Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/102

102 my spirit, to desire I might preach there. I have also observed that such and such souls in particular have been strongly set upon my heart, and I stirred up to wish for their salvation; and that these very souls have, after this, been given in the fruits of my ministry. I have observed that a word cast in by-the-bye hath done more execution in a sermon than all that was spoken besides. Sometimes also, when I have thought I did no good, then I did the most of all; and at other times, when I thought I should catch them, I have fished for nothing.

288. I have also observed that where there has been a work to do upon sinners, there the devil hath begun to roar in the hearts and by the mouths of his servants; yea, often-times, when the wicked world hath raged most, there hath been souls awakened by the word. I could instance particulars,but I forbear.

289. My great desire in my fulfilling my ministry was to get into the darkest places of the country, even amongst those people that were farthest off of profession; yet not because I could not endure the light—for I feared not to show my gospel to any—but because I found my spirit did lean most after awakening and converting work, and the word that I carried did lean itself most that way also; "yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation" (Rom. xv. 20).

290. In my preaching I have really been in pain, and have as it were travailed to bring forth children to God; "neither could I be satisfied unless some fruits did appear in my work. If I were fruitless, it mattered not, who commended me; but if I were fruitful, I cared not who did condemn. I have thought of that, "Lo, Children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath