Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/111

Rh own corruption; by all which, glory be to Jesus Christ, I have also received, among many things, much conviction, instruction, and understanding, of which at large I shall not here discourse—only give you a hint or two, a word that may stir up the godly to bless God, and to pray for me; and also to take encouragement, should the case be their own, not to fear what man can do unto them.

321. I never had in all my life so great an inlet into the Word of God as now. Those scriptures that I saw nothing in before were made in this place and state to shine upon me; Jesus Christ also was never more real and apparent than now: here I have seen and felt him indeed. Oh, that word, "We have not preached unto you cuninngly devised fables" (2 Pet. i. 16), and that, "God raised Christ from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God," were blessed words unto me in this my imprisoned condition!

322. These three or four scriptures also have been great refreshments in this condition to me: John xiv. 1–4; xvi. 33; Col. iii. 3, 4; Heb. xii. 22–24. So that sometimes, when I have been in the savour of them, I have been able to laugh at destruction, and to fear neither the horse nor his rider. I have had sweet sights of the forgiveness of my sins in this place, and of my being with Jesus in another world. Oh, the Mount Sion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the innumerable company of angels, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of just men made perfect, and Jesus (Heb. xii. 22–24), have been sweet unto me in this place! I have seen that here that I am persuaded I shall never, while in this world, be able to express. I have seen a truth in this scripture, "'Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet i. 8).

323. I never; knew what it was for God to stand by me at all turns, and at every offer of Satan to afflict me, etc., as I have. found him since I came in hither. For look how fears