Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/123

Rh first, and do him the favour of being eaten last. For although Mr. Bunyan, following the examples of others, did lay hold of this liberty as an acceptable thing in itself, knowing God is the only Lord of conscience, and that it is good at all times to do according to the dictates of a good conscience, and that the preaching the glad tidings of the gospel is beautiful in the preacher, yet in all this he moved with caution and a holy fear, earnestly praying for the averting the impending judgments which he saw, like a black tempest, hanging over our heads for our sins, and ready to break in upon us, and that the Ninevites' remedy was new highly necessary. Hereupon he gathered his congregation at Bedford, Where he mostly lived, and had lived and spent the greatest part of his life; and there being no convenient place to be had for the entertainment of so great a confluence of people as followed him upon the account of his teaching, he consulted with them for the building of a meeting-house, to which they made their voluntary contributions with all cheerfulness and alacrity. And the first time he appeared there to edify, the place was so thronged that many were constrained to stay without, though the house was very spacious, every one striving to partake of his instructions that were of his persuasion, and show their good will towards him by being present at the opening of the place. And here he lived in much peace and quiet of mind, contenting himself with that little God had bestowed upon him, and sequestering himself from all secular employments to follow that of his call to the ministry; for, as God said to Moses, He that made the lips and heart can give eloquence and wisdom, without extraordinary acquirements in a university.

During these things there were regulators sent into all cities and towns corporate to new model they; government in the magistracy, etc, by turning out some and putting in others. Against this Mr. Bunyan expressed his zeal with