grace abounding to the chief of sinners-第22章

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t；　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Now　while　my　mittimus　was　making；　the　justice　was　withdrawn；　and　in　　comes　an　old　enemy　to　the　truth；　Dr　Lindale；　who；　when　he　was　come　　in；　fell　to　taunting　at　me　with　many　reviling　terms。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　　dispara