Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/95

 A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF

THE AUTHOR'S CALL

TO THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY.

265. now I am speaking my experience, I will in this place thrust in a word or two concerning my preaching the word, and of God's dealing with me in that particular also. After I had been about ﬁve or six years awakened, and helped myself to see both the want and worth of Jesus Christ our Lord, and also enabled to venture my soul upon him, some of the most able among the saints with us, I say, the most able for judgment and holiness of life, as they conceived did perceive that God had counted me worthy to understand something of his will in his holy and blessed Word, and had given me utterance in some measure to express what I saw to others for edification,—therefore they desired me, and that with much earnestness, that I would be willing at some times to take in hand, in one of the meetings, to speak a word of exhortation unto them.

266. The which, though at the first it did much dash abash my spirit, yet being still by them desired and entreated, I consented to their request, and did twice at two several assemblies, but in private, though with much weakness infirmity, discover my gift amongst them; at which they not only seemed to be, but did frequently protest, as in the sight of the great God, they were both affected and comforted, and