of a bad law depends very much upon the hands employed in its administration.”  Unhappily for Bunyan, the parties in whose hands the execution of the penal statutes against Nonconformists rested in Bedfordshire were his bitter personal enemies, who were not likely to let them lie inactive.  The prime mover in the matter was doubtless Dr. William Foster, that “right Judas” whom we shall remember holding the candle in Bunyan’s face in the hall of Harlington House at his first apprehension, and showing such feigned affection “as if he would have leaped on his neck and kissed him.”  He had some time before this become Chancellor of the Bishop of Lincoln, and Commissary of the Court of the Archdeacon of Bedford, offices which put in his hands extensive powers which he had used with the most relentless severity.  He has damned himself to eternal infamy by the bitter zeal he showed in hunting down Dissenters, inflicting exorbitant fines, and breaking into their houses and distraining their goods for a full discharge, maltreating their wives and daughters, and haling the offenders to prison.  Having been chiefly instrumental in Bunyan’s first committal to gaol, he doubtless viewed his release with indignation as the leader of the Bedfordshire sectaries who was doing more mischief to the cause of conformity, which it was his province at all hazards to maintain, than any other twenty men.  The church would never be safe till he was clapped in prison again.  The power to do this was given by the new proclamation.  By this act the licenses to preach previously granted to Nonconformists were recalled.  Henceforward no conventicle had “any authority, allowance, or encouragement from his Majesty.”  We can easily imagine the delight with which Foster would hail the issue of this proclamation.  How he would read and read again with ever fresh satisfaction its stringent clauses.  That pestilent fellow, Bunyan, was now once more in his clutches.  This time there was no chance of his escape.  All licences were recalled, and he was absolutely defenceless.  It should not be Foster’s fault if he failed to end his days in the prison from which he ought never to have been released.  The proclamation is dated the 4th of March, 1674-5, and was published in the Gazette on the 9th.  It would reach Bedford on the 11th.  It placed Bunyan at the mercy of “his enemies, who struck at him forthwith.”  A warrant was issued for his apprehension, undoubtedly written by our old friend, Paul Cobb, the clerk of the peace, who, it will be remembered, had acted in the same capacity on Bunyan’s first committal.  It is dated the 4th of March, and bears the signature of no fewer than thirteen magistrates, ten of them affixing their seals.

That so unusually large a number took part in the execution of this warrant, is sufficient indication of the importance attached to Bunyan’s imprisonment by the gentry of the county.  The following is the document:—­