temptations, namely, blasphemy, desperation, and the like; shewing
that the law of Moses, as well as the devil, death, and hell, hath a
very great hand therein: flee which, at first, was very strange to
me; but considering and watching, I found it so indeed. But of
particulars here I intend nothing; only this, methinks, I must let
fall before all men, I do prefer this book of Martin Luther upon the
Galatians--excepting the Holy Bible--before all the books that ever I
have seen, as most fit for a wounded conscience."

There was one thing of which Bunyan was very conscious--that his
extrication from the fearful pit was the work of an almighty hand.
The transition was very blissful; but just because his present views
were so bright and assuring, he knew that flesh and blood had not
revealed them. "Now I had an evidence, as I thought, of my salvation
from heaven, with many golden seals thereon, all hanging in my sight.
Now could I remember this manifestation and the other discovery of
grace with comfort, and should often long and desire that the last
day were come, that I might be for ever inflamed with the sight and
joy and communion with him, whose head was crowned with thorns, whose
face was spit on and body broken, and soul made an offering for my
sins: for, whereas before I lay continually trembling at the mouth
of hell, now methought I was got so far therefrom, that I could not,
when I looked back, scarce discern it. And oh! thought I, that I
were fourscore years old now, that I might die quickly, that my soul
might be gone to rest." "And now I found, as I thought, that I loved
Christ dearly. Oh! methought that my soul cleaved unto him, my
affections cleaved unto him. I felt love to him as hot as fire; and
new, as Job said, I thought I should die in my nest."

Another period of fearful agony, however, awaited him, and, like the