Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/14

14 drowning. Another time I fell out of a boat into Bedford river, but mercy yet preserved me. Besides, another time, being in the ﬁeld with my companions, it chanced that an adder passed over the highway; so I, having a stick, struck her over the back; and having stunned her, I forced open her mouth with my stick, and plucked her sting out with my fingers: by which act, had not God been merciful to me, I might, by my desperateness, have brought myself to my end.

13. This also I have taken notice of with thanksgiving: When I was a soldier, I with others was drawn out to go to such a place to besiege it; but when I was just ready to go, one of the company desired to go in my room,—to which, when I had consented, he took my place; and coming to the siege, as he stood sentinel he was shot in the head with a musket-bullet, and died.

14. Here, as I said, were judgments and mercy; but neither of them did awaken my soul to righteousness. Wherefore I sinned still, and grew more and more rebeilious against God, and careless of my own salvation.

15. Presently after this I changed my condition into a married state, and my mercy was to light upon a wife whose father and mother were counted godly. This woman and I, though we came together as poor as poor might be (not having So much household stuff as a dish or spoon betwixt us both), yet this she had for her part, "The Plain Man's Pathway to Heaven" and "The Practice of Piety," which her father had left her when he died. In these two books I sometimes read, wherein somethings that were somewhat pleasing to me but all this while I met with no conviction. She also often would tell me what a godly man her father was, and and how he would reprove and correct vice, both in his house and among his neighbours; and what a strict and holy life he lived in his days, both in word and deed.

16. Wherefore these books, though they did not reach my heart to awaken it about my sad and sinful state, yet they