Christ! there was nothing but Christ that was
before my eyes: I was not now (only) for looking upon this and the other
benefits of Christ apart, as of His blood, burial, or resurrection,
but considering Him as a whole Christ! as He in whom all these, and
all His other virtues, relations, offices and operations met together,
and that He sat on the right hand of God in heaven.
232. ’Twas glorious to me to see His exaltation, and the
worth and prevalency of all His benefits, and that because now I could
look from myself to Him and should reckon, that all those graces of
God that now were green on me, were yet but like those cracked groats
and fourpence-halfpennies that rich men carry in their purses, when
their gold is in their trunks at home: Oh! I saw my gold was in my trunk
at home! In Christ my Lord and Saviour. Now Christ was all;
all my wisdom, all my righteousness, all my sanctification, and all
my redemption.
233. Further, the Lord did also lead me into the mystery of union
with the Son of God; that I was joined to Him, that I was flesh of His
flesh, and bone of His bone; and now was that word sweet to me in Eph.
v. 30. By this also was my faith in Him, as my righteousness,
the more confirmed in me; for if He and I were one, then His righteousness
was mine, His merits mine, His victory also mine. Now could I
see myself in heaven and earth at once: in heaven by my Christ, by my
head, by my righteousness and life, though on earth by my body or person.
234. Now I saw Christ Jesus was looked upon of God; and should
also be looked upon by us, as that common or public person, in whom
all the whole body of His elect are always to be considered and reckoned;
that we fulfilled the law by Him, died by Him, rose from the dead by
Him, got the victory over sin, death, the devil, and hell, by Him; when
He died, we died, and so of His resurrection. Thy dead men
shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise, saith He.
Isa. xxvi. 19. And again, after two days He will revive
us, and the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live
in His sight. Hosea vi. 2. Which is now fulfilled by
the sitting down of the Son of Man on the right hand of the Majesty
in the heavens; according to that to the Ephesians, And hath raised
us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in
Christ Jesus. Eph. ii. 6.
235. Ah! these blessed considerations and scriptures, with many
others of like nature, were in those days made to spangle in mine eyes;
so that I have cause to say, Praise ye the Lord. Praise God
in His sanctuary, praise Him in the firmament of His power; praise
Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent
greatness. Psalm cl. 1, 2.
236. Having thus in a few words given you a taste of the sorrow
and affliction that my soul went under, by the guilt and terror that
this my wicked thought did lay me under; and having given you also a
touch of my deliverance therefrom, and of the sweet and blessed comfort
that I met with afterwards, which comfort dwelt about a twelvemonth
with my heart, to my unspeakable admiration: I will now (God willing),
before I proceed any farther, give you in a word or two, what, as I
conceive, was the cause of this temptation; and also after that, what
advantage, at the last, it became unto my soul.
237. For the causes, I conceived they were principally two: of
which two also I was deeply convinced all the time this trouble lay
upon me. The first was, for that I did not, when I was delivered
from the temptation that went before, still pray to God to to keep me
from the temptations that were to come; for though, as I can say in
truth, my soul was much in prayer before this trial seized me, yet then
I prayed only, or at the most principally, for the removal of present
troubles, and for fresh discoveries of His love in Christ, which I saw
afterwards was not enough to do; I also should have prayed that the
great God would keep me from the evil that was to come.
238. Of this I was made deeply sensible by the prayer of holy
David, who when he was under present mercy, yet prayed that God
would hold him back from sin and temptation to come; Then, saith
he, shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great
transgression. Psalm xix. 13. By this very word was
I galled and condemned quite through this long temptation.
239. That was also another word that did much condemn me for my
folly, in the neglect of this duty. Heb. iv. 16: Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need. This I had not done, and
therefore was thus suffered to sin and fall, according to what is written,
Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And truly this
very thing is to this day of such weight and awe upon me, that I dare
not, when I come before the Lord, go of my knees, until I intreat Him
for help and mercy against the temptations that are to come; and I do
beseech thee, reader, that thou learn to beware of my negligence, by
the afflictions, that for this thing I did for days, and months, and
years, with sorrow undergo.
240. Another cause of this temptation was, that I had tempted
God; and on this manner did I do it: Upon a time my wife was great with
child, and before her full time was come, her pangs, as of a woman in
travail, were fierce and strong upon her, even as if she would have
fallen immediately in labour, and been delivered of an untimely birth:
now at this very time it was, that I had been so strongly tempted to
question the being of God; wherefore, as my wife lay crying by me, I
said, but with all secrecy imaginable, even thinking in my heart, Lord,
if Thou wilt now remove this sad affliction from my wife, and
cause that she be troubled no more therewith this night (and now
were her pangs just upon her), then I shall know that Thou canst
discern the most secret thoughts of the heart.
241. I had no sooner said it in my heart, but her pangs were taken
from her, and she was cast into a deep sleep, and so continued till
morning; at this I greatly marvelled, not knowing what to think; but
after I had been awake a good while, and heard her cry no more, I fell
asleep also; so when I awaked in the morning, it came upon me again,
even what I had said in my heart the last night, and how the Lord had
showed me, that He knew my secret thoughts, which was a great astonishment
unto me for several weeks after.
242. Well, about a year and a half afterwards, that wicked sinful
thought, of which I have spoken before, went through my wicked heart,
even this thought, Let Christ go, if He will: so when I was fallen
under the guilt for this, the remembrance of my other thought, and of
the effect thereof, would also come upon me with this retort, which
also carried rebuke along with it, Now you may see that God
doth know the most secret thoughts of the heart.
243. And with this, that of the passages that were betwixt
the Lord, and His servant Gideon, fell upon my spirit; how because
that Gideon tempted God with his fleece, both wet and dry, when
he should have believed and ventured upon His word; therefore the Lord
did afterwards so try him, as to send him against an innumerable company
of enemies, and that too, as to outward appearance, without any strength
or help. Judges vi. 7. Thus He served me, and that justly,
for I should have believed His word, and not have put an if upon
the all-seeingness of God.
244. And now to show you something of the advantages that I also
have gained by this temptation: and first, by this I was made continually
to possess in my soul a very wonderful sense both of the blessing and
glory of God, and of His beloved Son; in the temptation that went before,
my soul was perplexed with unbelief, blasphemy, hardness of heart, questions
about the being of God, Christ, the truth of the word, and certainty
of the world to come: I say, then I was greatly assaulted and tormented
with atheism, but now the case was otherwise; now was God and Christ
continually before my face, though not in a way of comfort, but in a
way of exceeding dread and terror. The glory of the holiness of
God, did at this time break me to pieces; and the bowels and compassion
of Christ did break me as on the wheel; for I could not consider Him
but as a lost and rejected Christ, the remembrance of which, was as
the continual breaking of my bones.
245. The scriptures also were wonderful things unto me; I saw
that the truth and verity of them were the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
those that the scriptures favour, they must inherit bliss;
but those that they oppose and condemn, must perish for
evermore: Oh! this word, For the scriptures cannot be broken,
would rend the caul of my heart: and so would that other, Whose sins
ye remit, they are remitted; but whose sins ye retain, they
are retained. Now I saw the apostles to be the elders of the
city of refuge. Joshua xx. 4. Those that they were to receive
in, were received to life; but those that they shut out, were to be
slain by the avenger of blood.
246. Oh! one sentence of the scripture did more afflict and terrify
my mind, I mean those sentences that stood against me (as sometimes
I thought they every one did) more, I say, than an army of forty thousand
men that might have come against me. Woe be to him against whom
the scriptures bend themselves!
247. By this temptation I was made to see more into the nature
of the promises than ever I was before; for I lying now trembling under
the mighty hand of God, continually torn and rent by the thundering
of His justice: this made me with careful heart, and watchful eye, with
great fearfulness to turn over every leaf, and with much diligence,
mixed with trembling, to consider every sentence, together with its
natural force and latitude.
248. By this temptation also I was greatly holden off from my
former foolish practice of putting by the word of promise when saw it
came into my mind; for now, though I could not suck that comfort and
sweetness from the promise, as I had done at other times; yet, like
to a man sinking, I would catch at all I saw: formerly I thought I might
not meddle with the promise, unless I felt its comfort, but now ’twas
no time thus to do; the avenger of blood too hardly did pursue me.
249. Now therefore I was glad to catch at that word which
yet I feared I had no ground or right to own; and even to leap into
the bosom of that promise that yet I feared did shut its heart against
me. Now also I should labour to take the word as God hath laid
it down, without restraining the natural force of one syllable thereof:
O! what did I now see in that blessed sixth of John: And him
that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. John
vi. 37. Now I began to consider with myself, that God hath a bigger
mouth to speak with, than I had a heart to conceive with; I thought
also with myself, that He spake not His words in haste, or in an unadvised
heat, but with infinite wisdom and judgment, and in very truth and faithfulness.
2 Sam. iii. 28.
250. I should in these days, often in my greatest agonies, even
flounce towards the promise (as the horses do towards sound ground,
that yet stick in the mire); concluding (though as one almost bereft
of his wits through fear) on this I will rest and stay, and leave the
fulfilling of it to the God of heaven that made it. Oh! many a
pull hath my heart had with Satan, for that blessed sixth of John: I
did not now, as at other times, look principally for comfort (though,
O how welcome would it have been unto me!). But now a word, a
word to lean a weary soul upon, that it might not sink for ever! ’twas
that I hunted for.
251. Yea, often when I have been making to the promise, I have
seen as if the Lord would refuse my soul for ever; I was often as if
I had run upon the pikes, and as if the Lord had thrust at me, to keep
me from Him, as with a flaming sword. Then I should think of Esther,
who went to petition the king contrary to the law. Esther iv.
16. I thought also of Benhadad’s servants, who went with
ropes upon their heads to their enemies for mercy. 1 Kings xx.
31, etc. The woman of Canaan also, that would not be daunted,
though called dog by Christ, Matt. xv., 22, etc., and the man that went
to borrow bread at midnight, Luke xi. 5-8, etc., were great encouragements
unto me.
252. I never saw those heights and depths in grace, and love,
and mercy, as I saw after this temptation; great sins to draw out great
grace; and where guilt is most terrible and fierce, there the mercy
of God in Christ, when showed to the soul, appears most high and mighty.
When Job had passed through his captivity, he had twice as
much as he had before. Job xlii. 10. Blessed be God
for Jesus Christ our Lord. Many other things I might here make
observation of, but I would be brief, and therefore shall at this time
omit them; and do pray God that my harms may make others fear to offend,
lest they also be made to bear the iron yoke as I did.
I had two or three times, at or about my deliverance from this temptation,
such strange apprehensions of the grace of God, that I could hardly
bear up under it: it was so out of measure amazing, when I thought it
could reach me, that I do think if that sense of it had abode long upon
me, it would have made me incapable for business.
253. Now I shall go forward to give you a relation of other of
the Lord’s dealings with me at sundry other seasons, and of the
temptations I then did meet withal. I shall begin with what I
met with when first I did join in fellowship with the people of God
in Bedford. After I had propounded to the church, that
my desire was to walk in the order and ordinances of Christ with them,
and was also admitted by them: while I thought of that blessed ordinance
of Christ, which was His last supper with His disciples before His death,
that scripture, Do this in remembrance of Me, Luke xxii. 19,
was made a very precious word unto me; for by it the Lord did come down
upon my conscience with the discovery of His death for my sins; and
as I then felt, did as if He plunged me in the virtue of the same.
But behold, I had not been long a partaker at that ordinance, but such
fierce and sad temptations did attend me at all times therein, both
to blaspheme the ordinance, and to wish some deadly thing to those that
then did eat thereof: that lest I should at any time be guilty of consenting
to these wicked and fearful thoughts, I was forced to bend myself all
the while, to pray to God to keep me from such blasphemies: and also
to cry to God to bless the bread and cup to them, as it went from mouth
to mouth. The reason of this temptation, I have thought since,
was, because I did not with that reverence that became me at first,
approach to partake thereof.
254. Thus I continued for three quarters of a year, and could
never have rest nor ease: but at the last the Lord came in upon my soul
with that same scripture, by which my soul was visited before: and after
that, I have been usually very well and comfortable in the partaking
of that blessed ordinance; and have, I trust, therein discerned the
Lord’s body, as broken for my sins, and that His precious blood
hath been shed for my transgressions.
255. Upon a time I was something inclining to a consumption, wherewith
about the spring I was suddenly and violently seized, with much weakness
in my outward man; insomuch that I thought I could not live. Now
began I afresh to give myself up to a serious examination after my state
and condition for the future, and of my evidences for that blessed world
to come: for it hath, I bless the name of God, been my usual course,
as always, so especially in the day of affliction, to endeavour to keep
my interest in the life to come, clear before mine eyes.
256. But I had no sooner began to recall to mind my former experience
of the goodness of God to my soul, but there came flocking into my mind
an innumerable company of my sins and transgressions; amongst which
these were at this time most to my affliction; namely, my deadness,
dulness, and coldness in holy duties; my wanderings of heart, of my
wearisomeness in all good things, my want of love to God, His ways and
people, with this at the end of all, Are these the fruits of Christianity?
Are these tokens of a blessed man?
257. At the apprehensions of these things my sickness was doubled
upon me; for now I was sick in my inward man, my soul was clogged with
guilt; now also was my former experience of God’s goodness to
me, quite taken out of my mind, and hid as if they had never been, or
seen: now was my soul greatly pinched between these two considerations,
Live I must not, die I dare not. Now I sunk and
fell in my spirit, and was giving up all for lost; but as I was walking
up and down in the house as a man in a most woeful state, that word
of God took hold of my heart, Ye are justified freely by His
grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Rom. iii. 24. But oh! what a turn it made upon me!
258. Now was I as one awaked out of some troublesome sleep and
dream; and listening to this heavenly sentence, I was as if I had heard
it thus expounded to me: Sinner, thou thinkest, that because thy
sins and infirmities, I cannot save thy soul; but behold My Son is by
me, and upon Him I look, and not on thee, and shall deal with thee according
as I am pleased with Him. At this I was greatly lightened
in my mind, and made to understand, that God could justify a sinner
at any time; it was but His looking upon Christ, and imputing His benefits
to us, and the work was forthwith done.
259. And as I was thus in a muse, that scripture also came with
great power upon my spirit, Not by works of righteousness that we
have done, but according to His mercy He hath saved us, etc.
2 Tim. i. 9; Tit. iii. 5. Now was I got on high, I saw myself
within the arms of grace and mercy; and though I was before afraid to
think of a dying hour, yet, now I cried, Let me die: Now death
was lovely and beautiful in my sight, for I saw We shall never
live indeed, till we be gone to the other world. Oh!
methought this life is but a slumber, in comparison with that above.
At this time also I saw more in these words, Heirs of God, Rom.
viii. 17, than ever I shall be able to express while I live in this
world: Heirs of God! God Himself is the portion of the
saints. This I saw and wondered at, but cannot tell you what I
saw.
260. Again, as I was at another time very ill and weak, all that
time also the tempter did beset me strongly (for I find he is much for
assaulting the soul; when it begins to approach towards the grave, then
is his opportunity), labouring to hide from me my former experience
of God’s goodness: also setting before me the terrors of death,
and the judgment of God, insomuch that at this time, through my fear
of miscarrying for ever (should I now die), I was as one dead before
death came, and was as if I had felt myself already descending into
the pit; methought I said, There were no way, but to hell I must: but
behold, just as I was in the midst of those fears, these words of the
angel’s carrying Lazarus into Abraham’s bosom
darted in upon me, as who should say, So it shall be with
thee when thou dost leave this world. This did sweetly revive
my spirit, and help me to hope in God; which when I had with comfort
mused on a while, that word fell with great weight upon my mind, O
death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1 Cor. xv. 55. At this I became both well in body and mind at
once, for my sickness did presently vanish, and I walked comfortably
in my work for God again.
261. At another time, though just before I was pretty well and
savoury in my spirit, yet suddenly there fell upon me a great cloud
of darkness, which did so hide from me the things of God and Christ,
that I was as if I had never seen or known them in my life: I was also
so over-run in my soul with a senseless heartless frame of spirit, that
I could not feel my soul to move or stir after grace and life
by Christ; I was as if my loins were broken, or as if my hands
and feet had been tied or bound with chains. At this time also
I felt some weakness to seize upon my outward man, which made still
the other affliction the more heavy and uncomfortable to me.
262. After I had been in this condition some three or four days,
as I was sitting by the fire, I suddenly felt this word to sound in
my heart, I must go to Jesus. At this my former darkness
and atheism fled away, and the blessed things of heaven were set in
my view. While I was on this sudden thus overtaken with surprise,
Wife (said I), is there ever such a scripture, I must go to Jesus?
She said, she could not tell; therefore I sat musing still, to see if
I could remember such a place: I had not sat above two or three minutes,
but that came bolting in upon me, And to an innumerable company of
angels; and withal, Hebrews twelfth, about the mount Sion,
was set before mine eyes. Heb. xii. 22-24.
263. Then with joy I told my wife, O! now I know, I
know! But that night was a good night to me, I never had but
few better; I longed for the company of some of God’s people,
that I might have imparted unto them what God had showed me. Christ
was a precious Christ to my soul that night; I could scarce lie in my
bed for joy, and peace, and triumph, through Christ. This great
glory did not continue upon me until morning, yet the twelfth of the
Author to the Hebrews, Heb. xii. 22, 23, was a blessed scripture to
me for many days together after this.
264. The words are these: Ye are come to mount Sion, and unto
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable
company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the
first-born, which are written in heaven; and to God the Judge of
all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus
the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling,
that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Through
this blessed sentence the Lord led me over and over, first to this word,
and then to that; and showed me wonderful glory in every one of them.
These words also have oft since that time, been great refreshment to
my spirit. Blessed be God for having mercy on me.
A brief Account of the Author’s Call to the Work of the Ministry
265. And now I am speaking my experience, I will in this place
thrust in a word or two concerning my preaching the word, and of God’s
dealing with me in that particular also. For after I had been
about five or six years awakened, and helped myself to see both the
want and worth of Jesus Christ our Lord, and also enabled to venture
my soul upon Him; some of the most able among the saints with us, I
say, the most able for judgment and holiness of life, as they conceived,
did perceive that God had counted me worth to understand something of
His will in His holy and blessed word, and had given me utterance in
some measure, to express what I saw to others, for edification; therefore
they desired me, and that with much earnestness, that I would be willing,
at sometimes to take in hand, in one of the meetings, to speak a word
of exhortation unto them.
266. The which, though at the first it did much dash and abash
my spirit, yet being still by them desired and entreated, I consented
to their request, and did twice at two several assemblies (but in private),
though with much weakness and infirmity, discover my gift amongst them;
at which they not only seemed to be, but did solemnly protest, as in
the sight of the great God, they were both affected and comforted; and
gave thanks to the Father of mercies, for the grace bestowed on me.
267. After this, sometimes, when some of them did go into the
country to teach, they would also that I should go with them; where,
though as yet, I did not nor durst not, make use of my gift in an open
way, yet more privately, still, as I came amongst the good people in
those places, I did sometimes speak a word of admonition unto them also;
the which they, as the other, received with rejoicing at the mercy of
God to me-ward, professing their souls were edified thereby.
268. Wherefore, to be brief; at last, being still desired by the
church, after some solemn prayer to the Lord, with fasting, I was more
particularly called forth, and appointed to a more ordinary and public
preaching of the word, not only to and amongst them that believed, but
also to offer the gospel to those who had not yet received the faith
thereof; about which time I did evidently find in my mind a secret pricking
forward thereto; though I bless God, not for desire of vain-glory; for
at that time I was most sorely afflicted with the fiery darts of the
devil, concerning my eternal state.
269. But yet could not be content, unless I was found in the exercise
of my gift, unto which also I was greatly animated, not only by the
continual desires of the godly, but also by that saying of Paul
to the Corinthians: I beseech you, brethren (ye know the household
of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that
they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints)
that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth
with us, and laboureth. 1 Cor. xvi. 15, 16.
270. By this text I was made to see that the Holy Ghost never
intended that men who have gifts and abilities, should bury them in
the earth, but rather did command and stir up such to the exercise of
their gift, and also did commend those that were apt and ready so to
do. They have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.
This scripture, in these days, did continually run in my mind, to encourage
me, and strengthen me in this my work for God; I have also been encouraged
from several other scriptures and examples of the godly, both specified
in the word, and other ancient histories: Acts viii. 4 and xviii.
24, 25, etc.; 1 Pet. iv. 10; Rom. xii. 6; Fox’s
Acts and Mon.
271. Wherefore, though of myself of all the saints the most
unworthy; yet I, but with great fear and trembling at the sight of my
own weakness, did set upon the work, and did according to my gift, and
the proportion of my faith, preach that blessed gospel that God had
showed me in the holy word of truth: which when the country understood,
they came in to hear the word by hundreds, and that from all parts,
though upon sundry and divers accounts.
272. And I thank God, He gave unto me some measure of bowels and
pity for their souls, which also did put me forward to labour, with
great diligence and earnestness, to find out such a word as might, if
God would bless, lay hold of, and awaken the conscience; in which also
the good Lord had respect to the desire of His servant; for I had not
preached long, before some began to be touched, and be greatly afflicted
in their minds at the apprehension of the greatness of their sin, and
of their need of Jesus Christ.
273. But I first could not believe that God should speak by me
to the heart of any man, still counting myself unworthy; yet those who
thus were touched, would love me and have a particular respect for me;
and though I did put it from me, that they should be awakened by me,
still they would confess it, and affirm it before the saints of God:
they would also bless God for me (unworthy wretch that I am!) and count
me God’s instrument that showed to them the way of salvation.
274. Wherefore seeing them in both their words and deeds to be
so constant, and also in their hearts so earnestly pressing after the
knowledge of Jesus Christ, rejoicing that ever God did send me where
they were; then I began to conclude it might be so, that God had owned
in His work such a foolish one as I; and then came that word of God
to my heart, with much sweet refreshment, The blessing of him that
was ready to perish, is come upon me; and I caused the widow’s
heart to sing for joy. Job xxix. 13.
275. At this therefore I rejoiced; yea, the tears of those whom
God did awaken by my preaching, would be both solace and encouragement
to me: for I thought on those sayings, Who is He then that maketh
me glad, but the same which is made sorry by Me? 2
Cor. ii. 2. And again, If I be not an Apostle to
others, yet doubtless, I am unto you: for the seal of mine apostleship
are ye in the Lord. 1 Cor. ix. 2. These things, therefore,
were as another argument unto me, that God had called me to, and stood
by me in this work.
276. In my preaching of the word, I took special notice of this
one thing, namely, that the Lord did lead me to begin where His word
begins with sinners; that is, to condemn all flesh, and to open and
allege, that the curse of God by the law, doth belong to, and lay hold
on all men as they come into the world, because of sin. Now this
part of my work I fulfilled with great sense; for the terrors of the
law, and guilt for my transgressions, lay heavy on my conscience: I
preached what I felt, what I smartingly did feel; even that under which
my poor soul did groan and tremble to astonishment.
277. Indeed, I have been as one sent to them from the dead; I
went myself in chains, to preach to them in chains; and carried that
fire in my own conscience, that I persuaded them to be aware of.
I can truly say, and that without dissembling, that when I have been
to preach, I have gone full of guilt and terror, even to the pulpit
door, and there it hath been taken off, and I have been at liberty in
my mind until I have done my work; and then immediately, even before
I could get down the pulpit stairs, I have been as bad as I was before;
yet God carried me on, but surely with a strong hand, for neither guilt
nor hell could take me off my work.
278. Thus I went on for the space of two years, crying out against
men’s sins, and their fearful state because of them. After
which, the Lord came in upon my own soul, with some staid peace and
comfort through Christ; for He did give me many sweet discoveries of
His blessed grace through Him; wherefore now I altered in my preaching
(for still I preached what I saw and felt); now therefore I did much
labour to hold forth Jesus Christ in all His offices, relations, and
benefits unto the world; and did strive also to discover, to condemn,
and remove those false supports and props on which the world doth both
lean, and by them fall and perish. On these things also I staid
as long as on the other.
279. After this, God led me into something of the mystery of the
union of Christ; wherefore that I discovered and showed to them also.
And, when I had travelled through these three chief points of the word
of God, about the space of five years or more, I was caught in my present
practice, and cast into prison, where I have lain above as long again
to confirm the truth by way of suffering, as I was before in testifying
of it according to the scriptures, in a way of preaching.
280. When I have been in preaching, I thank God my heart hath
often all the time of this and the other exercise, with great earnestness
cried to God that He would make the word effectual to the salvation
of the soul; still being grieved lest the enemy should take the word
away from the conscience, and so it should become unfruitful: wherefore
I should labour to speak the word, as that thereby, if it were possible,
the sin and person guilty might be particularized by it.
281. And when I have done the exercise, it hath gone to my heart,
to think the word should now fall as rain on stony places; still wishing
from my heart, Oh! that they who have heard me speak this day, did but
see as I do, what sin, death, hell, and the curse of God is; and also
what the grace, and love, and mercy of God is, through Christ, to men
in such a case as they are, who are yet estranged from Him. And
indeed, I did often say in my heart before the Lord, That if to be
hanged up presently before their eyes, would be a means to awaken
them, and confirm them in the truth, I gladly should be contented.
282. For I have been in my preaching, especially when I have
been engaged in the doctrine of life by Christ, without works, as if
an angel of God had stood by at my back to encourage me: Oh! it hath
been with such power and heavenly evidence upon my own soul, while I
have been labouring to unfold it, to demonstrate it, and to fasten it
upon the conscience of others; that I could not be contented with saying,
I believe, and am sure; methought I was more than sure (if it
be lawful to express myself) that those things which then I asserted,
were true.
283. When I first went to preach the word abroad, the doctors
and priests of the country did open wide against me. But I was
persuaded of this, not to render railing for railing; but to see how
many of their carnal professors I could convince of their miserable
state by the law, and of the want and worth of Christ: for, thought
I, This shall answer for me in time to come, when they shall
be for my hire before their face. Gen. xxx. 33.
284. I never cared to meddle with things that were controverted,
and in dispute among the saints, especially things of the lowest nature;
yet it pleased me much to contend with great earnestness for the word
of faith, and the remission of sins by the death and sufferings of Jesus:
but I say, as to other things, I should let them alone, because I saw
they engendered strife; and because that they neither in doing, nor
in leaving undone, did commend us to God to be His: besides, I saw my
work before me did run into another channel, even to carry an awakening
word; to that therefore did I stick and adhere.
285. I never endeavoured to, nor durst make use of other men’s
lines, Rom. xv. 18 (though I condemn not all that do), for I verily
thought, and found by experience, that what was taught me by the word
and Spirit of Christ, could be spoken, maintained, and stood to, by
the soundest and best established conscience; and though I will not
now speak all that I know in this matter, yet my experience hath more
interest in that text of scripture, Gal. i. 11, 12, than many amongst
men are aware.
286. If any of those who were awakened by my ministry, did after
that fall back (as sometimes too many did), I can truly say, their loss
hath been more to me, than if one of my own children, begotten of my
own body, had been going to its grave: I think verily, I may speak it
without any offence to the Lord, nothing has gone so near me as that;
unless it was the fear of the loss of the salvation of my own soul.
I have counted as if I had goodly buildings and lordships in those places
where my children were born; my heart hath been so wrapped up in the
glory of this excellent work, that I counted myself more blessed and
honoured of God by this, than if He had made me the emperor of the Christian
world, or the lord of all the glory of the earth without it! Oh
these words! He which converteth the sinner from the
error of his way, shall save a soul from death. James v. 20.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that
winneth souls is wise. Prov. xi. 30. They that be
wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and
they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for
ever and ever. Dan. xii. 3. For what is our
hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence
of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are
our glory and joy. 1 Thes. ii. 19, 20. These, I say,
with many others of a like nature, have been great refreshments to me.
287. I have observed, that where I have had a work to do for God,
I have had first, as it were, the going of God upon my spirit, to desire
I might preach there: I have also observed, that such and such souls
in particular, have been strongly set upon my heart, and I stirred up
to wish for their salvation; and that these very souls have, after this,
been given in as the fruits of my ministry. I have observed, that
a word cast in, by-the-bye, hath done more execution in a sermon, than
all that was spoken besides: sometimes also, when I have thought I did
no good, then I did the most of all; and at other times, when I thought
I should catch them, I have fished for nothing.
288. I have also observed, that where there has been a work to
do upon sinners, there the devil hath begun to roar in the hearts and
by the mouths of his servants: yea, oftentimes, when the wicked world
hath raged most, there hath been souls awakened by the word: I could
instance particulars, but I forbear.
289. My great desire in my fulfilling my ministry was to get into
the darkest places of the country, even amongst those people that were
farthest off of profession; yet not because I could not endure the light
(for I feared not to show my gospel to any) but because I found my spirit
did lean most after awakening and converting work, and the word that
I carried did lean itself most that way also; Yea, so have I strived
to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I
should build upon another man’s foundation. Rom. xv.
20.
290. In my preaching I have really been in pain, and have, as
it were, travailed to bring forth children to God; neither could I be
satisfied unless some fruits did appear in my work. If I were
fruitless, it mattered not who commanded me: but if I were fruitful,
I cared not who did condemn. I have thought of that: Lo!
children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the
womb is His reward. - As arrows are in the hand of a mighty
man, so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that
hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but
they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Psalm
cxxvii. 3-5.
291. It pleased me nothing to see people drink in opinions, if
they seemed ignorant of Jesus Christ, and the worth of their own salvation,
sound conviction for sin, especially for unbelief, and a heart set on
fire to be saved by Christ, with strong breathings after a truly sanctified
soul: that it was that delighted me; those were the souls I counted
blessed.
292. But in this work, as in all other, I had my temptations attending
me, and that of divers kinds; as sometimes I should be assaulted with
great discouragement therein, fearing that I should not be able to speak
a word at all to edification; nay, that I should not be able to speak
sense unto the people; at which times I should have such a strange faintness
and strengthlessness seize upon my body, that my legs have scarce been
able to carry me to the place of exercise.
293. Sometimes again when I have been preaching, I have been violently
assaulted with thoughts of blasphemy, and strongly tempted to speak
the words with my mouth before the congregation. I have also at
some times, even when I have begun to speak the word with much clearness,
evidence, and liberty of speech, yet been, before the ending of that
opportunity, so blinded and so estranged from the things I have been
speaking, and have been also so straightened in my speech, as to utterance
before the people, that I have been as if I had not known, or remembered
what I have been about; or as if my head had been in a bag all the time
of my exercise.
294. Again, when as sometimes I have been about to preach upon
some smart and searching portion of the word, I have found the tempter
suggest, What! will you preach this! This condemns yourself;
of this your own soul is guilty; wherefore preach not of it at all;
or if you do, yet so mince it, as to make way for your own escape;
lest instead of awakening others, you lay that guilt upon
your own soul, that you will never get from under.
295. But I thank the Lord, I have been kept from consenting
to these so horrid suggestions, and have rather, as Sampson, bowed myself
with all my might, to condemn sin and transgression, wherever I found
it; yea, though therein also I did bring guilt upon my own conscience:
Let me die (thought I), with the Philistines, Judges
xvi. 29, 30, rather than deal corruptly with the blessed word of God.
Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?
It is far better that thou do judge thyself, even by preaching plainly
unto others, than that thou, to save thyself, imprison the truth in
righteousness. Blessed be God for His help also in this.
296. I have also, while found in this blessed work of Christ,
been often tempted to pride and liftings up of heart: and though I dare
not say, I have not been affected with this, yet truly the Lord of His
precious mercy, hath so carried it towards me, that for the most part
I have had but small joy to give way to such a thing: for it hath been
my every day’s portion to be let into the evil of my own heart,
and still made to see such a multitude of corruptions and infirmities
therein, that it hath caused hanging down of the head under all my gifts
and attainments; I have felt this thorn in the flesh, 2 Cor. xii. 8,
9, the very mercy of God to me.
297. I have also had, together with this, some notable place or
other of the word presented before me, which word hath contained in
it some sharp and piercing sentence concerning the perishing of the
soul, notwithstanding gifts and parts: as, for instance, that hath been
of great use to me: Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels,
and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, and a tinkling
cymbal. 1 Cor. xiii. 1, 2.
298. A tinkling cymbal is an instrument of music, with which a
skilful player can make such melodious and heart-inflaming music, that
all who hear him play, can scarcely hold from dancing; and yet behold
the cymbal hath not life, neither comes the music from it, but because
of the art of him that plays therewith; so then the instrument at last
may come to nought and perish, though in times past such music hath
been made upon it.
299. Just thus I saw it was, and will be, with them who have gifts,
but want saving grace; they are in the hand of Christ, as the cymbal
in the hand of David: and as David could with the cymbal
make that mirth in the service of God, as to elevate the hearts of the
worshippers, so Christ can use these gifted men, as with them to affect
the souls of His people in His church; yet when He hath done all, hang
them by, as lifeless, though sounding cymbals.
300. This consideration therefore, together with some others,
were for the most part, as a maul on the head of pride, and desire of
vain-glory. What, thought I, shall I be proud because I am a sounding
brass? Is it so much to be a fiddle? hath not the least creature
that hath life, more of God in it than these? Besides, I knew
’twas love should never die, but these must cease and vanish:
so I concluded, a little grace, a little love, a little of the true
fear of God, is better than all the gifts: yea, and I am fully convinced
of it, that it is possible for souls that can scarce give a man an answer,
but with great confusion as to method; I say, it is possible for them
to have a thousand times more grace, and so to be more in the love and
favour of the Lord, than some who by the virtue of the gift of knowledge,
can deliver themselves like angels.
301. Thus therefore I came to perceive that, though gifts in themselves
were good, to the thing for which they are designed, to wit, the edification
of others; yet empty, and without power to save the soul of him that
hath them, if they be alone: neither are they, as so, any sign
of a man’s state to be happy, being only a dispensation of God
to some, of whose improvement, or non-improvement, they must when a
little love more is over, give an account to Him that is ready to judge
the quick and the dead.
302. This showed me too, that gifts being alone, were dangerous,
not in themselves, but because of those evils that attend them that
have them, to wit, pride, desire of vain glory, self-conceit, etc.,
all which were easily blown up at the applause and commendation of every
unadvised Christian, to the endangering of a poor creature to fall into
the condemnation of the devil.
303. I saw therefore that he that hath gifts, had need be let
into a sight of the nature of them, to wit, that they come short of
making of him to be in a truly saved condition, lest he rest in them,
and so fall short of the grace of God.
304. He hath cause also to walk humbly with God and be little
in his own eyes, and to remember withal, that his gifts are not his
own, but the churches; and that by them he is made a servant to the
church; and he must also give at last an account of his stewardship
unto the Lord Jesus, and to give a good account will be a blessed thing.
305. Let all men therefore prize a little with the fear of the
Lord (gifts indeed are desirable), but yet great grace and small gifts
are better than great gifts and no grace. It doth not say, the
Lord gives gifts and glory, but the Lord gives grace and glory; and
blessed is such an one, to whom the Lord gives grace, true grace; for
that is a certain forerunner of glory.
306. But when Satan perceived that his thus tempting and assaulting
of me, would not answer his design; to wit, to overthrow the ministry,
and make it ineffectual, as to the ends thereof: then he tried another
way, which was, to stir up the minds of the ignorant and malicious to
load me with slanders and reproaches: now therefore I may say, that
what the devil could devise, and his instruments invent, was whirled
up and down the country against me, thinking, as I said, that by that
means they should make my ministry to be abandoned.
307. It began therefore to be rumoured up and down among
the people, that I was a witch, a Jesuit, a highwayman, and the like.
308. To all which, I shall only say, God knows that I am
innocent. But as for mine accusers, let them provide themselves
to meet me before the tribunal of the Son of God, there to answer for
all these things (with all the rest of their iniquities) unless God
shall give them repentance for them, for the which I pray with all my
heart.
309. But that which was reported with the boldest confidence,
was, that I had my misses, my whores, my bastards;
yea, two wives at once, and the like. Now these slanders
(with the others) I glory in, because but slanders, foolish or knavish
lies, and falsehoods cast upon me by the devil and his seed; and, should
I not be dealt with thus wickedly by the world, I should want one sign
of a saint, and a child of God. Blessed are ye (said the
Lord Jesus) when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall
say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake; rejoice
and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for
so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matt. iv. 11.
310. These things therefore, upon mine own account, trouble me
not; no, though they were twenty times more than they are. I have
a good conscience, and whereas they speak evil of me, as an evil-doer,
they shall be ashamed that falsely accuse my good conversation in Christ.
311. So then, what shall I say to those who have thus bespattered
me? Shall I threaten them? Shall I chide them? Shall
I flatter them? Shall I entreat them to hold their tongues?
No, not I. Were it not for that these things make them ripe for
damnation, that are the authors and abettors, I would say unto them,
Report it, because ’twill increase my glory.
312. Therefore I bind these lies and slanders to me as an ornament;
it belongs to my Christian profession to be vilified, slandered, reproached
and reviled; and since all this is nothing else, as my God and my conscience
do bear me witness, I rejoice in reproaches for Christ’s sake.
313. I also call all these fools or knaves, that have thus made
it any thing of their business to affirm any of the things afore-named
of me; namely, That I have been naught with other women, or the like.
When they have used the utmost of their endeavours, and made the fullest
inquiry that they can, to prove against me truly, that there is any
woman in heaven, or earth, or hell, that can say, I have at any time,
in any place, by day or night, so much as attempted to be naught with
them; and speak I thus to beg my enemies into a good esteem of me?
No, not I: I will in this beg belief of no man: believe or disbelieve
me in this, all is a-case to me.
314. My foes have missed their mark in this shooting at me: I
am not the man: I wish that they themselves be guiltless. If all
the fornicators and adulterers in England were hanged up by the
neck till they be dead, John Bunyan, the object of their envy,
would be still alive and well. I know not whether there be such
a thing as a woman breathing under the copes of the whole heaven, but
by their apparel, their children, or by common fame, except my wife.
315. And in this I admire the wisdom of God, that He made me shy
of women from my first conversion until now. Those shy of women
know, and can also bear me witness, with whom I have been most intimately
concerned, that it is a rare thing to see me carry it pleasant towards
a woman: the common salutation of women I abhor; ’tis odious to
me in whomsoever I see it. Their company alone, I cannot away
with; I seldom so much as touch a woman’s hand; for I think these
things are not so becoming me. When I have seen good men salute
those women that they have visited, or that have visited them, I have
at times made my objection against it; and when they have answered,
that it was but a piece of civility, I have told them, it is not a comely
sight. Some indeed have urged the holy kiss; but then I have asked
why they made baulks? why they did salute the most handsome, and let
the ill-favoured go? Thus, how laudable soever such things have
been in the eyes of others, they have been unseemly in my sight.
316. And now for a wind-up in this matter, I calling not only
men, but angels, to prove me guilty of having carnally to do with any
woman save my wife: nor am I afraid to do it a second time; knowing
that it cannot offend the Lord in such a case, to call God for a record
upon my soul, that in these things I am innocent. Not that I have
been thus kept, because of any goodness in me, more than any other;
but God has been merciful to me, and has kept me; to whom I pray that
He will keep me still, not only from this, but every evil way and work,
and preserve me to His heavenly kingdom. Amen.
317. Now as Satan laboured by reproaches and slanders, to
make me vile among my countrymen; that, if possible, my preaching might
be made of none effect; so there was added hereto, a long and tedious
imprisonment, that thereby I might be frightened from my service for
Christ, and the world terrified, and made afraid to hear me preach;
of which I shall in the next place give you a brief account.
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR’S IMPRISONMENT
318. Having made profession of the glorious gospel of Christ a
long time, and preached the same about five years, I was apprehended
at a meeting of good people in the country (among whom, had they let
me alone, I should have preached that day, but they took me away from
amongst them), and had me before a justice; who, after I had offered
security for my appearing at the next sessions, yet committed me, because
my sureties would not consent to be bound that I should preach no more
to the people.
319. At the sessions after I was indicted for an upholder and
maintainer of unlawful assemblies and conventicles, and for not conforming
to the national worship of the church of England; and after some
conference there with the justices, they taking my plain dealing with
them for a confession, as they termed it, of the indictment, did
sentence me to a perpetual banishment, because I refused to conform.
So being again delivered up to the jailer’s hands, I was had home
to prison, and there have lain now complete twelve years, waiting to
see what God would suffer these men to do with me.
320. In which condition I have continued with much content, through
grace, but have met with many turnings and goings upon my heart, both
from the Lord, Satan, and my own corruptions; by all which (glory be
to Jesus Christ) I have also received among many things, much conviction,
instruction, and understanding, of which at large I shall not here discourse;
only give you a hint or two, a word that may stir up the godly to bless
God, and to pray for me; and also to take encouragement, should the
case be their own - not to fear what man can do unto them.
321. I never had in all my life so great an inlet into the
word of God as now: those scriptures that I saw nothing in before, are
made in this place and state to shine upon me; Jesus Christ also was
never more real and apparent than now; here I have seen and felt Him
indeed: Oh! that word, We have not preached unto you cunningly
devised fables, 2 Pet. i. 16, and that, God raised Christ
from the dead, and gave Him glory, that our faith and hope
might be in God 1 Pet. i. 21, were blessed words unto me in this
my imprisoned condition.
322. These three or four scriptures also have been great refreshments
in this condition to me: John xiv. 1-4; John xvi. 33; Col. iii. 3, 4;
Heb. xii. 22-24. So that sometimes when I have been in the savour
of them, I have been able to laugh at destruction, and to fear
neither the horse nor his rider. I have had sweet sights
of the forgiveness of my sins in this place, and of my being with Jesus
in another world: Oh! the mount Sion, the heavenly
Jerusalem, the innumerable company of angels, and God the Judge of all,
and the spirits of just men made perfect, and Jesus, have
been sweet unto me in this place: I have seen that here, that I am persuaded
I shall never, while in this world, be able to express: I have seen
a truth in this scripture, Whom having not seen, ye love; in
whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. 1 Pet. i. 8.
323. I never knew what it was for God to stand by me at all turns,
and at every offer of Satan to afflict me, etc., as I have found Him
since I came in hither: for look how fears have presented themselves,
so have supports and encouragements; yea, when I have started, even
as it were, at nothing else but my shadow, yet God, as being very tender
of me, hath not suffered me to be molested, but would with one scripture
or another, strengthen me against all; insomuch that I have often said,
were it lawful, I could pray for greater trouble, for the greater
comfort’s sake. Eccl. vii. 14; 2 Cor. i. 5.
324. Before I came to prison, I saw what was coming, and had especially
two considerations warm upon my heart; the first was, how to be able
to encounter death, should that be here my portion. For the first
of these, that scripture, Col. i. 11, was great information to me, namely,
to pray to God to be strengthened with all might, according to
His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with
joyfulness. I could seldom go to prayer before I was imprisoned;
but for not so little as a year together, this sentence, or sweet petition
would, as it were, thrust itself into my mind, and persuade me, that
if ever I would go through long-suffering, I must have all patience,
especially if I would endure it joyfully.
325. As to the second consideration, that saying (2 Cor.
i. 9) was of great use to me, But we had the sentence of death
in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in
God, which raiseth the dead. By this scripture I was
made to see, That if ever I would suffer rightly, I must first pass
a sentence of death upon every thing that can properly be called a thing
of this life, even to reckon myself, my wife, my children, my health,
my enjoyments, and all as dead to me, and myself as dead to them.
326. The second was to live upon God that is invisible, as Paul
said in another place; the way not to faint is, To look not on the
things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for
the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are
not seen are eternal. And thus I reasoned with myself,
if I provide only for a prison, then the whip comes at unawares; and
so doth also the pillory: Again, if I only provide for these, then I
am not fit for banishment. Further, if I conclude that banishment
is the worst, then if death comes, I am surprised: so that I see, the
best way to go through sufferings, is to trust in God through Christ,
as touching the world to come; and as touching this world, to count
the grave my house, to make my bed in darkness; to say to
corruption, Thou art my father, and to the worm, Thou
art my mother and sister: that is, to familiarize these things
to me.
327. But notwithstanding these helps, I found myself a man and
compassed with infirmities; the parting with my wife and poor children,
hath often been to me in this place, as the pulling the flesh from the
bones, and that not only because I am somewhat too fond of these great
mercies, but also because I should have often brought to my mind the
many hardships, miseries, 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 besides: Oh! the thoughts of the hardship
I thought my poor blind one might go under, would break my heart to
pieces.
328. Poor child! thought I, what sorrow art thou like to have
for thy portion in this world! Thou must be beaten, must beg,
suffer hunger, cold, nakedness, and a thousand calamities, though I
cannot now endure the wind should blow upon thee. But yet recalling
myself, thought I, I must venture you all with God, though it goeth
to the quick to leave you: Oh! I saw in this condition I was as a man
who was pulling down his house upon the head of his wife and children;
yet, thought I, I must do it, I must do it: and now I thought on those
two milch kine that were to carry the ark of God into another country,
and to leave their calves behind them. 1 Sam. vi. 10-12.
329. But that which helped me in this temptation, was divers considerations,
of which, three in special here I will name, the first was the consideration
of these two scriptures, Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve
them alive, and let thy widows trust in me: and again, The
Lord said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant, verily,
I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of
evil, and in time of affliction. Jer. xlix. 11; xv. 11.
330. I had also this consideration, that if I should not venture
all for God, I engaged God to take care of my concernments: but if I
forsook Him and His ways, for fear of any trouble that should come to
me or mine, then I should not only falsify my profession, but should
count also that my concernments were not so sure, if left at God’s
feet, whilst I stood to and for His name, as they would be if they were
under my own care, though with the denial of the way of God. This
was a smarting consideration, and as spurs unto my flesh. That
scripture also greatly helped it to fasten the more upon me, where Christ
prays against Judas, that God would disappoint him in his selfish thoughts,
which moved him to sell his Master. Pray read it soberly: Psalm
cix. 6-8, etc.
331. I had also another consideration, and that was, the dread
of the torments of hell, which I was sure they must partake of that
for fear of the cross, do shrink from their profession of Christ, His
words and laws before the sons of men: I thought also of the glory that
He had prepared for those that in faith, and love, and patience, stood
to His ways before them. These things, I say, have helped me,
when the thoughts of the misery that both myself and mine, might for
the sake of my profession be exposed to, hath lain pinching on my mind.
332. When I have indeed conceited that I might be banished for
my profession, then I have thought of that scripture: They were stoned,
they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the
sword, they wandered about in sheep-skins, and goat-skins,
being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was
not worthy; for all they thought they were too bad to dwell and
abide amongst them. I have also thought of that saying, the
Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, that bonds and afflictions
abide me. I have verily thought that my soul
and it have sometimes reasoned about the sore and sad estate
of a banished and exiled condition, how they were exposed to hunger,
to cold, to perils, to nakedness, to enemies, and a thousand calamities;
and at last, it may be, to die in a ditch, like a poor and desolate
sheep. But I thank God, hitherto I have not been moved by these
most delicate reasonings, but have rather, by them, more approved
my heart to God.
333. I will tell you a pretty business:- I was once above all
the rest, in a very sad and low condition for many weeks; at which time
also, I being but a young prisoner, and not acquainted with the laws,
had this lying much upon my spirits, that my imprisonment might end
at the gallows for ought that I could tell. Now therefore
Satan laid hard at me, to beat me out of heart, by suggesting thus unto
me: But how if, when you come indeed to die, YOU should
be in this condition; that is, as not to savour the things of
God, nor to have any evidence upon your soul for a better
state hereafter? (for indeed at that time all the things of God
were hid from my soul).
334. Wherefore, when I at first began to think of this, it was
a great trouble to me; for I thought with myself, that in the condition
I now was in, I was not fit to die, neither indeed did I think I could,
if I should be called to it; besides, I thought with myself, if I should
make a scrambling shift to clamber up the ladder, yet I should either
with quaking, or other symptoms of fainting, give occasion to the enemy
to reproach the way of God and His people for their timorousness.
This, therefore, lay with great trouble upon me, for methought I was
ashamed to die with a pale face, and tottering knees, in such a cause
as this.
335. Wherefore I prayed to God that He would comfort me, and give
me strength to do and suffer me what He should call me to; yet no comfort
appeared, but all continued hid: I was also at this time, so really
possessed with the thought of death, that oft I was as if I was on a
ladder with the rope about my neck; only this was some encouragement
to me; I thought I might now have an opportunity to speak my last words
to a multitude, which I thought would come to see me die; and, thought
I, if it must be so, if God will but convert one soul by my very last
words, I shall not count my life thrown away, nor lost.
336. But yet all the things of God were kept out of my sight,
and still the tempter followed me with, But whither must you
go when you die? what will become of you? where will you be found
in another world? what evidence have you for heaven and
glory, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified?
Thus was I tossed for many weeks, and knew not what to do; at last this
consideration fell with weight upon me, that it was for the
word and way of God that I was in this condition, Wherefore
I was engaged not to flinch an hair’s breadth from
it.
337. I thought also, that God might choose whether He would
give me comfort now, or at the hour of death; but I might not therefore
choose whether I would hold my profession or no: I was bound, but He
was free; yea, ’twas my duty to stand to His word, whether He
would ever look upon me or save me at the last: wherefore, thought I,
save the point being thus, I am for going on, and venturing my eternal
state with Christ, whether I have comfort here or no; if God doth not
come in, thought I, I will leap off the ladder even blindfold into
eternity, sink or swim, come heaven, come hell, Lord Jesus,
if Thou wilt catch me, do; if not, I will venture for Thy name.
338. I was no sooner fixed in this resolution, but the word
dropped upon me, Doth Job serve God for nought?
As if the accuser had said, Lord, Job is no upright man, be serves
Thee for bye-respects: hast Thou not made an hedge about him, etc.
But put forth now Thine hand, and touch all that he hath,
and, he will curse Thee to Thy face. How now! thought I, is
this the sign of an upright soul, to desire to serve God, when all is
taken from him? Is he a godly man that will serve God for nothing,
rather than give out! Blessed be God! then I hope I have an upright
heart, for I am resolved (God giving me strength) never to deny my profession,
though I have nothing at all for my pains: and as I was thus considering,
that scripture was set before me: Psalm xliv. 12, etc.
339. Now was my heart full of comfort; for I hoped it was sincere:
I would not have been without this trial for much; I am comforted every
time I think of it, and I hope I shall bless God for ever, for the teaching
I have had by it. Many more of the dealings towards me I might
relate, But these out of the spoils won in battle I have dedicated
to maintain the house of God. 1 Chron. xxvi. 27.
THE CONCLUSION
1. Of all the temptations that ever I met with in my life, to
question the being of God, and truth of His gospel is the worst, and
the worst to be borne; when this temptation comes, it takes away my
girdle from me, and removeth the foundation from under me: Oh! I have
often thought of that word, Have your loins girt about with truth;
and of that, When the foundations are destroyed, what can
the righteous do?
2. Sometimes, when after sin committed, I have looked for
sore chastisement from the hand of God, the very next that I have had
from Him, hath been the discovery of His grace. Sometimes when
I have been comforted, I have called myself a fool for my so sinking
under trouble. And then again, when I have been cast down, I thought
I was not wise, to give such way to comfort; with such strength and
weight have both these been upon me.
3. I have wondered much at this one thing, that though God doth
visit my soul with never so blessed a discovery of Himself, yet I have
found again, that such hours have attended me afterwards, that I have
been in my spirit so filled with darkness, that I could not so much
as once conceive what that God and that comfort was, with which I have
been refreshed.
4. I have sometimes seen more in a line of the Bible, than I could
well tell how to stand under; and yet at another time, the whole Bible
hath been to me as dry as a stick; or rather, My heart hath been so
dead and dry unto it, that I could not conceive the refreshment, though
I have looked it all over.
5. Of all fears, they are best that are made by the blood of Christ;
and of all joy, that is the sweetest that is mixed with mourning over
Christ: Oh! it is a goodly thing to be on our knees, with Christ in
our arms, before God: I hope I know something of these things.
6. I find to this day seven abominations in my heart: 1. Inclining
to unbelief; 2. Suddenly to forget the love and mercy that Christ manifesteth;
3. A leaning to the works of the law; 4. Wanderings and coldness in
prayer; 5. To forget to watch for that I pray for; 6. Apt to murmur
because I have no more, and yet ready to abuse what I have; 7. I can
do none of those things which God commands me, but my corruptions will
thrust in themselves. When I would do good, evil is present with
me.
7. These things I continually see and feel, and am afflicted and
oppressed with, yet the wisdom of God doth order them for my good; 1.
They make me abhor myself; 2. They keep me from trusting my heart; 3.
They convince me of the insufficiency of all inherent righteousness;
4. They show me the necessity of flying to Jesus; 5. They press me to
pray unto God; 6. They show me the need I have to watch and be sober;
7. And provoke me to pray unto God, through Christ, to help me, and
carry me through this world.
A RELATION OF MY IMPRISONMENT IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 1660
When, by the good hand of my God, I had for five or six years together,
without any interruption, freely preached the blessed gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ; and had also, through His blessed grace, some encouragement
by His blessing thereupon; the devil, that old enemy of man’s
salvation, took his opportunity to inflame the hearts of his vassals
against me, insomuch that at the last, I was laid out for by the warrant
of a justice, and was taken and committed to prison. The relation
thereof is as followeth:-
Upon the 12th of this instant, November 1660, I was desired by some
of the friends in the country to come to teach at Samsell, by
Harlington, in Bedfordshire. To whom I made a promise,
if the Lord permitted, to be with them on the time aforesaid.
The justice hearing thereof (whose name is Mr Francis Wingate),
forthwith issued out his warrant to take me, and bring me before him,
and in the meantime to keep a very strong watch about the house where
the meeting should be kept, as if we that were to meet together in that
place did intend to do some fearful business, to the destruction of
the country; when alas! the constable, when he came in, found us only
with our Bibles in our hands, ready to speak and hear the word of God;
for we were just about to begin our exercise. Nay, we had begun
in prayer for the blessing of God upon our opportunity, intending to
have preached the word of the Lord unto them there present: but the
constable coming in prevented us. So I was taken and forced to
depart the room. But had I been minded to have played the coward,
I could have escaped and kept out of his hands. For when I was
come to my friend’s house, there was whispering that that day
I should be taken, for there was a warrant out to take me; which when
my friend heard, he being somewhat timorous, questioned whether we had
best have our meeting or not; and whether it might not be better for
me to depart, lest they should take me and have me before the justice,
and after that send me to prison (for he knew better than I what spirit
they were of, living by them): to whom I said, No, by no means, I will
not stir, neither will I have the meeting dismissed for this.
Come, be of good cheer; let us not be daunted; our cause is good, we
need not be ashamed of it; to preach God’s Word, is so good a
work, that we shall be well rewarded, if we suffer for that; or to this
purpose - (But as for my friend, I think he was more afraid of me, than
of himself.) After this I walked into the close, where I somewhat
seriously considering the matter, this came into my mind, That I had
showed myself hearty and courageous in my preaching, and had, blessed
be grace, made it my business to encourage others; therefore thought
I, if I should now run, and make an escape, it will be of a very ill
savour in the country. For what will my weak and newly-converted
brethren think of it, but that I was not so strong in deed as I was
in word? Also I feared that if I should run now there was a warrant
out for me, I might by so doing make them afraid to stand, when great
words only should be spoken to them. Besides I thought, that seeing
God of His mercy should choose me to go upon the forlorn hope in this
country; that is, to be the first, that should be opposed, for the gospel;
if I should fly, it might be a discouragement to the whole body that
might follow after. And further, I thought the world thereby would
take occasion at my cowardliness, to have blasphemed the gospel, and
to have had some ground to suspect worse of me and my profession, than
I deserved. These things with others considered by me, I came
in again to the house, with a full resolution to keep the meeting, and
not to go away, though I could have been gone about an hour before the
officer apprehended me; but I would not; for I was resolved to see the
utmost of what they could say or do unto me. For blessed be the
Lord, I knew of no evil that I had said or done. And so, as aforesaid,
I begun the meeting. But being prevented by the constable’s
coming in with his warrant to take me, I could not proceed. But
before I went away, I spake some few words of counsel and encouragement
to the people, declaring to them, that they saw we were prevented of
our opportunity to speak and hear the Word of God, and were like to
suffer for the same; desiring them that they would not be discouraged,
for it was a mercy to suffer upon so good account. For we might
have been apprehended as thieves or murderers, or for other wickedness;
but blessed be God it was not so, but we suffer as Christians for well
doing: and we had better be the persecuted, than the persecutors, etc.
But the constable and the justice’s man waiting on us, would not
be at quiet till they had me away and that we departed the house.
But because the justice was not at home that day, there was a friend
of mine engaged for me to bring me to the constable on the morrow morning.
Otherwise the constable must have charged a watch with me, or have secured
me some other way, my crime was so great. So on the next morning
we went to the constable, and so to the justice. He asked the
constable what we did, where we was met together, and what we had with
us? I trow, he meant whether we had armour or not; but when the
constable told him that there were only met a few of us together to
preach and hear the Word, and no sign of anything else, he could not
well tell what to say: yet because he had sent for me, he did adventure
to put out a few proposals to me, which were to this effect, namely,
What I did there? And why I did not content myself with following
my calling? for it was against the law, that such as I should be admitted
to do as I did.
John Bunyan. To which I answered, That the intent of my
coming thither, and to other places, was to instruct, and counsel people
to forsake their sins, and close in with Christ, lest they did miserably
perish; and that I could do both these without confusion (to wit), follow
my calling, and preach the Word also.
At which words, he was in a chafe, as it appeared; for he said that
he would break the neck of our meetings.
Bun. I said, It may be so. Then he wished me to get
sureties to be bound for me, or else he would send me to the jail.
My sureties being ready, I called them in, and when the bond for my
appearance was made, he told them, that they was bound to keep me from
preaching; and that if I did preach, their bonds would be forfeited.
To which I answered, that then I should break them; for I should not
leave speaking the Word of God: even to counsel, comfort, exhort, and
teach the people among whom I came; and I thought this to be a work
that had no hurt in it: but was rather worthy of commendation, than
blame.
Wingate. Whereat he told me, that if they would not be
so bound, my mittimus must be made, and I sent to the jail, there to
lie to the quarter sessions.
Now while my mittimus was making, the justice was withdrawn; and in
comes an old enemy to the truth, Dr Lindale, who, when he was come in,
fell to taunting at me with many reviling terms.
Bun. To whom I answered, that I did not come thither to
talk with him, but with the justice. Whereat he supposed that
I had nothing to say for myself, and triumphed as if he had got the
victory; charging and condemning me for meddling with that for which
I could show no warrant; and asked me, if I had taken the oaths? and
if I had not, it was pity but that I should be sent to prison, etc.
I told him, that if I was minded, I could answer to any sober question
that he should put to me. He then urged me again, how I could
prove it lawful for me to preach, with a great deal of confidence of
the victory.
But at last, because he should see that I could answer him if I listed,
I cited to him that verse in Peter, which saith, every man hath received
the gift, even so let him minister the same, etc.
Lind. Aye, saith he, to whom is that spoken?
Bun. To whom, said I, why to every man that hath received
a gift from God. Mark, saith the apostle, As every man that
hath received a gift from God, etc.; and again, You may all prophesy
one by one. Whereat the man was a little stopt, and went a
softlier pace: but not being willing to lose the day, he began again,
and said:-
Lind. Indeed, I do remember that I have read of one Alexander
a coppersmith, who did much oppose, and disturb the apostles; - (aiming
it is like at me, because I was a tinker).
Bun. To which I answered, that I also had read of very
many priests and pharisees, that had their hands in the blood of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Lind. Aye, saith he, and you are one of those scribes and
pharisees: for you, with a pretence, make long prayers to devour widows’
houses.
Bun. I answered, that if he had got no more by preaching
and praying than I had done, he would not be so rich as now he was.
But that scripture coming into my mind, Answer not a fool according
to his folly, I was as sparing of my speech as I could, without
prejudice to truth.
Now by this time my mittimus was made, and I committed to the constable,
to be sent to the jail in Bedford, etc.
But as I was going, two of my brethren met with me by the way, and desired
the constable to stay, supposing that they should prevail with the justice,
through the favour of a pretended friend, to let me go at liberty.
So we did stay, while they went to the justice; and after much discourse
with him, it came to this: that if I would come to him again, and say
some certain words to him, I should be released. Which when they
told me, I said if the words was such that might be said with a good
conscience, I should or else I should not. So through their importunity
went back again, but not believing that I should be delivered: for I
feared their spirit was too full of opposition to the truth to let me
go, unless I should, in something or other, dishonour my God and wound
my conscience. Wherefore, as I went, I lifted up my heart to God,
for light and strength to be kept, that I might not do any thing that
might either dishonour Him, or wrong my own soul, or be a grief or discouragement
to any that was inclining after the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well, when I came to the justice again, there was Mr Foster of
Bedford, who, coming out of another room, and seeing me by the light
of the candle (for it was dark night when I went thither), he said unto
me, Who is there? John Bunyan? with such seeming affection, as
if he would have leaped on my neck and kissed me, which made me somewhat
wonder, that such a man as he, with whom I had so little acquaintance,
and, besides, that had ever been a close opposer of the ways of God,
should carry himself so full of love to me; but, afterwards, when I
saw what he did, it caused me to remember those sayings, Their tongues
are smoother than oil, but their words are drawn swords.
And again, Beware of men, etc. When I had answered him,
that blessed be God, I was well; he said, What is the occasion of your
being here? or to that purpose. To whom I answered, that I was
at a meeting of people a little way off, intending to speak a word of
exhortation to them; the justice hearing thereof, said I, was pleased
to send his warrant to fetch me before him, etc.
Fost. So (said he), I understand: but well, if you will
promise to call the people no more together, you shall have your liberty
to go home; for my brother is very loath to send you to prison, if you
will be but ruled.
Bun. Sir (said I), pray what do you mean by calling the
people together? my business is not anything among them, when they are
come together, but to exhort them to look after the salvation of their
souls, that they may be saved, etc.
Fost. Saith he, We must not enter into explication, or
dispute now; but if you will say you will call the people no more together,
you may have your liberty; if not, you must be sent away to prison.
Bun. Sir, said I, I shall not force or compel any man to
hear me; but yet, if I come into any place where there is a people met
together, I should, according to the best of my skill and wisdom, exhort
and counsel them to seek out after the Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation
of their souls.
Fost. He said, That was none of my work; I must follow
my calling; and if I would but leave off preaching, and follow my calling,
I should have the justice’s favour, and be acquitted presently.
Bun. To whom I said, that I could follow my calling, and
that too, namely, preaching the Word: and I did look upon it as my duty
to do them both, as I had an opportunity.
Fost. He said, To have any such meetings was against the
law; and, therefore, he would have me leave off, and say, I would call
the people no more together.
Bun. To whom I said, that I durst not make any further
promise; for my conscience would not suffer me to do it. And again,
I did look upon it as my duty to do as much good as I could, not only
in my trade, but also in communicating to all people wheresoever I came
the best knowledge I had in the Word.
Fost. He told me that I was the nearest the Papists of
any, and that he would convince me of immediately.
Bun. I asked him, Wherein?
Fost. He said, In that we understood the Scriptures literally.
Bun. I told him that those that were to be understood literally,
we understood them so; but for those that was to be understood otherwise,
we endeavoured so to understand them.
Fost. He said, Which of the Scriptures do you understand
literally?
Bun. I said this, He that believes shall be saved.
This was to be understood just as it is spoken; that whosoever believeth
in Christ shall, according to the plain and simple words of the text,
be saved.
Fost. He said that I was ignorant, and did not understand
the Scriptures; for how, said he, can you understand them when you know
not the original Greek? etc.
Bun. To whom I said, that if that was his opinion, that
none could understand the Scriptures but those that had the original
Greek, etc., then but a very few of the poorest sort should be saved
(this is harsh); yet the Scripture saith, That God hides these
things from the wise and prudent (that is, from the learned of the
world), and reveals them to babes and sucklings.
Fost. He said there were none that heard me but a company
of foolish people.
Bun. I told him that there was the wise as well as the
foolish that do hear me; and again, those that were most commonly counted
foolish by the world are the wisest before God; also, that God had rejected
the wise, and mighty, and noble, and chosen the foolish, and the base.
Fost. He told me that I made people neglect their calling;
and that God had commanded people to work six days, and serve Him on
the seventh.
Bun. I told him that it was the duty of people, (both rich
and poor), to look out for their souls on them days as well as for their
bodies; and that God would have His people exhort one another daily,
while it is called to-day.
Fost. He said again that there were none but a company
of poor, simple, ignorant people that come to hear me.
Bun. I told him that the foolish and the ignorant had most
need of teaching and information; and, therefore, it would be profitable
for me to go on in that work.
Fost. Well, said he, to conclude, but will you promise
that you will not call the people together any more? and then you may
be released and go home.
Bun. I told him that I durst say no more than I had said;
for I durst not leave off that work which God had called me to.
So he withdrew from me, and then came several of the justice’s
servants to me, and told me that I stood so much upon a nicety.
Their master, they said, was willing to let me go; and if I would but
say I would call the people no more together, I might have my liberty,
etc.
Bun. I told them there were more ways than one in which
a man might be said to call the people together. As for instance,
if a man get upon the market-place, and there read a book, or the like,
though he do not say to the people, Sirs, come hither and hear; yet
if they come to him because he reads, he, by his very reading, may be
said to call them together; because they would not have been there to
hear if he had not been there to read. And seeing this might be
termed a calling the people together; I durst not say, I would not call
them together; for then, by the same argument, my preaching might be
said to call them together.
Wing. and Fost. Then came the justice and Mr Foster to
me again; (we had a little more discourse about preaching, but because
the method of it is out of my mind, I pass it); and when they saw that
I was at a point, and would not be moved nor persuaded, Mr Foster, the
man that did at first express so much love to me, told the justice that
then he must send me away to prison. And that he would do well,
also, if he would present all those that were the cause of my coming
among them to meetings. Thus we parted.
And, verily, as I was going forth of the doors, I had much ado to forbear
saying to them that I carried the peace of God along with me; but I
held my peace, and, blessed be the Lord, went away to prison, with God’s
comfort in my poor soul.
After I had lain in the jail five or six days, the brethren sought means,
again, to get me out by bondsmen; (for so ran my mittimus, that I should
lie there till I could find sureties). They went to a justice
at Elstow, one Mr Crumpton, to desire him to take bond for my appearing
at the quarter sessions. At the first he told them he would; but
afterwards he made a demur at the business, and desired first to see
my mittimus, which ran to this purpose: That I went about to several
conventicles in the county, to the great disparagement of the government
of the church of England, etc. When he had seen it, he said that
there might be something more against me than was expressed in my mittimus;
and that he was but a young man, therefore he durst not do it.
This my jailor told me; and, whereat I was not at all daunted but rather
glad, and saw evidently that the Lord had heard me; for before I went
down to the justice, I begged of God that if I might do more good by
being at liberty than in prison, that then I might be set at liberty;
but if not, His will be done; for I was not altogether without hopes
but that my imprisonment might be an awakening to the saints in the
country, therefore I could not tell well which to choose; only I, in
that manner, did commit the thing to God. And verily, at my return,
I did meet my God sweetly in the prison again, comforting of me and
satisfying of me that it was His will and mind that I should be there.
When I came back again to prison, as I was musing at the slender answer
of the justice, this word dropt in upon my heart with some life, For
He knew that for envy they had delivered Him.
Thus have I, in short, declared the manner and occasion of my being
in prison; where I lie waiting the good will of God, to do with me as
He pleaseth; knowing that not one hair of my head can fall to the ground
without the will of my Father, which is in heaven. Let the rage
and malice of men be never so great, they can do no more, nor go any
further, than God permits them; but when they have done their worst,
We know all things shall work together for good to them that love God.
Farewell.
Here is the Sum of my Examination before Justice KEELIN, Justice
CHESTER, Justice BLUNDALE, Justice BEECHER, Justice
SNAGG, etc.
After I had lain in prison above seven weeks, the quarter-sessions
were to be kept in Bedford, for the county thereof, unto which I was
to be brought; and when my jailor had set me before those justices,
there was a bill of indictment preferred against me. The extent
thereof was as followeth: That John Bunyan, of the town of Bedford,
labourer, being a person of such and such conditions, he hath (since
such a time) devilishly and perniciously abstained from coming to church
to hear Divine service, and is 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, etc.
The Clerk. When this was read, the clerk of the sessions
said unto me, What say you to this?
Bun. I said, that as to the first part of it, I was a common
frequenter of the Church of God. And was also, by grace, a member
with the people, over whom Christ is the Head.
Keelin. But, saith Justice Keelin (who was the judge
in that court), do you come to church (you know what I mean); to the
parish church, to hear Divine service?
Bun. I answered, No, I did not.
Keel. He asked me, Why?
Bun. I said, Because I did not find it commanded in the
Word of God.
Keel. He said, We were commanded to pray.
Bun. I said, But not by the Common Prayer-Book.
Keel. He said, How then?
Bun. I said, With the Spirit. As the apostle saith,
I will pray with the Spirit, and with the understanding.
1 Cor. xiv. 15.
Keel. He said, We might pray with the Spirit, and with
the understanding, and with the Common Prayer-Book also.
Bun. I said, that the prayers in the Common Prayer-Book
were such as was made by other men, and not by the motions of the Holy
Ghost, within our hearts; and as I said, the apostle saith, he will
pray with the Spirit, and with the understanding; not with the Spirit
and the Common Prayer-Book.
Another Justice. What do you count prayer? Do you
think it is to say a few words over before or among a people?
Bun. I said, No, not so; for men might have many elegant,
or excellent words, and yet not pray at all; but when a man prayeth,
he doth, through a sense of those things which he wants (which sense
is begotten by the Spirit), pour out his heart before God through Christ;
though his words be not so many and so excellent as others are.
Justices. They said, That was true.
Bun. I said, This might be done without the Common Prayer-Book.
Another. One of them said (I think it was Justice Blundale,
or Justice Snagg), How should we know that you do not write out
your prayers first, and then read them afterwards to the people?
This he spake in a laughing way.
Bun. I said, it is not our use, to take a pen and paper,
and write a few words thereon, and then go and read it over to a company
of people.
But how should we know it, said he?
Bun. Sir, it is none of our custom, said I.
Keel. But said Justice Keelin, It is lawful to use
the Common Prayer, and such like forms: for Christ taught His disciples
to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And further, said
he, Cannot one man teach another to pray? Faith comes by hearing;
and one man may convince another of sin, and therefore prayers made
by men, and read over, are good to teach, and help men to pray.
While he was speaking these words, God brought that word into my mind,
in the eighth of the Romans, at the 26th verse. I say, God brought
it, for I thought not on it before: but as he was speaking, it came
so fresh into my mind, and was set so evidently before me, as if the
scripture had said, Take me, take me; so when he had done speaking,
Bun. I said, Sir, the scripture saith, that it is the
spirit that helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for
us, with sighs and groanings which cannot be uttered. Mark, said
I, it doth not say the Common Prayer-Book teacheth us how to pray, but
the Spirit. And it is the Spirit that helpeth our infirmities,
saith the apostle; he doth not say it is the Common Prayer-Book.
And as to the Lord’s prayer, although it be an easy thing to say,
Our Father, etc., with the mouth; yet there is very few that
can, in the Spirit, say the two first words in that prayer; that is,
that can call God their Father, as knowing what it is to be born again,
and as having experience, that they are begotten of the Spirit of God:
which if they do not, all is but babbling, etc.
Keel. Justice Keelin said that that was a truth.
Bun. And I say further, as to your saying that one man
may convince another of sin, and that faith comes by hearing, and that
one man may tell another how he should pray, etc., I say men may tell
each other of their sins, but it is the Spirit that must convince them.
And though it be said that faith comes by hearing: yet it is
the Spirit that worketh faith in the heart through hearing, or else
they are not profited by hearing. Heb. iv. 12.
And that though one man may tell another how he should pray: yet, as
I said before, he cannot pray, nor make his condition known to God,
except the Spirit help. It is not the Common Prayer-Book that
can do this. It is the Spirit that showeth us our sins,
and the Spirit that showeth us a Saviour, Jn. xvi. 16,
and the Spirit that stirreth up in our hearts desires to come to God,
for such things as we stand in need of, Matt. xi. 27, even sighing out
our souls unto Him for them with groans which cannot be uttered.
With other words to the same purpose. At this they were set.
Keel. But says Justice Keelin, What have you against
the Common Prayer-Book?
Bun. I said, Sir, if you will hear me, I shall lay down
my reasons against it.
Keel. He said I should have liberty; but first, said he,
let me give you one caution; take heed of speaking irreverently of the
Common Prayer-Book; for if you do so, you will bring great damage upon
yourself.
Bun. So I proceeded, and said, My first reason was, because
it was not commanded in the Word of God, and therefore I could not use
it.
Another. One of them said, Where do you find it commanded
in the Scripture, that you should go to Elstow, or Bedford,
and yet it is lawful to go to either of them, is it not?
Bun. I said, To go to Elstow, or Bedford,
was a civil thing, and not material, though not commanded, and yet God’s
Word allowed me to go about my calling, and therefore if it lay there,
then to go thither, etc. But to pray, was a great part of the
Divine worship of God, and therefore it ought to be done according to
the rule of God’s Word.
Another. One of them said, He will do harm; let him
speak no further.
Keel. Justice Keelin said, No, no, never fear him,
we are better established than so; he can do no harm; we know the Common
Prayer-Book hath been ever since the apostles’ time, and it is
lawful for it to be used in the church.
Bun. I said, Show me the place in the epistles, where the
Common Prayer-Book is written, or one text of Scripture, that commands
me to read it, and I will use it. But yet, notwithstanding, said
I, they that have a mind to use it, they have their liberty; that is,
I would not keep them from it; but for our parts, we can pray to God
without it. Blessed be His name!
With that, one of them said, Who is your God? Beelzebub?
Moreover, they often said, that I was possessed with the spirit of delusion,
and of the devil. All which sayings I passed over; the Lord forgive
them! And further, I said, Blessed be the Lord for it; we are
encouraged to meet together, and to pray, and exhort one another; for,
we have had the comfortable presence of God among us. For ever
blessed be His holy name!
Keel. Justice Keelin called this pedler’s
French, saying, that I must leave off my canting. The Lord open
his eyes!
Bun. I said that we ought to exhort one another daily,
while it is called to-day, etc.
Keel. Justice Keelin said that I ought not to preach;
and asked me where I had my authority? with other such like words.
Bun. I said that I would prove that it was lawful for me,
and such as I am, to preach the Word of God.
Keel. He said unto me, By what Scripture?
Bun. I said, By that in the first epistle of Peter, chap.
iv. 10, 11, and Acts xviii., with other Scriptures, which he would not
suffer me to mention. But said, Hold; not so many, which is the
first?
Bun. I said this: As every man hath received
the gift, even so let him minister the same unto another, as
good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak,
let him speak as the oracles of God, etc.
Keel. He said, Let me a little open that Scripture to you:
As every man hath received the gift; that is, said he, as every
one hath received a trade, so let him follow it. If any man have
received a gift of tinkering, as thou hast done, let him follow his
tinkering. And so other men their trades. And the divine
his calling, etc.
Bun. Nay, sir, said I, but it is most clear, that the apostle
speaks here of preaching the Word; if you do but compare both the verses
together, the next verse explains this gift what it is, saying, if
any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. So that
it is plain, that the Holy Ghost doth not so much in this place exhort
to civil callings, as to the exercising of those gifts that we have
received from God. I would have gone on, but he would not give
me leave.
Keel. He said, We might do it in our families, but not
otherways.
Bun. I said, If it was lawful to do good to some, it was
lawful to do good to more. If it was a good duty to exhort our
families, it was good to exhort others; but if they held it a sin to
meet together to seek the face of God, and exhort one another to follow
Christ, I should sin still; for so we should do.
Keel. He said he was not so well versed in Scripture as
to dispute, or words to that purpose. And said, moreover, that
they could not wait upon me any longer; but said to me, Then you confess
the indictment, do you not? Now, and not till now, I saw I was
indicted.
Bun. I said, This I confess, we have had many meetings
together, both to pray to God, and to exhort one another, and that we
had the sweet comforting presence of the Lord among us for our encouragement;
blessed be His name therefore. I confessed myself guilty no otherwise.
Keel. Then, said he, bear your judgment. You must
be had back again to prison, and there lie for three months following;
and at three months’ end, if you do not submit to go to church
to hear Divine service, and leave your preaching, you must be banished
the realm: and if, after such a day as shall be appointed you to be
gone, you shall be found in this realm, etc., or be found to come over
again without special licence from the king, etc., you must stretch
by the neck for it, I tell you plainly: and so he bid my jailor have
me away.
Bun. I told him, as to this matter, I was at a point with
him; for if I were out of prison to-day, I would preach the Gospel again
to-morrow, by the help of God.
Another. To which one made me some answer: but my jailor
pulling me away to be gone, I could not tell what he said.
Thus I departed from them; and I can truly say, I bless the Lord Jesus
Christ for it, that my heart was sweetly refreshed in the time of
my examination, and also afterwards, at my returning to the prison.
So that I found Christ’s words more than bare trifles, where He
saith, I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your
adversaries shall not be able to gainsay, nor resist.
Luke xxi. 15. And that His peace no man can take from us.
Thus have I given you the substance of my examination. The Lord
make this profitable to all that shall read or hear it. Farewell.
The Substance of some Discourse had between the Clerk of the Peace
and myself; when he came to admonish me, according to the tenor of that
Law, by which I was in prison.
When I had lain in prison other twelve weeks, and now not knowing
what they intended to do with me, upon the third of April 1661, comes
Mr Cobb unto me (as he told me), being sent by the justices to admonish
me; and demand of me submittance to the church of England, etc.
The extent of our discourse was as followeth.
Cobb. When he was come into the house he sent for me out
of my chamber; who, when I was come unto him, he said, Neighbour Bunyan,
how do you do?
Bun. I thank you, Sir, said I, very well, blessed be the
Lord.
Cobb. Saith he, I come to tell you, that it is desired
you would submit yourself to the laws of the land, or else at the next
sessions it will go worse with you, even to be sent away out of the
nation, or else worse than that.
Bun. I said that I did desire to demean myself in the world,
both as becometh a man and a Christian.
Cobb. But, saith he, you must submit to the laws of the
land, and leave off those meetings which you was wont to have; for the
statute-law is directly against it; and I am sent to you by the justices
to tell you that they do intend to prosecute the law against you if
you submit not.
Bun. I said, Sir, I conceive that that law by which I am
in prison at this time, doth not reach or condemn either me, or the
meetings which I do frequent; that law was made against those, that
being designed to do evil in their meetings, making the exercise of
religion their pretence, to cover their wickedness. It doth not
forbid the private meetings of those that plainly and simply make it
their only end to worship the Lord, and to exhort one another to edification.
My end in meeting with others is simply to do as much good as I can,
by exhortation and counsel, according to that small measure of light
which God hath given me, and not to disturb the peace of the nation.
Cobb. Every one will say the same, said he; you see the
late insurrection at London, under what glorious pretences they
went; and yet, indeed, they intended no less than the ruin of the kingdom
and commonwealth.
Bun. That practice of theirs, I abhor, said I; yet it doth
not follow that, because they did so, therefore all others will do so.
I look upon it as my duty to behave myself under the King’s government,
both as becomes a man and a Christian, and if an occasion were offered
me, I should willingly manifest my loyalty to my Prince, both by word
and deed.
Cobb. Well, said he, I do not profess myself to be a man
that can dispute; but this I say, truly, neighbour Bunyan, I
would have you consider this matter seriously, and submit yourself;
you may have your liberty to exhort your neighbour in private discourse,
so be you do not call together an assembly of people; and, truly, you
may do much good to the church of Christ, if you would go this way;
and this you may do, and the law not abridge you of it. It is
your private meetings that the law is against.
Bun. Sir, said I, if I may do good to one by my discourse?
why may I not do good to two? And if to two, why not to four,
and so to eight? etc.
Cobb. Ay, saith he, and to a hundred, I warrant you.
Bun. Yes, Sir, said I, I think I should not be forbid to
do as much good as I can.
Cobb. But, saith he, you may but pretend to do good, and
instead, notwithstanding, do harm, by seducing the people; you are,
therefore, denied your meeting so many together, lest you should do
harm.
Bun. And yet, said I, you say the law tolerates me to discourse
with my neighbour; surely there is no law tolerates me seduce any one;
therefore if I may by the law discourse with one, surely it is to do
him good; and if I by discoursing may do good to one, surely, by the
same law, I may do good to many.
Cobb. The law, saith he, doth expressly forbid your private
meetings; therefore they are not to be tolerated.
Bun. I told him that I would not entertain so much uncharitableness
of that Parliament in the 35th of Elizabeth, or of the Queen
herself, as to think they did, by that law, intend the oppressing of
any of God’s ordinances, or the interrupting any in way of God;
but men may, in the wresting of it, turn it against the way of God;
but take the law in itself, and it only fighteth against those that
drive at mischief in their hearts and meeting, making religion only
their cloak, colour, or pretence; for so are the words of the statute:
If any meetings, under colour or pretence of religion, etc.
Cobb. Very good; therefore the king, seeing that pretences
are usually in and among people, so as to make religion their pretence
only; therefore he, and the law before him, doth forbid such private
meetings, and tolerates only public; you may meet in public.
Bun. Sir, said I, let me answer you in a similitude: Set
the case that, at such a wood corner, there did usually come forth thieves,
to do mischief; must there therefore a law be made, that every one that
cometh out there shall be killed? May not there come out true
men as well as thieves out from thence? Just thus is it in this
case; I do think there may be many that may design the destruction of
the commonwealth; but it doth not follow therefore that all private
meetings are unlawful; those that transgress, let them be punished.
And if at any time I myself should do any act in my conversation as
doth not become a man and Christian, let me bear the punishment.
And as for your saying I may meet in public, if I may be suffered, I
would gladly do it. Let me have but meeting enough in public,
and I shall care the less to have them in private. I do not meet
in private because I am afraid to have meetings in public. I bless
the Lord that my heart is at that point, that if any man can lay any
thing to my charge, either in doctrine or in practice, in this particular,
that can be proved error or heresy, I am willing to disown it, even
in the very market-place; but if it be truth, then to stand to it to
the last drop of my blood. And, Sir, said I, you ought to commend
me for so doing. To err and to be a heretic are two things; I
am no heretic, because I will not stand refractorily to defend any one
thing that is contrary to the Word. Prove any thing which I hold
to be an error, and I will recant it.
Cobb. But, goodman Bunyan, said he, methinks you
need not stand so strictly upon this one thing, as to have meetings
of such public assemblies. Cannot you submit, and, notwithstanding,
do as much good as you can, in a neighbourly way, without having such
meetings?
Bun. Truly, Sir, said I, I do not desire to commend myself,
but to think meanly of myself; yet when I do most despise myself, taking
notice of that small measure of light which God hath given me, also
that the people of the Lord (by their own saying), are edified thereby.
Besides, when I see that the Lord, through grace, hath in some measure
blessed my labour, I dare not but exercise that gift which God hath
given me for the good of the people. And I said further, that
I would willingly speak in public if I might.
Cobb. He said, that I might come to the public assemblies
and hear. What though you do not preach? you may hear. Do
not think yourself so well enlightened, and that you have received a
gift so far above others, but that you may hear other men preach.
Or to that purpose.
Bun. I told him, I was as willing to be taught as to give
instruction, and I looked upon it as my duty to do both; for, said I,
a man that is a teacher, he himself may learn also from another that
teacheth, as the apostle saith, We may all prophesy one by one, that
all may learn. 1 Cor. xiv. 31. That is, every man that
hath received a gift from God, he may dispense it, that others may be
comforted; and when he hath done, he may hear and learn, and be comforted
himself of others.
Cobb. But, said he, what if you should forbear awhile,
and sit still, till you see further how things will go?
Bun. Sir, said I, Wickliffe saith, that he which
leaveth off preaching and hearing of the Word of God for fear of excommunication
of men, he is already excommunicated of God, and shall in the day of
judgment be counted a traitor to Christ.
Cobb. Ay, saith he, they that do not hear shall be so counted
indeed; do you, therefore, hear?
Bun. But, Sir, said I, he saith, he that shall leave off
either preaching or hearing, etc. That is, if he hath received
a gift for edification, it is his sin, if he doth not lay it out in
a way of exhortation and counsel, according to the proportion of his
gift; as well as to spend his time altogether in hearing others preach.
Cobb. But, said he, how shall we know that you have received
a gift?
Bun. Said I, Let any man hear and search, and prove the
doctrine by the Bible.
Cobb. But will you be willing, said he, that two indifferent
persons shall determine the case; and will you stand by their judgment?
Bun. I said, Are they infallible?
Cobb. He said, No.
Bun. Then, said I, it is possible my judgment may be as
good as theirs. But yet I will pass by either, and in this matter
be judged by the Scriptures; I am sure that is infallible, and cannot
err.
Cobb. But, said he, who shall be judge between you, for
you take the Scriptures one way, and they another?
Bun. I said the Scripture should: and that by comparing
one Scripture with another; for that will open itself, if it be rightly
compared. As for instance, if under the different apprehensions
of the word Mediator, you would know the truth of it, the Scriptures
open it, and tell us that he that is a mediator must take up the business
between two, and a mediator is not a mediator of one, - but God is
one, and there is one Mediator between God and men, even the
man Christ Jesus. Gal. iii. 20; 1 Tim. ii. 5. So likewise
the Scripture calleth Christ a complete, or perfect, or able
high priest. That is opened in that He is called
man, and also God. His blood also is discovered to be effectually
efficacious by the same things. So the Scripture, as touching
the matter of meeting together, etc., doth likewise sufficiently open
itself and discover its meaning.
Cobb. But are you willing, said he, to stand to the judgment
of the church?
Bun. Yes, Sir, said I, to the approbation of the church
of God; (the church’s judgment is best expressed in Scripture).
We had much other discourse which I cannot well remember, about the
laws of the nation, and submission to governments; to which I did tell
him, that I did look upon myself as bound in conscience to walk according
to all righteous laws, and that, whether there was a king or no; and
if I did any thing that was contrary, I did hold it my duty to bear
patiently the penalty of the law, that was provided against such offenders;
with many more words to the like effect. And said, moreover, that
to cut off all occasions of suspicion from any, as touching the harmlessness
of my doctrine in private, I would willingly take the pains to give
any one the notes of all my sermons; for I do sincerely desire to live
quietly in my country, and to submit to the present authority.
Cobb. Well, neighbour Bunyan, said he, but indeed
I would wish you seriously to consider of these things, between this
and the quarter-sessions, and to submit yourself. You may do much
good if you continue still in the land; but alas, what benefit will
it be to your friends, or what good can you do to them, if you should
be sent away beyond the seas into Spain, or Constantinople,
or some other remote part of the world? Pray be ruled.
Jailor. Indeed, Sir, I hope he will be ruled.
Bun. I shall desire, said I, in all honesty to behave myself
in the nation, whilst I am in it. And if I must be so dealt withal,
as you say, I hope God will help me to bear what they shall lay upon
me. I know no evil that I have done in this matter, to be so used.
I speak as in the presence of God.
Cobb. You know, saith he, that the Scripture saith, the
powers that be, are ordained of God.
Bun. I said, Yes, and that I was to submit to the King as
supreme, and also to the governors, as to them who are sent by Him.
Cobb. Well then, said he, the King then commands you, that
you should not have any private meetings; because it is against his
law, and he is ordained of God, therefore you should not have any.
Bun. I told him that Paul did own the powers that
were in his day, to be of God; and yet he was often in prison under
them for all that. And also, though Jesus Christ told
Pilate, that He had no power against him, but of God, yet He died
under the same Pilate; and yet, said I, I hope you will not say
that either Paul, or Christ, were such as did deny magistracy,
and so sinned against God in slighting the ordinance. Sir, said
I, the law hath provided two ways of obeying: the one to do that which
I, in my conscience, do believe that I am bound to do, actively; and
where I cannot obey actively, there I am willing to lie down, and to
suffer what they shall do unto me. At this he sat still, and said
no more; which when he had done, I did thank him for his civil and meek
discoursing with me; and so we parted.
O! that we might meet in heaven!
Farewell. J. B.
Here followeth a discourse between my Wife and the Judges, with others,
touching my Deliverance at the Assizes following; the which I took from
her own Mouth.
After that I had received this sentence of banishing, or hanging,
from them, and after the former admonition, touching the determination
of the justices if I did not recant; just when the time drew nigh, in
which I should have abjured, or have done worse (as Mr Cobb told me),
came the time in which the King was to be crowned. Now, at the
coronation of kings, there is usually a releasement of divers prisoners,
by virtue of his coronation; in which privilege also I should have had
my share; but that they took me for a convicted person, and therefore,
unless I sued out a pardon (as they called it), I could have no benefit
thereby, notwithstanding, yet, forasmuch as the coronation proclamation
did give liberty, from the day the King was crowned, to that day twelvemonth,
to sue them out; therefore, though they would not let me out of prison,
as they let out thousands, yet they could not meddle with me, as touching
the execution of their sentence; because of the liberty offered for
the suing out of pardons. Whereupon I continued in prison till
the next assizes, which are called Midsummer assizes, being then
kept in August, 1661.
Now, at that assizes, because I would not leave any possible means unattempted
that might be lawful, I did, by my wife, present a petition to the judges
three times, that I might be heard, and that they would impartially
take my case into consideration.
The first time my wife went, she presented it to Judge Hale,
who very mildly received it at her hand, telling her that he would do
her and me the best good he could; but he feared, he said, he could
do none. The next day, again, lest they should, through the multitude
of business, forget me, we did throw another petition into the coach
to Judge Twisdon; who, when he had seen it, snapt her up, and
angrily told her that I was a convicted person, and could not be released,
unless I would promise to preach no more, etc.
Well, after this, she yet again presented another to judge Hale, as
he sat on the bench, who, as it seemed, was willing to give her audience.
Only Justice Chester being present, stept up and said, that I
was convicted in the court, and that I was a hot-spirited fellow (or
words to that purpose), whereat he waived it, and did not meddle therewith.
But yet, my wife being encouraged by the high-sheriff, did venture once
more into their presence (as the poor widow did before the unjust judge)
to try what she could do with them for my liberty, before they went
forth of the town. The place where she went to them, was to the
Swan-chamber, where the two judges, and many justices and gentry
of the country, was in company together. She then coming into
the chamber with a bashed face, and a trembling heart, began her errand
to them in this manner:-
Woman. My lord (directing herself to judge Hale), I make
bold to come once again to your Lordship, to know what may be done with
my husband.
Judge Hale. To whom he said, Woman, I told thee before
I could do thee no good; because they have taken that for a conviction
which thy husband spoke at the sessions: and unless there be something
done to undo that, I can do thee no good.
Woman. My lord, said she, he is kept unlawfully in prison;
they clapped him up before there was any proclamation against the meetings;
the indictment also is false. Besides, they never asked him whether
he was guilty or no; neither did he confess the indictment.
One of the Justices. Then one of the justices that stood
by, whom she knew not, said, My Lord, he was lawfully convicted.
Wom. It is false, said she; for when they said to him,
Do you confess the indictment? he said only this, that he had been at
several meetings, both where there were preaching the Word, and prayer,
and that they had God’s presence among them.
Judge Twisdon. Whereat Judge Twisdon answered very
angrily, saying, What, you think we can do what we list; your husband
is a breaker of the peace, and is convicted by the law, etc. Whereupon
Judge Hale called for the Statute Book.
Wom. But, said she, my lord, he was not lawfully convicted.
Chester. Then Justice Chester said, My lord, he
was lawfully convicted.
Wom. It is false, said she; it was but a word of discourse
that they took for a conviction (as you heard before).
Chest. But it is recorded, woman; it is recorded, said
Justice Chester; as if it must be of necessity true, because
it was recorded. With which words he often endeavoured to stop
her mouth, having no other argument to convince her, but it is recorded,
it is recorded.
Wom. My Lord, said she, I was a while since at London,
to see if I could get my husband’s liberty; and there I spoke
with my lord Barkwood, one of the House of Lords, to whom I delivered
a petition, who took it of me and presented it to some of the rest of
the House of Lords, for my husband’s releasement; who, when they
had seen it, they said, that they could not release him, but had committed
his releasement to the judges, at the next assizes. This he told
me; and now I am come to you to see if any thing may be done in this
business, and you give neither releasement nor relief. To which
they gave her no answer, but made as if they heard her not.
Chest. Only Justice Chester was often up with this,
- He is convicted, and it is recorded.
Wom. If it be, it is false, said she.
Chest. My lord, said Justice Chester, he is a pestilent
fellow, there is not such a fellow in the country again.
Twis. What, will your husband leave preaching? If
he will do so, then send for him.
Wom. My lord, said she, he dares not leave preaching as
long as he can speak.
Twis. See here, what should we talk any more about such
a fellow? Must he do what he lists? He is a breaker of the
peace.
Wom. She told him again, that he desired to live peaceably,
and to follow his calling, that his family might be maintained; and
moreover, said, My Lord, I have four small children, that cannot help
themselves, one of which is blind, and have nothing to live upon, but
the charity of good people.
Hale. Hast thou four children? said Judge Hale; thou art
but a young woman to have four children.
Wom. My lord, said she, I am but mother-in-law to them,
having not been married to him yet full two years. Indeed, I was
with child when my husband was first apprehended; but being young, and
unaccustomed to such things, said she, I being smayed at the news, fell
into labour, and so continued for eight days, and then was delivered,
but my child died.
Hale. Whereat, he looking very soberly on the matter, said,
Alas, poor woman!
Twis. But Judge Twisdon told her, that she made
poverty her cloak; and said, moreover, that he understood I was maintained
better by running up and down a preaching, than by following my calling.
Hale. What is his calling? said Judge Hale.
Answer. Then some of the company that stood by, said, A
tinker, my lord.
Wom. Yes, said she; and because he is a tinker, and a poor
man, therefore he is despised, and cannot have justice.
Hale. Then Judge Hale answered very mildly, saying,
I tell thee, woman, seeing it is so, that they have taken what thy husband
spake for a conviction; thou must either apply thyself to the King,
or sue out his pardon, or get a writ of error.
Chest. But when Justice Chester heard him give her
this counsel; and especially (as she supposed) because he spoke of a
writ of error, he chafed, and seemed to be very much offended; saying,
My lord, he will preach and do what he lists.
Wom. He preacheth nothing but the Word of God, said she.
Twis. He preach the Word of God! said Twisdon; and withal,
she thought he would have struck her; he runneth up and down, and doth
harm.
Wom. No, my lord, said she, it is not so; God hath owned
him, and done much good by him.
Twis. God! said he, his doctrine is the doctrine of the
devil.
Wom. My lord, said she, when the righteous Judge shall
appear, it will be known that his doctrine is not the doctrine of the
devil.
Twis. My lord, said he, to Judge Hale, do not mind her,
but send her away.
Hale. Then said Judge Hale, I am sorry, woman, that I can
do thee no good; thou must do one of those three things aforesaid, namely,
either to apply thyself to the King, or sue out his pardon, or get a
writ of error; but a writ of error will be cheapest.
Wom. At which Chester again seemed to be in a chafe, and
put off his hat, and as she thought, scratched his head for anger: but
when I saw, said she, that there was no prevailing to have my husband
sent for, though I often desired them that they would send for him,
that he might speak for himself; telling them, that he could give them
better satisfaction than I could, in what they demanded of him, with
several other things, which now I forget; only this I remember, that
though I was somewhat timorous at my first entrance into the chamber,
yet before I went out, I could not but break forth into tears, not so
much because they were so hard-hearted against me, and my husband, but
to think what a sad account such poor creatures will have to give at
the coming of the Lord, when they shall there answer for all things
whatsoever they have done in the body, whether it be good, or whether
it be bad.
So, when I departed from them, the book of statutes was brought, but
what they said of it I know nothing at all, neither did I hear any more
from them.
Some Carriages of the Adversaries of God’s Truth with me at
the next Assizes, which was on the 19th of the first month,
1662.
I shall pass by what befell between these two assizes, how I had, by
my jailor, some liberty granted me, more than at the first, and how
I followed my wonted course of preaching, taking all occasions that
were put into my hand to visit the people of God; exhorting them to
be steadfast in the faith of Jesus Christ, and to take heed that they
touched not the Common Prayer, etc., but to mind the Word of God, which
giveth direction to Christians in every point, being able to make the
man of God perfect in all things through faith in Jesus Christ, and
thoroughly to furnish him unto all good works. 2 Tim. iii. 17.
Also how I having, I say, somewhat more liberty, did go to see the Christians
at London; which my enemies hearing of, were so angry, that they
had almost cast my jailor out of his place, threatening to indict him,
and to do what they could against him. They charged me also, that
I went thither to plot and raise division, and make insurrection, which,
God knows, was a slander; whereupon my liberty was more straitened than
it was before; so that I must not now look out of the door. Well,
when the next sessions came, which was about the 10th of the 11th month
(1661), I did expect to have been very roundly dealt withal; but they
passed me by, and would not call me, so that I rested till the assizes,
which was held the 19th of the first month (1662) following; and when
they came, because I had a desire to come before the judge, I desired
my jailor to put my name into the calendar among the felons, and made
friends of the judge and high-sheriff, who promised that I should be
called: so that I thought what I had done might have been effectual
for the obtaining of my desire: but all was in vain; for when the assizes
came, though my name was in the calendar, and also though both the judge
and sheriff had promised that I should appear before them, yet the justices
and the clerk of the peace, did so work it about, that I, notwithstanding,
was deferred, and was not suffered to appear: and although I say, I
do not know of all their carriages towards me, yet this I know, that
the clerk of the peace (Mr Cobb) did discover himself to be one of my
greatest opposers: for, first he came to my jailor and told him that
I must not go down before the judge, and therefore must not be put into
the calendar; to whom my jailor said, that my name was in already.
He bid him put it out again; my jailor told him that he could not: for
he had given the judge a calendar with my name in it, and also the sheriff
another. At which he was very much displeased, and desired to
see that calendar that was yet in my jailor’s hand, who, when
he had given it him, he looked on it, and said it was a false calendar;
he also took the calendar and blotted out my accusation, as my jailor
had written it (which accusation I cannot tell what it was, because
it was so blotted out), and he himself put in words to this purpose:
That John Bunyan was committed to prison; being lawfully convicted for
upholding of unlawful meetings and conventicles, etc. But yet
for all this, fearing that what he had done, unless he added thereto,
it would not do, he first ran to the clerk of the assizes; then to the
justices, and afterwards, because he would not leave any means unattempted
to hinder me, he came again to my jailor, and told him, that if I did
go down before the judge, and was released, he would make him pay my
fees, which he said was due to him; and further, told him, that he would
complain of him at the next quarter sessions for making of false calendars,
though my jailor himself, as I afterwards learned, had put in my accusation
worse than in itself it was by far. And thus was I hindered and
prevented at that time also from appearing before the judge: and left
in prison.
Farewell.
JOHN BUNYAN.
A Continuation of Mr BUNYAN’S LIFE; beginning where
he left off, and concluding with the Time and Manner of his Death and
Burial: together with his true Character, etc.
Reader, the painful and industrious author of this book, has already
given you a faithful and very moving relation of the beginning and middle
of the days of his pilgrimage on earth; and since there yet remains
somewhat worthy of notice and regard, which occurred in the last scene
of his life, the which, for want of time, or fear, some over-censorious
people should impute it to him as an earnest coveting of praise from
men, he has not left behind him in writing. Wherefore, as a true
friend, and long acquaintance of Mr Bunyan’s that his good
end may be known, as well as his evil beginning, I have taken upon me,
from my knowledge, and the best account given by other of his friends,
to piece this to the thread too soon broke off, and so lengthen it out
to his entering upon eternity.
He has told you at large, of his birth and education; the evil habits
and corruptions of his youth; the temptations he struggled and conflicted
so frequently with, the mercies, comforts, and deliverances he found,
how he came to take upon him the preaching of the Gospel; the slanders,
reproaches and imprisonments that attended him, and the progress he
notwithstanding made (by the assistance of God’s grace) no doubt
to the saving of many souls: therefore take these things, as he himself
hath methodically laid them down in the words of verity; and so I pass
on to what remains.
After his being freed from his twelve years’ imprisonment and
upwards, for nonconformity, wherein he had time to furnish the world
with sundry good books, etc., and by his patience, to move Dr Barlow,
the then Bishop of Lincoln, and other church-men, to pity his
hard and unreasonable sufferings, so far as to stand very much his friends,
in procuring his enlargement, or there perhaps he had died, by the noisomeness
and ill usage of the place. Being now, I say, again at liberty,
and having through mercy shaken off his bodily fetters, - for those
upon his soul were broken before by the abounding grace that filled
his heart, - he went to visit those that had been a comfort to him in
his tribulation, with a Christian-like acknowledgment of their kindness
and enlargement of charity; giving encouragement by his example, if
it happened to be their hard haps to fall into affliction or trouble,
then to suffer patiently for the sake of a good conscience, and for
the love of God in Jesus Christ towards their souls, and by many cordial
persuasions, supported some whose spirits began to sink low, through
the fear of danger that threatened their worldly concernment, so that
the people found a wonderful consolation in his discourse and admonitions.
As often as opportunity would admit, he gathered them together (though
the law was then in force against meetings) in convenient places, and
fed them with the sincere milk of the Word, that they might grow up
in grace thereby. To such as were anywhere taken and imprisoned
upon these accounts, he made it another part of his business to extend
his charity, and gather relief for such of them as wanted.
He took great care to visit the sick, and strengthen them against the
suggestions of the tempter, which at such times are very prevalent;
so that they had cause for ever to bless God, Who had put it into his
heart, at such a time, to rescue them from the power of the roaring
lion, who sought to devour them; nor did he spare any pains or labour
in travel, though to remote counties, where he knew or imagined any
people might stand in need of his assistance; insomuch that some, by
these visitations that he made, which was two or three every year (some,
though in a jeering manner no doubt, gave him the epithet of Bishop
Bunyan) whilst others envied him for his so earnestly labouring
in Christ’s vineyard; yet the seed of the Word he (all this while)
sowed in the hearts of his congregation, watered with the grace of God,
brought forth in abundance, in bringing in disciples to the church of
Christ.
Another part of his time is spent in reconciling differences, by which
he hindered many mischiefs, and saved some families from ruin, and in
such fallings-out he was uneasy, till he found a means to labour a reconciliation,
and become a peace-maker, on whom a blessing is promised in holy writ;
and indeed in doing this good office, he may be said to sum up his days,
it being the last undertaking of his life, as will appear in the close
of this paper.
When in the late reign, liberty of conscience was unexpectedly given
and indulged to dissenters of all persuasions, his piercing wit penetrated
the veil, and found that it was not for the dissenters’ sakes
they were so suddenly freed from the hard prosecutions that had long
lain heavy upon them, and set in a manner, on an equal foot with the
Church of England, which the papists were undermining, and about
to subvert: he foresaw all the advantages that could have redounded
to the dissenters would have been no more than what Polyphemus,
the monstrous giant of Sicily, would have allowed Ulysses,
viz.: That he would eat his men first, and do him the favour of
being eaten last: for although Mr Bunyan, following the examples
of others, did lay hold of this liberty, as an acceptable thing in itself,
knowing God is the only Lord of conscience, and that it is good at all
times to do according to the dictates of a good conscience, and that
the preaching the glad tidings of the Gospel is beautiful in the preacher;
yet in all this he moved with caution and a holy fear, earnestly praying
for the averting impending judgments, which he saw, like a black tempest,
hanging over our heads for our sins, and ready to break in upon us,
and that the Ninevites’ remedy was now highly necessary:
hereupon he gathered his congregation at Bedford, where he mostly
lived, and had lived and spent the greatest part of his life; and there
being no convenient place to be had for the entertainment of so great
a confluence of people as followed him upon the account of his teaching,
he consulted with them for the building of a meeting-house, to which
they made their voluntary contributions with all cheerfulness and alacrity;
and the first time he appeared there to edify, the place was so thronged,
that many was constrained to stay without, though the house was very
spacious, every one striving to partake of his instructions, that were
of his persuasion, and show their good-will towards him, by being present
at the opening of the place; and here he lived in much peace and quiet
of mind, contenting himself with that little God had bestowed upon him,
and sequestering himself from all secular employments, to follow that
of his call to the ministry; for as God said to Moses, He that
made the lips and heart, can give eloquence and wisdom, without extraordinary
acquirements in an university.
During these things, there were regulators sent into all cities and
towns corporate, to new model the government in the magistracy, etc.,
by turning out some, and putting in others: against this Mr Bunyan
expressed his zeal with some weariness, as foreseeing the bad consequence
that would attend it, and laboured with his congregation to prevent
their being imposed on in this kind; and when a great man in those days,
coming to Bedford upon some such errand, sent for him, as ’tis
supposed, to give him a place of public trust, he would by no means
come at him, but sent his excuse.
When he was at leisure from writing and teaching, he often came up to
London, and there went among the congregations of the non-conformists,
and used his talent to the great good-liking of the hearers; and even
some to whom he had been mis-represented, upon the account of his education,
were convinced of his worth and knowledge in sacred things, as perceiving
him to be a man of round judgment, delivering himself plainly and powerfully;
insomuch that many, who came mere spectators for novelty sake rather
than to edify and be improved, went away well satisfied with what they
heard, and wondered, as the Jews did at the Apostles, viz.: Whence
this man should have these things; perhaps not considering that God
more immediately assists those that make it their business industriously
and cheerfully to labour in His vineyard.
Thus he spent his latter years in imitation of his great Lord and Master,
the ever-blessed Jesus; he went about doing good, so that the most prying
critic, or even Malice herself, is defied to find, even upon the narrowest
search or observation, any sully or stain upon his reputation, with
which he may be justly charged; and this we note, as a challenge to
those that have the least regard for him, or them of his persuasion,
and have one way or other appeared in the front of those that oppressed
him; and for the turning whose hearts, in obedience to the commission
and commandment given him of God, he frequently prayed, and sometimes
sought a blessing for them, even with tears, the effects of which, they
may, peradventure, though undeservedly, have found in their persons,
friends, relations, or estates; for God will hear the prayer of the
faithful, and answer them, even for them that vex them, as it happened
in the case of Job’s praying for the three persons that
had been grievous in their reproach against him, even in the day of
his sorrow.
But yet let me come a little nearer to particulars and periods of time,
for the better refreshing the memories of those that knew his labour
and suffering, and for the satisfaction of all that shall read this
book.
After he was sensibly convicted of the wicked state of his life, and
converted, he was baptized into the congregation, and admitted a member
thereof, viz., in the year 1655, and became speedily a very zealous
professor; but upon the return of King Charles to the crown in
1660, he was the 12th of November taken, as he was edifying some
good people that were got together to hear the word, and confined in
Bedford jail for the space of six years, till the act of Indulgence
to dissenters being allowed, he obtained his freedom, by the intercession
of some in trust and power, that took pity on his sufferings; but within
six years afterwards he was again taken up, viz., in the year
1666, and was then confined for six years more, when even the jailor
took such pity of his rigorous sufferings, that he did as the Egyptian
jailor did to Joseph, put all the care and trust in his hand:
When he was taken this last time, he was preaching on these words, viz.:
Dost thou believe the Son of God? And this imprisonment
continued six years, and when this was over, another short affliction,
which was an imprisonment of half a year, fell to his share. During
these confinements he wrote the following books, viz.: Of Prayer
by the Spirit: The Holy City’s Resurrection: Grace Abounding:
Pilgrim’s Progress, the first part.
In the last year of his twelve years’ imprisonment, the pastor
of the congregation at Bedford died, and he was chosen to that
care of souls, on the 12th of December 1671. And in this
his charge, he often had disputes with scholars that came to oppose
him, as supposing him an ignorant person, and though he argued plainly,
and by Scripture, without phrases and logical expressions, yet he nonplussed
one who came to oppose him in his congregation, by demanding, Whether
or no we had the true copies of the original Scriptures; and another,
when he was preaching, accused him of uncharitableness, for saying,
It was very hard for most to be saved; saying, by that
he went about to exclude most of his congregation; but he confuted him,
and put him to silence with the parable of the stony ground, and other
texts out of the 13th chapter of St Matthew, in our Saviour’s
sermon out of a ship; all his methods being to keep close to the Scriptures,
and what he found not warranted there, himself would not warrant nor
determine, unless in such cases as were plain, wherein no doubts or
scruples did arise.
But not to make any further mention of this kind, it is well known that
this person managed all his affairs with such exactness, as if he had
made it his study, above all other things, not to give occasion of offence,
but rather suffer many inconveniences, to avoid being never heard to
reproach or revile any, what injury soever he received, but rather to
rebuke those that did; and as it was in his conversation, so it is manifested
in those books he has caused to be published to the world; where like
the archangel disputing with Satan about the body of Moses, as
we find it in the epistle of St Jude, brings no railing accusation
(but leaves the rebukers, those that persecuted him) to the Lord.
In his family he kept up a very strict discipline in prayer and exhortation;
being in this like Joshua, as the good man expresses it, viz.,
Whatsoever others did, as for me and my house, we will serve
the Lord: and indeed a blessing waited on his labours and endeavours,
so that his wife, as the Psalmist says, was like a pleasant
vine upon the walls of his house, and his children like olive
branches round his table; for so shall it be with the man that
fears the Lord, and though by reason of the many losses he sustained
by imprisonment and spoil, of his chargeable sickness, etc., his earthly
treasure swelled not to excess; he always had sufficient to live decently
and creditably, and with that he had the greatest of all treasures,
which is content; for as the wise man says, That is a continual
feast.
But where content dwells, even a poor cottage is a kingly palace,
and this happiness he had all his life long; not so much minding this
world, as knowing he was here as a pilgrim and stranger, and had no
tarrying city, but looked for one made with hands eternal in the highest
heavens: but at length was worn out with sufferings, age, and often
teaching, the day of his dissolution drew near, and death, that unlocks
the prison of the soul, to enlarge it for a more glorious mansion, put
a stop to his acting his part on the stage of mortality; heaven, like
earthly princes, when it threatens war, being always so kind as to call
home its ambassadors before it be denounced, and even the last act or
undertaking of his, was a labour of love and charity; for it so falling
out that a young gentleman, a neighbour of Mr Bunyan’s,
happening into the displeasure of his father, and being much troubled
in mind upon that account, and also for that he heard his father purposed
to disinherit him, or otherwise deprive him of what he had to leave;
he pitched upon Mr Bunyan as a fit man to make way for his submission,
and prepare his father’s mind to receive him; and he, as willing
to do any good office, as it could be requested, as readily undertook
it; and so riding to Reading in Berkshire, he then there
used such pressing arguments and reasons against anger and passion,
as also for love and reconciliation, that the father was mollified,
and his bowels yearned to his returning son.
But Mr Bunyan, after he had disposed all things to the best for
accommodation, returning to London, and being overtaken with
excessive rains, coming to his lodgings extremely wet, fell sick of
a violent fever, which he bore with much constancy and patience, and
expressed himself as if he desired nothing more than to be dissolved,
and be with Christ, in that case esteeming death as gain, and life only
a tedious delaying felicity expected; and finding his vital strength
decay, having settled his mind and affairs, as well as the shortness
of time, and the violence of his disease would permit, with a constant
and christian patience, he resigned his soul into the hands of his most
merciful Redeemer, following his pilgrim from the City of Destruction,
to the New Jerusalem; his better part having been all along there,
in holy contemplation, pantings and breathings after the hidden manna
and water of life, as by many holy and humble consolations expressed
in his letters to several persons in prison, and out of prison, too
many to be inserted at present. He died at the house of one Mr
Struddock, a grocer, at the Star on Snow Hill, in the
parish of St Sepulchre’s, London, on the 12th of August
1688, and in the sixtieth year of his age, after ten days’ sickness;
and was buried in the new burying place near the Artillery Ground; where
he sleeps to the morning of the resurrection, in hopes of a glorious
rising to an incorruptible immortality of joy and happiness; where no
more trouble and sorrow shall afflict him, but all tears be wiped away;
when the just shall be incorporated as members of Christ their head,
and reign with Him as kings and priests for ever.
A brief Character 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.
In him at once did three great worthies shine,
Historian, poet, and a choice divine:
Then let him rest in undisturbed dust,
Until the resurrection of the just.
POSTSCRIPT
In this his pilgrimage, God blessed him with four children, one of which,
named Mary, was blind, and died some years before; his other
children were Thomas, Joseph, and Sarah; his wife Elizabeth
having lived to see him overcome his labour and sorrow, and pass from
this life to receive the reward of his work, long survived him not;
but in 1692 she died, to follow her faithful pilgrim from this world
to the other, whither he was gone before her; whilst his works, which
consist of sixty books, remain for the edifying of the reader, and praise
of the author.
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