the service of God on earth. Bunyan felt for a long time, as unfit for it, and as unworthy of it, as we can do in regard to the engagements and enjoyments of heaven. The question of permission, welcome, and ability, to serve God acceptably, gravelled him far more than the question of time, trouble, or convenience. He was not unwilling to serve, at any expense of time or trouble. His difficulty was, to see how he could be allowed to serve God, as God requires to be served; in the spirit of adoption, or with filial love and godly fear. He saw clearly that slavish or forced obedience would not be acceptable; and he felt, although willing to obey from the heart, that he was unable to shake off the spirit of bondage, or of fear. He felt this long, even in regard to the private duties of godliness. He shrunk back from Baptism and the Sacrament, for years, lest he should presume. No wonder, therefore, that he was timid as well as modest, when his friends urged him to preach the faith he had once blasphemed. Like Paul, he exclaimed with amazement, "putting me into the ministry, who was before a blasphemer!" This consideration, far more than his mean rank or education, overpowered him, even whilst he was rejoicing in the hope of eternal life, when his friends called upon him to preach the Gospel. They chose, however, a good time, for making their appeal to him. He had recovered both his health and spirits; and Gifford was just dead.

Bunyan's face might have shone, like that of Moses, with the glory of joy and peace, when, he came down from the Mount of Vision, and mingled again with the congregation. They took knowledge of him that he had been with Jesus," and reckoned him fit for the ministry. His oldest Biographer, who knew him well, says, "He had been but a few years a member of the Congregation, when his promptness in prayer, and in the Scriptures, gave the people hopes that he would be one day what he proved. And therefore they, at a private meeting, desired him to expose his talent in edifying the people; which he very modestly declined," at first. This quotation both illustrates and confirms Dr. Southey's remark, that "Bunyan was not one of those enthusiasts who thrust themselves forward in confident reliance upon what they suppose to be an inward call." Bunyan deserves this tribute, whatever it mean; and, in regard to him, it means all that is honourable. At whose expense, however, is it paid to him? An inward call, and that from the Holy Ghost, is put forward by

all candidates for holy orders. Are they therefore, all enthusiasts? This is not what is meant. The reference must, therefore, be to Methodists and Dissenters; and so far as MAWWORMS, or men grossly ignorant, are allowed to thrust themselves forward amongst them, let them bear the blame. The inward call of a man destitute of common-sense, is as great an absurdity, although not so great an impiety, as the pretences of clerical sportsmen to be moved by the Holy Ghost. By what infatuation is ridicule kept up against an inward call, whilst the Ordination Service is based upon the necessity and reality of a Divine movement? Either that Service should be altered, or this sneer abandoned. Or if it be desirable to keep the finger of scorn pointed at empty-headed novices, why then, let the whole hand, yea both hands, of scorn, be pointed at the empty-hearted scholars, who have nothing but scholarship to qualify them for holy orders; and thus let none have the moral benefit of a sacred name, but those,—and happily they are not few nor feeble in the Episcopalian Church now, -who accredit and adorn that name,. by holy character and faithful preaching.

Bunyan's own account of his call to the ministry is very interesting. He says, "And now I am speaking of my experience, I will in this place thrust in a word or two concerning my preaching the Word, and God's dealing with me in that particular also.

"After I had been about five or six years awakened, and helped to see for myself both the want and the worth of the Lord Jesus Christ, 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) did perceive, as they conceived, that God had counted me worthy to understand something of his will in his holy and blessed Word, and had given me utterance, to express, in some measure, 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.

"The which, though at the first it did much dash and 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 and 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 gave thanks to the Father of mercies, for the grace bestowed on

me.

66

"After this, sometimes, when some of them did go into the country to teach, they would also that I should 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.

"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."

It appears from a note of Ivimey, that seven other members of the Church were called forth along with Bunyan. One of them, Nehemiah Coxe, was the grandson of a Bishop; and although a Cordwainer, a scholar. Accordingly, when he, like Bunyan, came to be tried at Bedford assizes for preaching, he pleaded first in Greek, and then in Hebrew. The Judge was astounded, and called for the Indictment. In that, Coxe was styled a Cordwainer. The Judge told him, that none of the Lawyers could answer him. Coxe claimed, however, his right to plead in whatever language he pleased. It is said, he escaped by this; and that the Judge enjoyed the discomfiture of the Lawyers. Report adds, that he said to them as Coxe left the court, "Well, Gentlemen, this Cordwainer has wound you all up." I refer to this anecdote, because it was probably from Coxe that Bunyan picked up the few Latin words and classical allusions, which appear in some of his writings.

It deserves notice here, that Bunyan in yielding to the urgency of his friends, and venturing to preach, had more than timidity to contend against. They saw nothing else: but he felt more. "I was at that time," he says, "most sorely afflicted with the fiery darts of the devil, concerning my eternal state." Accordingly, he often preached hope to others, when he himself was all but despairing; and carried in his own conscience the fire he warned them to flee from. This was more heroic than Darracot's preaching, whilst his children lay dead at home. He said to Whitefield, "weeping must not

stop sowing." Bunyan said to himself, "the fear of wrath must not stop duty.

But he has told his own story; and those will read it, who wish to understand the workings of a ministerial mind. Bunyan's alternations of hope and fear, are not uncommon.

"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 household 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, and to every one that helpeth with us and laboureth.' 1 Cor. xvi. 15.

"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 such to the exercise of their gift, and also did commend those that were apt and ready so to do. They have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.' This scripture in these days, did continually run in my mind, to encourage me, and strengthen me, in this my work for God; I have also been encouraged from several other scriptures and examples of the godly, both specified in the Word and other ancient histories (Fox's Acts and Monuments'). Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the Word.-And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in the spirit he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy, accord ing to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth on teaching; or he that exhorteth on exhortation.'

"Wherefore, though of myself of all the saints the most unworthy, yet I, but with great fear and trembling at the sight of my own weakness, did set upon the work, and did, according to my gift, and the proportion of my faith, preach that blessed gospel that God had showed me in the holy word of truth: which when the country understood, they came in to hear the word by hundreds, and that from all parts, though upon divers and sundry accounts.

"And I thank God, he gave unto me some measure of bowels and pity for their souls, which also did put me forward to labour, with great diligence and earnestness, to find out such a word as might, if God would bless it, lay hold of, and awaken the conscience, in which also the good Lord had respect to the desire of his servant; for I had not preached long, before some began to be touched, and be greatly afflicted in their minds at the apprehension of the greatness of their sin, and of their need of Jesus Christ..

"But I first could not believe that God should speak by me to the heart of any man, still counting myself unworthy; yet those who were thus touched, would love me and have a particular respect for me; and though I did put it from me, that they should be awakened by me, still they would confess it, and affirm it before the saints of God. They would also bless God for me (unworthy wretch that I am!) and count me God's instrument that showed to them the way of salvation.

"Wherefore, seeing them in both their words and deeds to be so constant, and also in their hearts so earnestly pressing after the knowledge of Jesus Christ, rejoicing that ever God did send me where they were; then I began to conclude it might be so that God had owned in his work such a foolish one as I; and then came that word of God to my heart, with much sweet refreshment, 'The blessing of them that were ready to perish, is come upon me; yea, I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy."

6

6

"At this therefore I rejoiced; yea, the tears of those whom God did awaken by my preaching, would be both solace and encouragement to me. I thought on those sayings, Who is he that maketh me glad, but the same that is made sorry by me?' And again, Though I be not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am unto you for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord.' These things, therefore, were as another argument unto me, that God had called me to, and stood by me in this work.

"In my preaching of the word, I took special notice of this one thing, namely, that the Lord did lead me to begin where his word begins with sinners; that is, to condemn all flesh,. and to open and allege, that the curse of God by the law, doth belong to, and lay hold on all men as they come into the world, because of sin. Now this part of my work I fulfilled with great sense; for the terrors of the law, and guilt for my transgressions, lay heavy on my conscience: I preached what I