Page:Causes and cure of spiritual darkness.pdf/19

19 bitterness of spirit, he was relieved by that blessed word, " Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled ;" and " Yet there is room."

Many more were his temptations, of which the reader may find a large account in a Tract written by himself, entitled, " Grace abounding to the Chief of Sinners." But the Lord, who knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, was pleased to deliver him out of all his spiritual distresses, filling his soul with joy and peace in believing. To this happy event, under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, the conversation he had with experienced Christians, and the valuable labours of Mr. Gifford, then minister of the Gospel at Bedford, were chiefly conducive. When 27 years of age, Mr. Bunyan joined a pious congregation of Christians at Bedford. His natural abilities, eminent grace, and remarkable temptations soon pointed him out as a proper person for the ministry. Curiosity naturally excited multitudes to attend his preaching, and he soon found that his labours were not in vain in the Lord. Such were his diffidence and modesty, that at first he thought it incredible, that God should speak to the hearts of sinners by his means. But he was encouraged by many seals of his ministry. His views of the work, and his method in it, deserve notice and invitation. The Lord gave him much compassion for perishing sinners. He studied with great diligence to find out such words as might awaken the conscience : and he laboured much to hold forth Christ in all his offices, and relations, and to condemn all those false props on which worldly men lean and perish, This fidelity excited many enemies, and