about the new birth, the work of God in their hearts, how they were convinced of their miserable state by nature, and how God had visited their souls with his love in the Lord Jesus, and with what Scripture promises they had been refreshed, comforted, and supported against the temptations of the devil: They further spoke of the devices of Satan, how they had been borne up under his assaults, and delivered out of their afflictions; and also o the deceitfulness, wickedness, and unbelief of their hearts; loathing and abhorring themselves and their own righteousness as filthy and insufficient to do them any good. "And methought (says he, using an expression of the "most beautiful simplicity) they spake as though you did "make them speak;" and all "with such pleasantness of "Scripture language, and such appearance of grace, that "they seemed to me as if they had found a new world, and "were people that dwelt alone, and were not to be reckoned "among the nations. Numb. xxiii. 9." Upon this his heart misgave him, and he doubted much of the goodness of his religious state, being conscious that in all his thoughts about religion and salvation, the new birth never entered into his mind, and that he was an entire stranger to the treachery of his own wicked heart, the nature of Satan's temptations, and how they were to be resisted, and of the comfort of God's gracious promises in the gospel. However, the deep and lasting impressions made on his mind by the conversation of these good people, led him frequently to discourse with them on the above important subjects, by which means his heart was so far changed, that he cordially embraced the truth on conviction of Scripture authority, and meditated therein continually with great delight: Yea, his whole soul became so fixed on eternity, and the things of the kingdom of GoD, that neither pleasures nor profits, persuasions nor threats, could move him from his stedfastness." Although I may speak it "with shame, yet (says he) it is a certain truth, that it "would have been as difficult for me to have taken my "mind from heaven to earth, as I have found it often "since to get it again from earth to heaven."

After this season of illumination and rejoicing, he endured many severe conflicts; without were fightings, and within were fears. One of the first trials of his faith and constancy was that of some professors holding the truth in unrighteousness, viz. the Ranters, whose gospel-liberty was mere licentiousness: But he, being designed of GoD for better things, was kept from these enormities and the

vile delusions of this truly antinomian sect, though in the prime and vigour of his life. But the Bible was particularly precious to him in those days, and he read and meditated in it with more than ordinary delight and pleasure, praying earnestly that he might not be left to lean to his own understanding, but might know the truth, and be kept in the way to life and glory.

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After many severe and uncommon spiritual conflicts, which he relates at large in his treatise, entitled "Grace abounding, &c." he was led, at length, to open his mind to some religious people in Bedford, and particularly to those whose discourse he had overheard at his first setting out. They made his case known to Mr. Gifford, their minister, who, after conversing with him and hoping him to be sincere, invited him to attend the society meetings held at his own house. Here he heard of the Lord's dealings with others, and the instructions and encouragement Mr. Gifford gave them from time to time, by which he received further conviction, and saw more and more of the inward vanity, deceitfulness, and wretchedness of his own heart: Insomuch that he thought he grew worse and worse, and was farther from conversion than ever, and was exceedingly discouraged. Yet sometimes this Scripture afforded him comfort: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me, Isa. xlv. 5. He had such a view of his original and inward pollution, that he was more loathsome in his own eyes than a toad, and thought he was so in the sight of God. At this sight of his vileness, he was almost driven to despair, being ready to conclude, that such a condition was inconsistent with a state of grace, and that he was forsaken of Gon, and given up to the devil and a reprobate mind. In this state he continued for several years.

He remarks, that while he was thus exercised with the workings of corruptions and the fear of damnation, he was surprised at two things; the one was, to see old people hunting after the things of this life, as if they should live here always; the other was, to find professors distressed and cast down when they met with outward losses, as of a husband, wife, child, &c. &c. "What seeking (says he) "after carnal things by some, and what grief in others for "the loss of them; whereas if I knew but that my soul

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was in a good condition, how rich should I esteem my"self, though blessed but with bread and water: I should "reckon these but small afflictions and should bear them

as little burdens: But a wounded spirit who can bear !”

In this state he remained a great while, lamenting that God had made him a man, and not a beast or bird or fish, whose condition he coveted, because they were not, like himself, obnoxious to the wrath of GoD, and to be sent to hell when they died. But when God's time to comfort him was come, he providentially heard a sermon from Sol. Song, iv. 1. Behold thou art fair, my love, behold thou art fair. The minister made these two words, my love, the subject of his sermon; from which, after he had a little opened his text, he discoursed on the following heads: 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, though hated of the world. 4. Christ's love, when under temptation and desertion. 5. Christ's love, from first to last. That which more particularly suited his case was the fourth head; and, in the application of which, in these words, he found his heart filled with hope and comfort, and belief that his sins would now be forgiven. If it be so (said the preacher) that the saved soul is in Christ's love when under temptation and desertion, then, poor tempted soul, when thou art assaulted ' and afflicted with temptations, and the hidings of thy Sa'viour's face, yet think on these two words, my love STILL.' In further meditating on this discourse, he experienced such a display of God's mercy and love, that he could scarce contain himself; he thought he could have told of GOD's goodness to the very birds of the air, if they could have understood him, saying, "Surely I shall not forget this forty years hence; but, alas, (adds he) within less than forty days I began to question all again." However he was enabled to go on, believing that it was a true manifestation of grace unto his soul; notwithstanding at times he had lost much of the life and savour of it.

As Mr. Bunyan was designed in a very eminent degree to speak to others in cases of conscience, he was led on in such a manner, as to be richly furnished from his own experience to encourage professors of all descriptions in the way of salvation; and he has explained at large, in his treatise before-mentioned, the grounds he had to believe, that God had appointed him to testify of his grace to others. Accordingly, after some private trials, he ventured openly to preach the gospel, in which (he says) he was attended with seals and success far beyond his expectation.

After he had publicly preached for five or six years before the Restoration, on the twelfth of November 1660,

he

he was apprehended by one Justice Wingate, at or near Harlington, in Bedfordshire, and committed to prison, where were above sixty dissenters. Here, with only two books-the Bible and the book of martyrs, he employed his time for twelve years and a half in preaching to, and praying with his fellow-prisoners, in writing several of his works, and in making tagged laces for the support of himself and his family. Indeed, his wife (whom he had married about two years before, having buried his former) made every effort to procure his release both at London and at Bedford assizes, but in vain. In the last year of his imprisonment, upon the death of their former pastor, the baptist congregation at Bedford, to whom he was joined, unanimously chose him for their pastor, Dec. 12, 1671. Bishop Burlow of Lincoln, procured his enlargement; after which he travelled into various parts of England to visit and confirm his brethren; and this procured him the title of Bishop Bunyan. In the reign of James the II. upon the famous declaration for liberty of conscience, Mr. Bunyan, by the voluntary contributions of his friends, built a public meeting-house at edford, and preached constantly to large congregations. He likewise frequently came to London and preached among the nonconformists there: And, it is said, the learned Dr. John Owen was often one of his hearers.

He died at his lodgings on Snow Hill, London, of a fever, contracted by a journey to Reading in very bad weather, where he had been to make up a dispute between a young gentleman and his father. This was on the thirty-first of August 1688, in the sixtieth year of his age. His body was interred in Bunhill Fields. He had, by his first wife, four children, one of which, whom he tenderly loved, was blind. His second wife survived him but four years, dying in 1692.

He appeared in countenance (says the continuator of his life) to he of a stern and rough temper, but in his conversation he was 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 making friendship with all He had a sharp quick eye; accomplished with an excellent discerning of persons, being of good judgment, and quick

wit. As for his person, he was tall of stature, strongboned, 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 moderately large; his forehead something high, and his habit always plain and modest.

He was certainly a man of a great and vigorous genius, which, had it been properly cultivated, might have raised him to a very conspicuous eminence in the literary world. "Tis wonderful, under so many disadvantages and depressions, that it could soar so high as it did: And it is one extraordinary proof, among many, that though the grace of Go doth not impart new natural powers, yet, in super-addition to it's own proper effects, it usually gives new energy to those powers, and draws them on to attainments, which before could not have been expected or conceived. Mr Granger, (author of the Biographical History of England,) says of him, that when he arrived at the sixtieth year of his age, which was the period of his life, he had written books equal to the number of his years: But as many of these are on similar subjects, they are very much alike. His master-piece is his Pilgrim's Progress, one of the most popular, and, I may add, one of the most ingenious books in the English language.' The same author also observes, that Bunyan,, who has been mentioned among the least and lowest of our writers, and even ridiculed as a driveller by those who have never read him, deserves a much higher rank than is commonly imagined. His Pilgrim's Progress gives us a clear and distinct idea of Calvinistical divinity. The allegory is admirably carried on, and the characters justly drawn, and uniformly supported. The Author's original and poetic genius shines through the coarseness and vulgarity of his language, and intimates, that, if he had been a master of numbers, he might have composed a poem worthy of Spenser himself. As this opinion may be deemed paradoxical, I shall venture to name two persons of eminence of the same sentiments; one, the late Mr Merrick, of Reading; the other, Dr. Roberts, now Fellow of Eton College." Mr. Granger observes in a note, that Mr. Merrick has been heard to say, in conversation, that Bunyan's invention was like that of Homer.' Another person well remembers an observation of the same Mr. Merrick to himself,' upon his having been presented by a noble lady with a new edition

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