"  15i-dford,  y  lllh  of  the  Htli  moneth  :  Our  l)r(tliri'n  appointed  to
go  t<j  brother  Covent<m,  related  tliat  they  had  done  llu'ir  message,
but  ho  gave  them  no  answer ;  but  that  brother  Wallis  did  very
ChriHtianly  receive  them,  acknowledging  his  owno  guilt  and  sin  in
W'druwing,  &c.,  promising  in  tlie  strength  of  Christ  to  indeavour
ref(jnnation  for  time  to  conie  ;  who  alfso  was  at  this  niec'ling  and
gave  consent  to  thoehoosing  of  brother  Man  and  brother  Crocker  us
deacons,  at  which  our  hearts  were  gladded.
206  JOHN  BUNYAN.  [chap.  ix.
"  Bedford,  the  16th  of  the  9th  moneth  [16th  Dec]  :  The  brethren
that  were  appointed  to  visit  those  under  admonition,  did  relate  their
carriage  as  followeth  :  Brother  Coventon  is  through  mercy  hope-
fully recovering  from  his  backsliding.  Eichard  Deane  did  acknow-
ledge himself  not  sensible  as  yet,  but  desired  the  prayers  and
patience  of  the  Church.  It  was  agreed  that  brother  Bunyan  and
brother  Breeden  should  go  to  Humphrey  Merrill,  and  brother
Bunyan  and  brother  Whiteman  to  Richard  Deane.
