第 26 节
作者:
童舟 更新:2021-02-20 15:23 字数:9322
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 co