We are willing to pay for those potions that are given us for the health of our body, how sick soever they make us; and if God will have us pay too for that which is to better our souls, why should we grudge thereat?  Those that bring us these medicines have little enough for their pains; for my part, I profess I would not for a great deal be bound, for their wages, to do their work.  True, physicians are for the most part chargeable, and niggards are too loath to part with their money to them; but when necessity says they must either take physic or die, of two evils they desire to choose the least.  Why, affliction is better than sin; and if God sends the one to cleanse us from the other, let us thank him, and be also content to pay the messenger.

Bunyan’s trial and imprisonment.  From Bunyan’s examination before justices Keeling, Chester, [Footnote:  On the restoration of the house of Stuart, Charles II. entered London, in May, 1600.  In November of that year, Bunyan was indicted for an upholder of unlawful assemblies and conventicles, and for not conforming to the church of England.  “He was sentenced,”] Etc.

Keeling.  Justice Keeling said that I ought not to preach, and asked me where I had my authority; with many other such like words.

Bunyan.  I said that I would prove that it was lawful for me, and such as I am, to preach the word of God.

Keeling.  He said unto me, By what scripture?

Bunyan.  I said, by that in the first epistle of Peter, fourth chapter and eleventh verse, and Acts eighteenth, with other scriptures; which he would not suffer me to mention, but said, Hold, not so many:  which is the first?

Bunyan.  I said, This:  “As every man hath received the gift, even so let him minister the same unto another, as good stewards of the grace of God.  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.”

Keeling.  He said, Let me a little open that scripture to you.  As every man hath received the gift; that is, said he, as every man hath received a trade, so let him follow says Crosby, “to perpetual banishment, in pursuance of an act made by the then parliament.”  This sentence was never executed, but he was kept in prison for more than twelye years.

Subsequently to this year, 1660, several oppressive acts were passed, as the Corporation act, 1661, the act of Uniformity, 1662, the Five-mile act, 1665, the Conventicle acts, 1666 and 1671, and the Test act, 1673.  The act of Uniformity required that every clergyman should be reordained; should declare his assent to every thing contained in the Book of Common Prayer, etc.  By this act, about two thousand dissenting ministers were ejected from their livings, and the most cruel persecution followed.  The Five-mile and Conventicle acts imposed various fines, imprisonment, and death upon all persons above