Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

was allowed to remain at large on a friend's en gaging for his being forthcoming on the morrow When he appeared the next day, the justice questioned him as to what he did at the meeting, and why he did not confine himself to his proper calling; to which Bunyan replied, that the intent of his going there and to other places was, to exhort people to forsake their sins and come to Christ, that they might not perish eternally; and that he could, without confusion, attend to his worldly business, and preach the gospel too. This reply seemed to excite the anger of the justice, who said he would "break the neck of their meetings," and, unless sureties were produced, would commit the prisoner to jail. Bunyan had his sureties with him; but when he learned that they must be bound to keep him from preaching, he said that he could not desist from speaking the word of God, and exhorting the people among whom he came, which he thought was a work that deserved commendation rather than blame. Upon this the justice told him he must be sent to the jail, and lie there till the quarter sessions.

At this time one Dr. Lindale (a clergyman, and an old enemy of Bunyan's) came in and began to taunt and revile him, and demanded what authority he had for preaching. Finding,

however, that the tinker was more than a match for him in Scriptural argument, he attempted to play his wit upon him, and said, (alluding to Bunyan's calling,)" that he remembered to have read of one Alexander, a coppersmith, who did much oppose and disturb the apostles:" Bunyan replied, that "he also had read of very many PRIESTS and Pharisees that had their hands in the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ." "Ay," rejoined Lindale, "and you are one of those scribes and Pharisees; for you, with a pretence, make long prayers, to devour widows' houses." "I answered," says Bunyan, "that if he (Dr. L.) had got no more by preaching and praying than I had done, he would not be so rich as he now was."

On his way to prison he was met by two of his brethren, who desired the constable to stay awhile, thinking that through the influence of a pretended friend they could prevail on the justice to set him at liberty. When they returned they told Bunyan that he might be released if he would go back and " say some certain words." He replied, that if he could say them with a good conscience he would; but not otherwise. Yielding to their entreaties he went back, but with little expectation of deliverance; for he feared that those who had committed him were

too much opposed to the truth to release him, "unless he should in something or other dishonour his God, and wound his conscience."

"When I came to the justice again," he says, "there was Mr. Forster, 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; (a right Judas!) 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 afterward, 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,' &c.

"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; but the justice hearing thereof, (said I,) was pleased to send his warrant to fetch me before him, &c. So,'

[ocr errors]

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.' '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, &c.' 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."

To this, and more of a similar import, Bunyan replied, that his conscience would not suffer him to make any such promise; for he considered it his duty to do as much good as he could, not only in his trade, but also in communicating religious instruction whenever he had an opportunity.

Forster said that none came to hear him but a company of foolish people. He replied, that the wise came as well as the foolish; and that those that were most commonly counted foolish by the world, were the wisest before God.

Being told, that by preaching on the week days he made the people neglect their callings, and that God had commanded them to work six

days, and serve him on the seventh, he answered, "that it was the duty of people, both rich and poor, to look out for their souls on these days as well as for their bodies; and that God would have his people exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day.'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Forster again affirming that Bunyan's hearers were "poor, simple, ignorant people," he replied, that "the foolish and ignorant had most need of teaching and information; and that therefore it would be profitable for him to go on in that work."

After some further talk on the subject, finding that Bunyan was not to be moved from his point, Forster, who at first had expressed so much regard for him, told the justice that he must send him to prison, and that he would also do well to present those who had invited him to come and preach.*

66

Thus they parted; "and verily," says Bunyan, 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"

*This Forster signalized himself some years afterward by his officious zeal in persecuting the Nonconformists at Bedford. See on page 222 of this volume.

« PoprzedniaDalej »