A RELATION OF THE IMPRISONMENT OF MR. JOHN BUNYAN, MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT BEDFORD, IN NOVEMBER 1660. HIS EXAMINATION BEFORE THE JUSTICES; HIS CONFERENCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE PEACE; WHAT PASSED BETWEEN THE JUDGES AND HIS WIFE WHEN SHE PRESENTED A PETITION FOR HIS DELIVERANCE, ETC.
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF, AND NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED.
Bun. I said, Sir,
I conceive that that law by which I am in prison at this time doth not reach or
condemn either me or the meetings which I frequently do; that law was made
against those that, being designed to do evil in their meetings, making the
exercise of religion their pretense, to cover their wickedness. It doth not
forbid the private meetings of those that plainly and simply make it their only
end to worship the Lord, and to exhort one another to edification. My end in
meeting with others is simply to do as much good as I can, by exhortation and
counsel, according to that small measure of light which God hath given me, and
not to disturb the peace of the nation.
Cobb. Everyone
will say the same, said he; you see the late insurrection at London, under what
glorious pretenses they went; and yet, indeed, they intended no less than the
ruin of the kingdom and commonwealth.
Bun. That practice
of theirs I abhor said I; yet it doth not follow that, because they did so,
therefore all others will do so. I look upon it as my duty to behave myself
under the King's government, both as becomes a man and a Christian, and if an
occasion had offered me, I should willingly manifest my loyalty to my Prince,
both by word and deed.
Cobb. Well, said
he, I do not profess myself to be a man that can dispute; but this I say,
truly, neighbor Bunyan, I would have you consider this matter seriously, and
submit yourself; you may have your liberty to exhort your neighbor in private
discourse, so be you do not call together an assembly of people; and, truly,
you may do much good to the church of Christ, if you would go this way; and
this you may do, and the law not abridge you of it. It is your private meetings
that the law is against.
Bun. Sir, said I,
if I may do good to one by my discourse, why may I not do good to two? and if
to two, why not to four, and so to eight? &c.
Cobb. Ay, saith
he, and to a hundred, I warrant you.
Bun. Yes, Sir,
said I, I think I should not be forbidden to do as much good as I can.
Cobb. But, saith
he, you may but pretend to do good, and indeed, notwithstanding, do harm, by
seducing the people; you are, therefore, denied your meeting so many together,
lest you should do harm.
Bun. And yet, said
I, you say the law tolerates me to discourse with my neighbor; surely there is
no law tolerates me to seduce anyone; therefore, if I may, by the law,
discourse with one, surely it is to do him good; and if I, by discoursing, may
do good to one, surely, by the same law, I may do well to many.
Cobb. The law,
saith he, doth expressly forbid your private meetings; therefore, they are not
to be tolerated.
Bun. I told him
that I would not entertain so much uncharitableness of that Parliament in the
35th of Elizabeth, or of the Queen herself, as to think they did, by that law,
intend the oppressing of any of God's ordinances, or the interrupting any in
the way of God; but men may, in the wresting of it, turn it against the way of
God; but take the law in itself, and it only fighteth against those that drive
at mischief in their hearts and meetings, making religion only their cloak,
color, or pretense; for so are the words of the statute: 'If any meetings,
under color or pretense of religion,' &c.
Cobb. Very good;
therefore the king, seeing that pretenses are usually in and among people, as
to make religion their pretense only, therefore he, and the law before him,
doth forbid such private meetings, and tolerates only public; you may meet in
public.
