Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/122

122 He took great care to visit the sick, and strengthen them against the suggestions of the tempter, which at some times are very prevalent; so that they, had cause for ever to bless God, who had put it into his heart at such a time to rescue them from the power of the roaring lion who sought to devour them. Nor did he spare any pains or labour in travel, thoughto the remotest countries, where he knew or imagined any people might stand in need of his assistance; insomuch that some, by these visitations that he had made, which were two or three every year—some, though in a jeering manner no doubt, gave him the epithet of Bishop Bunyan, whilst others envied him for his so earnestly labouring in Christ's vine-yard. Yet the seed of the Word he all this while sowed in the hearts of his congregation, watered with the grace of God, brought forth in abundance, in bringing disciples to the church of Christ.

Another part of his time he spent in reconciling differences, by which he hindered many mischiefs, and saved some families from ruin; and in such fallings-out he was uneasy till he found a means to labour a reconciliation and become a peacemaker, on whom a blessing is promised in Holy Writ. And, indeed, in doing this good office he may be said to sum up his days, it being the last undertaking of his life, as will appear in the close of this paper.

When in the late reign liberty of conscience was where unexpectedly given and indulged to dissenters of all persuasions, piercing wit penetrated the veil, and found that it was not for the dissenters' sakes they were so suddenly freed from the persecutions, that had long lain heavy upon them and set in manner on an equal foot with, the the Church of England, Papists were undermining, and about to subvert. He foresaw all the advantages that could redound to the dissenters would have been no more than the monstrous giant of Sicily, would have allowed Ulysses—namely,that he would eat his men