SEE SUSANNE

Have you ever been woken up by a pong? I have and a pretty awful one at that. A peek out of my nets discovered the source and culprit of such a rude awakening. A neighbour two doors up was stood in a 6ft long trench he had dug in his front garden, it was knee deep, a more careful scrutiny revealed that he was actually up to his shins in horse manure.
Later that day when mercifully the offending extractulations had been topped up and covered by soil I was able in passing to bring him to account and discuss the "matter" with him "well sweetheart" says he "it's like this, any fool can dig a hole and put a rose bush in it, it will grow, but if you want show roses with flowers big as saucers and that smell like heaven, you've got to dig deep and you've got to dung 'em good."
Four months later I was able to release any last traces of resentment I had for his particular horticultural philosophy for right there in his front garden was the evidence of roses with flowers "big as saucers and that smelled like heaven."
Mr John Bunyan is famous the world over, indeed I believe his classic allegory THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS is second only to the holy bible as the most read book.
Who does not know of Christian's "progress from this present world to that which is to come,delivered under the similitude of a dream, wherein is discovered the manner of his setting out, his dangerous journey and safe arrival at the desired country."
And yet a surprisingly large number of people do not know that when he opens his story with the immortal line "As I walked through the wilderness of this world I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep, and as I slept I dreamed a dream" Bunyan was referring to Bedford jail where he spent 12 long years imprisonment for preaching the gospel without a license,which under the newly returned Stuart monarchy was against the law. John Bunyan was an early champion of free speach and freedom of worship in Britain. T.L.Osborn has said that there is a way of dealing with the devil when he oppresses you so as to make him sorry he ever thought to do you harm, the writing of PILGRIM'S PROGRESS certainly falls within the scope of that brave statement, for the blessings, the encouragement and sweet edifications that have been passed from generation to generation from JOHN BUNYAN'S discomfiture.
Blessed be God...who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2cor.ch.1v.3-4.