Page:Causes and cure of spiritual darkness.pdf/20

20 the time in which he lived being a time of persecution for conscience, he was thrown into prison, and there continued, in the whole, for 12 years.

During this tedious imprisonment he was enabled to possess his mind in much patience. The Lord was very gracious to him. He says himself that he never had such an insight into the Scriptures before. He had much sweet communion with God, clear views of the forgiveness of sins, and the foretastes of his eternal bliss. The thoughts of his afflicted family would sometimes press upon his mind, especially the case of one of his four children, who was blind. Mr. Bunyan was a man of strong affections ; a ten der husband, and a very indulgent parent. But he was supported under this affliction by these two Scriptures, " Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me."- The Lord said, " Verily it shall be well with thy remnant ; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil."

He was not idle during his long and severe confinement, but was a diligent student of his Bible, which, with the Book of Martyrs, composed his whole library. His own hands also ministered to the necessity of his indigent family ; but he was still more usefully employed, preaching to all who could get access to the jail, and with a spirit and power that surprised his hearers.

It was here also that he composed several useful treatises, especially THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS ; a book which has done more good, perhaps, than any other, except the Bible ; and by