When offered freedom at
the price of silence, he replied, "If you let me out to-day, I
will preach to-morrow." Nay, even in his confinement he
delivered sermons to his fellow-prisoners; and presently he
commenced to write. His convictions leading him to attack the
liturgy of the Church of England, and the religion of the
Quakers, his productions became popular amongst dissenters. At
length, by an act annulling the penal statutes against Protestant
Nonconformists and Roman Catholics, passed in 1671, he was
liberated. When he left prison he carried with him a portion of
his "Pilgrim's Progress," which was soon after completed and
published, though at what date remains uncertain. In 1678 a
second edition was printed, and such was the growth of its
popularity, that six editions were issued within the following
four years.
Now he became famous, his lot was far different from what it had
been; his sermons were heard by eager audiences, his counsel was
sought by those in trouble, his prayers were regarded as the
utterances of inspiration. Once a year he rode, attended by vast
crowds, from Bedford Town to London City, that he might preach to
those burdened by sin; and from the capital he made a circuit of
the country, where he was hailed as a prophet. His life extended
beyond the reign of King Charles; his influence lasted till his
death.
CHAPTER XXII.
Time's flight leaves the king unchanged.--The Rye House
conspiracy.
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