I’m currently reading A Pilgrim Who Made Progress – The Life Story of John Bunyan Author of the Pilgrim’s Progress by William Deal. Mr. Bunyan was put in jail for preaching without a license in 1660 and one year later his wife Elizabeth Bunyan went before the judges to argue for her husband’s release. Here is a small excerpt from the book:
Elizabeth, now quiet upset, replied (to Judge Twisden), “He preaches nothing but the Word of God!”
At this, Twisden, white with rage shouted, “He preach the word of God! He runneth up and down the country and doth harm too many people!”
Standing firmly, Elizabeth looked at him with tender eyes and replied, “No, my Lord, it is not so; God has owned him and done much good by him.”
Twisden replied, “God! His (Bunyan’s) doctrine is the doctrine of the devil!”
Elizabeth standing calmly replied, “My Lord, when the Righteous Judge shall appear, it will be known that his doctrine is not the doctrine of the devil!”
Elizabeth weeping went on, “I weep not for myself, nor for John Bunyan; our case is in God’s hands. I weep to think of what a sad day it will be when you poor creatures who have so treated him today shall stand before the Judge of the universe to give an account of your deeds!”
John Bunyan was released from prison 11 years later. One main reason he stayed in prison so long I believe is because of comments like this:
John Bunyan being led away by the bailiffs turned and shouted to the justices, “If I were out of jail today, I would preach the Gospel tomorrow!” John did continue to preach from the jail to prisoners and some outsiders each Sunday; So much for silencing God’s Word which will never happen.
Lord thank you for John and Elizabeth Bunyan!
Elizabeth, now quiet upset, replied (to Judge Twisden), “He preaches nothing but the Word of God!”
At this, Twisden, white with rage shouted, “He preach the word of God! He runneth up and down the country and doth harm too many people!”
Standing firmly, Elizabeth looked at him with tender eyes and replied, “No, my Lord, it is not so; God has owned him and done much good by him.”
Twisden replied, “God! His (Bunyan’s) doctrine is the doctrine of the devil!”
Elizabeth standing calmly replied, “My Lord, when the Righteous Judge shall appear, it will be known that his doctrine is not the doctrine of the devil!”
Elizabeth weeping went on, “I weep not for myself, nor for John Bunyan; our case is in God’s hands. I weep to think of what a sad day it will be when you poor creatures who have so treated him today shall stand before the Judge of the universe to give an account of your deeds!”
John Bunyan was released from prison 11 years later. One main reason he stayed in prison so long I believe is because of comments like this:
John Bunyan being led away by the bailiffs turned and shouted to the justices, “If I were out of jail today, I would preach the Gospel tomorrow!” John did continue to preach from the jail to prisoners and some outsiders each Sunday; So much for silencing God’s Word which will never happen.
Lord thank you for John and Elizabeth Bunyan!
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