120 The Consequences of their Behaviour.

There therefore they lay for some time, and were made the objects of any man's sport, or malice, or revenge; the great One of the Fair laughing still at all that befel them. But the men being patient, and "not rendering railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing," and giving good words for bad, and kindness for injuries done; some men in the Fair, that were more observing and less prejudiced than the rest, began to check and blame the baser sort for their continual abuses done by them to the men: they therefore in angry manner let fly at them again, counting them as bad as the men in the cage, and telling them that they seemed confederates, and should be made partakers of their misfortune. The other replied that, for aught they could see, the men were quiet and sober, and intended nobody any harm: and that there were many, that traded in their Fair, that were more worthy to be put into the cage, yea, and pillory too, than were the men that they had abused. Thus, after divers words had passed on both sides, (the men behaving themselves all the while very wisely and soberly before them;) they fell to some blows and did harm one to another. Then were these two poor men brought before their examiners again, and there charged as being guilty of the late hubbub that had been in the Fair. So they beat them pitifully, and hanged irons upon them, and led them in chains up and down the Fair, for an example and terror to others, lest any should speak in their behalf, or join themselves unto them. But Christian and Faithful behaved themselves yet more wisely, and received the ignominy and shame that was cast

upside down are come hither also ;" "they exceedingly trouble the city," town or village by their uncharitable discourse and example !-Thus Satan takes occasion to excite persecution, when he fears lest the servants of God should successfully disseminate their principles: and persecuting princes and magistrates, his 'most trusty friends,' are deputed by him to molest and punish their peaceable subjects, for conscientiously refusing conformity to the world, or for dissenting from doctrines and modes of worship which they deem unscriptural. Thus the most valuable members of the community are banished, imprisoned, or murdered; multitudes are tempted to hypocrisy; encouragement is given to time-servers to seek secular advantages by acting contrary to their consciences; the principles of sincerity and integrity are generally weakened or destroyed, by multiplied prevarications and false professions; and numerous instruments of cruelty and oppression are involved in this complication of atrocious crimes.-Our author doubtless drew many of his portraits, in the subsequent historical picture, from originals then sufficiently known; and if any think that he has heightened his colourings, it may furnish them with a subject for gratitude, and a reason for content and peaceable submission to our rulers. In Fox's Martyrs we meet with authenticated facts, that fully equal this allegorical representation: ray, "The Acts of the Apostles' give us the very same view of the subject.

Their Sufferings and Comforts.

121

upon them with so much meekness and patience, that it won to their side (though but few in comparison of the rest,) several of the men in the Fair. This put the other party yet into a greater rage, insomuch that they concluded the death of these two men. Wherefore they threatened that the cage nor irons should serve their turn, but that they should die for the abuse they had done, and for deluding the men of the Fair. (d)

Then were they remanded to the cage again, until further orders should be taken with them. So they put them in, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Here, also, they called again to mind what they had heard from their faithful friend Evangelist, and were the more confirmed in their way and sufferings by what he told them would happen to them. They also now comforted each other, that whose lot it was to suffer, that even he should have the best on't; therefore each man secretly wished that he might have that preferment: but committing themselves to the all-wise dispose of Him that ruleth all things, with much content they abode in the condition in which they were, until they should be otherwise disposed of.

Then a convenient time being appointed, they brought them forth to their trial in order to their condemnation. When the time was come they were brought before their enemies, and arraigned. The Judge's name was lord Hategood their indictment was one and the same in substance,

(d) The contempt, injustice, and cruelty, with which persecutors treat the harmless disciples of Christ, gives them an occasion of discovering that amiable conduct and spirit which accord to the precepts of Scripture, and the example of persecuted prophets and apostles; and this often produces the most happy effects on those who are less prejudiced, which still more exasperates determined opposers; yet it frequently procures a short respite for the persecuted, while worldly people quarrel about them among themselves. And even if greater severity be at length determined on, persevering prudence, meckness and patience, amidst all the rage of their enemies, will bear testimony for them in the consciences of numbers; their religion will appear beautiful, in proportion as their perse cators expose their own odious deformity. God will be with them to comfort and deliver them; he will be honoured by their profession and behaviour, and many will derive the most important advantage, from their patient sufferings and cheerful fortitude in adhering to the truths of the gospel. But when believers are put off their guard by ill usage; when their zeal is rash, contentious, boasting, or disproportionate; when they are provoked to render "railing for railing," or to act contrary to the plain precepts of Scripture: they bring guilt on their consciences, stumble their brethren, harden the hearts and open the months of opposers, dishonour God and the gospel, and gratify the great enemy of sonths; who malignantly rejoices in their misconduct, but is tortured when they endure frings in a proper manner.

L

122 The Indictment. The Deposition of Envy,

though somewhat varying in form; the contents whereof was this:

That they were enemies to, and disturbers of their trade; that they had made commotions and divisions in the town, and had won a party to their own most dangerous opinions, in contempt of the law of their Prince.

Then Faithful began to answer, that he had only set himself against that which had set itself against Him that is higher than the highest. And, said he, as for disturbance, I make none, being myself a man of peace; the parties that were won to us were won by beholding our truth and innocence; and they are only turned from the worse to the better. And as to the king you talk of, since he is Beelzebub, the enemy of our Lord, I defy him, him and all his angels. (e)

Then proclamation was made, that they that had aught to say for their lord the king against the prisoner at the bar, should forthwith appear and give in their evidence. So there came in three witnesses, to wit, Envy, Superstition, and Pickthank. They were then asked if they knew the prisoner at the bar; and what they had to say for their lord the king against him.

Then stood forth Envy, and said to this effect: My lord, I have known this man a long time, and will attest upon my oath before this honourable bench, that he is

Judge. Hold, give him his oath.

(e) The description of the process, instituted against the Pilgrims, is given in language taken from the legal forms used in our courts of justice, which in Mr. Bunyan's days were shamefully perverted to subserve the most iniquitous oppressions.-The allegorical narrative is framed in such a manner, as emphatically to expose the secret reasons, which influence men to persecute their inoffensive neighbours; and the very names employed declare the several corrupt principles of the heart, from whence this atrocious conduct results.Enmity against God, and his holy character, law, worship, truth and servants, is the principal source of persecution; the judge in Faithful's trial. The interference of spiritual religion with men's covetous, ambitious and sensual pursuits; and the interruption it gives to their false peace, and unanimity in ungodliness or hypocrisy, which it tends to expose and undermine, form the grounds of the indictment: that is, when the persecuted can truly answer, that they 'only set themselves against that which sets itself against Him, who is higher than the highest, and when they do not suffer "as evil doers, busy bodies in other men's matters," ambitious competitors for secular advantages, or contentious disputants about political questions.

(f) The names of these witnesses declare the characters of the most active instruments of persecution. Even Pilate could perceive that the Jewish Scribes and Priests were actuated by envy, in delivering up Jesus to him. His instructions discredited their's, and diminished their reputation and influence; he was more followed than they: and in propor tion as he was deemed a teacher sent from God, they were disregarded as blind guides, Thus formal instructors, and karned men, who are strangers to the power of godliness,

One of the Witnesses.

123

So they sware him.-Then he said, My lord, this man, notwithstanding his plausible name, is one of the vilest men in our country; he neither regardeth prince nor people, law nor custom; but doeth all that he can to possess all men with certian of his disloyal notions, (g) which he in the general calls 'principles of faith and holiness.' And, in particular I heard him once myself aflirm, that Christianity and the customs of our Town of Vanity were diametrically opposite, and could not be reconciled. By which saying, my lord, he doth at once, not only condemn all our laudable doings, but us in the doing of them.

Then did the Judge say unto him, Hast thou any more to say? Envy. My lord, I could say much more, only I would not be tedious to the court. Yet if need be, when the other gentlemen have given in their evidence, rather than any thing shall be wanting that will dispatch him, I will enlarge my testimony against him.-So he was bid to stand by.

have always affected to despise the professors and preachers of the gospel as ignorant enthusia:ts. They envy the reputation acquired by them, and are angry at the success of their doctrines. If they have not the authority to silence the minister, they will brow-beat such of his hearers as are within the reach of their influence; especially if they have affronted them by forsaking their uninteresting instructions. If they cannot prevail upon "the powers that be" to interfere; they will employ reproaches, menaces, or even oppression, to obstruct the progress of evangelical ministers: should any obsolete law remain unrepeaked, of which they can take advantage, they will be the first to enforce it; and if the rulers engage in persecution, they will take the lead as prosecutors and witnesses.-As this was remarikably the ease in our author's days; and as the history of the old and new Testament, and every authentic record of persecutious, give the same view of it; we cannot be greatly at a loss to know what was especially meant by this emblem. In other respects there is seldom much in the circumstances of pious persons, to excite the envy of their ungodly neighbours; as they despise their spiritual privileges and comforts.

(5) It has always been the practice of envious accusers to represent those, who refuse religious conformity, as disloyal and disaffected to the civil government of their country; because they judge it "right to obey God rather than man!" How gricvous then is it, that any, who profess the gospel, should give plausibility to such calumnies! How desirable for them, after the example, and in obedience to the precepts, of Christ and his Apostles, "by well doing to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men," "to avoid all appearance of evil," "to render to Cesar the things that are Cesar's," and to constrain even enemies to bear testimony to their peaceable deportment! This would exhibit their patient suffering for conscience sake as amiable and respectable, in the eyes of all not immediately engaged in persecution; and would give a sanction to their most bold and decided testimony against every kind of vice, impiety, and false religion. But when they revile the persons of rul rs, or make religion the pretext for intermeddling out of their place in political matters, and of attempting to disturb the peace of the community; they exceedingly strengthen men's prejudices against the doctrines of the gospel, and the whole body of those who profess them; and thus give occasion, and furnish an excuse, for that very persecution of whitch they complain, in other respects with the greatest justice.

124

Superstition and Pickthank's Depositions.

Then they called Superstition, and bid him look upon the prisoner: they also asked what he could say for their lord the king against him? Then they sware him; so he began:

My lord, I have no great acquaintance with this man, nor do I desire to have further knowledge of him; however, this I know, that he is a very pestilent fellow, from some discourse that the other day I had with him in this Town; for then, talking with him, I heard him say that our religion was naught, and such by which a man could by no means please God. Which sayings of his, my lord, your lordship very well knows what necessarily thence will follow, to wit, that we still do worship in vain, are yet in our sins, and finally shall be damned: and this is that which I have to say. (h)

Then was Pickthank sworn, and bid say what he knew in the behalf of their lord the king against the prisoner at

the bar.

My lord, and you gentlemen all, this fellow I have known of a long time, and have heard him speak things that ought not to be spoke; for he hath railed on our noble prince Beelzebub, and hath spoken contemptibly of his honourable friends, whose names are the lord Old-man, the lord Carnalde-light, the lord Luxurious, the lord Desire-of-vain-glory, my old lord Lechery, Sir Having-greedy, with all the rest of our nobility: and he hath said, moreover, that, if all men were

() Superstition represents another class of underling persecutors; (for the principals are often masked infidels.) Traditions, human inventions, forms and externals, appear to them decent, venerable and sacred; and are mistaken with pertinacious ignorance, for the substance of religion. As mere circumstances of worship, some of these may very well answer the purpose; provided they be not imposed, magnified above their value, or substituted in the place of things essentially good: others are bad, in their origin, use and tendency; yet the truths, ordinances and commandments of God are made void, that men may keep them! What is pompous or burdensome appears to such men meritorious; and the excite. ment of mere natural passions, (as at a tragedy,) is deemed a most needful help to true devotion. They are, therefore, eminently qualified to be witnesses against the faithful servants of God for they "think they are thus doing him service," while they are opposing a company of profane despisers of their idolized forms; a set of fanatics, heretics, and pestilent schismatics! Their religious zeal contracts and hardens their hearts; and the supposed goodness of the cause sanctifies their bitter rage, enmity and calumny. The extreme odiousness of these proceedings should excite all who love the truth, to keep at the utmost distance from such obstinate confidence and violence; to discountenance them to the utmost, in the zealots of their own sentiments; and to leave the enemies of the gospel, if possible, to monopolize this disgrace. For, hitherto, almost all parties have been betrayed into it, when advanced to power; and this has given the enemies of Christianity their most plausible arguments against it.