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of his mind, if possible, there is not one of these noblemen should have any longer a being in this town. Besides, le hath not been afraid to rail on you, my lord, who are now appointed to be his Judge, calling you an ungodly villain, with many other such-like vilifying terms, with which he hath bespattered most of the gentry of our town. (i)

When this Pickthank had told his tale, the Judge directed his speech to the prisoner at the bar, saying, Thou runagate, heretic, and traitor, hast thou heard what these honest gentlemen have witnessed against thee?

Faith. May I speak a few words in my own defence ?

Judge. Sirrah, sirrah, thou deservest to live no longer, but to be slain immediately upon the place; yet, that all men may see our gentleness towards thee, let us see what thou hast to say.

Faith. I say then, in answer to what Mr. Envy hath spoken, I never said aught but this, that what rule, or laws, or custom, or people, were flat against the word of God, are diametrically opposite to Christianity. If I have said amiss in this, convince me of my error, and I am ready here before you to make my recantation.

As to the second, to wit, Mr. Superstition, and his charge against me, I said only this, that in the worship of God there is required a divine faith; but there can be no divine faith without a divine revelation of the will of God. Therefore, whatever is thrust into the worship of God, that is not agreeable to divine revelation, cannot be done but by an humanfaith, which faith will not be profit to eternal life.

As to what Mr. Pickthank hath said, I say, (avoiding terms, as that I am said to rail, and the like.) that the prince of this town, with all the rabblement, his attendants,

(6) Pickthank represents a set of tools that persecutors continually use; namely, men of no religious principle; who assume the appearance of zeal for any party, as may best pro.note their interests; and who inwardly despise both the superstitious and the spiritual worshipper. These men discern little in the conduct or circumstances of believers to excite either their rage, or envy but if their superiors be disposed to persecute, they will afford thei <ssistance; for preferment runs in this channel. So that they bear their testimony from avarice or ambition, and flatter the most execrable characters, in order to get forward in the world: this being the grand object to which they readily sacrifice every thing else. The names of those against whom Faithful spoke, shew that his crime consisted in protesting, by word and deed, against vices, which the great too often think themselves privilegedi to commit without censure; and not in reviling the persons, or misrepresenting the actions of superiors. The former may with great propriety be done at all times; and on some occasions the testimony against sin cannot be too closely applied to the conseinees of thes guilty, without respect of persons: but the latter is always unjust and unscriptur. le

126

The Judge's Charge to the Jury.

by this gentleman named, are more fit for a being in hell than in this Town and Country; and so the Lord have merey upon me. (k)

Then the Judge called to the jury, (who all this while stood by to hear and observe ;) Gentlemen of the jury, you see this man about whom so great an uproar hath been made in this Town; you have also heard what these worthy gentlemen have witnessed against him; also you have heard his reply and confession. It lieth now in your breasts to hang him or save his life; but yet I think meet to instruct you into our law.

There was an act made in the days of Pharaoh the great, servant to our prince, that, lest those of a contrary religion should multiply and grow too strong for him, their males should be thrown into the river.*-There was also an act made in the days of Nebuchadnezzar the great, another of his servants, that whoever would not fall down and worship his golden image, should be thrown into a fiery furnace.tThere was also an act made in the days of Darius, that whoso for some time called upon any God but him should be cast into the lions' den. Now the substance of these laws this rebel has broken, not only in thought, (which is not to be borne) but also in word and deed; which must therefore needs be intolerable.

For that of Pharaoh; his law was made upon a supposi

* Exod. i. † Dan. iii. + Dan. vi.

(4) Faithful's defence is introduced by these lines, as in the foregoing instances :

'Now, Faithful, play the man, speak for thy God;

Fear not the wicked's malice, nor their rod:

Speak boldly, man, the truth is on thy side;

Die for it, and to life in triumph ride.'

Christians in such circumstances should be more concerned for the honour of God than for their own credit or safety; and they should take occasion to bear a decided testimony to the truths, commandments and institutions of Scripture: leaving it to their accusers, judges, or hearers, to determine what sentiments and practices are thus proved to be antichristian, or what numbers of "teachers in Israel" are exposed as blind guides. That faith, (by which alone we approach to God, and acceptably worship him,) has no other object than divine revelation; nothing done without the express warrant of Scripture can be profitable to eternal life, whatever may be said for its expediency; but every thing foisted into religion contrary to that sacred rule must be an abomination. Human faith may please men; but without a divine faith it is impossible to please God, either in general or in any particular action. And, as we seldom can speak against the vile lusts of men, with out being judged by implication to rail against such as are notoriously addicted to them, we cannot be the followers of Him, "whom the world hated, because he testified of it that its works were evil," unless we be willing to risk all consequences in copying his example.

Faithful's Torments and Death.

127

tion to prevent mischief, no crime yet being apparent. But here is a crime apparent. For the second and third; you see he disputeth against our religion; and for the treason he hath confessed, he deserveth to die the death. (1)

Then went the jury out, whose names were Mr. Blindman, Mr. No-good, Mr. Malice, Mr. Love-lust, Mr. Liveloose, Mr. Heady, Mr. High-mind, Mr. Enmity, Mr. Liar, Mr. Cruelty, Mr. Hate-light, and Mr. Implacable; who every one gave in his private verdict against him among themselves, and afterwards unanimously concluded to bring him in guilty before the judge. And first Mr. Blindman, the foreman, said, 'I see clearly that this man is au heretic." Then said Mr. No-good, 'Away with such a fellow from the earth.' 'Ay,' said Mr. Malice, for I hate the very looks of him.' Then said Mr. Love-lust, 'I could never endure him.' 'Nor I,' said Mr. Live-loose, for he would always be condemning my way.' 'Hang him, hang him,' said Mr. Heady. "A sorry scrub,' said Mr. High-mind. My heart riseth against him,' said Mr. Enmity. He is a rogue,' said Mr. Liar. Hanging is too good for him,' said Mr. Cruelty. 'Let us dispatch him out of the way,' said Mr. Hate-light. Then said Mr. Implacable, 'Might I have all the world given me, I could not be reconciled to him: therefore let us forthwith bring him in guilty of death.' And so they did; therefore he was presently condemned to be had from the place where he was, to the place from whence he came, and there to be put to the most cruel death that could be invented.

They therefore brought him out to do with him according to their law and first they scourged him, then they buffeted him, then they lanced his flesh with knives; after that they stoned him with stones, then pricked him with their swords;

(1) A more just and keen satyrical description of such legal iniquities, can scarcely be imagined, than that contained in this passage. The statutes and precedents adduced, (with an humorous and well imitated reference to the style and manner, in which charges are commonly given to juries;) shew what patterns persecuting legislators and magistrates choose to copy, and whose kingdom they labour to uphold. Nor can any impartial man deny, that the inference is fair which our author meant the reader to deduce ; namely, that nominal protestants, enacting laws requiring conformity to their own creeds and forms, and inflicting punishments on such as peaceably dissent from them, are actually involved in the guilt of these heathen persecutors, and of their anti-christian successors; even if their doetrine and worship be allowed to be scriptural and spiritual. For these methods only serve to promote hypocrisy, and to expose the conscientious to the malice, envy or avarice of the anprincipled.

128 Faithful is taken to Glory. Christian's Escape.

and last of all they burned him to ashes at the stake. Thus came Faithful to his end. (m)

Now I saw that there stood behind the multitude a chariot and a couple of horses waiting for Faithful: who, so soon as his adversaries had dispatched him, was taken up into it, and straightway was carried up through the clouds, with sound of trumpet, the nearest way to the Celestial Gate. But, as for Christian, he had some respite, and was remanded back to prison; so he there remained for a space: but he that over-rules all things, having the power of their rage in his own hand, so wrought it about that Christian for that time escaped them and went his way. (n)

"Well, Faithful, thou hast faithfully profest

Unto thy Lord, with whom thou shalt be blest,
When faithless ones, with all their vain delights,
Are crying out under their hellish plights.
Sing, Faithful, sing, and let thy name survive,

For though they kill'd thee, thou are yet alive.'

(m) The names of the jury-men, and their general and particular verdicts, the cruel exeeution of Faithful, and the happy event of his sufferings, need no comment. It was not indeed the practice of the times in which our author lived, to inflict death on those who were persecuted for conscience sake: yet very great rigours were used; the system then adopted, if carried to its consequences, must have ended in the extermination of all nonconformists from the land; it was natural to expect still greater cruelty from persons who were found capable of the severities already experienced; and without all doubt many actually lost their lives, in one way or other, by the persecutions to which they were exposed.All those, who feel a disposition to employ the power of the magistrate against such as differ from them in religious matters, should attentively consider the contemptible and odious picture here delineated with the most entire justice, of the whole race of persecutors, and of their characters, principles, motives, and conduct that they may learn to hate and dread such an anti-christian practice, and shun the most remote approaches to it. On the other hand, they who are exposed to persecution, or in danger of it, should study the char acter and conduct of Faithful, that they may learn to suffer in a Christian spirit, and to adorn the gospel in the fiery trial.-The following lines are here introduced as before:

:

'Brave Faithful! bravely done in word and deed!

Judge, witnesses, and jury have instead

Of overcoming thee, but shewn their rage,

When they are dead, thou'lt live from age to age.'

(n) When the believer has done his work, the wrath of man may be permitted to expedite his removal to his heavenly inheritance ; but all the malice and power of earth and hell are utterly unavailing to cut off any one till the purposes of God respecting him are ac complished. Thus the Apostles were preserved during Saul's persecution, and Peter was rescued from the hands of Herod. The Lord has various methods of protecting and liberating his servants : sometimes he intimidates their persecutors; the paroxysm of their fury abates; or they are disheartened by ill success in their efforts to extirpate the hated sect; the principals and instruments are left to quarrel among themselves; their cruelties disgust the people, so that they dare not proceed; political interests engage even ungodly princes to promote toleration, and chain up the demon persecution; or the Lord raises up one of his own servants to authority, that he may be a protcetor of his church, and disappoint the devices of his enemies.

Hopeful attends Christian.

129

Now I saw in my dream that Christian went not forth alone; for there was one whose name was Hopeful, (being so made by the beholding of Christian and Faithful, in their words and behaviour in their sufferings at the Fair.) who joined himself unto him; and entering into a brotherly covenant, told him that he would be his companion. Thus one died to make testimony to the truth, and another rises out of his ashes to be a companion with Christian. This Hopeful also told Christian, that there were many more of the men in the Fair, that would take their time and follow after. (0)

So I saw that quickly after they got out of the Fair, they overtook one that was going before them, whose name was By-ends: so they said to him, What countryman, Sir ? and, How far go you this way? He told them that he came from the town of Fair-speech, and he was going to the Celestial City, but told them not his name.

From Fair-speech! said Christian: is there any good that lives there ?*

Yes, said By-ends, I hope.

Chr. Pray, Sir, what may I call you?

By. I am a stranger to you and you to me: if you be going this way, I shall be glad of your company: if not, I must be content.

Chr. This town of Fair-speech I have heard of it, and, as I remember, they say it's a wealthy place.

By. Yes, I will assure you that it is; and I have very many rich kindred there.

Chr. Pray-who are your kindred there, if a man may be so bold ?

By. Almost the whole town: and, in particular, my lord Turn-about, my ford Time-server, my lord Fair-speech, from whose ancestors that town first took its name: also Mr. Smooth-man, Mr. Facing-both-ways, Mr. Any-thing;

Prov. xxvi. 25.

(o) "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church:' for sufferings properly endured, form the most convincing and useful kind of preaching.-The name of Christian's new companion denotes the opinion, which established believers form at first, of such as begin to profess the gospel in an intelligent manner. The nature of an allegory rendered it inpracticable to introduce the new convert, as beginning his pilgrimage from the same place, or going through the same scenes, as Christian had done: neither could Faithful, for the same reason, be represented as passing the river afterwards mentioned. But the brotherly covenant, in which Hopeful joined himself with his companion, must be supposed to imply the substance of all that had been spoken of, as necessary to final acceptance,

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