ELIZABETH BUNYAN, Bunyan's answer was worthy of the future author of the Pilgrim's Progress. " What ! ". he boldly exclaimed, " I will not stir, neither will I have the meeting dismissed for this. Come, be of good cheer ; let us not be daunted ; our cause is good, we need not be ashamed of it : to preach God's Word is so good a work that we shall be well rewarded if we suffer for that." After a short turn in " the close," to consider the matter calmly, and to offer up a short but earnest prayer, he returned ; and, opening his Bible, the little con- gregation fell on their knees. Scarcely had they risen, and John Bunyan given out his text : " Dost thou believe on the Son of God "-JOHN ix, 34- when the door was rudely pushed open, and " the con- stable and the justice's man," walking in, presented their warrant, and demanded that he should accom- pany them before Justice Wingate. The news of his arrest was brought to his young wife, who was but a girl in years. Griefand dismay made that night a sleepless one in the neat little cottage of John Bunyan, for Elizabeth was imme- diately taken ill ; and her situation was deplorable, as she had nothing but neighbourly charity todepend on for consolation or even daily bread. Francis Wingate, the Justice who had issued the warrant, was by no means a " likeable " person. He treated the prisoner next morning with scant courtesy, roughly demanding why he did not content himself with followinghis calling instead of breaking 14
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