probably alludes to the severity or liberality of his jailers. He
had at times, while a prisoner, an extraordinary degree of liberty;
like Joseph in Egypt, some of his jailers committed all to his
hands. There can be little doubt but that he went from the prison
to preach in the villages or woods, and at one time went to London
to visit his admiring[269] friends; but this coming to the ears of
the justices, the humane jailer had well nigh lost his place, and
for some time he was not permitted to look out at the door. When
this had worn off, he had again opportunities of visiting his
church and preaching by stealth. It is said that many of the Baptist
congregations in Bedfordshire owe their origin to his midnight
preaching.

Upon one occasion, having been permitted to go out and visit
his family, with whom he intended to spend the night, long before
morning he felt so uneasy that at a very late hour he went back
to the prison. Information was given to a neighbouring clerical
magistrate that there was strong suspicion of Bunyan having broke
prison. At midnight, he sent a messenger to the jail, that he
might be a witness against the merciful keeper. On his arrival,
he demanded, 'Are all the prisoners safe?' the answer was, 'Yes.'
'Is John Bunyan safe?' 'Yes.' 'Let me see him.' He was called
up and confronted with the astonished witness, and all passed off
well. His kind-hearted jailer said to him, 'You may go out when
you will, for you know much better when to return than I can tell
you.'[270]

During these twelve terrible years, and particularly towards the
end of his imprisonment, the members and elders of his church at
Bedford suffered most severely, a very abridged account of which