Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/96

96 gave thanks to the Father of mercies for the grace bestowed on me.

267. After this, sometimes, when some of them. did go into the country to teach, they would also that I would go with them, where, though as yet I did not nor durst not make use of my gift in an open way, yet more privately. Still, as I came amongst the good people in those places, I did sometimes speak a word of admonition unto them also; the which they, as the other, received with rejoicing at the mercy of God to me-ward, professing their souls were edified thereby.

268. Wherefore, to be brief, at last, being still desired by the church, after some solemn prayer to the Lord, with fasting, I was more particularly called forth, and appointed to a more ordinary and public preaching of the word, not only to and amongst them that believed, but also to offer the gospel to those who had not yet received the faith thereof; about which time I did evidently ﬁnd in my mind a secret pricking forward thereto, though I bless God not for desire of vain-glory, for at that time I was most sorely afﬂicted with the ﬁery darts of the devil concerning my eternal state.

269. But yet I could not be content unless I was found in the exercise of my gift, unto which also I was greatly animated, not only by the continual desires of the godly, but also by that saying of Paul to the Corinthians: "I beseech you, brethren (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruits Of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints), that ye submit yourselves unto such, to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth" (1 Cor. 15, 16).

270. By this text I was made to see that the Holy Ghost never intended that men who have gifts and abilities should bury them in the earth, but rather did command and stir up exercise of their gift, and also did commend those that were apt and ready to do so. "They have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints." This scripture