Christiana

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS; IN THE similitude OF A DREAM.

THE SECOND PART.

COURTEOUS COMPANIONS,

     SOME time since, to tell you my dream that I had of Christian the Pilgrim, and of his dangerous journey towards the Celestial Country, was pleasant to me, and profitable to you. I told you then, also, what I saw concerning his wife and children, and how unwilling they were to go with him on the pilgrimage, insomuch that he was forced to go on his progress without them; for he dared not run the danger of that destruction which he feared would come by staying with them in the City of Destruction. Wherefore, as I then showed you, he left them and departed.

     Now it has so happened, through the multiplicity of business, that I have been much hindered and kept back from my customary travels into those parts where he went, and so could not, till now, obtain an opportunity to make further inquiry after which he left behind, that I might give you an account of them. But having had some concerns that way of late, I went down there again. Now, having taken up my lodgings in a wood, about a mile off the place, as I slept, I dreamed again.

     And as I was in my dream, behold, an aged gentleman came by where I lay; and because he was to go some part of the way that I was travelling, I thought and got up and went with him. So as we walked, and as travelers usually do, I was as if we fell into discourse, and our talk happened to be about Christian and his travels; for thus I began with the old man:

     Sir, I said, what town is that there below, that lay on the left hand of our way?

 Then Mr. Sagacity said, (For that was his name) It is the City of Destruction, a populous place, but possessed with a very ill-conditioned and idle sort of people.

     I thought that was that city, I said; I went once myself through that town, and, therefore, know that this report you give of it is true.

SAG. Too true; I wish I could speak truth in speaking better of them that dwell in it.

     Well, Sir, I perceive you to be a well-meaning man; and so one that takes pleasure to hear and tell of that which is good. Pray, did you never hear what happened to a man some time ago in this town, whose name was Christian, that went on a pilgrimage up towards the higher regions?

SAG. Hear of him! Yes, and I also heard of the molestations, troubles, wars, captivities, cries, groans, frights, and fears that he met with and had in his journey; besides, I must tell you, all our country rings of him. There are but few houses that have not heard of him and his doings but have sought after and got the records of his pilgrimage; yes, I think I may say that his hazardous journey, has got many well-wishers to his ways; for though, when he was here, he was a fool in every man's mouth, yet, now he is gone, he is highly commended of all. For, it is said, he lives bravely where he is; yea, many of them that are resolved never to run his hazards, yet have their mouths water at his gains. [All men's minds water at a pilgrim's gains, while they are resolved never to run a pilgrim's hazards.]

     They may, I said, think correctly, if they think that it is true, that he lives well where he is; for he now lives at and in the Fountain of Life, and has what he has without labor and sorrow, for there is no grief mixed with it. [But, tell me, what talk have the people about him?]

SAG. Talk! the people talk strangely about him; some say that he now walks in white; (Rev 3:4; Rev 6:11) that he has a chain of gold about his neck; that he has a crown of gold, beset with pearls, upon his head. Others say that the Shining Ones, that sometimes showed themselves to him in his journey, have become his companions, and that he is as familiar with them in that place where he is as here one neighbor is with another. Besides, it is confidently affirmed concerning him, that the King of the place where he is has already bestowed upon him a very rich and pleasant dwelling at court; (Zec 3:7) and that every day he eats, (Luk 14:15) and drinks, and walks, and talks with Him; and receives of the smiles and favors of Him that is Judge of all there. Moreover, it is expected of some, that his Prince, the Lord of that country, will shortly come into these parts, and will know the reason, if they can give any, why his neighbors thought so little of him, and had him so much in derision, when they perceived that he would be a pilgrim. (Jude 1:14-15) For, they say, that now he is so in the affections of his Prince, and that his Sovereign is so much concerned with the indignities that were cast upon Christian, when he became a pilgrim, that He will look upon all as if it had been done unto Himself; and no marvel, for it was for the love that he had to his Prince that he ventured as he did. (Luk 10:16)

     I dare say, I said, I am glad of it; I am glad for the poor man's sake, for that he now has rest from his labors; (Rev 14:13) and for that he now reaps the benefit of his tears with joy; (Psa 126:5-6) and also he is now beyond the gunshot of his enemies, and is out of the reach of them that hate him. I also am glad, for that a rumor of these things is noised abroad in this country; who can tell but that it may work some good effect on some that are left behind? But, tell me Sir, while it is fresh in my mind, did you hear anything of his wife and children? Poor hearts! I wonder in my mind what they are doing.

SAG. Who! Christiana and her sons? They are likely to do as well as did Christian himself; for though they all played the fool at the first, and would by no means be persuaded by either the tears or entreaties of Christian, yet second thoughts have done wonderfully with them; so they have packed up, and have also gone after him.

Better and better, I said. But what! Wife and children, and all?

SAG. It is true; I can give you an account of the matter, for I was upon the spot at the instant, and was thoroughly acquainted with the whole affair.

Then, I said, a man, it seems, may report it for a Truth?

SAG. You need not fear to affirm it; I mean that they are all gone on pilgrimage, both the good woman and her four boys. And being (We are, as I perceive) going some considerable way together, I will give you an account of the whole of the matter.

     This Christiana, (For that was her name from the day that she, with her children, took themselves to a pilgrim's life) after her husband was gone over the river, and she could hear of him no more, her thoughts began to work in her mind. First, for that she had lost her husband, and for that the loving bond of that relation was utterly broken between them. For you know, he said to me, nature can do no less but entertain the living with many a heavy cogitation in the remembrance of the loss of loving relations. This, therefore, of her husband did cost her many a tear. But this was not all; for Christiana did also begin to consider with herself, whether her unbecoming behavior towards her husband was not one cause that she saw him no more; and in such was taken away from her. And this idea came into her mind, by swarms, all her unkind, unnatural, and ungodly communication given to her dear friend; which also clogged her conscience, and did load her with guilt. She was, moreover, much broken with calling to remembrance the restless groans, brinish tears, and self-bemoaning’s of her husband, and how she did harden her heart against all his entreaties, and loving persuasions, of her and her sons, to go with him; yes, there was not anything that Christian either said to her or did before her all the while that his burden did hang on his back, but it returned upon her like a flash of lightning, and rent the caul of her heart in sunder. Particularly that bitter outcry of his, "What shall I do to be saved?" did ring in her ears most dolefully.

     Then she said to her children, Sons, we are all undone. I have sinned away your father, and he is gone; he would have had us with him, but I would not go myself. I also have hindered your Spiritual life. With that the boys all fell into tears, and cried out to go after their father. O! said Christiana, that it had been but our lot to go with him, then had it fared well with us, beyond what it is like to do now; for though I formerly foolishly imagined, concerning the troubles of your father, that they proceeded of a foolish fancy that he had, or for that he was overrun with melancholy moods; yet now it will not go out of my mind but that they sprang from another cause, namely, for that the Light of life was given to him; (Jas 1:23-25) by the help of which, as I perceive, he has escaped the snares of death. Then they all wept again, and cried out, O woe worth the day!

     The next night Christiana had a dream; and, behold, she saw as if a broad parchment was opened before her, in which were recorded the sum of her ways; (Luk 18:13) and the times, as she thought, looked very black upon her. Then she cried out aloud in her sleep, "Lord, be merciful to me, the sinner!" And the little children heard her.

     After this, she thought she saw two very ill-favored ones standing by her bedside, and saying, What shall we do with this woman? For she cries out for mercy waking and sleeping; if she be suffered to go on as she begins, we shall lose her as we have lost her husband. Therefore we must, by one way or other, seek to take her off from the thoughts of what she will be thinking from now on, or else all the world cannot stop it, and she will become a pilgrim.

     Now she awoke in a great sweat, also trembling was upon her; but after a while she fell to sleeping again. And then she thought she saw Christian her husband in a place of bliss, among many immortals, with a harp in his hand, standing and playing upon it before One that sat on a throne, with a rainbow about His head. She saw also as if he bowed his head, with his face to the paved work that was under the Prince's feet, saying, I heartily thank my Lord and King, for bringing me into this place. Then a company of them shouted that stood round about, and harped with their harps; but no man living could tell what they said, but Christian and his companions.

     Next morning, when she was up, had prayed to God, and talked with her children a while, one knocked hard at the door, to whom she spoke out, saying, If you come in God's name, come in. So he said, Amen, and opened the door, and saluted her with "Peace be to this house." The which, when he had done this, he said, Christiana, do you know why I have come? Then she blushed and trembled, also her heart began to turn warm with desires to know where he came from, and what was his errand to her? So he said to her, My name is Secret; I dwell with those that are high. It is talked of, where I dwell, as if you had a desire to go there; also, there is a report, that you are aware of the evil you have formerly done to your husband, in hardening of your heart against his way, and in keeping of these your babes in their ignorance. Christiana, the Merciful One has sent me to tell you, that He is a God ready to forgive, and that He takes delight to pardon offences. He also would have you know, that He invited you to come into His presence, to His table, and that He will feed you with the fat of His house, and with the heritage of Jacob your father. (Isa 58:14)

     There is Christian your husband, (That was) with legions more, his companions, ever beholding that Face that does minister life to beholders; and they will all be glad when they shall hear the sound of your feet step over your Father's threshold.

     Christiana at this was greatly embarrassed in herself, and bowing her head to the ground, this Visitor proceeded, and said, Christiana, here is also a letter for you, which I have brought from your husband's King. So she took it and opened it, but it smelt after the manner of the best perfume; (Song 1:3) also it was written in letters of gold. The contents of the letter was, That the King would have her do as did Christian her husband; for that was the way to come to His city, and to dwell in His presence with joy forever. At this the good woman was quite overcome; so she cried out to her visitor, Sir, will you carry me and my children with you, that we also may go and worship this King?

     Then the visitor said, Christiana, the bitter is before the sweet; you must through troubles, as did he that went before you, to enter this Celestial City. Therefore I advise you to do as did Christian your husband. Go to the wicket-gate over the plain, for it stands in the head of the way up which you must go, and I wish you all good speed. Also I advise that you put this letter in your bosom; that you read it to yourself, and to your children, until you have learned it by rote in your heart, for it is one of the songs that you must sing while you are in this house of your pilgrimage; (Psa 119:54) also this you must deliver it at the further gate.

     Now I saw in my dream that this old gentleman, as he told me this story, did himself seem to be greatly affected with it. He, moreover, proceeded and said, So Christiana called her sons together, and began thus to address herself to them: My sons, I have, as you may perceive, been of late under much exercise in my soul, about the death of your father; not for that I doubt at all of his happiness, for I am satisfied now that he is well. I have been also much affected with the thoughts of mine own state and yours, which I truly believe is by nature miserable. My actions, also, to your father in his distress, is a great load to my conscience; for I hardened both my own heart and yours against him, and refused to go with him on the pilgrimage.

     The thoughts of these things would now kill me outright, but that for a dream which I had last night, and but for the encouragement that this stranger has given me this morning. Come, my children, let us pack up and get to the gate that leads to the Celestial Country, that we may see your father, and be with him and his companions in peace, according to the Laws of that land.

     Then her children burst out into tears for joy, that the heart of their mother was so inclined. So their visitor bade them farewell; and they began to prepare to set out for their journey.

     But while they were thus about to be gone, two of the women, that were Christiana's neighbors, came up to her house, and knocked at her door. To whom she said as before, if you come in God's name, come in. At this the women were stunned; for this kind of language they used not to hear, or to perceive to drop from the lips of Christiana. Yet they came in; but, behold, they found the good woman preparing to be gone from her house.

So they began and said, Neighbor, tell us what is the meaning by this?

Christiana answered and said to the eldest of them, whose name was Mrs. Timorous, I am preparing for a journey. (This Timorous was daughter to him that met Christian upon the Hill Difficulty, and would have had him go back for fear of the lions)

TIM. For what journey?

CHRIST. Even to go after my good husband. And with that she fell weeping.

TIM. I hope not so, good neighbor; please, for your poor children's sakes, do not so unwomanly cast away yourself.

CHRIST. No, my children shall go with me, not one of them is willing to stay behind.

Tim. I wonder, in my very heart, what, or who has brought you into this mind.

CHRIST. Oh! Neighbor, if you knew as much as I do, I do not doubt that you would go with me.

TIM. Please tell me, what new knowledge do you have, that so works your mind from yours friends, and that tempts you to go to, who knows where?

CHRIST. Then Christiana replied, I have been sorely afflicted since my husband's departure from me; but especially since he went over the river. But that which troubles me most, is my ungracious actions to him, when he was under his distress. Besides, I am now as he was then; nothing will serve me but going on the pilgrimage. I was dreaming last night that I saw him. O that my soul was with him! He dwells in the presence of the King of the country; he sits and eats with Him at His table; he is become a companion of immortals, (2Co 5:1-5; Heb 11:16) and has a house now given him to dwell in, to which the best places on earth, if compared, seem to me to be but as a dunghill. (Luk 14:33-35) The Prince of the place has also sent for me, with Promise of acceptance if I shall come to Him; His messenger was here even now, and has brought me a letter, which invites me to come. And with that she plucked out her letter, and read it, and said to them, What will you say to this?

TIM. O the madness that has possessed you and your husband, to run yourselves upon such difficulties! (2Co 12:10) You have heard, I am sure, what your husband did meet with, even, in a manner, at the first step that he took on his way, as our neighbor Obstinate can yet testify, for he went along with him; yes, and Pliable too, until they, like wise men, were afraid to go any further. We also heard, over and above, how he met with the lions, Apollyon, the Shadow of Death, and many other things. Nor is the danger that he met with at Vanity Fair to be forgotten by you; for if he, though a man, was so hard put to it, what can you, being but a poor woman, do? Consider also, that these four sweet babes are your children, your flesh and bones. Therefore, though you should be so rash as to cast away yourself; yet, for the sake of the fruit of your body, stay home. [The observations of the unconverted, when they perceive the consciences of a poor sinner alarmed for fear of the wrath to come, are attributed to a change of thoughts; to melancholy ones - to sitting alone - to overmuch reading - to going to too many sermons - to too much studying and musing on what they hear. They conclude that it is for a lack of merry company - for a lack of motivation; and they advise them to cease reading, going to sermons, cease from the company of sober people, and to be merry, to go gossiping. But, poor ignorant sinner, let me deal with you. It seems that you have turned into a counselor for Satan. You judge foolishly. You are like Elymas the sorcerer, that sought to turn the deputy from the faith, to pervert the right ways of the Lord. Take heed, lest some heavy judgment overtake you. Pilgrim, beware of the solemn warnings of God in, (Deut 13:6-11, and Heb 10:38)]

     But Christiana said to her, do not tempt me neighbor. I have now a price put into my hand to get gain, and I should be a fool of the greatest size, if I should have no heart to take advantage of the opportunity. (Pro 17:16) And for that you tell me of all these troubles that I am like to meet with in the way, they are so far from being a discouragement, that they show I am in the right. "The bitter must come before the sweet," and that also will make the sweet the sweeter. Wherefore, since you came not to my house in God's name, as I said, I ask you to leave, and not to trouble me further.

     Then Timorous also reviled her, and said to her fellow, Come, neighbor Mercy, let us leave her in her own hands, since she scorns our counsel and company. But Mercy was at a standstill, and could not so readily comply with her neighbor, and that for a twofold reason. First, her bowels yearned over Christiana. So she said within herself, If my neighbor will need to go, I will go a little way with her and help her. Secondly, her bowels yearned over her own soul, for what Christiana had said had taken some hold upon her mind. Therefore she said within herself again, I will yet have more talk with this Christiana, and if I find Truth and life in what she shall say, I with my heart shall also go with her. Therefore Mercy began thus to reply to her neighbor Timorous.

MERCY. Neighbor, I did, indeed, come with you to see Christiana this morning; and since she is, as you see, taking of her last farewell of her country, I thinking to walk, this sun-shine morning, a little way with her, to help her on the way. But she did not tell her of the second reason, but kept that to herself.

TIM. Well, I see you have a mind to go fooling too, but take heed in time, and be wise. While we are out of danger, we are out; but when we are in, we are in. So Mrs. Timorous returned to her house, and Christiana took herself to her journey. But when Timorous went home, she sent for some of her neighbors, namely, Mrs. Bat's-eyes, Mrs. Inconsiderate, Mrs. Light-mind, and Mrs. Know-nothing. So when they were come to her house, she falls to telling the story of Christiana, and of her intended journey. And thus she began her tale.

TIM. Neighbors, having had little to do this morning, I went to give Christiana a visit; and when I came at the door, I knocked, as you know it is our custom. And she answered, If you come in God's name, come in. So in I went, thinking all was well. But when I came in, I found her preparing herself to depart the town, she, and also her children. So I asked her what was her meaning by that. And she told me, in short, that she was now of a mind to go on the pilgrimage, as did her husband. She told me also a dream that she had, and how the King of the country where her husband was, had sent her an invitation letter to come there.

Then Mrs. Know-nothing, said what! Do you think she will go?

TIM. Yes, go she will, and whatever comes on it; and I thinks I know it by this; for that which was my great argument to persuade her to stay at home; (Namely, the troubles she was like to meet with in the way) is one great argument with her to put her forward on her journey. For she told me in so many words, "The bitter goes before the sweet." (The Cross comes before the Crown) Yea, and forasmuch as it so does, it makes the sweet the sweeter.

MRS. BAT'S-EYES. O, this blind and foolish woman! Will she not take warning by her husband's afflictions? For my part, I see, if he were here again, he would rest content in his whole skin, and never run so many hazards for nothing.

MRS. INCONSIDERATE also replied, saying, Away with such fantastical fools from the town! And good riddance, for my part, I say, of her. Should she stay where she dwells, and retain this in her mind, who could live quietly by her? for she will either be sad or un-neighborly, or talk of such matters as no wise person can abide; for this reason, for my part, I shall never be sorry for her departure. Let her go, and let a better one come in her place. It has never been a good world since these whimsical fools have dwelt in it.

     Then Mrs. Light-mind added as follows; Come, put this kind of talk away. Yesterday I was at Madam Wanton's, where we were as merry as the maids. For who do you think should be there, but Mrs. Love-the-flesh, and I and three or four more, with Mr. Lechery, Mrs. Filth, and some others. So there we had music, and dancing, and what was fitting to fulfill having pleasure. And, I dare say, my lady herself is an admirably well-bred gentlewoman, and Mr. Lechery is as pretty a fellow.

     By this time, Christiana was on her way, and Mercy went along with her. So as they went, her children being there also, Christiana began to discourse. And, Mercy, said Christiana, I take this as an unexpected favor, that you should set foot out doors with me, to accompany me a little in my way.

MERCY. Then said young Mercy, (For she was still young) If I thought it would be a good purpose to go with you, I would never go near the town any more.

CHRIST. Well, Mercy, said Christiana, cast in your lot with me; I well know what will be the end of our pilgrimage. My husband is where he would be; even for all the gold in the Spanish mines. Nor shall you be rejected, though you go but upon my invitation. The King who has sent for me and my children is one that delights in mercy. Besides, if you will, I will hire you, and you shall go along with me as my servant; yet we will have all things in common between us; only, go along with me.

MERCY. But how shall I be assured that I also will be accepted ? Had I this confidence from One that can tell me, I would make no hesitation at all, but would go, being helped by Him that can help, though the way be so hazardous.

CHRIST. Well, loving Mercy, I will tell you what you shall do. Go with me to the wicket-gate, and there I will further inquire for you; and if there you do not meet with encouragement, I will be content that you return to your place. I also will pay you for the kindness which you showed to me and my children, in accompanying us in our way, as you are doing.

MERCY. Then I will go, and will take what shall follow; and the Lord grant that my lot may fall there, even as the King of Heaven shall have His heart upon me.

     Christiana then was glad in her heart, not only that she had a companion, but also that she had prevailed with this poor maid to fall in love with her own Salvation. So they went on together, and Mercy began to weep. Then Christiana said, Why are you weeping my Sister?

MERCY. Unfortunately! Who can but lament, now that I rightly consider, what a state and condition my poor relatives are in, that yet remain in our sinful town. And that which makes my grief the heavier, is they have no instructor, nor any to tell them what is to come.

CHRIST. Compassion becomes pilgrims; and you do for your friends as my good Christian did for me when he left me; he mourned for that I would not heed nor regard him; but his Lord and ours did gather up after his tears and put them into His bottle; and now both you and I, and these my children, are reaping the fruit and benefit of them. I hope, Mercy, these tears of yours will not be lost; for the Truth says, that; "Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting."  And "He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psa 126:5-6)

Then Mercy said:

Let the Most Blessed be my guide,
If't be His blessed will;
Unto His gate, into His fold,
Up to His holy hill.

And let Him never suffer me
To swerve or turn aside
From His free grace, and holy ways,
Whate'er shall me betide.

And let Him gather them of mine,
That I have left behind;
Lord, make them pray they may be Thine,
With all their heart and mind.

GET OVER THE SLOUGH OF DESPOND

     Now my old friend proceeded, and said: But when Christiana came up to the Slough of Despond, she began to be at a standstill; for, she said, this is the place in which my dear husband had almost been smothered with mud. She perceived, also, that however the Command of the King to make this place for pilgrims good, yet it was rather worse than formerly. So I asked if that were true. Yes, said the old gentleman, too true; for that many there be that pretend to be the King's laborers, and that say they are for mending the King's highway, that bring dirt and dung instead of stones, and so mar instead of mending. Here Christiana, therefore, with her boys, did make a stand; but, Mercy said, Come, let us venture, only let us be on guard. Then they looked well to the steps, (The Promises) and quickly got staggeringly over it.

     Yet, Christiana had like to have fallen in, and that not once or twice. Now they had no sooner got over, but they thought they heard Words that said to them, "Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." (Luk 1:45)

     Then they went on again; and Mercy said to Christiana, Had I good ground to hope for a loving reception at the wicket-gate as you, I think no Slough of Despond would discourage me.

     Well, said the other, you know your cross, and I know mine; and, good friend, we shall all have enough evil before we come at our journey's end.

     For can it be imagined, that the people that design to attain such excellent glories as we do, and that are so envied of that happiness as we are; but that we shall meet with what fears and scares, with what troubles and afflictions that they can possibly assault us with, that hate us?

     And now Mr. Sagacity left me to dream out my dream by myself. For this reason, I thought I saw Christiana and Mercy, and the boys, go all of them up to the gate; to which, when they were at, they committed themselves to a short debate about how they must manage their calling at the gate, and what should be said to Him that did open to them. So it was concluded, since Christiana was the eldest, that she should knock for entrance, and that she should speak to Him that did open, for the rest. So Christiana began to knock; and, as her poor husband did, she knocked, and knocked again. But, instead of any that answered, they all thought that they heard as if a dog came barking upon them; a dog, and a great one too, and this made the women and children afraid: nor dared they, for a while, to knock any more, for fear the guard dog should fly upon them. Now, therefore, they were greatly whirled up and down in their minds, and did not know what to do: they dared not to knock anymore, for fear of the dog; they dared not go back, for fear the Keeper of that gate should spot them as they went, and should be offended by them; at last they thought of knocking again, and knocked more vehemently than they did at the first. Then the Keeper of the gate said, Who is there? So the dog quit barking, and He opened the door.

     Then Christiana made a low bow, and said, Let not our Lord be offended with his handmaidens, for that we have knocked at His princely gate. Then the Keeper said, Where have you come from, and what is that you want?

     Christiana answered, We have come from where Christian did, and upon the same errand as he; namely, to be, if it shall please You, to be graciously admitted by this gate into the way that leads to the Celestial City. And I answer, my Lord, also that I am Christiana, once the wife of Christian, that now is above.

     With that the Keeper of the gate did marvel, saying, What! Is she become a pilgrim now, but a while ago, you abhorred that life; then she bowed her head, and said, Yes, and so are these my children also.

     Then He took her by the hand, and let her in, and said also, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." And with that He shut up the gate. This done, He called to a trumpeter that was above, over the gate, to entertain Christiana with shouting and sound of a trumpet for joy. So he obeyed, and sounded, and filled the air with his melodious notes (Luk 15:7)

     Now all this while poor Mercy did stand without, trembling and crying, for fear that she was rejected. But when Christiana had gotten admittance for herself and her boys, then she began to make intercession for Mercy.

CHRIST. And she said, My Lord, I have a companion of mine that stands outside still, that is come here upon the same account as myself; but she is  dejected in her mind, for that she comes here, as she thinks, without being sent for; whereas I was sent here by my husband's King to come.

     Now Mercy began to be very impatient, for each minute was as long to her as an hour; for this reason she prevented Christiana from a fuller interceding for her, by knocking at the gate herself. And she knocked then so loud, that she made Christiana to start. Then the Keeper said of the gate; Who is there? And Christiana said, It is my friend.

     So He opened the gate and looked out, but Mercy was fallen down without, in a swoon, for she fainted, and was afraid that no gate would be opened to her.

     Then He took her by the hand, and said, Damsel, I bid thee arise.

     O Sir, she said, I am faint; there is scarce life left in me. But He answered, That one once said, "While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, And my prayer came to You, Into Your holy temple." (Jon 2:7) Fear not, but stand upon your feet, and tell Me why you are here.

MERCY. I have come for that which I was never invited, as my friend Christiana was. Hers was from the King, and mine was but from her. Therefore I fear I presume.

KEEP. Did she desire for you to come with her to this place?

MERCY. Yes; and, as my Lord sees, I have come. And, if there is any grace or forgiveness of my sins to spare, I beseech you that I, your poor handmaid, may be able to partaker of it.

     Then He took her again by the hand, and led her gently in, and said, I pray for all them that believe on Me, by whatever means they come to Me. Then He said to those that stood by, Fetch something, and give it to Mercy to smell, thereby to stay her fainting. So they fetched her a bundle of myrrh; and a while after, she was revived.

     And now was Christiana and her boys, and Mercy, received of the Lord at the head of the way, and spoke kindly to by Him. Then they yet further said to Him, We are sorry for our sins, and beg of our Lord His pardon, and further information what we must do.

     I grant you pardon, He said, by word and deed: by word, in the Promise of forgiveness; by deed, in the way that I obtained it. Take the first from My lips with a kiss, (Song 1:2) and the other as it shall be revealed. (Joh 20:20)

     Now, I saw in my dream, that He spoke many good words to them, whereby they were greatly gladdened. He also had them come up to the top of the gate, and showed them by what deed they were saved; and told them nevertheless, That that sight they would have again, as they went along in the way, to their comfort.

     So He left them a while in a summer parlor below, where they entered into talk by themselves; and thus Christiana began: O Lord! How glad I am that we are in here.

MERCY. So you may rejoice; but I of all have cause to leap for joy.

CHRIST. I thought at one time, as I stood at the gate, (Because I had knocked, and no one answered) that all our labor had been in vain, especially when that ugly mutt made such heavy barking against us.

MERCY. But my worse fear was after I saw that you were taken into His favor, and that I was left behind. Now, I thought, it is fulfilled which is written, "Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left." (Mat 24:41) [Many hellish darts are tipped by Apollyon's malignant ingenuity with sentences of Scripture, made to flame just like the fiery darts of the wicked one; so that the Scriptures appear to stand against the trembling Christian]

     I used much effort to stop from crying out, Undone! undone! [Here is genuine humility; no replying against God-no calling in question His sovereign right to receive or to reject. No; all that this poor humble heart thought was, now is fulfilled what is written, "One shall be taken and the other left." If so, what had she to say? No impeachment of the Lord's dealings, but only, I am undone. But yet, on seeing what was written over the gate, "Knock, and it shall be opened," from that, and not from any sight of worthiness in herself, but lost as she felt herself, she was encouraged to knock again, and to cry and pray more vehemently than ever. Here is a blessed example of deep humility, and of holy boldness, excited by the Divine Word. Go you, ruined sinner, and do likewise] 

     And afraid I was to knock anymore; but when I looked up to what was written over the gate, I took courage. I also thought that I must either knock again, or die; so I knocked, but I cannot tell how, for my spirit struggled between life and death.

CHRIST. Can you not tell how you knocked? I am sure your knocks were so earnest that the very sound of them made me start; I thought I never heard such knocking in all my life; I thought you would have come in by violent hands, or have taken the kingdom by storm. (Mat 11:12)

MERCY. Unfortunately! to be in my case, what else could I have done? You saw that the door was shut upon me, and that there was a most cruel dog there. Who, I say, that was so faint-hearted as I, that would not have knocked with all their might? But, please tell me, what did my Lord say to my rudeness? Was He not angry with me?

CHRIST. When He heard your lumbering noise, He gave a wonderful innocent smile; I believe what you did pleased Him well enough, for He showed no sign to the contrary. But I wondered in my heart, why He keeps such a dog; had I known that before, [When a mariner enters upon a voyage, or a soldier on a campaign, they know not what hardships they may encounter, nor whether their lives may be sacrificed without attaining their object; but whatever hardships the Christian has to encounter, he will come off more than conqueror — he will reach the desired haven in safety — through Him that loved us. Fear not — Though death and hell obstruct the way, The most average saint shall win the day.] I fear I should not have had heart enough to have ventured myself in this manner. But now we are in, we are in; and I am glad with all my heart.

MERCY. I will ask, if you please, next time He comes down, why He keeps such a filthy dog in His yard; I hope He will not take it wrong.

     Yes, do, said the children, and persuade Him to hang him; for we are afraid he will bite us when we go therefore.

     So at last He came down to them again, and Mercy fell to the ground on her face before Him, and worshipped, and said, Let my Lord accept of the sacrifice of praise which I now offer unto Him with the calves of my lips.

     So He said unto her, "Peace be to you, stand up." But she continued upon her face, and said, "Righteous are You, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You."(Jer 12:1) Why do You keep so cruel a dog in Your yard, at the sight of which, such women and children as we, are ready to fly from Your gate for fear?

     He answered and said, That dog has another owner, he also is kept close in another man's ground, only My pilgrims hear his barking; he belongs to the castle which you see there at a distance, but can come up to the walls of this place. He has frightened many an honest pilgrim from worse — to better, by the great voice of his roaring. Indeed, he that owns him does not keep him of any goodwill to Me or Mine, but with intent to keep the pilgrims from coming to Me, and that they may be afraid to knock at this gate for entrance. Sometimes also he has broken out, and has worried some that I loved; but I take all at present patiently. I also give My pilgrims timely help, so they are not delivered up to his power, to do to them what his doggish nature would prompt him to. But what! My purchased one, I believe, had you known this much beforehand, you would not have been afraid of a dog.

     The beggars that go from door to door, will rather than lose a supposed alms, run the hazard of the bawling, barking, and biting, too, of a dog; and shall a dog — a dog in another man's yard, a dog whose barking I turn to the profit of pilgrims — keep any from coming to Me? I deliver them from the lions, their darling from the power of the dog. (Psa 22:20)

MERCY. Then Mercy said, I confess my ignorance; I spoke what I did not understood; I acknowledge that you do all things well.

CHRIST. Then Christiana began to talk of their journey, and to inquire after the way. So He fed them, and washed their feet, and set them in the way of His steps, according as He had dealt with her husband before. So I saw in my dream, that they walked on in their way, and had the weather very comfortable to them.

Then Christiana began to sing, saying:

Blessed be the day that I began
A pilgrim for to be;
And blessed also be that man
That thereto moved me.

'Tis true, 'twas long ere I began
To seek to live forever:
But now I run fast as I can;
'Tis better late then never.

      Our tears to joy, our fears to faith,
      Are turned, as we see,
      That our beginning, as one saith,
      Shows what our end will be.

     Now there was, on the other side of the wall that fenced in the way up which Christiana and her companions were to go, a garden, and that garden belonged to him who had that barking dog of whom mention was made before. And some of the fruit-trees that grew in that garden shot their branches over the wall; and being mellow, they that found them did gather them up, and oft eat of them to their hurt. So Christiana's boys, as boys are apt to do, being pleased with the trees, and with the fruit that did hang on them, did Pluck them, and began to eat. Their mother did chasten them for doing so, but still the boys went on. (1Jn 2:16)

     Well, she said, my sons, you transgress, for that fruit is not ours; but she did not know that they did belong to the enemy; I will warn you, if she had known, she would have been ready to die for fear. But that passed, and they went on their way. Now, they were gone about two bow-shots from the place that let them into the way, they spotted two very ill-favored ones coming down quickly to meet them. [What are these ill-favored ones? Such as you will be sure to meet with in your pilgrimage; some vile lusts, or cursed corruptions, which are suited to your carnal nature. These will attack you, and strive to prevail against you. Mind how these pilgrims acted, and follow their example. If one was to fix names to these ill-favored ones, they might he called Unbelief and Licentiousness, which aim to rob Christ's virgins of their chastity to Him] With that, Christiana and Mercy, her friend, covered themselves with their veils, and so kept on their journey; the children also went on before; so that at last they met together. Then they that came down to meet them, came just up to the women, as if they would embrace them; but Christiana said, Stand back, or go peaceably by, as you should. Yet these two, as men that are deaf, regarded not Christiana's words, but began to lay hands upon them. At that Christiana, being very aggressive, hit them with her feet. Mercy also, as well as she could, did what she could to dissuade them. Christiana again said to them, Stand back, and leave; for we have no money to lose, being pilgrims, as you see, and such, too, as live upon the charity of our friends.

ILL-FAVORED. Then one said of the two of the men, We make no assault upon you for money, but have come out to tell you, that if you will but grant one small request, which we shall ask, we will make happy women of you forever.

CHRIST. Now Christiana, imagining what they should mean, made answer again, We will neither bear, nor regard, nor yield to what you shall ask. We are in haste, cannot stay; our business is a business of life and death. So, again, she and her companions made a fresh attempt to go past them; but they stayed in their way.

ILL-FAV. And they said, We intend no hurt to your lives; it is another thing we would have.

CHRIST. Ah, Christiana said, you would have us body and soul, for I know it is for that you are come; but we will die rather upon the spot, than suffer ourselves to be brought into such snares as shall hazard our well-being hereafter. And with that they both shrieked out, and cried, Murder! Murder! And so put themselves under those laws that are provided for the protection of women. (Deut 22:23-27) But the men still made their approach upon them, with design to prevail against them. They, therefore, cried out again.

     Now, they being, as I said, not far from the gate in which they came from, their voice was heard from where they were, therefore some of the house came out, knowing that it was Christiana's voice, they made haste to her relief. But by the time they were within sight of them, the women were in a very great scuffle, the children also stood by crying. Then he that came out for their relief called out to the attackers, saying, What is this thing that you are doing? Would you make my Lord's people to transgress? He also attempted to take them, but they did make their escape over the wall, into the garden of the man to whom the great dog belonged; so the dog became their protector. This Reliever then came up to the women, and asked them how they were. So they answered, We thank your Prince, so much; only we have been somewhat affrighted; we thank you also, for that you came to our help, for otherwise we had been overcome.

RELIEVER. So after a few more words, this Reliever said as followed: I marveled when you were entertained at the gate above, being, (As you knew) that you were but weak women, that you did not ask the Lord for a guardian; then might you have avoided these troubles and dangers, for He would have granted you one.

CHRIST. Unfortunately! said Christiana, we were so with our present blessing, that dangers to come were forgotten by us; besides, who could have thought, that so near the King's palace, there should have lurked such evil ones? Indeed, it had been well for us, had we asked our Lord for one; but, since our Lord knew it would be for our profit, I wonder if He would have sent help along with us?

REL. It is not always necessary to grant things not asked for, otherwise, by so doing, they become of little esteem; but when the lack of a thing is felt, it then comes under, in the eyes of him that feels it, that estimate that properly is its due, and so, consequently, will be thereafter used. Had my Lord granted you a guardian, you would not  have bewailed that oversight of yours, in not asking for one, as now you have occasion to do. So all things work for good, and tend to make you more wary.

CHRIST. Shall we go back again to my Lord, and confess our folly, and ask for one?

REL. Your confession of your folly I will present to Him. You do not need to go back again; for in all places where you shall go, you will find no want at all; for in all of my Lord's lodgings, which He has prepared for the reception of His pilgrims, there is sufficient to furnish them against all attempts whatsoever. But, as I said, "Thus says the Lord GOD, "This also I will let the house of Israel ask Me to do for them." (Eze 36:37) And it is a poor thing that is not worth asking for. When he had said this, he went back to his place, and the Pilgrims went on their way.

MERCY. Then Mercy said, What a sudden calm is here! I made an account that we have now past all danger, and we should never see sorrow anymore.

CHRIST. Your innocency, my sister, Christiana said to Mercy, may excuse you much; but as for me, my fault is so much the greater, for I saw this danger before I came out of the doors, and yet I did not provide for it, where provision might have been had. I am therefore much to be blamed.

MERCY. Then Mercy said, How did you know this before you came from home? Please open to me this riddle.

CHRIST. Why, I will tell you. Before I set foot out of doors, one night, as I lay in my bed, I had a dream about this; for, I thought I saw two men, as these looked, stand at my bed's feet, plotting how they might prevent my Salvation. I will tell you their very words. They said, (It was when I was in my troubles) What shall we do with this woman? For she cries out, waking and sleeping, for forgiveness. If she be allowed to go on as she does, we shall lose her, as we have lost her husband. This, you know, It should have made me take heed, and have asked for help when provision for it might have been had.

MERCY. Well, Mercy said, by this neglect we have had an occasion ministered to us, to behold our own imperfections; so our Lord has taken occasion thereby, to make manifest the riches of His grace; for He, as we see, has followed us with unasked for kindness, and has delivered us from their hands that were stronger than we, of His mere good pleasure. (2Co 12:9-10)

ARRIVAL AT THE INTERPRETER'S HOUSE

     Therefore, now when they had talked away a little more time, they drew near to a house which stood in the way, the house was built for the relief of pilgrims; as you will find more fully related in the First Part of these Records of the Pilgrim's Progress. So they drew on towards the house, (The House of the Interpreter) and when they came to the door, they heard a great talk in the house. They then gave ear, and heard, as they thought, Christiana mentioned by name. For you must know that there went along, even before her, a talk of her and her children's going on the pilgrimage. And this thing was the more pleasing to them, because they had heard that she was Christian's wife, that woman who was some time ago so unwilling to hear of going on the pilgrimage. Therefore, they stood still, and heard the good people within commending her, who, they little thought, stood at the door. At last Christiana knocked, as she had done at the gate before. Now, when she had knocked, there came to the door a young damsel, named Innocent, and opened the door and looked, and behold two women were there.

DAMSEL. Then the damsel said to them, With whom would you speak to in this place?

CHRIST. Christiana answered, We understand that this is a privileged place for those that are become pilgrims, and we now at this door are such; therefore we pray that we may be partakers  for which we at this time are come here; for the day, as you see, is very far spent, and we are loath tonight to go any further.

DAMSEL. Pray, what may I call your name, that I may tell it to my Lord within?

CHRIST. My name is Christiana; I was the wife of that pilgrim, that some years ago did travel this way, and these are his four children. This maiden also is my companion, and is going on pilgrimage too.

INNOCENT. Then ran Innocent in (For that was her name) and said to those within, Can you think who is at the door? There is Christiana and her children, and her companion, all waiting for entertainment here. Then they leaped for joy, and went and told their Master. So He came to the door, and looking upon her, He said, Are you that Christiana whom Christian, the good man, left behind him, when he betook himself to a pilgrim's life?

CHRIST. I am that woman that was so hard-hearted, as to slight my husband's troubles, and that left him to go on in his journey alone, and these are his four children; but now I also have come, for I am convinced that no way is right but this.

INTER. Then is fulfilled that which also is written of the man that said to his son, "Go, work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he regretted it and went" (Mat 21:28-29)

CHRIST. Then Christiana said, So be it, Amen. God make it a true saying upon me, and grant that I may be found at the last of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless! (Eph 5:27)

INTER. But why do you stand at the door? Come in, you daughter of Abraham. We were talking of you just now, for information has come to us before, how you have become a pilgrim. Come, children, come in; come, maiden, come in. So He had them all come into the house.

     So, when they were within, they were invited to sit down and rest; the which when they had done, those that attended upon the Pilgrims in the house, came into the room to see them. And one smiled, and another smiled, and they all smiled, for joy that Christiana had become a pilgrim. They also looked upon the boys. They stroked them over their faces with the hand, in token of their kind reception of them. They also carried it lovingly to Mercy, and bid them all welcome into their Master's house.

     After a while, because supper was not ready, the Interpreter took them into his significant rooms, and showed them what Christian, Christiana's husband, had seen some time before. Here, therefore, they saw the man in the cage, the man and his dream, the man that cut his way through his enemies, and the picture of the biggest of them all, together with the rest of those things that were then so profitable to Christian.

     This done, and after these things had been somewhat digested by Christiana and her company, the Interpreter takes them apart again, and has them first into a room where was a man that could look no way but downwards, with a muck-rake in his hand. There also stood one over His head with a celestial crown in His hand, and gave him that crown for his muck-rake; but the man did neither look up, nor regard, but raked to himself the straws, the small sticks, and dust of the floor.

 Then Christiana said, I persuade myself that I know somewhat the meaning of this; for this is a figure of a man of this world, is it not, good Sir?

INTER. You have said right, He said, and his muck-rake does show his carnal mind. And where you see him rather give heed to rake up straws and sticks, and the dust of the floor, than to what He says that calls to him from above with the celestial crown in His hand, it is to show that Heaven is but as a fable to some, and that things here are counted the only things substantial. Now, where, it was also showed you, that the man could look no way but downwards, it is to let you know that earthly things, when they are upon men's minds, carry their hearts away from God.

CHRIST. Then Christiana said, O deliver me from this muck- rake!

INTER. That prayer, Said the Interpreter, has sat there until it was almost rusty. "Give me neither poverty nor riches, Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God." is hardly the prayer of one in ten thousand. (Pro 30:8-9) Straws, and sticks, and dust, with most, are the great things now looked for.

With that Mercy and Christiana wept, and said, It is, unfortunately! Too true.

     When the Interpreter had shown them this, He had them come into the very best room in the house; a very brave room it was. So He bid them look round about, and see if they could find anything profitable there. Then they looked round and round; for there was nothing there to be seen but a very great spider on the wall: and that they overlooked.

MERCY. Then Mercy said, Sir, I see nothing; but Christiana held her peace.

INTER. But, the Interpreter said, look again, and she therefore looked again, and said, Here is not anything but an ugly spider, who hangs by her hands upon the wall. Then He said, Is there but one spider in all this spacious room? Then the water stood in Christiana's eyes, for she was a woman quick of apprehension; and she said, Yes, Lord, there is here more than one. Yes, and spiders whose venom is far more destructive than that which is in her. The Interpreter then looked pleasantly upon her, and said, You have said the truth. This made Mercy blush, and the boys to cover their faces, for they all began now to understand the riddle.

     Then the Interpreter again said, "The spider, [Lizard] you may grasp with the hands, [As you see] and is in kings' palaces." (Pro 30:28) [Look it up in the KJV Bible] And why is this recorded, but to show you, that we are full of the venom of sin whoever we are, yet you may, by the hand of faith, lay hold of, and dwell in the best room that belongs to the King's house above!

CHRIST. I thought, said Christiana, of something of this; but I could not imagine it all. I thought that we were like spiders, and that we looked like ugly creatures, in what fine room, wherever we were; but that by this spider, this venomous and ill-favored creature, we were to learn how to act by faith, that did not come into my mind. And yet she has taken hold with her hands, as I see, and dwells in the best room in the house. God has made nothing in vain.

     Then they all seemed to be glad; but the water stood in their eyes; yet they looked one upon another, and also bowed before the Interpreter.

     He led them into another room, where there was a hen and chickens, and bid them observe a while. So one of the chickens went to the trough to drink, and every time she drank, she lift up her head, and her eyes towards Heaven. See, He said, what this little chick does, and learn of her to acknowledge where your mercies come from, by receiving them with looking up. Yet again, He said, observe and look; so they gave heed, and perceived that the hen did walk in a fourfold method towards her chickens. 1. She had a common call, and that she has all day long. 2. She had a special call, and that she had but sometimes. 3. She had a brooding note. And 4. She had an outcry. (Mat 23:37)

     Now, He said, compare this hen to your King, and these chickens to His obedient ones. For, as they are answerable to her, He Himself has His methods, which He employs towards His people; by His common call, He gives nothing; by His special call, He always has something to give; He has also a brooding voice, for them that are under His wing; and He has an outcry, to give the alarm when He sees the enemy come. My darlings, I chose, to lead you into the room where such things are, because you are women, and they are easy for you.

CHRIST. And Sir, said Christiana, please let us see some more. So He led them into the slaughter-house, where was a butcher killing a sheep; and behold the sheep was quiet, and took her death patiently. Then the Interpreter said, You must learn of this sheep to suffer, and to put up with wrongs without murmurings and complaints. Behold how quietly she takes her death, and without objecting, she suffers her skin to be pulled over her ears. Your King does call you His sheep.

     After this He led them into His garden, where there was a great variety of flowers; and he said, Do you see all these? So Christiana Said, Yes. Then He said again, Behold the flowers are diverse in stature, in quality, and color, and smell, and virtue; and some are better than some; also where the gardener has set them, there they stand, and quarrel not with one another.

     Again, He led them into His field, which He had sowed with wheat and corn; but when they beheld, the tops of all were cut off, only the straw remained; He again said, This ground was dunged, and ploughed, and sowed; but what shall we do with the crop? Then Christiana said, Burn some, and make muck of the rest. Then the Interpreter said, Fruit, you see, is that thing you look for, and for lack of that you condemn it to the fire, and to be trodden under foot of men: beware that in this you condemn not yourselves.

     Then, as they were coming in from abroad, they spotted a little robin with a great spider in his mouth; so the Interpreter said, Look here. So they looked, and Mercy wondered; but Christiana said, What a disparagement is it to such a little pretty bird as the robin - redbreast is, he being also a bird above many, that loves to maintain a kind of sociableness with man; I had thought they had lived upon crumbs of bread, or upon other such harmless matter; I like him less than I did.

     The Interpreter then replied, This robin is an emblem, very apt to set forth some professors by; for to sight, they are, as this robin, pretty of note, color, and form. They seem also to have a very great love for professors that are sincere; and above all other, to desire to associate with them, and to be in their company, as if they could live upon the good man's crumbs. They pretend also, that therefore it is that they frequent the house of the godly, and the appointments of the Lord; but, when they are by themselves, as the robin, they can catch and gobble up spiders, they can change their diet, drink iniquity, and swallow down sin like water.

     So, when they were come again into the house, because supper as yet was not ready, Christiana again desired that the Interpreter would either show or tell of some other things that are profitable.

     Then the Interpreter began, and said, The fatter the sow is, the more she desires the mire; the fatter the ox is, the more gamesomely he goes to the slaughter; and the more healthy the lusty man is, the more prone he is unto evil.

     There is a desire in women to go neat and fine, and it is a becoming thing to be adorned with what in God's sight is of a great price. (1Pe 3:4)

     It is easier watching a night or two, than to sit up a whole year together. So it is easier for one to begin to profess well, than to hold out as he should to the end.

     Every shipmaster, when in a storm, will willingly cast that overboard what is of the smallest value in the vessel; but who will throw the best out first? None but he that does not fear God. (Stay in fellowship)

     One leak will sink a ship; and one sin will destroy a sinner.

     He that forgets his friend is ungrateful to him; but he that forgets his Savior, is unmerciful to himself. (Pro 8:36)

     He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that sows cockles, (Shell fish) and thinks to fill his barn with wheat or barley.

     If a man would live well, let him fetch his last day to him, and make it always his company keeper.

     Whispering, and a change of thoughts, proves that sin is in the world.

     If the world, which God sets light by, is counted a thing of worth with men; what is Heaven, which God commends?

     If the life that is attended with so many troubles, is so loath to be let go by us, what is the life above?

     Everybody will boost up the goodness of men; but who is there that is, as he should be, affected with the goodness of God?

     We seldom sit down to dinner, but we eat and leave; so there is in Jesus Christ more merit and righteousness than the whole world has need of.

     When the Interpreter had finished, He took them out into His garden again, and led them to a tree, whose inside was all rotten and gone, and yet it grew and had leaves. Then Mercy said, What does this mean? This tree, He said, whose outside is fair, and whose inside is rotten, it is to which many may be compared, that are in the garden of God; who with their mouths speak high in behalf of God, but indeed will do nothing for Him; whose leaves are fair, but their heart good for nothing but to be tinder for the devil's tinder box.

     Now supper was ready, the table spread, and all things set on the board; so they sat down and did eat, when one had given thanks. And the Interpreter did usually entertain those that lodged with Him, with music at meals; so the minstrels played. There was also one that did sing, and a very fine voice he had. His song was this:

The Lord is my only support,
And he that does me feed;
How can I then want anything
Whereof I stand in need?

     When the song and music were ended, the Interpreter asked Christiana what was it that at first did move her to take herself to a Pilgrim's life. Christiana answered; First, the loss of my husband came into my mind, at which I was heartily grieved; but all that was but natural affection. Then, after that, came the troubles and pilgrimage of my husband into my mind, and also how like a crabby person I had carried it to him like that. So guilt took hold of my mind, and would have drawn me into the pond; but at an opportune time I had a dream of the well-being of my husband, and a letter sent to me by the King of that country where my husband dwells, to come to Him. The dream and the letter together so worked upon my mind, that they forced me to this way.

INTER. But did you meet with any opposition before you set out of your house?

CHRIST. Yes, a neighbor of mine, one Mrs. Timorous. (She was related to him that would have persuaded my husband to go back, for fear of the lions) She to fooled me for, as she called it, my intended desperate adventure; she also urged me as much as she could to dishearten me to it; relating the hardship and troubles that my husband met with in the way, but all this I got over pretty well. But a dream that I had of two ill-looking ones, that I thought did plot how to make me fail in my journey, they had troubled me much; yes, it still runs in my mind, and makes me cautious of everyone that I meet, lest they should meet me to do me mischief, and or to turn me out of the way. Yea, I may tell my Lord, though I would not have everybody know it, that between this and the gate by which we entered into the way, we were both so sorely assaulted that we were made to cry out, Murder! And the two of them made this assault upon us were like the two that I saw in my dream.

     Then said the Interpreter, your beginning is good, your latter end shall greatly increase. So He addressed Himself to Mercy, and said to her, And what moved you to come here, sweet heart?

Then Mercy blushed and trembled, and for a while continued silent.

INTER. Then, He said, do not be afraid, only believe, and speak your mind.

MERCY. So she began, and said, Truly, Sir, my lack of experience is that which makes me covet to be in silence, and that also fills me with fears of coming short at the end. I cannot tell of visions and dreams as my friend Christiana can; nor do I know what it is to mourn for refusing the counsel of those that were my relatives.

INTER. What was it then, dear heart, that has prevailed with you to do as you have done?

MERCY. Why, when our friend here was packing up to be gone from our town, I and another went accidentally to see her; so we knocked at the door and went in. When we were within, and seeing what she was doing, we asked her what was the meaning of this. She said, she was sent for to go to her husband; and then she up and told us how she had seen him in a dream, dwelling in a curious place, among immortals, wearing a crown, playing upon a harp, eating and drinking at his Prince's table, and singing praises to Him for bringing him there, etc. Now, I perceived, while she was telling these things to us, my heart burned within me; and I said in my heart, If this be true, I will leave my father and my mother, and the land of my nativity, and will, if I may, go along with Christiana. (Gen 12:1)

     So I asked her further of the Truth of these things, and if she would let me go with her; for I saw now that there would be no dwelling here in our town, with the danger of destruction. But I came away with a heavy heart, not because I was unwilling to come away, but because so many of my relatives were left behind.

And I am come, with all the desire of my heart, and will go, if I may, with Christiana, to her husband, and to his King.

INTER. Your setting out is good, for you have given credit to the Truth. You are a Ruth, who did it, for the love she bare to Naomi, and to the Lord her God, leave father and mother, and the land of her nativity, to come out, and go with a people that she did not know before. "May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge." (Rth 2:12)

     Now supper was ended, and preparation was made for bed; the women were placed individually alone, and the boys by themselves. Now when Mercy was in bed, she could not sleep for the joy in heart, for that now her doubts of losing, were removed further from her than ever before. So she laid down blessing and praising God, who had had such favor for her.

     In the morning they rose with the sun, and prepared themselves for their departure; but the Interpreter would have them tarry awhile, for, He said, you must be clean and refreshed when you go from here. Then, He said to the damsel that first opened the door to them, Take them and have them go into the garden to the bath, and there wash them, and make them clean from the soil which they have gathered by travelling. Then Innocent the damsel took them, and had them into the garden, and brought them to the bath; so she told them that there they must wash and be clean, for so her Master would have the women to do that came to His house, as they were going on the pilgrimage. They then went in and washed, yes, they and the boys and all; and they came out of that bath, not only sweet and clean, but also much energized and strengthened in their joints. So when they came in, they looked fairer by a great deal than when they went out to the washing.

     When they were returned out of the garden from the bath, the Interpreter took them, and looked upon them, and said to them, Fair as the moon. Then he called for the seal, wherewith they used to be sealed that were washed in His bath. So the seal was brought, and He set His mark upon them, that they might be known in the places where they were yet to go. Now the seal was the contents and sum of the Passover which the children of Israel did eat when they came out from the land of Egypt, and the mark was set between their eyes. This seal greatly added to their beauty, for it was an ornament to their faces. It also added to their seriousness, and made their countenances more like angels. (Exod 13:8-10)

     Then the Interpreter said again to the damsel that was waiting upon these women, Go into the vestry, and get garments for these people; so she went and brought out white raiment, and laid it down before Him; so He commanded them to put it on. "It was fine linen, white and clean." When the women were thus adorned, they seemed to be a terror one to the other; for they could not see that glory each one had on themselves, which they could see in each other. Now, therefore, they began to esteem each other better than themselves. "For you are fairer than I am," said one; and "you are more beautiful than I am," said another. The children also stood amazed to see what fashion they would be given.

     The Interpreter then called for a man-servant of His, one Great- heart, and bid him take sword, and helmet, and shield; and take these My daughters, He said, and conduct them to the house called Beautiful, at which place they will rest. So he took his weapons and went before them; and the Interpreter said, God speed. Those also that belonged to the family, sent them away with many a good wish. So they went on their way and sang-

This place has been our second stage;
Here we have heard and seen
Those good things that, from age to age,
To others hidden have been.

The dunghill-racer, spider, hen,
The chicken, too, to me
Has taught a lesson; let me then
Conformed to it be.

The butcher, garden, and the field,
The robin and his bait,
Also the rotten tree does yield
Me argument of weight;

To move me for to watch and pray,
To strive to be sincere;
To take my cross up day by day,
And serve the Lord with fear.

GREAT-HEART GUARDS THEM TO THE HOUSE CALLED BEAUTIFUL

     Now I saw in my dream, that they went on, and Great-heart went before them: so they went and came to the place where Christian's burden fell off his back, and tumbled into a sepulcher. Here then they made a pause; and here also they blessed God. Now, Christiana said, it comes to my mind, what was said to us at the gate, namely, that we should have pardon by word and deed; by word, that is, by the Promise; by deed, namely, in the way it was obtained. What the Promise is, of that I know something; but what it is to have pardon by deed, or in the way that it was obtained, Mr. Great-heart, I suppose you know; therefore, if you please, let us hear you discourse.

GREAT-HEART. Pardon by the deed done, is pardon obtained by someone, for another that has need of it: not by the person pardoned, but in the way, says another, in which I have obtained it. So then, to speak to the question more at large, the pardon that you and Mercy, and these boys have attained, was obtained by another, namely, by Him that let you in at the gate; and He has obtained it in this double way. He has performed righteousness to cover you, and spilt blood to wash you in. (Who He was and IS and What He did: Bread and the Cup)

CHRIST. But if He parts with His righteousness to us, what will He have for Himself?

GREAT-HEART. He has more righteousness than you have need of, or than He needs Himself.

CHRIST. Please make that understandable.

GREAT-HEART. With all my heart I will try; but first I must introduce, that He of whom we are now about to speak is One that has no equal. He has two natures in one Person, plain to be distinguished, impossible to be divided. Unto each of these natures a righteousness belongs, and each righteousness is essential to that nature. Of one these righteousness’s, therefore, we are made partakers, so as that one should be put upon us, that we might be made just, and live thereby. (Rom 3:22-24) His being prepared of God to the capacity of the mediatory office, which He was to be entrusted with. If He parts with His first righteousness, He parts with His Godhead; if He parts with His second righteousness, He parts with the purity of His manhood. He has, therefore, another righteousness, which stands in performance, or obedience, to a revealed will; and that is it that He also puts upon sinners, and that by which their sins are covered. Therefore He says, "For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous." (Rom 5:19)

CHRIST. But is the righteousness of the Deity of Christ no use to us?

GREAT-HEART. Yes; for though it is essential to His natures and office and so cannot be communicated unto another, yet it is by the merit of it, that the righteousness that justifies, is, for that purpose, efficacious. The righteousness of His Godhead gives virtue to His obedience; the righteousness of His manhood gives capability to His obedience to justify; and the righteousness that stands in the union of these two natures to His office, gives authority to that righteousness to do the work for which it is ordained.

     So then, here is a righteousness that Christ, as God, has no need of, for He is God without it; here is a righteousness that Christ, as man, has no need of to make Him so, for He is perfect man without it; again, here is a righteousness that Christ, as God-man, has no need of, for He is perfectly so without it. Here, then, is a righteousness that Christ, as God, as man, as God-man, has no need of, with reference to Himself, and therefore He can spare it; a justifying righteousness, that He therefore gives away; hence it is called "the gift of [Experiential] righteousness." (Rom 5:17) This righteousness, since Christ Jesus the Lord has made Himself under the Law, must be given away; for the Law does not only bind him that is under it "to do justly," but to use kindness. (Mic 6:8) Therefore he must, he ought, by the Law, if he has two coats, to give one to him that has none. Now, our Lord, indeed, has two coats, one for Himself, and one to spare; therefore He freely bestows one upon those that have none. And thus, Christiana, and Mercy, and the rest of you that are here, does your pardon come by deed, or by the work of another man. Your Lord Christ is He that has worked, and has given away what he executed; to the next poor beggar He meets. (Positional and Experiential righteousness)

     But, again, in order to pardon by deed, there must be something paid to God as a price, as well as something prepared to cover us with. Sin has delivered us up to the just curse of a righteous Law; now, from this curse we must be justified by way of redemption, a price being paid for the harms we have done; (Rom 4:24) and this is by the blood of your Lord, who came and stood in your place, and died your death for your transgressions. (Gal 3:13) Thus He has ransomed you from your transgressions by His blood, and covered your polluted and deformed souls with righteousness. For the sake of which, God passes over you, and will not hurt you, when He comes to judge the world.

CHRIST. This is brave. Now, I see there was something to be learned by our being pardoned by word and deed. Good Mercy, let us labor to keep this in mind; and my children, you remember it also. But, Sir, was not this that made my good Christian's burden fall from off his shoulder, and that made him give three leaps for joy?

GREAT-HEART. Yes, it was the belief of this, that cut those strings, that could not be cut by any other means; and it was to give him a proof of the Virtue of this, that he was made to carry his burden to the Cross.

CHRIST. I thought so; for though my heart was light and joyous before, yet it is ten times more lighthearted and joyous now. And I am persuaded by what I have felt, though I have felt but little as yet, that if the most burdened man in the world were here, and did see and believe as I do now, it would make his heart the more merry and light-hearted.

GREAT-HEART. There is not only comfort, and the ease of a burden brought to us, by the sight and consideration of these Thoughts, but an endeared affection born in us by them; for who can, if he does but once think that pardon comes not only by Promise, but also be affected with the way and means of his redemption, and so, with the Man that has done it for him?

CHRIST. True; I think it makes my heart bleed to think that He should bleed for me. O You loving One! O You blessed One! You deserve to have me; You have bought me; You deserve to have all of me; You have paid for me ten thousand times more than I am worth! No marvel that this made the water stand in my husband's eyes, and that it made him trudge so nimbly on; I am persuaded that he wished me with him; but, vile wretch that I was, I let him come all alone. O Mercy, that your father and mother were here; yes, and Mrs. Timorous also; and likewise, I wish now with all my heart, that here was Madam Wanton too. Surely, surely their hearts would be affected; nor could the fear of the one, nor the powerful lusts of the other, prevail with them to go home again, and to refuse to become good pilgrims.

GREAT-HEART. You speak now in the warmth of your affections. do you think that it will always be this way with you? Besides, this is not communicated to everyone that did see your Jesus bleed. There were they that stood by, and that saw the blood run from His heart to the ground, and yet were so far off from understanding this, that, instead of lamenting, they laughed at Him; and, instead of becoming His disciples, did harden their hearts against Him. So that all that you have, my daughters, you have by a peculiar impression made by a Divine contemplating upon what I have spoken to you. Remember that it was told you, that the hen by her common call, gives no meat to her chickens. This you have, therefore, by a special grace.

     Now, I saw still in my dream that they went on until they were come to the place that Simple, and Sloth, and Presumption, lay and slept in, when Christian went by on pilgrimage; and, behold, they were hanged up in irons a little way off on the other side. [It was a custom, in a late period, to hang up murderers in irons, until the body dropped to pieces; that such terrible examples might deter others from the like crimes; hence, under the old wood-cut illustrating this passage, is written- "Behold here how the slothful are a sign, Hung up, because holy ways they did decline.]

MERCY. Then Mercy said to him that was their guide and conductor, Who are those three men? And why have they been hanged there?

GREAT-HEART. These three men were men of very bad qualities. They had no mind to be pilgrims themselves, and whosoever they could they hindered. They were for sloth and folly themselves, and whoever they could persuade with them, they were made like them too; and taught them to presume that they should do well at the end. They were asleep when Christian went by; and now you go by, they are hanged.

MERCY. But could they persuade any to be of their opinion?

GREAT-HEART. Yes; they turned several out of the way. There was Slow-pace that they persuaded to do as they. They also prevailed with one Short-wind, with one No-heart, with one Linger-after-lust, and with one Sleepy-head, and with a young woman, her name was Dull, to turn out of the way, and become as they. Besides, they brought up an ill report of your Lord, persuading others that He was a "hard man." (Mat 25:24-30) They also brought up an evil report of the good land, saying it was not half so good as some pretend it was. (Num 13:27-33; Num 14:37-38) They also began to vilify His servants, and to count the very best of them meddlesome, troublesome, busybodies. Further, they could call the bread of God husks; the comforts of His children, fancies; the travel and labor of pilgrims, things to no purpose.

[Let us consider the characters of these three professors: 1. Here is a Simple, a foolish naive professor, ever learning, but never coming to the knowledge of the Truth, so as to believe it, love it, and be established on it; hence liable to be carried away by every wind of doctrine. 2. Sloth, a quiet, easy professor, who never disturbs anyone by his diligence in the Word of God, nor his zeal for the Truths and glory of God. 3. Presumption, one who expects Salvation and rewards in the end, without the means prescribed by God for attaining it. O beware of these three sorts of professors, for they turn many aside!]

CHRIST. No, said Christiana, if they were such, they shall never be bewailed by me. They have but what they deserve; and I think it is well that they hang so near the highway, that others may see and take warning. But had it not been well if their crimes had been engraved on some plate of iron or brass, and left here, even where they did their mischiefs, for a caution to other bad men?

GREAT-HEART. So it is, as you well may perceive, if you will go a little to the wall.

MERCY. No, no; let them hang, and their names rot, and their crimes live forever against them. I think it a high favor that they were hanged before we came here; who knows what else they might have done to such poor women as we are? Then she turned it into a song, saying-

Now then, you three, hang there, and be a sign
To all that shall against the truth combine.
And let him that comes after fear this end,
If unto pilgrims he is not a friend.
And thou, my soul, of all such men beware,
That unto holiness opposers are.

     Thus they went on, until they came to the foot of the Hill Difficulty, where, again, their good friend, Mr. Great-heart, took an occasion to tell them of what happened there when Christian himself went by. So he had them first to the spring. Lo, said he, this is the spring that Christian drank of, before he went up this hill; and then it was clear and good, but now it is dirty with the feet of some that are not desirous that pilgrims here should quench their thirst. (Eze 34:18) There Mercy said, And why are they so envious? But, their guide said, it will do, if the water is taken up, and put into a vessel that is sweet and good; for then the dirt will sink to the bottom, and the water will come out by itself clearer. Therefore, Christiana and her companions were compelled to do it. They took it up, and put it into an earthen pot, and so let it stand till the dirt was gone to the bottom, and then they drank some.

     Next, he showed them the two by-ways that were at the foot of the hill, where Formality and Hypocrisy lost themselves. And, he said, these are dangerous paths. Two were cast away here when Christian came by. And although, as you see, these ways are since stopped up with chains, posts, and a ditch, yet there are still those who will choose to adventure here, rather than take the pains to go up this hill.

CHRIST. "The way of the treacherous is hard." (Pro 13:15) It is a wonder that they can get into those ways without danger of breaking their necks.

GREAT-HEART. They will venture. Yes, if at any time any of the King's servants do happen to see them, and do call unto them, and tell them that they are in the wrong ways, and do bid them beware of the danger, then they will return them answer, and say, "As for the message that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we are not going to listen to you! But rather we will certainly carry out every word that has proceeded from our mouths." etc. (Jer 44:16-17) No, if you look a little further, you will see that these ways are made cautionary enough, not only by these posts, and ditch, and chain; but also by being hedged up, yet they will choose to go there.

CHRIST. They are idle; they do not love to take pains; the uphill way is unpleasant to them. So it is fulfilled unto them as it is Written, "The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns." (Pro 15:19) Yes, they will rather choose to walk upon a snare, than to go up this hill, and the rest of this way to the city.

     Then they set forward, and began to go up the hill, and up the hill they went; but before they got to the top, Christiana began to pant; and said, I dare say, this is a breathing hill. No marvel if they that love their ease more than their souls, choose to themselves a smoother way. [Heart-work is hard work; it is hard work to be stripped; it is hard work to deny self, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. It is hard work to fight the fight of faith; it is hard work against hope, to believe in hope. A formalist and hypocrite will go, in outward things, as far as the real Christian; but touch him on the inward work, and he will turn aside] Then Mercy said, I must sit down; also the least of the children began to cry. Come, come, said Great-heart, sit not down here, for a little above is the Prince's arbor. Then he took the little boy by the hand, and led him up there.

     When they arrived at the arbor, they were very willing to sit down, for they were all in a pelting heat. Then Mercy said, How sweet is rest to them that labor. (Mat 11:28) [He who is a stranger to the hard work of self-denial, and how difficult it is to the flesh, knows not what this Hill Difficulty means; for the nearer to the arbor of Jesus' rest, the more difficulties in the way, but the sweeter it is when attained] And how good is the Prince of pilgrims, to provide such resting-places for them! Of this arbor I have heard much about it; but I never saw it before. But here let us beware of sleeping; for, as I have heard, it costs poor Christian dear.

     Then Mr. Great-heart said to the little ones, Come here, my boys, how do you do? What now do you think now about going on the pilgrimage? The least said, Sir, I was almost fatigued of heart? But I thank you for lending me a hand at my need. And I remember now what my mother has told me, namely, that the way to Heaven is like going up a ladder, and the way to hell is like going down a hill. But I would rather go up the ladder to life, than down the hill to death.

     Then Mercy said, But the proverb is, To go down the hill is easy. But James said, (For that was his name) The day is coming, when, in my opinion, going downhill will be the hardest of all. His Master said, You are a good boy, you have given her a right answer. Then Mercy smiled; and the little boy did blush.

CHRIST. Come, said Christiana, will you eat a bit, a little to sweeten your mouths, while you sit here to rest your legs? For I have here a piece of pomegranate, which Mr. Interpreter put in my hand, just when I came out of His doors. He gave me also a piece of a honeycomb, and a little bottle of spirits. I thought He gave you something, said Mercy, because He called you aside. Yes; so He did, said the other. But, Christiana said, it shall still be, as I said it should, when at first we came from home, you shall be a sharer in all the good that I have, because you so willingly did become my companion. Then she gave the food to them, and they did eat, both Mercy and the boys. And, Christiana said to Mr. Great-heart, Sir, will you do as we are? But he answered, You are going on the pilgrimage, and presently I shall return. Good food is what you should eat now. At home I eat the same every day. Now, when they had eaten and drank, and had chatted a little longer, their guide said to them. The day wears away, if you think it is good, let us prepare to be going. So they got up to go, and the little boys went before. But Christiana forgot to take her bottle of spirits with her; so she sent her little boy back to fetch it. Then Mercy said, I think this is a losing place. Here Christian lost his Bible; and here Christiana left her bottle behind. Sir, what is the cause of this? So their guide made an answer, and said, The cause is sleep or forgetfulness. Some sleep when they should keep awake; and some forget when they should remember; and this is the very cause why, often at the resting-places, some pilgrims, in some things, come off losers. Pilgrims should watch, and remember what they have already received under their greatest enjoyments; but for want of doing so, oftentimes their rejoicing ends in tears, and their sunshine in a cloud. Witness the story of Christian at this place.

     When they came to the place where Mistrust and Timorous met Christian to persuade him to go back, for fear of the lions, they perceived as it were a stage, and before it, towards the road, a broad plate, with a copy of verses written on it, and underneath, the reason of the raising up of that stage in that place, rendered. The verses were these-

Let him who sees this stage take heed
Unto his heart and tongue;
Lest if he do not, here he speed,
As some have long gone.

     The words underneath the verses were, "This stage, was built to punish such upon, who through Timorousness or Mistrust, shall be afraid to go further on pilgrimage; also, on this stage, both Mistrust and Timorous were burned through the tongue with a hot iron, for endeavoring to hinder Christian in his journey."

     Then Mercy said, This is much like the saying of the Beloved, "What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, You deceitful tongue? Sharp arrows of the warrior, With the burning coals of the broom tree." (Psa 120:3-4)

     So they went on, till they came within sight of the lions. Now Mr. Great-heart was a strong man, So he was not afraid of a lion; but yet when they came up to the place where the lions were, the boys that went before were glad to cringe behind, for they were afraid of the lions; so they stepped back, and went behind. At this their guide smiled, and said, How, my boys, do you love to go on before, when no danger approaches, and love to come behind as soon as the lions appear?

     Now, as they went up, Mr. Great-heart drew his sword, with the intent to make a way for the Pilgrims, in spite of the lions. Then there appeared one, that it seems, had taken upon him to back the lions; and he said to the Pilgrims' guide, What is the cause of your coming here? Now the name of that man was Grim, or Bloody-man, because of his slaying of Pilgrims, and he was of the race of the giants.

GREAT-HEART. Then the Pilgrims' guide said, These women and children are going on a pilgrimage; and this is the way they must go, and go they will, in spite of you and the lions.

GRIM. This is not their way, neither shall they go in this way. I am come forth to withstand them, and to that end I will back the lions. [Sincere and honest Christiana, at this time, had a proverbial expression — "It is better that the body should die to this world by the lions without, than that body and soul should die eternally by our lusts within. (Mat 10:28)]

     Now, to tell the truth, by reason of the fierceness of the lions, and of the grim attitude of him that backed them, this way had of late remained unoccupied, and was almost overgrown with grass.

CHRIST. Then Christiana said, Though the highways have been unoccupied so far, and though the travelers have been made in time past to walk through by-paths, it must not be so now that we have arose to the way. Now "I arose, a mother in Israel." (Jdg 5:6-7)

GRIM. Then he swore by the lions, and therefore bid them turn aside, for they should not have passage here.

GREAT-HEART. But their guide made his approach first at Grim, and laid so heavily at him with his sword, that he forced him to a retreat.

GRIM. Then the one who attempted to back the lions, said, Will you slay me upon mine own ground?

GREAT-HEART. It is the King's highway that we are in, and in His way it is, that you have placed your lions; but these women and these children, though weak, shall hold on their way in spite of your lions. And with that he gave him again a downright blow, and brought him upon his knees. With this blow he also broke his helmet, and with the next he cut off an arm. Then did the giant roar so hideously, that his voice frightened the women, and yet they were glad to see him lie sprawling upon the ground. Now the lions were chained, and so of themselves could do nothing. Therefore, when old Grim, that intended to back them, was dead, Mr. Great-heart said to the Pilgrims, Come now, and follow me, and no hurt shall happen to you from the lions. They therefore went on, but the women trembled as they passed by them; the boys also looked as if they would die, but they all got by without further hurt.

PILGRIMS ARRIVE AT THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL

     Now then they were within sight of the Porter's Lodge, and they soon came up to it; but they made the more haste after this to go there, because it is dangerous travelling there in the night. So when they came to the gate, the guide knocked, and the Porter cried, Who is there? But as soon as the guide had said, It is I, he knew his voice, and came down. (For the guide had before that, often come there as a conductor of pilgrims) When he was come down, he opened the gate, and seeing the guide standing just before it, (For he saw not the women, for they were behind him) he said to him, Mr. Great-heart, what is your business here so late tonight? He said, I have brought,  some pilgrims here, where, by my Lord's Commandment, they must lodge; I would have been here some time ago, had I not been opposed by the giant the backed the lions; but I, after a long and tedious combat with him, have cut him off, and have brought the Pilgrims here in safety.

PORTER. Will you not go in, and stay till morning?

GREAT-HEART. No, I will return to my Lord tonight.

CHRIST. Oh, Sir, I know not how to be willing for you to leave us in our pilgrimage, you have been so faithful and so loving to us, you have fought so resolutely for us, you have been so hearty in counseling of us, that I shall never forget your favor towards us.

MERCY. Then Mercy said, O that we might have your company to our journey's end! How can such poor women as we hold out in a way so full of troubles as this way is, without a friend and defender?

JAMES. Then James, the youngest of the boys said, Please, Sir, be persuaded to go with us, and help us, because we are so weak, and the way is so dangerous.

GREAT-HEART. I am at my Lord's Commandment; if He shall allot me to be your guide all the way through, I will willingly wait upon you. But here you failed at first; for when He bid me to come up, then you should have prayed to Him for me to have gone the remainder of the way with you, and He would have granted your request. However, at present, I must withdraw; and so, good Christiana, Mercy, and my brave children, Adieu.

     Then the Porter, Mr. Watchful, asked Christiana of her country, and of her kindred; and she said, I came from the City of Destruction; I am a widow woman, and my husband is dead; his name was Christian, the Pilgrim. How! said the Porter, was he your husband? Yes, she said, and these are his children; and this, pointing to Mercy, is one of my townswomen. Then the Porter rang his bell, as at such times when he needed, and there came to the door one of the damsels, whose name was Humble-mind; and the Porter said to her, Go tell it within, that Christiana, the wife of Christian, and her children, are come here on the pilgrimage. She went in, therefore, and told them. But O what a noise for gladness there was within, when the damsel did but drop that word out of her mouth! (Luk 15:7)

     So they came with haste to the Porter, for Christiana stood still at the door. Then some of the most serious said to her, Come in, Christiana, come in, you wife of that good man; come in, you blessed woman; come in, with all that are with you. So she went in, and they followed her that were her children and her companions. Now when they were gone in, they were led into a very large room, where they were invited to sit down; so they sat down, and the chief of the house was called to see and welcome the guests. Then they came in, and understanding who they were, did salute each other with a kiss, and said, Welcome, you vessels of the grace of God; welcome from us your friends.

     Now, because it was somewhat late, and because the Pilgrims were weary with their journey, and also made faint with the sight of the fight, and of the terrible lions, therefore they desired, as soon as might be able, to prepare to go to rest. No, those of the family said, refresh yourselves first with a morsel of meat; for they had prepared for them a lamb, with the accustomed sauce belonging to it. (Exod 12:21; Exod 12:28; Joh 1:29) For the Porter had heard before of their coming, and had told it to them within. So when they had supper, and ended their prayer with a Psalm, they desired that they might go to rest. But let us, said Christiana, if we may be so bold as to choose, let us be in the chamber that was my husband's when he was here; so they led them up there, and they all laid down in the room. When they were at rest, Christiana and Mercy entered into a discourse about favorable things.

CHRIST. Little did I think once, that when my husband went on pilgrimage, I should ever have followed.

MERCY. And you did not think that you would be lying in his bed, and in his chamber to rest, as you do now.

CHRIST. And much less did I ever think of seeing his face with comfort, and of worshipping the Lord the King with him; and yet now I believe I shall.

MERCY. Listen! Don't you hear a noise?

CHRIST. Yes; it is, as I believe, a noise of music, for joy that we are here.

MERCY. Wonderful! Music in the house, music in the heart, and music also in Heaven, for joy that we are here!

     Thus they talked a while, and then went to sleep. So, in the morning, when they were awake, Christiana said to Mercy:

CHRIST. What was the matter that you did laugh in your sleep tonight? I suppose you were in a dream.

MERCY. So I was, and a sweet dream it was; but are you sure I laughed?

CHRIST. Yes; you laughed heartily; but, please Mercy, tell me your dream.

MERCY. It was a dream that I sat all alone in a solitary place, and was bemoaning the hardness of my heart. Now, I had not sat there long, but I thought many were gathered about me, to see me, and to hear what it was that I said. So they listened, and I went on bemoaning the hardness of my heart. At this, some of them laughed at me, some called me a fool, and some began to thrust me about. With that, I thought I looked up, and saw one coming with wings towards me. So he came directly to me, and said, Mercy, what troubles you? Now, when he had heard me make my complaint, he said "Peace be to you." He also wiped my eyes with his handkerchief, and clad me in silver and gold. He put a chain about my neck, and ear-rings in mine ears, and a beautiful crown upon my head. (Eze 16:8-13) Then he took me by the hand, and said, Mercy, come after me. So he went up, and I followed, till we came at a golden gate. Then he knocked; and when they within had opened, the man went in, and I followed him up to a throne, upon which one sat, and He said to me, Welcome, daughter. The place looked bright and twinkling, like the stars, or rather like the sun; and I thought that I saw your husband there. So I awoke from my dream. But did I laugh?

CHRIST. Laugh! yes, and well you might, to see yourself so well. For you must allow me to tell you, that I believe it was a good dream; and that, as you have begun to find the first part true, so you shall find the second at last. "God speaks once, yes twice, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed." (Job 33:14-15) We do not need, when in a bed, lie awake to talk with God. He can visit us while we sleep, and cause us then to hear His voice. Our heart oftentimes wakes when we sleep; and God can speak to that, either by words, by Proverbs, by signs and similitudes, as well as if one was awake.

MERCY. Well, I am glad of my dream; for I hope, ere long, to see it fulfilled, to the making me laugh again.

CHRIST. I think it is now high time to rise, and to know what we must do.

MERCY. Please, if they invite us to stay awhile, let us willingly accept the offer. I am willing to stay here awhile, to grow better acquainted with these maids. I thinks Prudence, Piety, and Charity have very becoming and sober countenances.

CHRIST. We shall see what they will do. So when they were up and ready, they came down, and they asked one another of their rest, and if it were comfortable, or not.

MERCY. Very good, said Mercy; it was one of the best night's lodging that ever I had in my life.

     Then Prudence and Piety said, If you will be persuaded to stay here awhile, you shall have what this house will afford.

CHAR. Yes, and that with a very good will, said Charity. So they consented and stayed there about a month, or above, and became very profitable one to another. And because Prudence would see how Christiana had brought up her children, she asked her, permission to catechise them. So she gave her free consent. Then she began at the youngest, whose name was James.

PRUDENCE. And she said, Come, James, can you tell me who made you?

JAMES. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

PRUD. Good boy. And can you tell me who saves you?

JAMES. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

PRUD. Good boy still. But how does God the Father save you?

JAMES. By his grace.

PRUD. How does God the Son save you?

JAMES. By His righteousness, death, and blood, and life.

PRUD. And how does God the Holy Spirit save you?

JAMES. By His illumination, by His renovation, and by His preservation.

     Then Prudence said to Christiana, You are to be commended for bringing up your children this way. I suppose I do not need to ask the rest of them these questions, since the youngest can answer them so well. I will therefore now apply myself to the next youngest.

PRUD. Then she said, Come, Joseph, (For his name was Joseph) will you let me catechise you?

JOSEPH. With all my heart.

PRUD. What is man?

JOSEPH. A reasonable creature, so made by God, as my brother said.

PRUD. What is supposed by this word "saved"?

JOSEPH. That man, by sin, has brought himself into a state of captivity and misery.

PRUD. What is supposed by his being saved by the Trinity?

JOSEPH. That sin is so great and mighty a tyrant, that none can pull us out of its clutches, but God; and that God is so good and loving to man, as to pull him indeed out of this miserable state.

PRUD. What is God's design in saving, of poor men?

JOSEPH. The glorifying of His name, of His grace, and justice, etc., and the everlasting happiness of His creature.

PRUD. Who are they that must be saved?

JOSEPH. Those that accept of His Salvation.

PRUD. Good boy, Joseph; your mother has taught you well, and you have listened to what she has said to you.

Then Prudence said to Samuel, who was the eldest minus one,

PRUD. Come, Samuel, are you willing that I should catechise you also?

SAMUEL. Yes, certainly, if you please.

PRUD. What is Heaven?

SAM. A place and state most blessed, because God dwells there.

PRUD. What is hell?

SAM. A place and state most woeful, because it is the dwelling place of sin, the devil, and death.

PRUD. Why would you go to Heaven?

SAM. That I may see God, and serve Him without weariness; that I may see Christ, and love Him everlastingly; that I may have that fullness of the Holy Spirit in me that I can by no means here enjoy.

PRUD. A very good boy also, and one that has learned well.

Then she addressed herself to the eldest, whose name was Matthew; and she said to him, Come, Matthew, shall I also catechise you?

MATTHEW. Yes, and very glad for you to do so.

PRUD. I ask you, then, if there were ever anything that had a being antecedent to, or before God?

MATT. No; for God is eternal; nor is there anything except Himself, that had a being until the beginning of the first day. "For in six days the Lord made Heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them."

PRUD. What do you think of the Bible?

MATT. It is the holy Word of God.

PRUD. Is there anything written in it that you understand?

MATT. Yes. A great deal.

PRUD. What do you do when you meet with such places that you do not understand?

MATT. I think God is wiser than me. I pray also that if He will please to let me know all that He knows, that will be for my good.

PRUD. What do you believe, concerning the resurrection of the dead?

MATT. I believe they shall rise, the same that were buried; the same as with nature, though not in corruption. And I believe this upon a double account: First, because God has Promised it; secondly, because He is able to perform it. (Rom 4:20-21)

     Then said Prudence to the boys, You must still listen to your mother, for she can teach you more. You must also diligently give ear to what good conversation you shall hear from others; because, for your sakes they do speak good things. Observe, also, and that with carefulness, what the heavens and the earth do teach you; (Rom 1:20; Psa 19:1-14) but especially be much in the meditation of that Book that was the cause of your father becoming a pilgrim. (Psa 1:1-3) I, for my part, my children, will teach you what I can, while you are here, and will be glad if you will ask me questions that tend to Spiritual edifying.

     Now, these Pilgrims had been at this place for a week, Mercy had a visitor that pretended some goodwill to her, and his name was Mr. Brisk, a man of some breeding, and that pretended to religion; but a man that stuck very close to the world. So he came once or twice, or more, to Mercy, and offered love to her. Now Mercy was of a fair countenance, and therefore the more alluring.

     Her mind also was, to be always busying of herself in doing; for when she had nothing to do for herself, she would be making stockings and garments for others, and would bestow them upon any that had need. And Mr. Brisk, not knowing where or how she disposed of what she made, seemed to be greatly taken by her, for that he found her never idle. He said to himself, I think she would be a good housewife.

     Mercy then revealed the business to the maidens of the house, and inquired of them concerning him, for they knew him better than she did. So they told her, that he was a very busy young man, and one that pretended to religion; but was, as they feared, a stranger to the power of that which was good.

     No way, said Mercy, I will not look at him; for I purpose never to have a clog in my soul.

     Prudence then replied, that there needed to be no great matter of discouragement to be given to him, her continuing so as she had begun to do for the poor, would quickly cool his courage.

     So the next time he comes, and he finds her at her old work, making things for the poor. He said, What! always at it? Yes, either for myself or for others. And what can you earn a day? He asked. I do these things, "that I may he rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for myself the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that I may take hold of that which is life indeed." (1Ti 6:17-19) Please tell me, what do you do with them? Clothe the naked. With that his countenance fell. So he refrained to come at her again; and when he was asked the reason why, he said, that Mercy was a pretty lass, but troubled with ill considerations.

     When he had left her, Prudence said, Did I not tell you, that Mr. Brisk would soon forsake you? Yes, he will make up an ill report of you; for, notwithstanding his pretense to religion, and his seeming love to Mercy, yet Mercy and he are of tempers so different, that I believe they will never come together.

MERCY. I might have had husbands before now, though I did not speak of it to anyone; but they were such as did not like my considerations, though they never did find any fault with my person. So they and I could not agree.

PRUD. Mercy in our days this way is little esteemed, any further than as to its name; the practice, (The Spiritual life) which is set forth by your considerations, there are but few that can abide.

MERCY. Well, if nobody will have me, I will die a maid, or my considerations (Divine Thoughts) shall be to me as a husband. For I cannot change my new nature; and to have one that does not agree with me in this, that I purpose never to allow as long as I live. I had a sister named Bountiful, that was married to one of these churls; but he and she could never agree; but because my sister was resolved to do as she had begun, that is, to show kindness to the poor, therefore her husband first cried her down at the cross, (Married) and then turned her out of his doors. (Divorced) [Crying at the cross, and turning a wife out of doors, refers to a vulgar error, which had its influence to a late period in Bedfordshire. It was a speedy mode of divorce, similar to that practiced in London, by leading a wife by a halter to Smithfield, and selling her. The crying at the market cross that a man would not be answerable for the debts that might be incurred by his wife, was the mode of advertising, which was supposed to absolve a husband from maintaining his wife]

PRUD. And yet he was a professor, I guarantee you.

MERCY. Yes, such a one as he was, and of such as he is, the world is now full; but I am for none of them.

     Now Matthew, the eldest son of Christiana, fell sick, and his sickness was sore upon him, for he was much pained in his bowels, so that he was, at times, pulled as it were both ends together. There also dwelt not far from there, one Mr. Skill, an ancient and well approved physician. So Christiana desired it, and they sent for him, and he came. When he was entered the room, and had observed the boy for a while, he concluded that he was sick of the gripes. Then he said to his mother, What diet has Matthew of late fed upon? Diet, said Christiana, nothing but that which is wholesome. The physician answered, This boy has been tampering with something that lies in his belly undigested, and that will not go away without help. And I tell you, he must he purged, or else he will die.

SAM. Then Samuel said, Mother, mother, what was that which my brother did gather up and eat, as soon as we were come from the gate that is at the head of this way? You know that there was an orchard on the left hand, on the other side of the wall, and some of the trees hung over the wall, and my brother did pluck and eat it.

CHRIST. True, my child, said Christiana, he did take of it, and did eat it; naughty boy as he was, I did rebuke him, and yet he would still eat of it.

SKILL. I knew he had eaten something that was not wholesome food; and that food, that is, this fruit is the most hurtful of all. It is the fruit of Beelzebub's orchard. I marvel that no one warned you of it; many have died from it.

CHRIST. Then Christiana began to cry; and she said, O naughty boy! and O careless mother! What shall I do for my son!

SKILL. Come, do not be discouraged; the boy may do well again, but he must purge and vomit.

CHRIST. Pray, Sir, try the utmost of your skill with him, whatever it costs.

SKILL. No, I hope I shall be reasonable. So he made him a purge, but it was too weak; it was said, it was made of the blood of a goat, the ashes of a heifer, and with some of the juice of hyssop, etc. (Heb 10:1-4) When Mr. Skill had seen that that purge was too weak, so he made him another one, more potent; it was made with the excarne et sanguine Christi. (The flesh and of the blood of Christ) (Joh 6:54-57; Heb 9:14) (You know physicians give strange medicines to their patients) And it was made up into pills, with a promise or two, and a proportional quantity of salt. (Mar 9:49) Now he was to take them three at a time fasting, in half a quarter of a pint of the tears of repentance. When this potion was prepared, and brought to the boy, he was loath to take it, though torn with the gripes, as if he should be pulled in pieces. Come, come, said the physician, you must take it. It goes against my stomach, said the boy. (Zec 12:10) I must have you take it, said his mother. I shall vomit it up again, said the boy. Please, Sir, said Christiana to Mr. Skill, how does it taste? It has no ill taste, said the doctor; and with that she touched one of the pills with the tip of her tongue. Oh, Matthew, she said, this potion is sweeter than honey. If you love your mother, if you love your brothers, if you love Mercy, if you love your life, take it. So with much ado, after a short prayer for the blessing of God upon it, he took it, and it worked kindly with him. It caused him to purge, it caused him to sleep, and rest quietly; it put him into a fine heat and breathing sweat, and it did rid him of his gripes. So after little time he got up, and walked about with a staff, and would go from room to room, and talk with Prudence, Piety, and Charity, of his distemper, and how he was healed.

     So when the boy was healed, Christiana asked Mr. Skill, saying, Sir, what will compensate you for your pains and care to, and of my child? And he said, You must pay the Master of the College of Physicians, according to rules made in that case as provided. (Heb 13:11-16)

CHRIST. But, Sir, what else is this pill good for?

SKILL. It is a universal pill; it is good against all the diseases that Pilgrims are in danger of; and when it is well prepared, it will keep good, for a long time .

CHRIST. Pray, Sir, make me up twelve boxes of them; for if I can get these, I will never take another medication.

SKILL. These pills are good to prevent diseases, as well as to cure one who is sick. Yes, I dare to say, and stand by it, that if a man will but use this medication as he should, it will make him live forever. (Joh 6:50) But, good Christiana, you must give these pills in no other way but as I have prescribed them; for, if you do, they will do no good. So he gave to Christiana medicine for herself, and her boys, and for Mercy; and told Matthew not to eat any more green plums, and kissed them, and went his way.

     It was told to you before, that Prudence bid the boys, that if at any time they would like to, they should ask her some questions that might be profitable, and she would say something to them.

MATT. Then Matthew, who had been sick, asked her, Why, for the most part, is medicine bitter to our taste.

PRUD. To show how unwelcome the Word of God, and the effects of it, are to a carnal heart.

MATT. Why does medicine, if it does good, purge, and cause us to vomit?

PRUD. To show that the Word, when it works effectually, cleanses the heart and mind. For look, what the one does to the body, the other does to the soul.

MATT. What should we learn by seeing the flame of our fire go upwards? And by seeing the beams and sweet influences of the sun strike downwards?

PRUD. By the going up of the fire we are taught to ascend to Heaven, by fervent and hot desires. And by the sun's sending his heat, beams, and sweet influences downwards, we are taught that the Savior of the world, though high, reaches down with His grace and love to us below.

MATT. Where have the clouds their water?

PRUD. Out of the sea.

MATT. What may we learn from that?

PRUD. That ministers should fetch their Doctrines from God.

MATT. Why do they empty themselves upon the earth?

PRUD. To show that ministers should give out what they know of God to the world.

MATT. Why is the rainbow caused by the sun?

PRUD. To show that the Covenant of God's grace is confirmed to us in Christ.

MATT. Why do the springs come from the sea to us, through the earth?

PRUD. To show that the grace of God comes to us through the body of Christ.

MATT. Why do some of the springs rise out of the tops of high hills?

PRUD. To show that the spirit of grace shall spring up in some that are great and mighty, as well as in many that are poor and low.

MATT. Why does the fire fasten upon the candlewick?

PRUD. To show, that unless grace does kindle upon the heart there will be no true light of life in us.

MATT. Why is the wick and oil, and all, spent to maintain the light of the candle?

PRUD. To show that body and soul, and all, should be at the service of God, and spend themselves to maintain, in good condition, that grace of God that is in us.

MATT. Why doth the pelican pierce her own breast with her bill?

PRUD. To nourish her young ones with her blood, and thereby to show that Christ the blessed so loves His young, His people, as to save them from death by His blood. (A legend at that time)

MATT. What may one learn by hearing the cock crow?

PRUD. Learn to remember Peter's sin, and Peter's repentance. The rooster's crowing shows also that day is coming on; let then the crowing of the rooster put your in mind of that last and terrible day of judgment.

     Now, about this time their month was up; therefore they signified to those of the house that it was convenient for them to up and be going. Then Joseph said to his mother, It is necessary that you do not forget to send a letter to the house of Mr. Interpreter, to ask him to grant that Mr. Great-heart should be sent to us, that he may be our guardian for the rest of our way. Good boy, said she, I had almost forgot. So she drew up a petition, and asked Mr. Watchful, the Porter, to send it by some fit man, to her good friend Mr. Interpreter; who, when it arrived, and He had seen the contents of the petition, said to the messenger, Go tell them that I will send him.

     When the family where Christiana was, saw that they had a purpose to go forward, they called the whole house together, to give thanks to their King for sending of them such profitable guests as these. When done, they said to Christiana, And shall we not show you something, according as our custom is to do to pilgrims, on which you may meditate when you are upon the way? So they took Christiana, her children, and Mercy, into the closet, and showed them one of the apples that Eve did eat of, and that she also did give to her husband, and that for the eating, of which they both were turned out of Paradise; and they asked her what she thought that was? Then Christiana said, It is food or poison, I know not which. [How much is contained in that answer of Christiana as to the origin of evil — "It is food or poison, I do not know which!" To believers, it will be their elevation to a degree of bliss that they would never have otherwise enjoyed; to the faithless, it will be poison of the deadliest kind. Here is no attempt to explain the origin of evil in our world; a subject far beyond all our powers of investigation]

     So they opened the matter to her, and she held up her hands and wondered. (Gen 3:6; Rom 7:24)

     Then they led her to a place, and showed her Jacob's ladder. Now at that time there were some angels ascending upon it. So Christiana looked, and looked, to see the angels go up; and so did the rest of the company. Then they were going into another place, to show them something else; but James said to his mother, Please, ask them stay here a little longer, for this is a curious sight.

     So they turned again, and stood feeding their eyes with this so pleasant a prospect. (Gen 28:12; Joh 1:51) After this, they led them into a place where a golden anchor was hanging, so they asked Christiana take it down; for, they said, you shall have it with you, for it is of absolute necessity that you should, that you may lay hold of that within the veil, and stand steadfast, in case you should meet with turbulent weather; so they were glad for it. (Heb 6:19) Then they took them, and led them to the mount upon which Abraham our father had offered up Isaac his son, and showed them the altar, the wood, the fire, and the knife, for they remain to be seen to this very day. (Gen 22:9) When they had seen it, they held up their hands and blessed themselves, and said, O what a man of love to his Master, and denial to himself, (Virtue Love — Personal love for God and Impersonal love for himself and All mankind) was Abraham! After they had showed them all these things, Prudence took them into the dining-room, where there stood a pair of excellent virginals; so she played upon them, and turned what she had showed them into this excellent song, saying:

Eve's apple we have showed you,
Of that be you aware;
You have seen Jacob's ladder, too,
Upon which angels are.
An anchor you received have;
But let not these suffice,
Until, with Abr'am, you have gave
Your best a sacrifice.

     Now, about this time, one knocked at the door; so the Porter opened, and behold Mr. Great-heart was there; but when he came in, what joy was there! For it came now fresh again into their minds, how just a while ago he had slain old Grim Bloody-man the giant, and had delivered them from the lions.

     Then Mr. Great-heart said to Christiana, and to Mercy, My Lord has sent each of you a bottle of wine, and also some parched corn, together with a couple of pomegranates; He has also sent the boys some figs and raisins, to refresh you in your way.

     Then they addressed themselves to their journey; and Prudence and Piety went along with them. When they came to the gate, Christiana asked the Porter if any of late went by? He said, No; only one some time since, who also told me, that of late there had been a great robbery committed on the King's highway, but, he said, the thieves are taken, and will shortly be tried for their lives. Then Christiana and Mercy were afraid; but Matthew said, Mother, fear nothing, as long as Mr. Great-heart is to go with us and be our guardian.

     Then Christiana said to the Porter, Sir, I am much obliged to you for all the kindnesses that you have showed me since I came here; and also for that you have been so loving and kind to my children; I do not know not how to repay your kindness. Therefore, please, as a token of my respects to you, accept of this small mite; so she put a gold angel in his hand, and he gave her a low bow, and said, Let your garments be always white, and let your head lack any ointment. [Mr. JOSEPH IVIMEY (1773-1830) was of the opinion that by this Bunyan sanctioned a hireling ministry, but it appears more to refer to the common custom of rewarding servants to whom you have given trouble. He adduces Luk 10:7; 1Ti 5:18; and 1Co 9:11-14. It is a subject of considerable difficulty; but how is it that no minister ever thinks of referring to the plainest passage upon this subject in the New Testament? It is; Act 20:17-38, especially verses; Act 20:33-35. The angel was a gold coin, in value half a sovereign] Let Mercy live, and not die, and let not her works be few. And to the boys he said, Do flee youthful lusts, and follow after godliness with them that are serious and wise; so you will put gladness into your mother's heart, and obtain praise of all that are sober-minded. So they thanked the Porter, and departed.

     Now I saw in my dream, that they went forward until they were come to the brow of the hill, where Piety, was remembering, cried out, Alas! I have forgot what I intended to bestow upon Christiana and her companions; I will go back and get it. So she ran and fetched it. While she was gone, Christiana thought she heard in the grove, that was a little up, on the right hand side, a most curious melody, with words much like these:

Through all my life Thy favor is
So frankly show'd to me,
That in Thy house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.

And, listening still, she thought she heard another answer it, saying-

For why? The Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.

     So Christiana asked Prudence what it was that made those curious notes? They are, our country birds; they sing these notes but seldom, except it be at the spring, when the flowers appear, and the sun shines warm, and then you may hear them all day long. (Song 2:11-12) I often, go out to hear them; we also oftentimes keep them tame in our house. They are very fine company for us when we are melancholy; also they make the woods and groves, and solitary places, places desirous to be in.

     By this time Piety came by again; so she said to Christiana, Look here, I have brought you a representation of all those things that you have seen at our house that you may look at when you find yourself forgetful, and call those things again to remembrance for your edification and comfort.

ENTER THE VALLEY OF HUMILIATION

     Now they began to go down the hill into the Valley of Humiliation. It was a steep hill, and the way was slippery; but they were very careful, so they got down pretty well. When they were down in the Valley, Piety said to Christiana, This is the place where your husband Christian met with the foul fiend Apollyon, and where they had that dreadful fight; I know you cannot but have heard of it, But be of good courage, as long as you have here Mr. Great-heart to be your guide and guardian, we hope you will fare the better. So when these two had committed the Pilgrims to the care of their guide, he went forward, and they went after.

GREAT-HEART. We do not need not to be so afraid of this Valley, for here is nothing to hurt us, unless we enlist it to ourselves. It is true, Christian did here meet with Apollyon, with whom he also had a sore combat; but that fray was the fruit of those slips that he got in his going down the hill; for they that get slips there, must look for combats here. And hence it is, that this Valley has such a hard name. For the common people, when they hear that some frightful thing has befallen such a one in such a place, are of an opinion, that this place is haunted with some foul fiend, or evil spirit; when, unfortunately! it is for the fruit of their doing, that such things do befall them there.

     This Valley of Humiliation is of itself  is as fruitful a place, as any that the crow flies over; Christian was and I am also persuaded, if we could come upon it, we might find something, somewhere that might give us an account why Christian was so hardly beset in this place.

     Then James said to his mother, Behold, yonder stands a pillar and it looks as if something was written on it; let us go and see what it is. So they went, and found there written, "Let Christian's mistakes, before he came here, and the battles that he met with in this place, be a warning to those that come after." Behold, said their guide, did I not tell you, that there was something here, that would give intimation of the reason why Christian was so hard beset in this place? Then, turning himself to Christiana, he said, No disparagement to Christian, more than to many others, whose hap and lot his was; for it is easier going up, than down this hill, and that can be said but of few hills in all these parts of the world. But we will leave the good man he was at rest, he also had a brave victory over his enemy; let Him grant that dwells above, that we fare no worse, when we come to be tried, than he.

     But we will come again to this Valley of Humiliation. It is the best and most useful brave piece of ground in all those parts. It is fertile ground, and, as you see, consists much in meadows; and if a man were to come here in the summer-time, as we do now, if he did not know anything of it before and if he also delighted himself in the sight of his eyes, he might see that this would be delightful to him. Behold how green this Valley is, also how beautified with lilies. (Song 2:1) I have also known many laboring men that have good estates in this Valley of Humiliation; "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." [To adjusted believers who Think what God Thinks on every subject] (Jas 4:6; 1Pe 5:5) For indeed it is a very fruitful soil, and does produce by handfuls. Some also have wished, that the next stop on the way to their Father's house was here, that they might be troubled no more with either hills or mountains to go over; but this way is the way, and there is an end.

     Now, as they were going along and talking, they spotted a boy feeding his father's sheep. The boy was in very beggarly clothes, but of a very fresh and well-favored countenance; and as he sat by himself, he sang. Listen, said Mr. Great-heart, to what the shepherd's boy is saying. So they listened, and he said:

He that is down needs fear no fall;
He that is low, no pride;
He that is humble, ever shall
Have God to be his guide. (Php 4:12-13)
I am content with what I have,
Little be it, or much;
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because You save such.
Fullness to such a burden is,
That go on pilgrimage;
Here little, and hereafter bliss,
Is best from age to age. (Heb 13:5)

     Then the guide said, Do you hear him? I will dare to say, that this boy lives a merrier life, and wears more of that herb called heart's-ease in his bosom, than he that is dressed in silk and velvet; but we will proceed in our discourse.

     In this Valley our Lord formerly had His country house; He loved much to be here; He loved also to walk these meadows, for He found the air was pleasant. Besides, here a man shall be free from the noise, and from the hurryings of this life. All states are full of noise and confusion, only the Valley of Humiliation is that empty and solitary place. Here a man shall not be so hindered in his contemplation, as in other places he is apt to be. This is a Valley that nobody walks in, but those that love a pilgrim's life. And though Christian had the hard chance to meet here with Apollyon, and to enter into a brisk encounter with him, yet I must tell you, that in former times men have met with angels here, have found pearls here, and have in this place found the words of life.  (Hos 12:4-5)

     Did I say, our Lord had here in former days his country-house, and that He loved to walk here? I will add, in this place, and to the people that live, and trace these grounds, He has left a yearly revenue, to be faithfully paid to them at certain seasons, for their maintenance by the way, and for their further encouragement to go on in their pilgrimage. (Mat 11:29)

SAMUEL. Now, as they went on, Samuel said to Mr. Great- heart; Sir, I perceive that in this Valley my father and Apollyon had their battle; but whereabouts was the fight? For I perceive this Valley is large.

GREAT-HEART. Your father had that battle with Apollyon, at a yonder, place before us, in a narrow passage, just beyond Forgetful Green. And indeed, that place is the most dangerous place in all these parts. For if at any time the pilgrims meet with any assault, it is also when they forget what favors they have received, and how unworthy they are of them. [O pilgrims, attend to this! Pride and ingratitude go hand in hand. Study, ever study the favors of your Lord; how freely they are bestowed upon you, and how utterly unworthy you are of the least of them. Beware of Forgetful Green. Many, after going some way on pilgrimage, get into this Green, and continue here; and talk of their own faithfulness to grace received, the merit of their works, and a second justification by their works, etc. Therefore it is plain that they have fallen asleep on this Forgetful Green, and talk incoherently, as men do in their sleep; for they forget that they are still sinners-poor, needy, wretched sinners; and that they need the blood of Christ to cleanse them, the righteousness of Christ to justify them, and the Spirit of Christ to keep them humble, and to enable them to live by faith upon the fullness of Christ to sanctify them, as much as they did when they first set out as pilgrims. O it is a most blessed thing to be kept mindful of what we are, and of the Lord's free grace and unmerited goodness to us!] This is the place also, where others have been tested and tempted; but more about the place when we come to it; for I persuade myself, that to this day there remains either some sign of the battle, or some monument to testify that such a battle was fought there.

MERCY. Then said Mercy, I think I am as well in this Valley, as I have been anywhere else in all our journey; the place, I think, suits with my spirit. I love to be in such places where there is no rattling with coaches, nor rumbling with wheels; I think, here one may, without much molestation, be thinking what he is, from where he came, what he has done, and to what the King has called him to do. Here one may think, and break down his heart, and melt in one's spirit, until one's eyes become like "the fish-pools of Heshbon." (Song 7:4) They that go rightly through this Valley of Baca, and make it a well, the rain that God sends down from Heaven upon them that are here, also fills the pools. (Psa 84:6-7) This Valley is from where also the King will give to His their vineyards; (Hos 2:15) and they that go through it, shall sing, as Christian did, for all he met with, even Apollyon.

GREAT-HEART. It is true, said their guide, I have gone through this Valley many times, and never was it better than being here right now.

     I have also been a guardian to several pilgrims, and they have confessed the same. "But to this one I will look, [Said the King] To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My Word. ["Trembles at God's Word," so as not to dare pick and choose which Doctrines he will receive, and which he will reject. Would you act this way with God's holy Commandments? Would you choose one and reject another? Are they not all of equal authority? And are not all His holy Doctrines also stamped with the same Divine authorization? Where there is true faith in them, it will make a man tremble to think this way with God's Word!] (Isa 66:2)

     Now they came to the place where the famous battle was fought. Then the guide said to Christiana, her children and Mercy, This is the place, on this ground Christian stood, and up there came Apollyon against him. And look, did I not tell you? Here is some of your husband's blood upon these stones to this day; behold, also, how here and there are yet to be seen upon the place, some of the shivers of Apollyon's broken darts; see also, how they did beat the ground with their feet as they fought, to make good their places against each other; how also, with their by-blows, they did split the very stones in pieces. Certainly, Christian did here play the man, and showed himself as stout, as could, had any been there, even Hercules himself. [We ought to study the records of the temptations, conflicts, faith, patience, and victories of believers; mark their wounds, by what misconduct they were occasioned, that we may watch and pray lest we fall in like manner. Learn how they repelled the assaults of the tempter; so that we may learn to resist him steadfast in the faith. (In fellowship) Their triumphs should animate us to keep on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day] When Apollyon was defeated, he made his retreat to the next Valley, that is called, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, unto which we shall come at another time. [If Satan be driven back from one attack, prepare for another. Bless God for your armor. Never take it off]

     Behold, yonder also stands a monument, on which is engraved with this battle, and Christian's victory, to his fame throughout all ages. So, because it stood just on the wayside before them, they stepped to it, and read the writing, which word for word was this:

Hard by, here was a battle fought,
Most strange, and yet most true;
Christian and Apollyon sought
Each other to subdue.
The man so bravely played the man,
He made the fiend to fly;
Of which a monument I stand,
The same to testify

     When they had passed by this place, they came upon the borders of the Shadow of Death; and this Valley was longer than the other; a place, also, most strangely haunted with evil things, as many as are able to testify; but these women and children went the better through it, because they had daylight, and because Mr. Great-heart was their guardian.

     When they were entered upon this Valley, they thought that they heard a groaning, as of dead men, a very great groaning. They thought also, they did hear words of lamentation spoken by some in extreme torment. These things made the boys to quake, the women also looked pale and sick; but their guide told them to be of good comfort.

     So they went on a little further, and they thought that they felt the ground begin to shake under them, as if some hollow place was there; they heard also a kind of a hissing, as of serpents, but nothing as yet appeared. Then the boys said, Are we not yet at the end of this doleful place? But the guide also bid them be of good courage, and look well to their feet, or else you will be taken in some snare.

     Now James began to be sick, but I think the cause was fear; so his mother gave him some of that glass of spirits that she had been given at the Interpreter's house, and three of the pills that Mr. Skill had prepared and the boy began to revive. Thus they went on, till they came to about the middle of the Valley, and then Christiana said, I think I see something up upon the road before us, a thing of such shape as I have not seen. Then Joseph said, Mother, what is it? An ugly thing, child; an ugly thing, said she. But, mother, what is it like?  It is like I cannot tell what. And now it was but a little way off; then said she, It is close.

     Well, well, said Mr. Great-heart, Let them that are most afraid, keep close to me. So the fiend came on, and the guardian met it; but when it came into his reach, it vanished to all their sights. Then they remembered what had been said some time ago, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (Jas 4:7)

     They went on, as being a little refreshed; but they had not gone far, before Mercy, looking behind her, saw, as she thought, something almost like a lion, and it came quickly after them; and it had a hollow roaring voice; and at every roar that it gave, it made all the Valley echo, and their hearts to ache, except the heart of him that was their guide. So it came up to them; and Mr. Great-heart went behind, and put the Pilgrims all before him. The lion also came quickly, and Mr. Great-heart addressed himself to give him a battle. But when he saw that it was determined that resistance should be made, he also drew back, and came no further. (1Pe 5:8-9)

     Then they went on again, and their guide did go before them, till they came at a place where there was cast up a pit the whole breadth of the way; and, before they could be prepared to go over it, a great mist and darkness fell upon them, so that they could not see. Then the Pilgrims said, Whoa! now what shall we do? But their guide made an answer, Fear not, stand still, and see what will happen to this also. So they stayed there, because their path was damaged. They then also thought that they did hear more apparently the noise and rushing of the enemies; the fire, also, and the smoke of the pit, was much easier to be discerned. [Miserable, uncomfortable walking, with a pit before us, darkness around, yes, within us, and hell seeming to move from beneath to meet us who have been left to the darkness of our nature, the terrors of a fiery Law, the sense of guilt, and the fear of hell! O what an unspeakable mercy, in such a distressing season, to have an Almighty Savior to look to and call upon for safety and Salvation! "For He will hear our cry and save us." (Psa 145:19)] Then Christiana said to Mercy, Now I see what my poor husband went through; I have heard much of this place, but I was never here before now. Poor man, he went here all alone in the night; he had night almost quite through the way; also, these fiends were busy about him, so as to tear him to pieces. Many have spoken of it, but none can tell what the Valley of the Shadow of Death should mean, until they come in it themselves. "The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy." (Pro 14:10) To be here is a fearful thing.

GREAT-HEART. This is like doing business in great waters, or like going down into the deep; this is like being in the heart of the sea, and like going down to the bottoms of the mountains; now it seems as if the earth, with its bars, were about us forever. (Jon 2:4-7) But let them that walk in darkness, and have no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and rely upon their God. (Isa 50:10) For my part, as I have told you already, I have gone often through this Valley, and it was much harder than now, and yet you see I am alive. I would not boast, for I am not mine own savior; but I trust we shall have a good deliverance this time also. Come, let us pray for light to Him that can lighten our darkness, and that can rebuke not only these, but all the demons in the Abyss.

     So they cried and prayed, and God sent light and deliverance, for there was now no force in their way; no not there, but now they were stopped with a pit. Yet they were not through the Valley; so they went on still, and behold great stinks and loathsome smells, that greatly annoyed them. Then Mercy said to Christiana, This is not as pleasant being here, as at the gate, or at the Interpreter's, or at the house where we stayed last.

     O but, said one of the boys, it is not so bad to go through here, as it is to abide here always; and for I know, one reason why we must go this way to the house prepared for us, it is, that our home might be made the sweeter to us.

     Well said, Samuel, said the guide, you have now spoken like a man. Why, if ever I get out of here said the boy, I think I shall prize light and the good way better than I ever did in all my life. Then the guide said, We shall get out by and by.

     So, on they went, and Joseph said, We cannot see to the end of this Valley as yet? Then the guide said, Look to your feet, for you shall presently be among the snares. So they looked to their feet, and went on; but they were greatly troubled with the snares. Now, when they came among the snares, they spotted a man cast into the ditch on the left hand side, with his flesh all ripped open and torn. Then the guide said, That is one Heedless, that was going this way; he has been there a great while. There was one Take-heed with him, when he was taken and slain; but he escaped their hands. You cannot imagine how many are killed here, and yet men are so foolishly venturesome, as to set out lightly on pilgrimage, and to come without a guide. Poor Christian! It was a wonder that he escaped from here; but he was beloved of his God: also, he had a good heart of his own, or else he could never have done it. Now they drew towards the end of the way; and just there where Christian had seen the cave when he went by, out from it came forth Maul, a giant. This Maul does try to spoil young pilgrims with sophistry; (Deception) and he called Great-heart by his name, and said to him, How many times have you been forbidden to do these things? Then Mr. Great-heart said, What things? What things? said the giant; you know what things; but I will put an end to your trade. But please, said Mr. Great-heart, before we fall to it, let us understand why we must fight. Now the women and children stood trembling, and did not know what to do. The giant said, You rob the country, and rob it with the worst of thefts. These are but generals, said Mr. Great-heart; come to particulars, man.

     Then the giant said, You practice the craft of a kidnapper; you gather up women and children, and carry them into a strange country, to the weakening of my master's kingdom. But now Great-heart replied, I am a servant of the God of Heaven; my business is to persuade sinners to repentance; I am Commanded to attempt to turn men, women, and children, "from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God's." (Act 26:18) and if this be indeed the ground of your quarrel, let us fall to it as soon as you are ready.

     Then the giant came up, and Mr. Great-heart went to meet him; and as he went, he drew his sword, but the giant had a club. So without more ado, they fell to it, and at the first blow the giant struck Mr. Great-heart down upon one of his knees; with that the women and children cried out; so Mr. Great-heart recovering himself, came about him in a full aggressive manner, and gave the giant a wound in his arm; thus he fought for the space of an hour, to that height of heat, that the breath came out of the giant's nostrils, as the heat does come out of a boiling caldron.

     Then they sat down to rest them, but Mr. Great-heart gave himself to prayer; also the women and children did nothing but sigh and cry all the time that the battle did last.

     When they had rested, and taken a breather, they both fell to it again, and Mr. Great-heart with a full blow, took the giant down to the ground. No, hold on, and let me recover, he said; so Mr. Great-heart graciously let him get up. So to it they went again, and the giant just missed breaking Mr. Great-heart's skull with his club.

     Mr. Great-heart seeing that, ran to him in the full heat of his spirit, and pierced him under the fifth rib; with that the giant began to faint, and could not hold up his club any longer. Then Mr. Great-heart seconded his blow, and struck the head of the giant from his shoulders. Then the women and children rejoiced, and Mr. Great- heart also praised God, for the deliverance that He had accomplished for them.

     When this was done, they erected a pillar, and fastened the giant's head on it, and wrote underneath it, so that pilgrims passing by might read it:

He that did wear this head, was one
That pilgrims he did misuse;
He stopped their way, he spared none,
But did them all abuse;
Until that I, Great-heart, arose,
The pilgrim's guide to be;
Until that I did him oppose,
That was their enemy.

     Now I saw, that they went to the ascent that was a little way off, cast up to be a prospect for pilgrims; (That was the place from where Christian had the first sight of Faithful his brother) therefore here they sat down, and rested; they also did eat and drink, and make merry, for they had received deliverance from so dangerous an enemy. As they sat and ate, Christiana asked the guide if he had received any hurt in the battle. Then Mr. Great-heart said, No, except a little on my flesh; yet that also shall be far from being to my detriment, that it is at present a proof of my love to my Master and you, and shall be a means, by grace, to increase my reward at the last. (2Co 4:17)

CHRIST. But were you not afraid, good Sir, when you saw him come out with his club?

GREAT-HEART. It is my duty, to distrust my own ability, that I may have reliance on Him that is stronger than all.

CHRIST. But what did you think when he brought you down to the ground at the first blow?

GREAT-HEART. Why, I thought, that my Master Himself was being served, and yet He it was that conquered at the last. (2Co 4:10-11; Rom 8:37)

MATT. You all can think what you please, I think God has been very wonderful to us, both in bringing us out of this Valley, and in delivering us out of the hand of this enemy; for my part, I see no reason, why we should distrust our God any more, since He has now, and in such a place as this, given us such a testimony of His love as this.

     Then they got up and went forward. Now a little before them stood an oak; and under it, they found an old pilgrim fast asleep; they knew that he was a pilgrim by his clothes, and his staff, and his waistband.

     So the guide, Mr. Great-heart, awaked him, and the old gentleman, lifted up his eyes, cried out, What's the matter? Who are you? and what is your business here?

GREAT-HEART. Come, man, be not so fearful, here is none but friends; yet the old man gets up, and stands upon his guard, and wanted to know who they were. My name is Great-heart; I am the guide of these Pilgrims, which are going to the Celestial Country.

HONEST. Then Mr. Honest said, I cry to you mercy; I feared that you had been of the company of those that sometime ago did rob Little-faith of his money; but now I look better about me, I perceive you honest people.

GREAT-HEART. Why, what would, or could you have done, to have helped yourself, if we indeed had been of that company.

HON. Done! why I would have fought as long as breath had been in me; and had I done so, I am sure you could never have given me the worst of it; for a Christian can never be overcome, unless he should yield himself.

GREAT-HEART. Well said, father Honest, said the guide; for by this I know you are a rooster of the right kind, for you have said the Truth.

HON. And by this, also, I know that you know what true pilgrimage is; for all others do think that we are the soonest to be overcome by any.

GREAT-HEART. Well, now we have so happily met, please let me know your name, and the name of the place you came from.

HON. My name I cannot; but I came from the town of Stupidity; it rests about four degrees beyond the City of Destruction.

GREAT-HEART. Oh! are you that countryman, then? I deem I have half a guess of you; your name is Old Honesty, is it not? So the old gentleman blushed, and said, Not Honesty, in the concept, but Honest is my name; and I wish that my nature shall agree to what I am called.

HON. But, Sir, said the old gentleman, how could you guess that I am such a man, since I came from such a place?

GREAT-HEART. I had heard of you before, by my Master; for He knows all things that are done on the earth; but I have often wondered that any should come from your place, for your town is worse than is the City of Destruction itself.

HON. Yes, we lie more off from the sun, and so are more cold and senseless; but was a man in a mountain of ice, yet if the Sun of Righteousness will arise upon him, his frozen heart shall feel a thaw; and thus it hath been with me.

GREAT-HEART. I believe it, father Honest, I believe it; for I know this is true.

     Then the old gentleman saluted all the Pilgrims with a holy kiss of charity; and asked them of their names, and how they had fared since they set out on their pilgrimage.

CHRIST. Then Christiana said, My name, I suppose you have heard of; good Christian was my husband, and these four were his children. But can you think how the old gentleman was taken, when she told him who she was! He skipped, he smiled, and blessed them with a thousand good wishes, saying:

HON. I have heard much of your husband, and of his travels and wars, which he underwent in his days. Be it spoken to your comfort, the name of your husband rings over all these parts of the world: his faith, his courage, his enduring, and his sincerity under all, has made his name famous. Then he turned to the boys, and asked them of their names, which they told him. And then he said to them: Matthew, be you like Matthew the publican, not in vice, but in virtue. (Mat 10:3) Samuel, are you like Samuel the prophet, a man of faith and prayer. (Psa 99:6) Joseph, are you like Joseph in Potiphar's house, chaste, and one that flees from temptation. (Gen 39:10) And James, are you like James the Just, and like James the brother of our Lord. (Act 1:13-14) Then they told him of Mercy, and how she had left her town and her kindred to come along with Christiana and with her sons. At that the old honest man said, Mercy is your name; by Mercy shall you be sustained, and carried through all those difficulties that shall assault you in thy way, till you shall come there, where you shall look the Fountain of Mercy in the face with comfort.

     All this while the guide, Mr. Great-heart, was very pleased, and smiled upon his companion.

     Now, as they walked along together, the guide asked the old gentleman, if he did not know one Mr. Fearing, that came on pilgrimage out of his parts?

HON. Yes, very well. He was a man that had the root of the matter in him; but he was one of the most troublesome pilgrims that I ever met in all my days.

GREAT-HEART. I perceive you knew him; for you have given a very accurate description of him.

HON. Knew him! I was a great companion of his; I was with him most; when he first began to think of what would come upon us hereafter, I was with him.

GREAT-HEART. I was his guide from my Master's house to the gates of the Celestial City.

HON. Then you knew him to be a troublesome one.

GREAT-HEART. I did so, but I could very well bear it; for men of my calling are oftentimes entrusted with the conduct of such as he was.

HON. Well then, pray let us hear a little of him, and how he managed himself under your conduct.

GREAT-HEART. Why, he was always afraid that he should come short of where he had a desire to go. Everything he heard anybody speak of, frightened him, anything that had the least appearance of opposition to it. I hear that he laid roaring at the Slough of Despond for about a month; and he saw several go over before him, venture, though they did, many of them offered to lend him their hand. But he would not dare to go back to his home city. The Celestial City, he said, he should die if he could not reach it; and yet was dejected at every difficulty, and stumbled at every straw that anybody cast in his way. Well, after he had lain at the Slough of Despond a great while, as I have told you, one sunshine morning, I do not know how, he ventured, and so got over; but when he was over, he would scarce believe it. I think he had a Slough of Despond in his mind; a slough that he carried everywhere with him, or else he could never have been as he was. So he came up to the gate, you know what I mean, that stands at the head of this way; and there also he stood a good while, before he would venture to knock. When the gate was opened, he would stay back, and give place to others, and say that he was not worthy. For he came before some to the gate, yet many of them went in before him. There the poor man would stand, shaking and shrinking. I dare say, it would have pitied one's heart to have seen him; nor would he go back. At last, he took the hammer that hanged on the gate in his hand, and gave a small rap or two; then One opened to him, but he shrank back as before. He that opened stepped out after him, and said, You trembling one, what do you want? With that he fell down to the ground. He that spoke to him wondered to see him so faint. So he said to him, Peace be to you; up, for I have opened the door to you. Come in, for you art blessed. With that he got up, and went in trembling; and when he was in, he was ashamed to show his face. Well, after he had been entertained there a while, as you know how the manner is, he was bid go on his way, and also told the way he should take. So he kept moving till he came to our house. But as he behaved himself at the gate, so he did at my Master, the Interpreter's door. He lay there in the cold a good while, before he would venture to call; yet he would not go back, and the nights were long and cold then. No, he had a note of necessity in his bosom for my Master, to receive him and grant him the comfort of His house, and also to allow him a stout and valiant guardian, because he was himself so chicken-hearted a man; and yet, for all that, he was afraid to call at the door. So he lay up and down there, till, poor man! he was almost starved. Yes, so great was his dejection, that though he saw several others, knocking and get in, yet he was afraid to venture. At last, I think, I looked out of the window, and perceiving a man to be up and down about the door, I went out to him, and asked who he was; but, poor man! the water stood in his eyes; so I perceived what he wanted. I went, therefore, and told about him to the house, and we showed this to our Lord. So He sent me out again, to entreat him to come in; but, I dare say, It was had hard work to do it. At last he came in; and I will say that for my Lord, He carried it wonderfully lovingly to him. There were but a few good bits at the table, but some of it was laid upon his platter. Then he presented the note, and my Lord looked at it, and said his desire should he granted. So, when he had been there a good while, he seemed to get some heart, and to be a little more comfortable; for my Master, you must know, is one of very tender mercies, especially to them that are afraid; wherefore He carried it so towards him, as might tend most to his encouragement. Well, when he had a sight of the things of the place, and was ready to take his journey to go to the city, my Lord, as He did to Christian before, gave him a bottle of spirits, and some comfortable things to eat. Thus we set out, and I went before him; but the man said a few words only, and he would sigh aloud.

     When we came to where the three fellows were hanged, he said that he doubted that this would be his end also. Only he seemed glad when he saw the Cross and the Sepulcher. There, I confess, he desired to stay a little to look, and he seemed to be a little cheery for a while. When we came at the Hill Difficulty, he had no problem with that, nor did he much fear the lions; for you must know that his trouble was not about such things as those; his fear was about his acceptance at the end.

I got him in at the House Beautiful, I think, even before he was willing. Also, when he was in, I brought him in to be acquainted with the damsels that were of the place; but he was ashamed to make himself much for company. He desired much to be alone, yet he always loved good talk, and often would get behind the screen to hear. He also loved much to see ancient things, and to be pondering them in his mind. He told me afterwards that he loved to be in those two houses from which he came from earlier, namely, at the gate, and that of the Interpreter, but he dared not to be as bold to say so.

     When we went also from the House Beautiful, he went down the hill, into the Valley of Humiliation, he went down as well as ever I saw a man in my life; for he did not care how of low degree he was, so he might he happy at last. Yes, I think, there was a kind of a sympathy between that valley and himself; for I never saw him better in all his pilgrimage than when he was in that valley.

     Here he would lie down, embrace the ground, and kiss the very flowers that grew in this valley. (Lam 3:27-29) He would be up every morning by the break of day, observing and walking back and forth in the valley.

     But when he came to the entrance of the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I thought I should have lost my man; not for that he had any inclination to go back; that he always abhorred; but he was ready to die for fear. Oh! the demons will have me! the demons will have me! He cried; and I could not get it out of him. He made such a noise, and such an outcry here, that, had they but heard him, it was enough to encourage them to come and fall upon us.

     But this I took very great notice of, that this valley was as quiet while he went through it, as ever I knew it before or since. I suppose these enemies here had now a special check from our Lord, and a Command not to meddle until Mr. Fearing passed over it.

     It would be too tedious to tell you of all. We will, therefore, only mention a passage or two more. When he came to Vanity Fair, I thought he would have fought with all the men at the fair. I feared we should both have been knocked on the head, so angry was he against their fooleries. Upon the Enchanted Ground, he was also very wakeful. But when he came to the river, where there was no bridge, there again he was in a heavy case. Now, now, he said, he should be drowned forever, and so never see that Face with comfort that he had come so many miles to behold.

     And here, also, I took notice of what was very remarkable; the water of that river was lower at this time than ever I saw it in all my life. So he went over at last, not much above the knee. When he was going up to the gate, I began to take his leave of him, and to wish him a good reception above. So he said, I shall, I shall. Then we parted asunder, and I saw him no more.

HON. Then, it seems, he was well at last.

GREAT-HEART. Yes, yes; I never had doubt about him; he was a man of a choice spirit, only he was always kept very low, and that made his life so burdensome to himself, and so troublesome to others. (Psa 88:1-18) He was, above many others tender of sin. He was so afraid of doing injuries to others, that he often would deny himself of that which was Lawful, because he would not want to offend. (Rom 14:21; 1Co 8:13)

HON. But what should be the reason that such a good man should be all his days so much in the dark?

GREAT-HEART. There are two sorts of reasons for it: One is, the wise God will have it so; some must play the flute, and some must weep. (Mat 11:16-18) Now Mr. Fearing was one that played upon this bass; he and his fellows sound the trombone, whose notes are more doleful than the notes of other music; though, indeed, some say the bass is the ground of music. And, for my part, I care not at all for that profession that begins not in heaviness of mind. The first string that the musician usually touches is the bass, when he intends to put all in tune. God also plays upon this string first, when he sets the soul in tune for Himself. Only here was the imperfection of Mr. Fearing, he could play upon no other music but this, until towards his latter end.

     I make bold to talk thus metaphorically, for the ripening of the wits of young readers; and because, in the book of the Revelations, the saved are compared to a company of musicians that play upon their trumpets and harps, and sing their songs before the throne. (Rev 8:2; Rev 14:2-3)

HON. He was a very zealous man, as one may see by the reaction he had to the difficulties, the lions, and Vanity Fair, for he did not fear them at all. It was only sin, death, and hell that was a terror to him, because he had some doubts about his place in that celestial country.

GREAT-HEART. You are right. Those were the things that were his troublers, and they, as you have well observed, arose from the weakness of his mind about them, not from weakness of spirit as to the practical part of a pilgrim's life. I dare believe that, as the proverb is, "he could have bit a firebrand, had it stood in his way"; but the things with which he was oppressed, no man could ever shake off with ease.

CHRIST. Then Christiana said, This testimony of Mr. Fearing has done me good. I thought nobody had been like me; but I see there was some likeness between this good man and I; only we differed in two things: His troubles were so great, they broke out ; but mine I kept within. His, also, lay so hard upon him, that he could not knock at the houses provided for blessings; but my trouble was always such as made me knock the louder.

MERCY. If I might also speak my heart, I must say, that something of him has also dwelt in me; for I have not been more afraid of the lake, and the loss of a place in Paradise, than I have been of the loss of other things. O, I thought if I could have the happiness of a habitation there, it is enough, though I part with all the world to win it!

MATT. Then Matthew said, Fear was one thing that made me think that I was far from having that within me that accompanies Salvation; but if it were so with such a good man as he, why may it not also go well with me?

JAMES. No fears, no grace, said James. Though there is not always grace where there is the fear of hell, yet, to be sure, there is no grace where there is no fear of God. [Hatred of sin can only arise from the love of God. In vain do men think of deterring others from sin, or driving them to duty by terrors, or low requirements. The strong man armed will keep his palace, until a stronger than he comes and takes away from him the armor in which he trusted. But in this they err, not knowing the Scriptures, which set forth love as the constraining motive to true obedience]

GREAT-HEART. Well said, James, you have hit the mark; for the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; and, to be sure, they that lack the beginning, have neither middle nor end. But we will here conclude our discourse of Mr. Fearing, after we have sent after him this farewell.

Well, Master Fearing, thou didst fear
Thy God, and was afraid
Of doing anything, while here,
That would have thee betrayed.
And didst thou fear the lake and pit?
Would others did so too!
For, as for them that want thy wit,
They do themselves undo.

     Now I saw, that they still went on in their talk; for after Mr. Great- heart had made an end with Mr. Fearing, Mr. Honest began to tell them of another, but his name was Mr. Self-will. He pretended himself to be a pilgrim, said Mr. Honest; but I persuade myself he never came in at the gate that stands at the head of the way.

GREAT-HEART. Did you ever talk with him about it?

HON. Yes, more than once or twice; but he would always be like himself, self-willed. He neither cared for man, nor argument, nor even example; what his mind prompted him to do, that he would do, and nothing else could or would he do.

GREAT-HEART. Pray, what principles did he hold? for I suppose you can tell.

HON. He held, that a man might follow the vices as well as the virtues of the pilgrims; and that if he did both, he should be certainly saved.

GREAT-HEART. How! if he had said, It is possible for the heart to be guilty of the vices, as well as to partake of the virtues of pilgrims, he could not much have been blamed; for indeed we are exempted from no vice absolutely, but on condition that we watch and strive. (1Co 15:34; 1Ti 5:20; Heb 10:26-31) But this, I perceive, is not the thing; but if I understand you correctly, your meaning is, that he was of that opinion, that it was allowable to be so.

HON. Yes, yes, that is what I meant; and so he believed and practiced.

GREAT-HEART. But what ground had he for his so saying?

HON. Why, he said he had the Scripture for his warrant.

GREAT-HEART. Please, Mr. Honest, present us with a few details.

HON. So I will. He said, Having relations with other men's wives, had been practiced by David, God's beloved; and therefore he could do it. He said, To have more women than one, was a thing that Solomon practiced; and therefore he could do it. He said, That Sarah and the godly midwives of Egypt lied, and so did saved Rahab; and therefore he could do it. He said, That the disciples went at the bidding of their Master, and took away the owner's ass; and therefore he could do so too. He said, That Jacob got the inheritance of his father in a way of guile and deception; and therefore he could do so too.

GREAT-HEART. Highly base! indeed. And you are sure he was of this opinion?

HON. I have heard him plead for it, bring Scripture for it, bring argument for it, etc.

GREAT-HEART. An opinion that is not fit to be with any allowance in the world.

HON. You must understand me rightly. He did not say that any man might do this; but that those that had the virtues of those that did such things, might also do the same.

GREAT-HEART. But what more false than such a conclusion? for this is as much as to say, that because good men until now have sinned of infirmity, therefore he had allowance to do it of a presumptuous mind; or if, because a child by the blast of the wind, or for that it stumbled at a stone, fell down, and defiled itself in mire, therefore he might willfully lie down and wallow in it like a boar. Who could have thought that anyone could so far have been blinded by the power of lust? But what is written must be true: They "for they stumble because they are disobedient to the Word, and to this doom they were also appointed." (1Pe 2:8)

     His supposing that such may have the godly men's virtues, who addict themselves to their vices, is also a delusion as strong as the other. It is just as if the dog should say, I have, or may have, the qualities of the child, because I lick up its stinking excrements. To eat up the sin of God's people, is no sign of one that is possessed with their virtues. (Hos 4:8) Nor can I believe, that one that is of this opinion, can at present have faith or love in him. But I know you have made strong objections against him; please, what can he say for himself?

HON. Why, he says, To do this by way of opinion, seems abundantly more honest, than to do it, and yet hold contrary to it in opinion.

GREAT-HEART. A very wicked answer; for though to let loose the bridle to lusts, while our opinions are against such things, is bad; yet, to sin, and plead a toleration so to do, is worse. The one stumbles beholders accidentally, the other pleads them into the snare.

HON. There are many of this man's mind, that have not this man's mouth; and that makes going on pilgrimage of so little esteem as it is.

GREAT-HEART. You have said the truth, and it is to be lamented; but he that fears the King of Paradise, shall come out of them all.

CHRIST. There are strange opinions in the world; I know one that said, There will be time enough to repent when they come to die.

GREAT-HEART. Such are not to wise. That man would have been reluctant, might he have had a week to run twenty miles for his life, to have postponed that journey to the last hour of that week.

HON. You are right; and yet the majority of them, that count themselves pilgrims, do indeed do so. I am, as you see, an old man, and have been a traveler in this road many days; and I have taken notice of many things.

I have seen some that have set out as if they would drive all the world before them, who yet have, in few days, died as they in the wilderness, and so never got sight of the promised land.

I have seen some that have promised nothing, at first setting out to be pilgrims, and that one would have thought could not have lived a day, that yet had proved very good pilgrims.

I have seen some who have run hastily forward, that again have, after a little time, run as fast just back again.

I have seen some who have spoken very well of a pilgrim's life at first, that, after a while, have spoken as much against it.

I have heard some, when they first set out for Paradise, say positively there is such a place; who when they have been almost there, have come back again, and said there is none.

I have heard some boast what they would do, in case they should be opposed, that have, even at a false alarm, fled from faith, the pilgrim's way, and all.

     Now, as they were thus on their way, there came one running to meet them, and the Gentlemen said, and if you are of the weaker sort, and if you love life, alter your course, for the robbers are before you.

GREAT-HEART. Then Mr. Great-heart said, They are the three that came upon Little-faith before. Well, we are ready for them; so they went on their way. Now, they looked at every turning, when they should have met with the villains; but whether they heard of Mr. Great-heart, or whether they had some other game, they did not come up to the Pilgrims.

ARE INTERTAINED AT THE HOUSE OF GAIUS

     Christiana then wished for an inn for herself and her children, because they were weary. Then Mr. Honest said, There is one a little before us, where a very honorable disciple, one Gaius, dwells. (Rom 16:23) So they all concluded to turn in there, because the old gentleman gave him such a good report. So when they came to the door, they went in, not knocking, for folks use not to knock at the door of an inn. Then they called for the master of the house, and he came to them. So they asked if they might stay at his inn.

GAIUS. Yes, gentlemen, if you be true men, for my house is for none but pilgrims. Then Christiana, Mercy, and the boys, were the more glad, for that the Inn-keeper was a lover of pilgrims. So they called for rooms, and he showed them one for Christiana and her children, and Mercy, and another for Mr. Great-heart and the old gentleman.

GREAT-HEART. Then Mr. Great-heart said, Good Gaius, what do you have for supper? for these pilgrims have come far today, and are weary.

GAIUS. It is late, said Gaius, so we cannot conveniently go out to seek food; but such as we have, you shall be welcome to, if that will do.

GREAT-HEART. We will be content with what you have in the house; because I have proved you, and you are never destitute of that which is favorable.

     Then he went down and spoke to the cook, whose name was Taste-that-which-is-good, to get ready supper for so many pilgrims. This done, he comes up again, saying, Come, my good friends, you are welcome to me, and I am glad that I have a house to entertain you; and while supper is making ready, if you please, let us entertain one another with some good discourse. So they all said, that would be great.

GAIUS. Then Gaius said, Whose wife is this aged matron? and whose daughter is this young damsel.

GREAT-HEART. The woman is the wife of one Christian, a Pilgrim of former times; and these are his four children. The maid is one of her acquaintances; one that she has persuaded to come with her on the pilgrimage. The boys take all after their father, and desire to tread in his steps; yes, if they do but see any place where the old Pilgrim has lain, or any print of his foot, it works joy to their hearts, and they desire to stay or tread in the same way.

GAIUS. Then Gaius said, Is this Christian's wife? and are these Christian's children? I knew your husband's father, yes, also his father's father. Many have been good of this stock; their ancestors dwelt first at Antioch. (Act 11:26) Christian's ancestors, (I suppose you have heard your husband talk of them) were very worthy men. They have, above any that I know, showed themselves men of great virtue and courage, for the Lord of the Pilgrims, His ways, and them that loved Him. I have heard of many of your husband's relations, that have stood all trials for the sake of the Truth. Stephen, that was one of the first of the family from where your husband sprang, was knocked on the head with stones. (Act 7:59-60) James, another of this generation, was slain with the edge of the sword. (Act 12:2) To say nothing of Paul and Peter, men anciently of the family from where your husband came, there was Ignatius, who was cast to the lions; Romanus, whose flesh was cut by pieces from his bones, and Polycarp, that played the man in the fire. There was he that was hanged up in a basket in the sun, for the wasps to eat; and he who they put into a sack, and cast him into the sea to be drowned. It would be utterly impossible to count up all of that family that have suffered injuries and death, for the love of a pilgrim's life. Nor can I but be glad, to see that your husband has left behind him four boys such as these. I hope they will bear up their father's name, and tread in their father's steps, and come to their father's end.

GREAT-HEART. Indeed, Sir, they are convinced lads; they seem to choose heartily for their father's ways.

GAIUS. It is true what I said; therefore Christian's family is still to spread abroad upon the face of the ground, and yet to be numerous upon the face of the earth; therefore, let Christiana look out to find some damsels for her sons, to whom they may be betrothed, etc., that the name of their father and the house of his ancestors may never be forgotten in the world.

HON. It is a pity if this family should fall and be extinct.

GAIUS. Fall it cannot, but be diminished it may; but let Christiana take my advice, and that is the way to uphold it.

     And the Innkeeper said to Christiana, I am glad to see you and your friend Mercy together here, a lovely couple. And may I advise you, take Mercy into a nearer relation to yourself; if she will, let her be given to Matthew, thy eldest son; it is the way to preserve for you a posterity in the earth. So this match was concluded, and in process of time they were married; but more on that hereafter.

     Gaius also proceeded, and said, I will now speak on behalf of the women, to take away their reproach. For as death and the curse came into the world by a woman, (Gen 3:6) so also did life and health: "God sent forth His Son, born of a woman." (Gal 4:4) Yes, to show how much those that came after, did want the act of the mother, this sex, in the Old Testament, coveted children, if happily this or that woman might be the mother of the Savior of the world.

     I will say again, that when the Savior had come into the world, women rejoiced in Him before men and angels. (Luk 2:37-38) I did not read, that ever any man did give to Christ so much as one coin; but the women followed Him, and ministered to Him of their substance. (Luk 8:2-3) It was a woman that washed His feet with tears, and a woman that anointed His body for burial. (Luk 7:37, Luk 7:50; Joh 11:2; Joh 12:3) They were women that wept, when He was going to the Cross, and women that followed Him from the Cross, and that sat by His sepulcher, when he was buried. (Luk 23:27; Mat 27:55, Mat 27:56, Mat 27:61) They were women that were first with Him at His resurrection morning; and women that brought tidings first to His disciples, that He was risen from the dead (Luk 24:22-23) Women, therefore, are highly favored, and show by these things that they are sharers with us in the grace of life.

     Now the cook sent up to signify that supper was almost ready, and sent one to lay the cloth, the platters, and to set the salt and bread in order.

     Then Matthew said, The sight of this cloth, and of this forerunner of the supper, generates in me a greater appetite to my food than I had before.

GAIUS. So let all ministering Doctrines given to you, in this life, generate in you a greater desire to sit at the supper of the great King in His kingdom; for all preaching, books, and ordinances here, are but as the laying of the platters, and as setting of salt upon the table, when compared with the feast that our Lord will make for us when we come to His house.

     So supper came up; and first, a heave-shoulder, and a wave- breast, (Lev 7:32-34; Lev 10:14-15) were set on the table before them, to show that they must begin their meal with prayer and praise to God. (Psa 25:1; Heb 13:15) The heave-shoulder, David lifted his heart up to God with; and with the wave-breast, where his heart lay, with that he used to lean upon his harp when he played. These two dishes were very fresh and good, and they all eat heartily of them.

     The next item they brought up, was a bottle of wine, red as blood. (Deut 32:14) So Gaius said to them, Drink freely; this is the juice of the true vine, that makes glad the heart of God and man. (Jdg 9:13; Joh 15:1) So they drank and were merry.

     The next was a dish of milk well crumbed; but Gaius said, Let the boys have that, that they may grow thereby. (1Pe 2:1-2)

     Then they brought up in course a dish of butter and honey. Then said Gaius, Eat freely of this; for this is good to cheer up, and strengthen your judgments and understandings. This was our Lord's dish when He was a child: "He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good." (Isa 7:15)

     Then they brought them up a dish of apples, and they were very good tasted fruit. Then Matthew said, May we eat apples, since they were such, by, and with which, the serpent beguiled our first mother?

Then said Gaius-

Apples were they with which we were beguiled
Yet sin, not apples, hath our souls defiled.
Apples forbid, if eat, corrupt the blood;
To eat such, when commanded, does us good.
Drink of His flagons, then, thou church, His dove,
And eat His apples, who are sick of love.

     Then Matthew said, I made the comment, because awhile ago I was made sick by eating that fruit.

GAIUS. Forbidden fruit will make you sick but not what our Lord has allowed.

     While they were thus talking, they were presented with another dish, and it was a dish of nuts. (Song 6:11) Then some at the table said, Nuts spoil tender teeth, especially the teeth of children; which when Gaius heard this, he said:

Hard texts are nuts, (I will not call them cheaters)
Whose shells do keep their kernels from the eaters.
Open then the shells, and you shall have the meat;
They here are brought for you to crack and eat.

     Then they were very merry, and sat at the table a long time, talking of many things. Then the old gentleman said, My good landlord, while we are cracking nuts, if you please, do open this riddle:

A man there was though some did count him mad,
The more he cast away, the more he had.

     Then they all gave good heed, wondering what good Gaius would say; so he sat still awhile, and then thus replied:

He that bestows his goods upon the poor,
Shall have as much again, and ten times more.

     Then Joseph said, I dare say, Sir, I did not think you could have found it out.

     Oh! said Gaius, I have been trained up in this way a great while; nothing teaches like experience; I have learned of my Lord to be kind; and have found by experience, that I have gained thereby. "There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want." (Pro 11:24) "There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth." (Pro 13:7)

     Then Samuel whispered to Christiana, his mother, and said, Mother, this is a very good man's house, let us stay here a good while, and let my brother Matthew be married here to Mercy, before we go any further. [Here is a genuine discovery of a gracious heart; when it is delighted with spiritual company and conversation, and longs for its continuance. Is it so with you?]

    The which Gaius the host overhearing, said, With a very good will, my child.

     So they stayed there more than a month, and Mercy was given to Matthew to wife.

     While they stayed here, Mercy, as her custom was, would be making coats and garments to give to the poor, by which she brought up a very good report upon the Pilgrims.

     But to return again to our story. After supper the lads desired a bed; for that they were weary with travelling: then Gaius called to show them their chamber; but said Mercy, I will have them to bed. So she had them to bed, and they slept well; but the rest sat up all night; because Gaius and they were such suitable company, that they could not tell how to part. Then after much talk of their Lord, themselves, and their journey, old Mr. Honest, he that put forth the riddle to Gaius, began to nod. Then Great-heart said, What, Sir, you begin to be drowsy; come, get up; now here is a riddle for you. Then Mr. Honest said, Let us hear it.

     Then Mr. Great-heart said:

He that will rule, must first be overcome,
He who would live abroad, must first die at home.

     Ha! said Mr. Honest, it is a hard one, hard to expound, and harder to practice. But come, landlord, I will, if you please, leave my part to you; do expound on it, and I will hear what you say.

     No, said Gaius, it was put to you, and it is expected that you should answer it.

Then the old gentleman said:

He first by grace must conquered be,
That sin would die;
And who, that lives, would convince me,
Unto himself must die.

[O, this dying to self, to self-righteous pride, vain confidence, self-love, and self-complacency, is hard work to the old man; yes, it is both unworkable and impossible to him. It is only grace that can conquer and subdue him; and where grace reigns, this work is carried on day by day. And yet the old man of sin, and self- righteousness, still lives in us]

     It is right, said Gaius; good Doctrine and experience teaches us this. For, first, until grace displays itself, and overcomes the soul with its glory, it is altogether without heart to oppose sin; besides if sin and the sin nature is Satan's cords, by which the soul lies bound, how should it make resistance, until it is loosed from that infirmity?

     Secondly, nor will any, that knows either reason or grace, can believe that such a man can be a living monument of grace that is a slave to his own corruptions. (Old sin nature)

     And now as it comes into my mind, I will tell you a story worth the hearing. There were two men that went on the pilgrimage; the one began when he was young, the other when he was old. The young man had strong corruptions to grapple with; the old man's were decayed with the decays of nature. The young man traveled the same steps as the old one did, and was every bit as light as he. Who now, or which of them, had their graces shining clearest, since both seemed to be alike

HON. The young man's, no doubt. For that which heads against the greatest opposition, gives the best demonstration; especially when it also holds pace with the one that meets not with half as much opposition.

     Besides, I have observed that old men have blessed themselves with this mistake, namely, taking the decays of nature for a gracious conquest over corruptions, and so have been apt to beguile themselves. Indeed, old men that are gracious, are best able to give advice to them that are young, because they have seen most of the emptiness of things. But yet, for an old and a young man to set out both together, the young one has the advantage of the fairest discovery of a work of grace within him, though the old man's corruptions are naturally the weakest.

     Thus they sat talking till the break of day. Now, when the family was up, Christiana bid her son James that he should read a chapter; so he read the fifty-third of Isaiah. When he was done, Mr. Honest asked, why was this written of the Savior; "And like a root out of parched ground;" and also, that "He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him?"

GREAT-HEART. Then Mr. Great-heart said, To the first, I have an answer, Because at the time of the Jews, of which Christ came, they had lost almost all the sap and spirit of the Spiritual life. To the second, I say, The words are spoken to the person of the carnal believers and unbelievers, who, because they lack the eye that can see into our Prince's heart, therefore they judge of Him by the normality of His outside appearance. Just like those that do not know that precious stones are covered over with a plain crust; who, when they have found one, because they do not know what they have found, cast it away again, as men do a common stone.

     Well, said Gaius, since you are here; and as I know, Mr. Great-heart is good at his weapons; if you please, after we have refreshed ourselves, we will walk into the fields, to see if we can do any good. [The refreshment of Divine consolations, and Christian fellowship, are intended to prepare us for vigorously maintaining the good fight of faith; not only against the enemies of our own souls, but also against the opposers of our most holy calling. We are soldiers, and should unite together under the Captain of our Salvation, to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, by every method authorized by the Word of God; nor must we shrink from danger and insult in so good a cause] About a mile from here, there is one Slay-good, a giant that does much to annoy the King's highway in these parts; and I know whereabouts his haunt is. He is master of a number of thieves; it would be well if we could clear these parts of him.

     So they consented, and went along; Mr. Great-heart with his sword, helmet, and shield, and the rest with spears and staffs.

     When they came to the place where he was, they found Slay-good, with one Feeble-mind in his hands, whom his servants had brought to him, having taken him in the way. Now the giant was plundering him, and after that, to pick his flesh and bones, for he was of the nature of flesh-eaters.

     Well, as soon as he saw Mr. Great-heart and his friends at the mouth of his cave with their weapons, he demanded what they wanted.

GREAT-HEART. We want you; for we have come to revenge the  many pilgrims that you have slain, when you dragged them out of the King's highway; therefore, come out of your cave. So he armed himself and came out; and to a battle they went, and fought for above an hour, and then stood still to take a break.

SLAY. Then the giant said, Why are you here on my ground?

GREAT-HEART. To revenge the blood of pilgrims, as I also told you before. So they went to it again, and the giant made Mr. Great- heart give way; but he came up again, and, in the greatness of his mind, he let fly with such strength at the giant's head and sides, that he made him let his weapon fall out of his hand; so he struck him, and slew him, and cut off his head, and brought it away to the inn. He also took Feeble-mind, the pilgrim, and brought him to the lodgings. When they came home, they showed his head to the family, and then set it up, as they had done to others before, for a terror to those that shall attempt to do as he did.

     Then they asked Mr. Feeble-mind how he fell into his hands?

FEEBLE-MIND. Then the poor man said, I am a sickly man, as you see; and, because death did usually once a day knock at my door, I thought I should never be well at home; so I took myself to the pilgrim's life, and have traveled here from the town of Uncertain, where I and my father were born. I am a man of no strength at all; of body, nor yet of mind; but would, if I could, though now I can only crawl, spend my life walking in the pilgrim's way. When I came in at the gate that is at the head of the way, the Lord of that place did receive me freely; neither did he object against my weakly looks, nor against my feeble mind; but gave me such things that were necessary for my journey, and bid me to hope to the end. When I came to the house of the Interpreter, I received much kindness there; and because the Hill Difficulty was judged too hard for me, I was carried up that by one of His servants. Indeed, I have found much relief from pilgrims, though none were willing to go so slowly as I am forced to do; yet still, as they came on, they bid me be of good cheer, and said that it was the will of their Lord that comfort should be given to the feeble-minded, and so they went on their own pace. (1Th 5:14) When I came up to Assault Lane, then this giant met with me, and bid me prepare for an encounter; but, alas! feeble one that I was, I had more need of a alcoholic beverage. So he came up and took me. I thought he should not kill me. Also, when he had taken me into his den, since I went not with him willingly, I believed I should come out alive again; for I have heard, that not any pilgrim that is taken captive by violent hands, if he keeps heart-whole towards his Master, is, by the Laws of Providence, to die by the hand of the enemy. Robbed I looked to be, and robbed to be sure I am; but I am, as you see, escaped with life; for the which I thank my King as author, and you as the means. Other problems I also look for; but this I have resolved on, namely, to run when I can, to go when I cannot run, and to creep when I cannot go. As to the main point, I thank Him that loves me, I am fixed. My way is before me, my mind is beyond the river that has no bridge, though I am, as you see, but of a feeble mind.

HON. Then old Mr. Honest said, Have you not, some time ago, been acquainted with one Mr. Fearing, a pilgrim.

FEEBLE. Acquainted with him! Yes; he came from the town of Stupidity, which rests four degrees to the north of the City of Destruction, and a few miles from where I was born; yet we were well acquainted, for, indeed, he was my uncle, my father's brother. He and I have been much of the same temper. He was a little shorter than I, but yet we were also much of the same complexion.

HON. I perceive you know him; and I am apt to believe also, that you were related to one another; for you have his whitely look, a cast like his with your eye, and your speech is much alike.

FEEBLE. Most have said so, that have known us both; and besides, what I have read in him, I have, for the most part, found in myself.

GAIUS. Come, Sir, said good Gaius, be of good cheer, you are welcome to me, and to my house, and what you have a mind to, call for freely; and what you would have my servants do for you, they will do it with a ready mind.

     Then Mr. Feeble-mind said, This is unexpected favor, and as the sun shining out of a very dark cloud. Did Giant Slay-good intend to keep me from this favor when he stopped me, and resolved not to let me go any further? Did he intend, that after he had rifled my pockets, that I should go to Gaius, mine host? Yet so it is. [O how sweet to reflect, that the most gigantic enemies shall be conquered, and their most malicious designs to be overruled for our good; yes, what they intend for our ruin shall be made to work for our health and prosperity]

     Now, just as Mr. Feeble-mind and Gaius were talking, there came one running, and stopped at the door, and told us that, about a mile and a half off, there was one Mr. Not-right, a pilgrim, struck dead upon the place where he was with a thunder-bolt.

FEEBLE. Alas! said Mr. Feeble-mind, is he slain? He overtook me some days before I came as far as here, and would be my company-keeper. He also was with me when Slay-good, the giant, took me; but he was nimble of his heels, and escaped. But, it seems, he escaped to die, and I was taken to live.

What, one would think, does seek to slay outright,
oftentimes delivers from the saddest plight.
That very providence, whose face is death,
Does oftentimes to the lowly life bequeath.
I was taken, he did escape and flee;
Hands cross'd gives death to him, and life to me.

     Now, about this time, Matthew and Mercy were married. Also Gaius gave his daughter Phoebe to James; Matthew's brother, to wife; after which time they yet stayed above ten days at Gaius' house, spending their time, and the seasons, like as pilgrims used to do.

     When they were to depart, Gaius made them a feast, and they did eat and drink, and were merry. Now the hour came that they must be going; therefore, Mr. Great-heart called for a reckoning; but Gaius told him, that at his house it was not the custom for pilgrims to pay for their entertainment. He boarded them by the year, but looked for his pay from the good Samaritan, who had Promised him, at his return, whatsoever the cost He would faithfully to repay him. (Luk 10:33-35) Then Mr. Great-heart said to him:

GREAT-HEART. "Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God." (3Jn 1:5-6)

     Then Gaius took his leave of them all, and of his children, and particularly of Mr. Feeble-mind. He also gave him something to drink by the way.

     Now Mr. Feeble-mind, when they were going out of the door, made as if he intended to linger; the which when Mr. Great-heart spotted it, he said, Come, Mr. Feeble-Mind, please do go along with us, I will be your guardian, and you shall fare as the rest.

FEEBLE. Alas! I want a suitable companion; you are all hearty and strong; but I, as you see, am weak; I choose, therefore, rather to come behind, lest, by reason of my many infirmities, I should be both a burden to myself and to you. I am, as I said, a man of a weak and feeble mind, and shall be offended and made weak at that which others can bear. I shall like no laughing; I shall like no gay attire; I shall like no unprofitable questions. No, I am so weak a man, as to be offended with that which others have liberty to do. I do not yet know all the Truth; I am a very ignorant Christian man; sometimes, if I hear some rejoice in the Lord, it troubles me, because I can not do so too. It is with me, as it is with a weak man among the strong, or as with a sick man among the healthy, or as a lamp despised ("He that is ready to slip with his feet, is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease." (Job 12:5; KJV) So that I know not what to do.

GREAT-HEART. But, brother, said. Mr. Great-heart, I have it in commission to "comfort the feeble-minded," and to "support the weak." (1Th 5:14) You need go along with us; we will wait for you; we will lend you our help; (Rom 14:1) we will deny ourselves of some things, both opinionative and practical, for your sake, (1Co 8:1) we will not enter into doubtful debates before you; we will be made all things to you, rather than you shall be left behind. (1Co 9:22)

     Now all this while they were at Gaius' door; and behold, as they were in the heat of their discourse, Mr. Ready-to-halt came by, with his crutches (Promises) in his hand; (Psa 38:17) and he also was going on the pilgrimage.

FEEBLE. Then Mr. Feeble-mind said to him, Man, How did you get here? I was but just now complaining, that I had not a suitable companion, but you are according to my wish. Welcome, welcome, good Mr. Ready-to-halt, I hope you and I may be some help to each other.

READY-TO-HALT. I shall be glad of your company and good Mr. Feeble-mind, rather than let us part, since we have so happily met each other, I will lend you one of my crutches.

FEEBLE. No, he said, though I thank you for your goodwill, I am not inclined to halt, I am lame. Howbeit, I think, when occasion is, it may help me against a dog.

READY. If either myself or my crutches can do you a pleasure, we are both at your command, good Mr. Feeble-mind.

     So therefore they went on; Mr. Great-heart and Mr. Honest went before, Christiana and her children went next, and Mr. Feeble-mind and Mr. Ready-to-halt, came behind with his crutches. Then Mr. Honest said:

HON. Please, Sir, now we are upon the road, tell us some profitable things of some of the others who have gone on pilgrimage before us.

GREAT-HEART. With a good will. I suppose you have heard how Christian of old did meet with Apollyon in the Valley of Humiliation; and also with hard work he had, to go through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Also I think you cannot but have heard how Faithful was pressed hard with Madam Wanton, with Adam the first, with one Discontent, and Shame, four of the most deceitful villains as a man can meet with upon the road.

HON. Yes, I have heard of all this; but indeed, good Faithful was tested the hardest with Shame; he was an unwearied one.

GREAT-HEART. Yes; for, as the Pilgrim said, he of all men had the wrong name.

HON. But please, Sir, where was it that Christian and Faithful met Talkative? That name was also a notable one.

GREAT-HEART. He was a confident fool, yet many follow his ways.

HON. He had almost beguiled Faithful.

GREAT-HEART. Yes, but Christian put him into a way of Thinking to quickly find him out. Therefore they went on till they came in at the place where Evangelist met with Christian and Faithful, and preached to them of what should befall them at Vanity Fair.

GREAT-HEART. Then their guide said, Around here is were Christian and Faithful met with Evangelist, who preached to them of what troubles they should meet with at Vanity Fair.

HON. You don't say? I dare say it was a hard chapter; then he read it to them.

GREAT-HEART. It was so; but he gave them encouragement nevertheless. But what do we say about them? They were a couple of lion-like men; they had set their faces like a flint. Don't you remember how undaunted they were when they stood before the judge?

HON. Well, Faithful bravely suffered.

GREAT-HEART. So he did, and brave things as a result of it; for Hopeful and some others, as the story relates it, were converted by his death.

HON. Well, but please go on; for you are well acquainted with these things.

GREAT-HEART. Above all that Christian met with after he had passed through Vanity Fair, one By-ends was the wicked one.

HON. By-ends! What was he?

GREAT-HEART. A very wicked fellow; a downright hypocrite. One that would be religious to whichever way the world went; but so cunning, that he would be sure neither to lose nor suffer for it. He had his mode of religion for every fresh occasion; and his wife was as good at it as he was. He would turn and change from opinion to opinion; yes, and denying doing so too. But, so far as I could learn, he came to an ill end with his by-ends; nor did I ever hear that any of his children were ever of any esteem with them that truly feared God.

VANITY FAIR

     Now, by this time, they came within sight of the town of Vanity, where Vanity Fair is kept. So, when they saw that they were so near the town, they consulted with one another, how they should pass through the town; and some said one thing, and some another. At last Mr. Great-heart said, I have, as you may understand, often been a conductor of pilgrims through this town; now I am acquainted with one Mr. Mnason, a Cyprusian by nation, an old disciple, at whose house we may lodge. (Act 21:16) If you think it good, he said, we will turn in there.

     I am Content, said old Honest; I am Content too, said Christiana; I am Content also, said Mr. Feeble-mind; and so they all said yes. Now, you must think it was eventide by the time they got to the outside of the town; but Mr. Great-heart knew the way to the old man's house. So they came there; and he called at the door, and the old man within knew his voice as soon as ever he heard it; so he opened, and they all came in. Then Mnason their host said, How far have you come today? So they said, From the house of Gaius our friend. I promise you, he said, you have gone a good stretch, you ought be weary; sit down. So they sat down.

GREAT-HEART. Then their guide said, Come, what joy, Sirs? I dare say you are welcome to my friend.

MNASON. I also, said Mr. Mnason, do bid you welcome, and, whatever you want, do but ask, and we will do what we can to get it for you.

HON. Our great want, a great while since there was a safe haven and good company, and now I hope we have both.

MNASON. For safe haven, you see what it is; but for good company, that will appear in the trial.

GREAT-HEART. Well, said Mr. Great-heart, will you led the Pilgrims up into their lodging?

MNASON. I will, said Mr. Mnason. So he led them to their respective places; and also showed them a very fair dining-room, where they would be, and have supper together, until the time would come for them to go to rest.

     Now, when they were set in their places, and were a little cheery after their journey, Mr. Honest asked his landlord, if there were any other households of good people in the town?

MNASON. We have a few, for indeed they are but a few, when compared with them on the other side.

HON. But what shall we do to see some of them? For the sight of good men to them that are going on the pilgrimage, is likened to the appearing of the moon and the stars to them that are sailing upon the seas.

     Then Mr. Mnason stamped with his foot, and his daughter Grace came up; so he said to her, Grace, go and tell my friends, Mr. Contrite, Mr. Holy-man, Mr. Love-saint, Mr. Dare-not-lie, and Mr. Penitent; that I have a friend or two at my house that have a mind this evening to see them.

     So Grace went to call them, and they came; and, after greetings were made, they sat down together at the table.

     Then Mr. Mnason, their landlord said, My neighbors, I have, as you see, a company of strangers in my house; they are Pilgrims; they come from afar, and are going to mount Zion. But who, he said, do you think this is? Pointing with his finger to Christiana; it is Christiana, the wife of Christian, that famous Pilgrim, who, with Faithful his brother, were so shamefully handled in our town. At that they stood amazed, saying, When Grace called us, we did not think we would see Christiana; therefore this is a very comfortable surprise. Then they asked her of her welfare, and if these young men were her husband's sons? And when she had told them they were, they said, The King whom you love and serve, make you as your father, and bring you where he is in peace!

HON. Then Mr. Honest (When they had all sat down) asked Mr. Contrite, and the rest, in what point of view their town was at present?

CONTRITE. You may be sure we are full of hurry in fair-time. It is hard keeping our hearts and spirits in any good order, when we are in a cumbered condition. He that lives in such a place as this is, has need of an item, (The Bible) that has to do with such as we have, to caution him to take heed, every moment of the day.

HON. But how are your neighbors for quietness?

CONTRITE. They are much more moderate now than formerly. You know how Christian and Faithful were used at our town; but of late, I say, they have been far more moderate. I think the blood of Faithful weighted down a load upon them till now; for since they burned him, they have been ashamed to burn any more. In those days we were afraid to walk the streets, but now we can show our heads. Then the name of a professor was odious; now, especially in some parts of our town, (For you know our town is large) the Spiritual life is counted honorable. [When religion is counted honorable, we shall not lack professors; but trying times are sifting times. As the chaff flies before the wind, so will the formal professors be before a storm of persecution]

     Then Mr. Contrite said to them, Please tell us how does it go with you in your pilgrimage? How does the country respond towards you?

HON. It happens to us as it happens to wayfaring men; sometimes our way is clean, sometimes foul, sometimes up hill, sometimes downhill; we are seldom at a certainty; the wind is not always on our backs, nor is everyone a friend that we meet with in the way. We have met with some notable encounters already; and what is yet ahead, we do not know; but for the most part, we find it true, that has been talked said, from of old, A good man must suffer trouble. (Php 1:29)

CONTRITE. You talk of encounters; what troubles have you met however?

HON. No, ask Mr. Great-heart, our guide, for he can give the best account of that.

GREAT-HEART. We have been attacked three or four times already. First, Christiana and her children were attacked with two ruffians, that they feared would have taken away their lives. We were also beset with Giant Bloody-man, Giant Maul, and Giant Slay-good. Indeed we did rather attack the last one, than being attacked by him. And so it was: After we had been some time at the house of "Gaius, our host, and the whole church," (Rom 16:23) we were of a mind at that time to take our weapons with us, and to go and see if we could come upon any of those that were enemies to pilgrims. (For we heard that there was a notable one thereabouts) Now Gaius knew his area better than I, because he dwelt there; so we looked, and looked, till at last we discerned the mouth of his cave; then we were glad, and encouraged our spirits. So we approached up to his den, and lo, when we came there we found that he had dragged by force this poor man into his net, Mr. Feeble-mind, and was about to bring him to his end. But when he saw us, supposing, as we thought, he had had another prey, he left the poor man in his hole, and came out. So we fell to it fully, and he aggressively laid into him; but in conclusion, he was brought down to the ground, and his head was cut off, and set up by the way-side, for a terror to such as should after practice such ungodliness. I tell you the truth, here is the man himself to affirm it, who was as a lamb taken out of the mouth of the lion.

FEEBLE-MIND. Then Mr. Feeble-mind said, I found this true, to my account, and comfort; to my cost, when he threatened to pick my bones every moment; and to my comfort, when I saw Mr. Great- heart and his friends with their weapons, approach so near for my deliverance.

HOLY-MAN. Then Mr. Holy-man said, There are two things that they have need to be possessed with, that go on the pilgrimage; courage, and an unspotted life. If they do not have courage, they can never hold on their way; and if their lives be loose, they will make the very name Pilgrim, a shame.

LOVE-SAINT. Then Mr. Love-saint said, I hope this caution is not needful amongst you. But truly, there are many that go upon the road, that rather declare themselves strangers to the pilgrimage, rather than strangers and pilgrims in the earth. (Heb 11:13)

DARE-NOT-LIE. Then Mr. Dare-not-lie said, It is true, they neither have the pilgrim's need, nor the pilgrim's courage; they do not go honorably, but all wrong with their feet; one shoe goes inward, another outward, and their stockings out behind; there a rag, and there a rip, to the disparagement of their Lord.

PENITENT. These things, Mr. Penitent said, they ought not to be troubled over this; nor are the pilgrims like to have that grace put upon them and their pilgrim's progress, as they desire, until the way is cleared of such spots and blemishes.

     So they sat talking and spending the time, until supper was set upon the table; unto which they went and refreshed their weary bodies; so they went to rest. Now they stayed in this fair a great while, at the house of this Mr. Mnason, who, in process of time, gave his daughter Grace unto Samuel, Christiana's son, to wife, and his daughter Martha to Joseph.

     The time, as I said, that they lay here, was long. (For it was not now as in former times) Therefore the Pilgrims grew acquainted with many of the good people of the town, and did them what service they could. Mercy, as she was in a habit of doing, labored much for the poor; therefore their bellies and backs blessed her, and she was there an ornament to her profession. And, to say the truth for Grace, Phoebe, and Martha, they were all of a very good nature, and did much good in their place. They were also all of them very fruitful; so that Christian's name, as was said before, was like to live in the world.

     While they lay here, there came a monster out of the woods, and slew many of the people of the town. It would also carry away their children, and teach them to care for its' wounds. Now, no man in the town dare so much as face this monster; but all men fled when they heard of the noise of his coming.

     [This monster is Antichrist. The devil is the soul; the synagogue of Satan is the body; the wicked spirit of iniquity is the spirit. The devil made use of the church [The clergy] to midwife this monster into the world. He had plums in his dragon's mouth, and so came in by flatteries. He metamorphosed himself into a beast, a man, or woman; and the inhabitants of the world loved the woman dearly, became her sons, and took up helmet and shield to defend her. She arrayed herself in flesh-taking ornaments-gold, and precious stones, like an harlot. She made the kings drunken, and they gave her the blood of saints and martyrs until she was drunken, and did revel and roar. But when her cup is drunk out, God will call her to such a reckoning, that all her clothes, pearls, and jewels shall not be able to stand the shot. This beast is compared to the wild boar that comes out of the wood to devour the church of God. (Psa 80:13) The temporal sword will kill its body, but spirit can only be slain by spirit; the Lord the Holy Spirit will slay its soul. (Bunyan on Antichrist, vol. 2, p. 47) Is not Antichrist composed of all the religions in the world?]

     The monster was like no one beast that is upon the earth; its body was like a dragon, and it had seven heads and ten horns. (Rev 17:3) It made a great handicapping of children, and yet it was governed by a woman. This monster propounded conditions to men, and such men as loved their lives more than their souls, accepted those conditions. So they came under his rule.

     Now this Mr. Great-heart, together with these that came to visit the pilgrims at Mr. Mnason's house, entered into a Covenant to go and engage this beast, if perhaps they might deliver the people of this town from the paws and mouth of this so devouring a serpent.

     Then did Mr. Great-heart, Mr. Contrite, Mr. Holy-man, Mr. Dare- not-lie, and Mr. Penitent, with their weapons go forth to meet him. Now the monster, at first, was very rampant, and looked upon these enemies with great disdain; but they so belabored him, being sturdy men at arms, that they made him make a retreat; so they came home to Mr. Mnason's house again.

     The monster, you must know, had his certain seasons to come out in, and to make his attempts upon the children of the people of the town; also these seasons did these valiant men watch him, and did still continually assault him; insomuch, that in process of time he became not only wounded, but lame; also he has not made that havoc of the townsmen's children, as formerly he had done. And it is truly believed by some, that this beast will die of his wounds. [When nations have restored to the people the property of which they have been plundered, by the deception of pardon for sin and or the favor of God; and when neither rule, nor honor, nor money is to be gained by hypocrisy; the monster will soon die]

     This, therefore, made Mr. Great-heart and his fellows of great fame in this town; so that many of the people that wanted their old sin nature taste of things, yet had a revered esteem and respect for them. Upon this account therefore it was, that these pilgrims did not have much affliction here. True, there were some of the baser sort, that could see no more than a mole, nor understand more than a beast; these had no reverence for these men, nor took notice of their valor or adventures.

     Well, the time grew on that the Pilgrims must go on their way, therefore they prepared for their journey. They sent for their friends; they conferred with them; they had some time set apart, therein to commit each other to the protection of their Prince. There were again, that brought them such things as they had on hand, that were fit for the weak and the strong, for the women and the men, and so gave them such things that were necessary. (Act 28:10)

     Then they set forward on their way; and their friends accompanying them so far as was convenient, they again committed each other to the protection of their King, and parted.

     They, therefore, that were of the Pilgrims' company went on, and Mr. Great-heart went before them. Now the women and children being weak, they were forced to go as they could bear; by this means Mr. Ready-to-halt and Mr. Feeble-mind had more to sympathize with their condition.

     When they were gone from the townsmen, and when their friends had bid them farewell; they quickly came to the place where Faithful was put to death; therefore they made a stand, and thanked Him that had enabled him to bear his cross so well; and also because they now found that they had a benefit by such a manly suffering as his was.

     They went on a good way further, talking of Christian and Faithful; and how Hopeful joined himself to Christian after Faithful was dead.

     Now they came up to the Hill Lucre, where the silver mine was, which took Demas off from his pilgrimage, and into which, as some think, By-ends fell and perished; therefore they considered that. But when they came to the old monument that stood over against the Hill Lucre, namely, the pillar of salt that stood also within view of Sodom and its stinking lake; they marveled, as did Christian before, that men of that knowledge and ripeness of mental ability, as they were, should be so blinded as to turn aside here. Only they considered again, that nature is not affected with the harms that others have met with, especially if that thing upon which they look, has an attracting influence upon the foolish eye.

ARRIVED AT THE RIVER NEAR THE DELECTABLE MOUNTAINS

     I saw now that they went on, till they came to the river that was on this side of the Delectable Mountains. To the river where the fine trees grow on both sides; and whose leaves, if taken inwardly, are good against overabundance, where the meadows are green all the yearlong, and where they might lie down safely. (Psa 23:1-6)

     By the river side, in the meadow, there were shelters and pen for sheep, a house built for the nourishing and bringing up of those lambs, the babes of those women that go on pilgrimage. (Heb 5:2) Also there was here one that was intrusted with them, who could have compassion, and that could gather these lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and that could gently lead those that were with young. (Isa 40:11) Now to the care by THIS MAN, Christiana admonished her four daughters to commit their little ones, that by these waters they might be housed, harbored, succored, and nourished, and that none of them might be lacking in time to come. This Man, if any of them go astray, or be lost, He will bring them again; He will also bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen them that are sick. (Eze 34:11-16) Here they will never lack meat and drink or clothing; here they will be kept from thieves and robbers; for this Man will die before one of those committed to His trust shall be lost. (Jer 23:4) Besides, here they shall be sure to have good nurture and admonition, and shall be taught to walk in right paths, and that you know is a privilege of no small account. Also here, as you see, are delicate waters, pleasant meadows, dainty flowers, variety of trees and such as bear wholesome fruit; fruit not like the kind that Matthew ate, that fell over the wall out of Beelzebub's garden; but fruit that provides health where there is none, and that continues and increases it where it is.

     So they were content to commit their little ones to Him; and that was also an encouragement to them to do so, for they were to be at the protection of the King, and also as a hospital for young children and orphans.

     Now they went on; and when they came to By-path Meadow, to the stile (Crossover place) over which Christian went with his fellow Hopeful, when they were taken by Giant Despair, and put into Doubting Castle; they sat down and consulted what was best to be done; namely, that now they were so strong, and had such a man as Mr. Great-heart for their conductor, whether they thought it not best to make an attempt upon the Giant, demolish his castle, and, if there were any pilgrims in it, to set them at liberty, before they went any further. So one said one thing, and another said the contrary. One questioned if it were lawful to go upon unconsecrated ground; another said they might, provided their end was good; but Mr. Great-heart said, Though that assertion offered last cannot be universally true, yet I have a commandment to resist sin, to overcome evil, to fight the good fight of faith; and, I ask, with whom should I fight this good fight, if not with Giant Despair? I will, therefore, attempt the taking away of his life, and the demolishing of Doubting Castle. Then he said, Who will go with me? Then old Honest said, I will. And so will we too, said Christiana's four sons, Matthew, Samuel, James, and Joseph; for they were young men and strong. (1Jn 2:13-14) So they left the women in the road, and with them Mr. Feeble-mind and Mr. Ready-to-halt with his crutches, to be their guard, until they came back; for in that place though Giant Despair dwelt so near, they keeping in the road, was as a little child might lead them. (Isa 11:6)

     So Mr. Great-heart, old Honest, and the four young men, went to go up to Doubting Castle, to look for Giant Despair. When they came at the Castle-gate, they knocked for entrance with an unusual noise. At that the old Giant comes to the gate, and Diffidence, his wife, follows. Then he said, Who, and what are you that are so hardy, as in this manner to molest Giant Despair? Mr. Great-heart replied, It is I, Great-heart, servant of the King of the Celestial City; one of the country's conductors, to take pilgrims to their city; and I demand of you that you open your gates for my entrance. Prepare yourself also to fight, for I am coming to take away your head, and to demolish Doubting Castle.

     Now Giant Despair, because he was a giant, thought no man could overcome him; and, again, he thought, since up to now I have made a conquest of angels, shall Great-heart make me afraid! So he reined in himself, and went out. He had a cap of steel upon his head, a breast-plate of fire girded to him, and he came out in iron shoes with a great club in his hand. Then these six men came up to him, and beset him behind and before. Also when Diffidence, the giantess, came up to help him, old Mr. Honest cut her down at one blow. Then they fought for their lives, and Giant Despair was brought down to the ground, but was very loath to die. He struggled hard, and had, as they say, as many lives as a cat; but Great-heart was his death, for he left him not until he had severed his head from his shoulders.

     Then they started to demolish Doubting Castle, that as you know might with ease be done, since Giant Despair was dead. They were seven days destroying it; and in it of the pilgrims they found Mr. Despondency, almost starved to death, and Much-afraid, his daughter; these two they saved alive. But it would have made you wonder to have seen the dead bodies that lay here and there in the castle-yard, and how full of dead men's bones the dungeon was.

     When Mr. Great-heart and his companions had performed this exploit, they took Mr. Despondency, and his daughter Much-afraid, into their protection; for they were honest people, though they were prisoners in Doubting Castle, of that tyrant Giant Despair. They, therefore, I say, took with them the head of the Giant, for his body they had buried under a heap of stones, and down to the road and to their companions they came, and showed them what they had done. Now when Feeble-mind and Ready-to-halt saw that it was the head of Giant Despair indeed, they were very joyous and merry. Now Christiana, if need be, could play upon the viol, and her daughter Mercy upon the flute; so, since they were so merry, she played them a lesson, and Ready-to-halt would dance. So he took Despondency's daughter, named Much-afraid, by the hand, and dancing in the road they went. True, he could not dance without one crutch in his hand; but, I promise you, he footed it well. Also the girl was to be commended, for she answered the music handsomely.

     As for Mr. Despondency, to him the music was not much; he was for eating rather than dancing, for that he was almost starved. So Christiana gave him some of her bottle of spirits, for present relief, and then prepared him something to eat; and, in little time, the old gentleman came to himself, and began to be finely revived.

     Now I saw in my dream, when all these things were finished, Mr. Great-heart took the head of Giant Despair, and set it upon a pole by the highway side, right over against the pillar that Christian erected for a caution to pilgrims that came after, to take heed of entering into his grounds.

Though Doubting Castle be demolished,
And the Giant Despair hath lost his head,
Sin can rebuild the Castle, make it remain,
And make Despair the Giant live again.

Then he wrote under it, upon a marble stone these following verses:

This the head of him, whose name only
In former times did pilgrims terrify.
His Castle's down; and Diffidence, his wife,
Brave Master Great-heart has bereft of life.
Despondency, his daughter Much-afraid,
Great-heart for them also the man has played;
Who hereof doubts, if he'll but cast his eye
Up hither, may his conscience satisfy.
This head also, when doubting cripples dance,
Does show from fears they have deliverance.

     When these men had thus bravely showed themselves against Doubting Castle, and had slain Giant Despair, they went forward; and went on till they came to the Delectable Mountains, where Christian and Hopeful refreshed themselves with the varieties of the place. They also acquainted themselves with the shepherds there, who welcomed them, as they had done Christian before, to the Delectable Mountains.

     Now the Shepherds, seeing, so great a train follow Mr. Great-heart, for with him they were well acquainted, they said unto him, Good Sir, you have got a goodly company here. Pray, where did you find all these?

Then Mr. Great-heart replied:

First, here is Christiana and her train,
Her sons, and her sons' wives, who like the wane, ["The wane," seven bright stars in the constellation of Ursa Major, called by country people, the plough, or the wane]
Keep by the pole, and do by compass steer,
From sin to grace, else they had not been here;
Next, here's old Honest come on pilgrimage,
Ready-to-halt, too, who, I dare engage,
True-hearted is, and so is Feeble-mind,
Who willing was not to be left behind;
Despondency, good man, is coming after,
And so also is Much-afraid his daughter.
May we have entertainment here, or must
We further go? Let's know whereon to trust.

     Then the Shepherds said, This is a comfortable company. You are welcome to us, for we have comfort for the feeble as for the strong. Our Prince has an eye to what is done to the least of these; therefore infirmity must not be a block to our entertainment. (Mat 25:40) So they had them to the palace door, and then said unto them, Come in, Mr. Feeble-mind; Come in, Mr. Ready-to-halt; come in, Mr. Despondency, and Mrs. Much-afraid, his daughter. These, Mr. Great-heart said, who the Shepherds are to guide, we call in by name, for that they are most subject to draw back; but as for you, and the rest that are strong, we leave you to your accustomed liberty. Then Mr. Great-heart said, This day I see that grace does shine in your faces, and that you are my Lord's Shepherds indeed; for that you have not pushed these diseased neither with side nor shoulder, but have rather strewed their way into the palace with flowers, as you should. (Eze 34:21)

     So the feeble and weak went in, and Mr. Great-heart and the rest did follow. When they were also set down, the Shepherds said to those of the weaker sort, What is it that you would have? for, they said, all things must be managed here to the supporting of the weak, as well as the warning of the unruly.

     So they made a feast of things easy of digestion and that were pleasant to the palate and nourishing; which, when they had received them, they went to their rest, each one respectively to his proper place. When morning came, they saw that the mountains were high and the day clear; for it was the custom of the Shepherds to show to the Pilgrims, before their departure, some rarities; therefore, after they were ready, and had refreshed themselves, the Shepherds took them out into the fields, and showed them first what they had showed to Christian before.

     Then they took them to some new places. The first was to Mount Marvel, where they looked, and beheld a man at a distance, that casting the hills about with words. Then they asked the Shepherds what that should mean? So they told them, that that man was a son of one Great-grace, of whom you read about in the First Part of the Records of Pilgrim's Progress. And he is set there to teach pilgrims how to believe and or to cast out of their way, what difficulties they shall meet with, by faith. (Mar 11:23-24) Then Mr. Great-heart said, I know him. He is a man above many.

     Then they led them to another place, called Mount Innocent; and there they saw a man clothed all in white, and two men, Prejudice and Ill-will, continually casting dirt upon him. Now, behold, the dirt, they cast on him, would in little time fall off again, and his garments would look as clear as if no dirt had been cast on them.

     Then the Pilgrims said, What does this mean? The Shepherds answered, This man is named Godly-man, and this garment is to show the innocence of his life. Now, those that throw dirt at him, are such as hate his well-doing; but, as you see the dirt will not stick upon his clothes, so it shall be with him that lives truly innocently in the world. (Isa 35:8-10) Whoever they would be that would make such men dirty, they labor all in vain; for God, after a little time is spent, will cause that their innocence shall break forth as the light, and their righteousness as the noon-day. (Psa 37:3-15)

     Then they took them, and led them to Mount Charity, where they showed them a man that had a bundle of cloth lying before him, out of which he cut coats and garments for the poor that stood about him; yet his bundle or roll of cloth never ran out.

     Then they said, What should this be? The Shepherds said, This is to show you, that he that has a heart to give of his labor to the poor, shall never be in want. He who waters will himself be watered. (Pro 11:25) And the cake that the widow gave to the prophet did not cause that she had ever the less in her bowl. (1Ki 17:16)

     Then they led them also to a place where they saw one Fool, and one Want-wit, washing an Ethiopian, with intention to make him white; but the more they washed him the blacker he was. They then asked the Shepherds what that should mean. So they told them, saying, Thus shall it be with a vile person. All means used to get such a one a good name shall, in conclusion, tend but to make him more abominable. Thus it was with the Pharisees, and so shall it be with all hypocrites. [This represents the folly of those who go about to reform the manners, without aiming at the conversion of the heart. Nature, in its highest state of cultivation and improvement, is nature still. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Joh 3:6]

     Then Mercy the wife of Matthew said to Christiana, her mother in-law, Mother, I would, if it is ok, see the hole in the hill, or what is commonly called the by-way to hell. So her mother spoke her mind to the Shepherds. Then they went to the door. It was in the side of a hill, and they opened it, and told Mercy listen awhile. So she listened, and heard one saying, Cursed be my father, for holding my feet back from the way of peace and life; and another said, O that I had been torn in pieces, before I had, to save my life, lost my soul! and another said, If I were to live again, how I would deny myself, rather than come to this place! Then there was sound as if the very earth had groaned and quaked under the feet of this young woman. So she looked white, and came trembling away, saying, Blessed is he and she that are delivered from this place.

     Now when the Shepherds had shown them all these things, then they led them back to the palace, and entertained them with what the house would afford. But Mercy being a young and pregnant, longed for something that she saw there, but was ashamed to ask. Her mother-in-law then asked her was she sick; for she looked as one not well. Then Mercy said, There is a looking-glass that hangs up in the dining-room, of which I cannot take my mind off it: if, therefore, I do not have it, I think I shall miscarry. Then her mother said, I will mention your wants to the Shepherds, and they will not deny you it. But she said, I am ashamed that these men should know that I longed. No, my daughter, it is no shame but a virtue, to long for such a thing as that. So Mercy said, Then, mother, if you please, ask the Shepherds if they are willing to sell it.

     Now the glass was one of a thousand. It would present a man, one way, with his own features exactly; (Jas 1:23) and, turn it but another way, and it would show one the very face and similitude of the Prince of Pilgrims Himself. (1Co 13:12) Yes, I have talked with them that can tell, and they have said, that they have seen the very crown of thorns upon His head, by looking in that glass; they have also seen the holes in His hands, in His feet, and His side. (2Co 3:18) Yes, such an excellency is there in that glass, that it will show Him, to one where they have a mind to see Him; whether living or dead; whether in earth or Heaven; whether in a state of humiliation, or in His exaltation; whether coming to suffer, or coming to reign. [O what a blessed thing it is to long for the Word of God so as not to be satisfied without it, and to prize it above and beyond all other things! Love to the Word excites the soul to say with David, "I long for Your salvation, O LORD, And Your Law [Thoughts] are my delight." (Psa 119:174) This is a special mark of a gracious soul. Every true believer longs to be more completely acquainted with the Scriptures from day to day, and to look into them continually. Abraham Cheer, who perished in prison for nonconformity in Bunyan's time, published a little volume of Poems, in which he compares the Bible to a looking-glass, in these very appropriate lines: "If morn by morn you in this glass dress you, I have some hopes that God by it may bless you."]

     Christiana, therefore, went to the Shepherds alone; [This doubtless is meant to suggest, that in times of great anxiety, and in prospect of seasons of difficulty, Christians desire above all things the special supports and consolations of the Word of God] now the names of the Shepherds are Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and Sincere; and said to them, There is one of my daughters, a woman with child, that I think does long for something that she has seen in this house; and she thinks she shall miscarry, if she shall be denied by you.

EXPERIENCE. Call her, call her; she shall assuredly have what we can help her with. So they called her, and said to her, Mercy, what is that thing you would have? Then she blushed, and said, The great glass that hangs up in the dining-room. So Sincere ran and fetched it, and, with a joyful consent, it was given to her. Then she bowed her head, and gave thanks, and said, By this I know that I have obtained favor in your eyes.

     They also gave to the other young women such things as they desired, and to their husbands great commendations, for that they had joined with Mr. Great-heart, to the slaying of Giant Despair, and the demolishing of Doubting Castle.

     About Christiana's neck, the Shepherds put a bracelet, and so they did also the necks of her four daughters; and they put earrings in their ears, and jewels on their foreheads. (Eze 16:11-12)

     When they were minded to go, they let them go in peace, but did not give them those certain cautions which before were given to Christian and his companion. The reason was, for that these had Great-heart to be their guide, who was one that was well acquainted with things, and so could give them their cautions more seasonably; even when danger was close to approaching.

     What cautions Christian and his companion had received of the Shepherds, they had also lost, when the time came that they had need to put them in practice. Wherefore, here was the advantage that this company had over the other.

From here they went on singing, and they said,

Behold, how appropriately are the stages set
For their relief that pilgrims are become!
And how they receive us without one regret,
That makes the other life our mark and home!

What novelties they have given to us,
That we, though Pilgrims, joyful lives may live;
They do upon us, too, such things bestow,
That show we Pilgrims are, wherever we go.

STORY OF TURN-AWAY

     When they were gone from the Shepherds, they quickly came to the place where Christian met with one Turn-away, that dwelt in the town of Apostasy. Therefore Mr. Great-heart, their guide, did now put them in mind of him, saying, This is the place where Christian met with one Turn-away, who carried with him the character of his rebellion at his back. And this I have to say concerning this man; he would not listen to any counsel, but once falling, persuasion could not stop him.

     When he came to the place where the Cross and the Sepulcher were, he did meet with one that did ask him look there, but he gnashed with his teeth, and stamped, and said, he was resolved to go back to his own town. Before he came to the gate, he met with Evangelist, who offered to lay hands on him, to turn him into the way again. But this Turn-away resisted him, and having done much to spite him, he got away over the wall, and so escaped his hand. (Heb 10:26-29)

     Then they went on; and just at the place where Little-faith formerly was robbed, there stood a man with his sword drawn, and his face all bloody. Then Mr. Great-heart said, Who are you? The man made an answer, saying, I am one whose name is Valiant-for-Truth. I am a pilgrim, and am going to the Celestial City. Now, as I was on my way, there were three men did attack me, and propounded unto me these three things: 1. Whether I would become one of them. 2. Or go back from where I came from. 3. Or die in this place. To the first, I answered, I had been a true man a long season, and therefore it could not be expected that I now should cast in my lot with thieves. (Pro 1:10-14) Then they demanded what I would say to the second. So I told them that the place from where I came, had I not found incompatibility there, I had not forsaken it at all; but finding it altogether unsuitable to me, and very unprofitable for me, I forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what I said to the third. And I told them, My life cost to much that I should lightly give it away. Besides, you have nothing to do with putting things to my choice; Therefore, it will be at your peril, if you meddle with me. Then these three, namely, Wild-head, Inconsiderate, and Pragmatic, drew upon me, and I also drew upon them.

     So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of above three hours. They have left upon me, as you see, some of the marks of their valor, and have also carried away with them some of mine. They are but just now gone. I suppose they might, as the saying is, heard your horse running, and so they took off running.

GREAT-HEART. But here were great odds, three against one.

VALIANT. It is true; but little or more are nothing to him that has the truth on his side. "Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident." (Psa 27:3) Besides, he said, I have read in some records, that one man has fought an army. And how many did Samson slay with the jaw-bone of an ass? (Jdg 15:15-16)

GREAT-HEART. Then the guide said, Why did you not cry out, that some might have come in for your assistance?

VALIANT. I did so, to my King, who, I knew, could hear, and afford invisible help, and that was sufficient for me.

GREAT-HEART. Then Great-heart said to Mr. Valiant-for-Truth, You have worthily behaved yourself. Let me see your sword. So he showed it him. When he had taken it in his hand, and looked at it a while, he said, Yes! it is a right Jerusalem blade. (Isa 2:3)

VALIANT. It is so. Let a man have one of these blades, with a hand to wield it and skill to use it, and he may venture upon a fallen angel with it. He need not fear its holding together, if he can but know how to use it right. Its edges will never blunt. It will cut flesh and bones, and soul and spirit, and all. (Eph 6:12-17; Heb 4:12)

GREAT-HEART. But you fought a great while; I wonder why you were not weary.

VALIANT. I fought till my sword did clung to my hand; and when they were joined together, as if a sword grew out of my arm, and when the blood ran through my fingers, then I fought with most courage. (2Sa 23:10) [In this battle, this striving for the Truth, three considerations strike the mind: (1). Reliance upon Divine aid, without which we can do nothing. (2). A right Jerusalem weapon, forged in the fire of love, well-tempered with Bible Doctrines. Such a sword will make even the angel of the bottomless pit flee, its edge will never blunt, and it will cut through everything opposed to it. (3). Decision of character, perseverance to the utmost; no trimming or basely compromising the Truth, but a determination, in the Lord's strength, to come off more than conquerors. It is blessed fighting when hand and heart are engaged, and the sword grows united to both]

GREAT-HEART. You have done well. You have "resisted unto blood, striving against sin." You shall abide by us, come in and go out with us, for we are your companions.

     Then they took him, and washed his wounds, and gave him of what they had to refresh him; and so they went on together. Now, as they went on, because Mr. Great-heart was delighted in him, for he loved one greatly that he found to be a man of like mind, and because there were with his company that were feeble and weak, therefore he talked with him about many things; as, first, what countryman he was?

VALIANT. I am of Dark-land; for there I was born, and there my father and mother are still.

GREAT-HEART. Dark-land, said the guide; doesn't that lie up on the same coast with the City of Destruction?

VALIANT. Yes, it does. Now, that which caused me to go on the pilgrimage was this; we had one Mr. Tell-true came into our parts, and he told about what Christian had done, that he went from the City of Destruction; namely, how he had forsaken his wife and children, and had taken himself to a pilgrim's life. It was also confidently reported, how he had killed a serpent that did come out to resist him in his journey, and how he got through to where he intended. It was also told, what welcome he had at all his Lord's lodgings, especially when he came to the gates of the Celestial City; for there, the man said, he was received with the sound of trumpets, by a company of Shining Ones. He also said, how all the bells in the city did ring for joy at his reception, and what golden garments he was clothed with, and many other things that now I shall hold off to relate. In a word, that man so told the story of Christian and his travels, that my heart fell into a burning haste to follow after him; nor could father or mother stop me! So I went up from them, and have come thus far on my way.

GREAT-HEART. You came in at the gate, did you not?

VALIANT. Yes, yes; for the same man also told us that all would be for nothing, if we did not begin to enter this way at the gate.

GREAT-HEART. Look you, said the guide to Christiana, the pilgrimage of your husband, and what he has received from it, is spread abroad far and near.

VALIANT. Why, is this Christian's wife?

GREAT-HEART. Yes, that it is; and these are also her four sons.

VALIANT. What! and going on pilgrimage too?

GREAT-HEART. Yes, certainly; they are following after.

VALIANT. It gladdens my heart. Good man! how joyful will he be when he shall see them that would not go with him, yet to enter after him in at the gates into the City!

GREAT-HEART. Without a doubt it will be a comfort to him; for, next to the joy of seeing himself there, it will be the joy to meet his wife and children there.

VALIANT. But, now that you are talking about that, please let me hear your opinion about it. Some make a question, Whether we shall know one another when we are there.

GREAT-HEART. Do they think they shall know themselves then, or that they shall rejoice to see themselves in that bliss? and if they think they shall know and do these, why not know others, and rejoice in their welfare also?

     Again, since relations are our second self, though that state will be dissolved there; yet why may it not be rationally concluded, that we shall be most glad to see them there, than to see they are missing?

VALIANT. Well, I perceive where you stand as to this. Have you any more things to ask me about my beginning to come on the pilgrimage?

GREAT-HEART, Yes. Was your father and mother willing that you should become a pilgrim?

VALIANT. O no! They used all means imaginable to persuade me to stay at home.

GREAT-HEART, What could they say against it?

VALIANT. They said it was an idle life; and if I myself were not inclined to sloth and laziness, I would never tolerate a pilgrim's condition. [This is a reproach cast upon the Spiritual life in every age. Pharaoh said to Moses and the Israelites, "You are lazy, very lazy." Men by nature imagine, that time spent in reading the Bible and in prayer is wasted.]

GREAT-HEART. And what else did they say?

VALIANT. Why, they told me that it was a dangerous way; yes, the most dangerous way in the world, they said, that way which the pilgrims go.

GREAT-HEART. Did they show why and how this way was so dangerous?

VALIANT. Yes; and that in many particulars.

GREAT-HEART. Name some of them.

VALIANT. They told me of the Slough of Despond, where Christian was almost smothered. They told me that there were archers standing ready in Beelzebub Castle, to shoot them that should knock at the narrow-gate for entrance. They told me also of the wood, and dark mountains; of the Hill Difficulty; of the lions; and also of the three giants, Bloody-man, Maul, and Slay-good. They said, moreover, that there was a foul fiend that haunted the Valley of Humiliation, and that Christian was by him almost to have given up on his life. Besides, they said, you must go over the Valley of the Shadow of Death, where the demons are; where the light is darkness; where the way is full of snares, pits, traps, and nooses. They told me also of Giant Despair, of Doubting Castle, and of the ruin that the Pilgrims met with there. Further they said I must go over the Enchanted Ground: which was dangerous. And that, after all this, I should find a river, over which I should find no bridge, and that that river did be between me and the Celestial Country.

GREAT-HEART. And was this all?

VALIANT. No. They also told me that this way was full of deceivers, and of persons that laid in wait there to turn good men out of the path.

GREAT-HEART. But how did they explain that to you?

VALIANT. They told me that Mr. Worldly-wiseman did there lie in wait to deceive. They also said, that there was Formality and Hypocrisy continually on the road. They said also that By-ends, Talkative, or Demas would go near to gather me up; that the Flatterer would catch me in his net; or that, with green-headed Ignorance, I would presume to go on to the gate, from where he always was sent back to the hole that was in the side of the hill, and made to go the by-way to hell.

GREAT-HEART. I promise you this was enough to discourage you; but did they make an end here?

VALIANT. No; they told me also of many that had tried that way of old, and that had gone a great way therein, to see if they could find something of the glory there, that so many had so much talked of from time to time; and how they came back again, and fooled themselves for setting a foot out of doors in that path, to the satisfaction of all the people of the country. And they named several that did so; as Obstinate and Pliable, Mistrust and Timorous, Turn-away and old Atheist, with several more, who, they said, some of them had gone far to see if they could find it; but not one of them found so much of an advantage as amounted to the weight of a feather. [If Judas the traitor, or Francis Spira the backslider, were alive, to whisper these men in the ear a little, and to tell them what it has cost their souls for turning back, it would surely stick by them as long as they have a day to live in the world. Agrippa gave a fair step in a short time; he stepped almost into the bosom of Christ in less than half an hour. "Almost you persuade me to be a Christian." It was but almost, and so he had as good as nothing at all. He stepped fair, but stepped short. He was hot while he ran, but he was quickly out of breath. O this but ALMOST! I tell you, it lost his soul. What a doom they will have, who were almost at Heaven's gate, but ran back again!]

GREAT-HEART. Did they say anything more to discourage you?

VALIANT. Yes. They told me of one Mr. Fearing who was a pilgrim; and how he found this way so solitary, that he never had a comfortable hour in it. Also that Mr. Despondency had like to have been starved in it; yes, and also, which I had almost forgot, that Christian himself, about whom there has been such a noise, after all his ventures for a celestial crown, was certainly drowned in the Black River, and never went a foot further but was smothered up in it. [How natural is it for carnal men to give an evil report of the ways of the Lord; and to discourage those who are just setting out, by telling of the dangers and difficulties they shall meet with! But here is not one word of the pleasures, comforts, and joys that are experienced in the ways of the Lord. No, they do not feel them and they do not believe one word about them; therefore they cannot speak of them]

GREAT-HEART. And did none of these things discourage you?

VALIANT. No; they seemed but as so many nothings to me.

GREAT-HEART. How did it come about that you are here now?

VALIANT. Why, I still believed what Mr. Tell-true had said, and that carried me beyond them all.

GREAT-HEART. Then this was your victory, even your faith.

VALIANT. It was so. I believed, by the grace of God, and therefore came out, got into the way, fought all that set themselves against me; and by believing, have come to this place. [Here we see that valiant soldiers of Christ ascribe all to faith. They set out with faith, and they hold on and hold out by believing. Thus they give all the glory to Christ, who is the object, author, and finisher of faith]

   Who would true valor see,
    Let him come hither;
    One here will constant be,
    Come wind, come weather.
    There's no discouragement
    Shall make him once relent,
    His first avowed intent
    To be a pilgrim.

Who so beset him round
With dismal stories,
Do but themselves confound.
His strength the more is;
No lion can him fright,
He'll with a giant fight;
But he will have a right
To be a pilgrim.

Demon nor foul fiend
Can daunt his spirit;
He knows he at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then fancies fly away,
He'll fear not what men say;
He'll labor night and day
To be a pilgrim.

     By this time they came to the Enchanted Ground, where the air naturally tended to make one drowsy; and that place was all grown over with briars and thorns, excluding here and there, where there was an Enchanted Arbor, upon which if a man sits, or in which, if a man sleeps, it is a question, some say, whether he ever shall rise or wake again in this world. Over this forest, therefore, they went, both one and the other, and Mr. Great-heart went before, for he was the guide; and Mr. Valiant-for-Truth, he came behind, being there a guard, for fear, lest peradventure some fiend, or dragon, or giant, or thief, should fall upon their rear, and so do mischief. They went on here, each man with his sword drawn in his hand, for they knew it was a dangerous place. Also they cheered up one another as well as they could; Feeble-mind, Mr. Great-heart commanded, should come up after him, and Mr. Despondency was under the eye of Mr. Valiant. [Old pilgrims, who have set out well, and gone on well for a long season, consider you are yet in the world, which is enchanted ground. Know your danger of seeking rest here, or of sleeping in any of its enchanting arbors. Though the flesh may be weary, the spirit faint, and the arbors inviting, yet beware. Press on. Look to the Strong for strength; and to the Beloved for rest in His way]

     Now they had not gone far, but a great mist and darkness fell upon them all, so that they could scarce see one another, for a great while; therefore they were forced, for some time, to feel for one another by words; for they walked not by sight.

     But anyone must think here was sorry going for all of them; but how much worse for the women and children, who both of feet and heart, were but tender. Yet so it was, that through the encouraging words of he that led in the front, and of him that brought them up behind, they made pretty good speed.

 The way also was here very wearisome, through dirt and mud. Nor was there on all this ground so much as one inn, or eating house, therein to refresh the feebler sort. Here, therefore, was grunting, and puffing, and sighing. While one tumbles over a bush, another sticks fast in the dirt; and the children, some of them, lost their shoes in the mire. While one cries out, I am down; and another, Here! where are you? and a third, The bushes have got such fast hold on me, I think I cannot get away from them.

     Then they came at an arbor, warm, and promising much refreshing to the Pilgrims; for it was finely formed above the head, beautified with greens, furnished with benches and settles. It also had in it a soft couch, whereon the weary might lean. This, you must think, all things considered, was tempting; for the Pilgrims already began to be foiled with the badness of the way; but there was not one of them that made so much as a motion to stop there. Yes, for nothing I could perceive, they continually gave so good heed to the advice of their guide, and he did so faithfully tell them of dangers, and of the nature of dangers, when they were at them, that usually, when they were nearest to them, they did most pluck up their spirits, and hearten one another to deny the flesh. This arbor was called The Slothful's Friend, on purpose to allure, if it might be, some of the pilgrims there to take up their rest when weary.

     I saw then in my dream, that they went on in this their solitary ground, till they came to a place at which a man is likely to lose his way. Now, when it was light, their guide could well enough tell how to miss those ways that led wrong, yet in the dark he was put to a test; but he had in his pocket a map of all ways leading to or from the Celestial City; wherefore he struck a light, for he never goes also without his tinder-box, and takes a view of his book or map, which bids him be careful, in that place, to turn to the right-hand way. And had he not here been careful to look in his map, they had all, in probability, been smothered in the mud; for, just a little before them, and that at the end of the cleanest way too, was a pit, none knows how deep, full of nothing but mud, there made on purpose to destroy Pilgrims.

     Then I thought with myself, who that goes on the pilgrimage, if he would have one of these maps with him, that he may look at when he is at a standstill, to know which is the way he should take. [To follow Christ. HE is to them instead of eyes, HE must go before them in and on every side; And He must lead them by the water side, This is the work of Him our faithful guide. Since snares, and traps, and gins are for us set, Since here's a hole, and there a spread net, O let nobody at my muse deride, No man can travel here without a guide.]

     They went on, then, in this Enchanted Ground, till they came to where there was another arbor, and it was built by the highway-side. And in that arbor there lay two men, whose names were Heedless and Too-bold. [Ignorance and pride may long maintain a form of godliness, though it be a weariness to them; but after a time they will be gradually drawn back into the world, retaining nothing of their religion except certain distorted doctrinal notions] These two went thus far on the pilgrimage; but here, being wearied with their journey, they sat down to rest themselves, and fell fast asleep. When the Pilgrims saw them, they stood still, and shook their heads; for they knew that the sleepers were in a pitiful condition. Then they consulted what to do, whether to go on and leave them in their sleep, or to go up to them, and try to awaken them. So they concluded to go to them, and awaken them; that is, if they could; but with this caution, namely, to take heed that themselves did not sit down nor embrace the offered benefit of that arbor. (Gal 6:1)

     So they went in, and spoke to the men, and called each by his name, for the guide, it seems, did know them; but there was no voice nor answer. Then the guide did shake them, and do what he could to disturb them. Then one of them said, I will pay you when I get my money. At which the guide shook his head. I will fight so long as I can hold my sword in my hand, said the other. At that one of the children laughed.

      Then Christiana said, What is the meaning of this? The guide said, They talk in their sleep. If you strike them, beat them, or whatever else you do to them, they will answer you after this fashion; or, as one of them said in old time, when the waves of the sea did beat upon him, and he slept as one upon the mast of a ship, "And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast They struck me, but I did not become ill; They beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink." (Pro 23:34-35) You know, when men talk in their sleep, they say anything, but their words are not governed either by faith or reason. There is an incoherency in their words now, as there was before, between their going on pilgrimage, and sitting down here. [What a sound sleep of infatuation has this enchanting world cast many a professor into! They are unassailable against all warnings, and dead to any means of arousing them. When this sleep of death seizes the soul, it destroys faith, infatuates reason, and causes men to talk incoherently. They have lost the language of pilgrims. Their state is awful; beware of it; pray against it. For "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1Jn 2:15)] This, then, is the mischief of it, when heedless ones go on the pilgrimage, it is twenty to one but they are served thus; for this Enchanted Ground is one of the last refuges that the enemy to pilgrims has. Therefore it is, as you see, placed almost at the end of the way, and so it stands against us with the more advantage. For when, the enemy thinks, will these fools be so desirous to sit down, as when they are weary? and when so like to be weary, when almost at their journey's end? Therefore it is, as I say, that the Enchanted Ground is placed so close to the Land Beulah, and so near the end of their race. [This view of the Enchanted Ground seems to vary from that which has been considered in the First Part. The circumstances of believers who are deeply engaged in business, and constrained to spend much of their time among worldly people, may here be particularly intended. This may sometimes be unavoidable; but it is enchanted ground. Many professors, fascinated by the advantages and connections presented to them, fall asleep, and wake no more; and others are entangled by those thorns and briers which "choke the Word, and render it unfruitful." The more soothing the scene the greater the danger, and the more urgent need is there for watchfulness and caution] Therefore, let pilgrims look to themselves, lest it happen to them as it has done to these, that, as you see, are fallen asleep, and none can wake them.

     Then the Pilgrims desired, with trembling, to go forward; only they asked their guide to strike a light, that they might go the rest of their way by the help of the light, of a lantern. [The Word of God is the only light to direct our steps. He who neglects this is a fool. He who sets up and looks for any other light to direct him is mad, and knows not what he does. As folly and madness beset him, danger and distress will come upon him. Trembling souls will attend closely to God's Word] So he struck a light, and they went by the help of that through the rest of this way, though the darkness was very great. (2Pe 1:19)

     But the children began to be sorely weary; and they cried out to Him that loves pilgrims, to make their way more comfortable. So because of that prayer; when they had gone a little further, a wind arose, that drove away the fog; so the air became more clear.

     Yet they were not off, by much, of the Enchanted Ground, only now they could see one another better, and the way where they should walk.

     Now, when they were almost at the end of this ground, they perceived that, a little before them, was a solemn noise of one that was much concerned. So they went on and looked before them; and behold, they saw, as they thought, a man upon his knees, with hands and eyes lift up, and speaking, as they thought, earnestly to One that was above. They drew near, but could not tell what he said. So they went softly till he had done so. When he had done, he got up, and began to run towards the Celestial City. Then Mr. Great-heart called after him, saying, Soho! friend, let us have your company, if you go, as I suppose you do, to the Celestial City. So the man stopped, and they came up to him. But so soon as Mr. Honest saw him, he said, I know this man. Then Mr. Valiant- for-Truth said, Please tell me, who is it? It is one, he said, who comes from whereabouts I dwelt. His name is Stand-fast; he is certainly a right good pilgrim.

     So they came up one to another; and presently Stand-fast said to old Honest, Hey, father Honest, are you there? Yes, he said, that I am, as sure as you are standing here. Right glad I am, said Mr. Stand-fast, that I have found you on this road. And glad I am, said the other, that I spotted you upon your knees. Then Mr. Stand-fast blushed, and said, But, did you see me? Yes, that I did, said the other, and my heart was glad at the sight. Why, what did you think? said Stand-fast. Think! said old Honest, what should I think? I thought we had an honest man upon the road, and therefore should have his company by and by. If you thought not amiss, [Said Stand- fast] how happy I am; but if I be not as I should, I alone must bear it. That is true, said the other; but your fear does further confirm me, that things are right between the Prince of Pilgrims and your soul; for, he said, "Blessed is the man that fears [Stays in fellowship] always."

VALIANT. Well, but brother, I ask you tell us what was it that was the cause of your being upon your knees even now? Was it for that some special mercies laid obligations upon you, or what?

STAND-FAST. Why, we are, as you see, upon the Enchanted Ground; and as I was coming along, I was musing with myself of what a dangerous road the road in this place was, and how many that had come even thus far on the pilgrimage had here been stopped, and been destroyed. I thought also of the manner of the death with which this place destroys men. Those that die here, die of no violent disease. The death which such die is not grievous to them; for he that goes away in a sleep, begins that journey with desire and pleasure; yes, such acquiesce in the will of that disease.

HON. Then Mr. Honest, interrupting him, said, Did you see the two men asleep in the arbor?

STAND-FAST. Yes, yes, I saw Heedless and Too-bold there; and, for nothing I know, there they will lie till they rot. (Pro 10:7) But let me go on in my tale. As I was thus musing, as I said, there was one, in very pleasant attire, but old, who presented herself to me, and offered me three things; namely, her body, her purse, and her bed. Now, the truth is, I was both weary and sleepy; I am also as poor as an owlet, and that, perhaps, the witch knew. Well, I repulsed her once and twice, but she pushed by my repulses, and smiled. Then I began to be angry; but that mattered to her not at all. Then she made offers again, and said, If I would be ruled by her, she would make me great and happy; for, said she, I am the mistress of the world, and men are made happy by me. Then I asked her name, and she told me it was Madam Bubble. This set me further from her; but she still followed me with enticements. Then I took myself as you saw, to my knees; and with hands lift up, and cries, I prayed to Him that had said He would help. So, just as you came up, the gentlewoman went her way. Then I continued to give thanks for this my great deliverance; for I truly believe she intended me no good, but rather sought to make me stop in my journey.

HON. Without a doubt her designs were bad. But say, now that you talk of her, I think I either have seen her, or have read some story of her.

STAND-FAST. Perhaps you have done both.

HON. Madam Bubble! is she not a tall, comely dame, something of a swarthy complexion?

STAND-FAST. Right, you hit it, she is just such a one.

HON. Does she not speak very smoothly, and give you a smile at the end of a sentence?

STAND-FAST. You fall right upon it again, for these are her very actions.

HON. Does she not wear a great purse by her side; and is not her hand often in it, touching her money, as if that was her heart's delight?

STAND-FAST. It is just so; had she stood by all this while, you could not more amply have set her forth before me, nor have better described her features.

HON. Then he that drew her picture was a good portraitist, and he that wrote of her said true.

GREAT-HEART. This woman is a witch, and it is by virtue of her sorceries that this ground is enchanted. Whoever does lay their head down in her lap, had as good lay it down upon that block over which the axe does hang; and whoever lay their eyes upon her beauty, are counted as the enemies of God. (Jas 4:4; 1Jn 2:15) This is she that maintains in their splendor all those that are the enemies of pilgrims. Yes, this is she that has bought off many a man from a pilgrim's life. She is a great gossiper; she is always, both she and her daughters, at one pilgrim's heels or another, now commending, and then preferring the excellency of this life. She is a bold and impudent slut; she will talk with any man. She always laughs poor pilgrims to scorn; but highly commends the rich. If there be one cunning to get money in a place, she will speak well of him from house to house; she loves banqueting and feasting well; she is always at one full table or another. She has given it out in some places, that she is a goddess, and therefore some do worship her. She has her times and open places of cheating; and she will say and avow it, that none can show as good comparable to hers. She promises to dwell with children's children, if they will but love and make much of her. She will cast out of her purse gold like dust, in some places, and to some persons. She loves to be sought after, spoken well of, and to lie in the bosoms of men. She is never weary of commending her commodities, and she loves them most that think best of her. She will promise to some crowns and kingdoms, if they will but take her advice; yet many has she brought to the hangman's rope, and ten thousand times more to hell.

STAND-FAST. O, said Stand-fast, what a mercy is it that I did resist! for where might she have drawn me!

GREAT-HEART. Where! no, none but God knows where. But, in general, to be sure, she would have drawn you into "many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction." (1Ti 6:9)

     It was she that set Absalom against his father, and Jeroboam against his master. It was she that persuaded Judas to sell his Lord, and that prevailed with Demas to forsake the godly pilgrims' life; none can tell of the mischief that she does. She makes discord between rulers and subjects, between parents and children, between neighbor and neighbor, between a man and his wife, between a man and himself, between the flesh and heart and the spirit.

     Therefore, good Master Stand-fast, be as your name is, and "when you have done all, Stand."

     At this discourse there was, among the Pilgrims, a mixture of joy and trembling; but at length they broke out, and sang-

What danger is the pilgrim in!
How many are his foes!
How many ways there are to sin
No living mortal knows.
Some of the ditch shy are, yet can
Lie tumbling in the mire;
Some, though they shun the frying-pan,
Do leap into the fire.

     ARRIVE IN THE LAND OF BEULAH

After this, I beheld until they came to the Land of Beulah, where the sun shines night and day. Here, because they were weary, they betook themselves a while to rest; and, because this country was common for pilgrims, and because the orchards and vineyards that were here belonged to the King of the Celestial country, therefore they were licensed to be bold with any of His things. But a little while soon refreshed them here; for the bells did so ring, and the trumpets continually sound so melodiously, that they could not sleep; and yet they received much refreshing, as if they had slept their sleep ever so soundly. Here also all the noise of them that walked in the streets, was, More pilgrims are coming to town. And another would answer, saying, And so many went over the water, and were let in at the golden gates today. They would cry again, There is now a legion of Shining Ones just come to town, by which we know that there are more pilgrims upon the road; for here they come to wait for them, and to comfort them after all their sorrow. Then the Pilgrims got up, and walked to and fro; but how were their ears now filled with heavenly noises, and their eyes delighted with celestial visions! In this land they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smelled nothing, tasted nothing, that was offensive to their stomach or mind; only when they tasted of the water of the river over which they were to go, they thought that tasted a little bitterish to the palate, but it proved sweeter when it was down.

     In this place there was a record kept of the names of them that had been pilgrims of old, and a history of all the famous acts that they had done. It was here also much discoursed how the river, had its flowings, and what ebbings it has had while others have gone over. It has been in a manner dry for some, while it has overflowed its banks for others.

     In this place the children of the town would go into the King's gardens, and gather nosegays (Bouquets) for the Pilgrims, and bring them to them with much affection. Here also grew camphor, with spikenard, and saffron, calamus, and cinnamon, with all its trees of frankincense, myrrh, and aloes, with all chief spices. With these the Pilgrims' chambers were perfumed, while they stayed there; and with these were their bodies anointed, to prepare them to go over the river when the appointed time was to come.

     Now, while they lay there, and waited for the good hour, there was a noise in the town, that there was a post come from the Celestial City, with matter of great importance to one Christiana, the wife of Christian the Pilgrim. So inquiry was made for her, and the house was found out where she was; so the post presented her with a letter; the contents thereof were, "Hail, good woman! I bring you tidings that the Master calles for you, and expects that you should stand in His presence, in clothes of immortality, within these ten days."

     When he had read this letter to her, he gave her a sure token that he was a true messenger, and came to bid her make haste to be gone. The token was, an arrow with a point sharpened with love, let easily into her heart, which by degrees wrought so effectually with her, that at the time appointed she must be gone.

     When Christiana saw that her time was come, and that she was the first of this company that was to go over, she called for Mr. Great-heart her guide, and told him how matters were. So he told her he was heartily glad of the news, and could have been glad had the post come for him. Then she bid that he should give advice how all things should be prepared for her journey. So he told her, saying, thus and thus it must be; and we that survive will accompany you to the river side.

     Then she called for her children, and gave them her blessing, and told them, that she read with comfort the mark that was set in their foreheads, and was glad to see them with her there, and that they had kept their garments so white. Lastly, she bequeathed to the poor the little that she had, and commanded her sons and her daughters to be ready for the messenger to come for them.

     When she had spoken these words to her guide and to her children, she called for Mr. Valiant-for-Truth, and said to him, Sir, you have in all places showed yourself truehearted; "be faithful unto death," and my King will give you "a crown of life." I would also entreat you to keep an eye on my children; and if at any time you see them faint, speak comfortably to them. For my daughters, my sons' wives, have been faithful, and fulfilling of the promise upon them will be their good end. But she gave Mr. Stand-fast a ring.

     Then she called for old Mr. Honest, and said of him, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." Then he said, I wish you a fair day, when you set out for Mount Zion, and shall be glad to see that you go over the river dry-shod. But she answered, Come wet, come dry, I long to be gone; for, however the weather is in my journey, I shall have time enough when I come there to sit down and rest myself, and dry off.

     Then that good man came in to see her; Mr. Ready-to-halt. So she said to him, Your travel here has been with difficulty; but that will make your rest the sweeter. But watch and be ready; for at an hour when you do not think, the messenger may come.

     After him came in Mr. Despondency, and his daughter Much- afraid, to whom she said, You ought with thankfulness, forever to remember your deliverance from the hands of Giant Despair, and out of Doubting Castle. The effect of that mercy is, that you are brought with safety here. Be watchful, and cast away fear; "be sober and hope to the end."

     Then she said to Mr. Feeble-mind, You were delivered from the mouth of Giant Slay-good, that you might live in the light of the living forever, and see your King with comfort; only I advise you to repent of your aptness to fear and doubt of His goodness, before He sends for you; lest you should, when He comes, be forced to stand before Him, for that fault, with blushing.

     Now the day drew on, that Christiana must be gone. So the road was full of people to see her take her journey. But, behold, all the banks beyond the river were full of horses and chariots, which were come down from above to accompany her to the city gate. So she came forth, and entered the river, with a beckon of farewell to those that followed her to the river side. The last words that she was heard to say here, were, I come, Lord, to be with You, and bless You.

     So her children and friends returned to their place, for that those that waited for Christiana had carried her out of their sight. So she went and called, and entered in at the gate with all the ceremonies of joy that her husband Christian had done before her.

     At her departure her children wept. But Mr. Great-heart and Mr. Valiant played upon the well-tuned cymbal and harp for joy. So all departed to their respective places.

     In process of time there came a post to the town again, and his business was with Mr. Ready-to-halt. So he sought him out, and said to him, I am come to you in the name of Him whom you have loved and followed, though upon crutches; and my message is to tell you, that He expects you at His table to sup with Him, in His kingdom, the next day after Easter; therefore prepare yourself for this journey.

     Then he also gave him a token that he was a true messenger, saying, I have broken your golden bowl, and loosed your silver cord. (Ecc 12:6)

     After this, Mr. Ready-to-halt called for his fellow-pilgrims, and told them, saying, I am sent for, and God shall surely visit you also. So he desired Mr. Valiant to make his will; and because he had nothing to bequeath to them that should survive him, but his crutches, and his good wishes, therefore thus he said, These crutches I bequeath to my son that shall tread in my steps, with a hundred warm wishes that he may bear witness better than I have done.

     Then he thanked Mr. Great-heart for his conduct and kindness, and so addressed himself to his journey. When he came at the brink of the river, he said, Now I shall have no more need of these crutches, since yonder are chariots and horses for me to ride on. The last words he was heard to say was, Welcome life! So he went his way.

     After this, Mr. Feeble-mind had tidings brought to him, that the postman sounded his horn at his chamber door. Then he came in, and told him, saying, I am come to tell you, that your Master has need of you; and that, in a very little time, you must behold His face in brightness. And take this as a token of the Truth of my message, "Those that look out of the windows shall be darkened." (Ecc 12:3)

     Then Mr. Feeble-mind called for his friends, and told them what errand had been brought to him, and what token he had received of the truth of the message. Then he said, Since I have nothing to bequeath to any, to what purpose should I make a will As for my feeble mind, that I will leave behind me, for I have no need of that in the place where I go. Nor is it worth bestowing upon the poorest pilgrim; therefore, when I am gone, I desire that you, Mr. Valiant, would bury it in a dunghill. This done, and the day being come in which he was to depart, he entered the river as the rest. His last words were, Hold out, faith and patience. So he went over to the other side.

     When many days had passed away, Mr. Despondency was sent for; for a post came and brought this message to him: Trembling man, these are to summon you to be ready for your King by the next Lord's Day, to shout for joy for your deliverance from all your doubtings.

     And, the messenger said, that my message is true, take this for a proof; so he gave him the grasshopper to be a burden unto him. (Ecc 12:5) Now, Mr. Despondency's daughter, whose name was Much-afraid, said, when she heard what was done, that she would go with her, father. Then Mr. Despondency said to his friends, Myself and my daughter, you know what we have been, and how troublesomely we have behaved ourselves in every company. My will and my daughter's is, that our desponds and slavish fears; no man ever receive, from the day of our departure, forever; for I know that after my death they will offer themselves to others. For, to be plain with you, they are ghosts the which we entertained when we first began to be pilgrims, and could never shake them off after; and they will walk about and seek entertainment of the pilgrims; but, for our sakes, shut the doors upon them.

     When the time came for them to depart, they went to the brink of the river. The last words of Mr. Despondency were, Farewell night, welcome day. His daughter went through the river singing, but none could understand what she said.

     Then it came to pass, a while after, that there was a postman in the town that inquired for Mr. Honest. So he came to his house where he was, and delivered to his hand these lines: You are Commanded to be ready against this coming sevennight, (A week) to present yourself before your Lord, at His Father's house. And for a token that my message is true, "All thy daughters of music shall he brought low." (Ecc 12:4) Then Mr. Honest called for his friends, and said to them, I die, but shall make no will. As for my honesty, it shall go with me; let him that comes after be told of this. When the day that he was to be gone came, he addressed himself to go over the river. Now the river at that time overflowed the banks in some places; but Mr. Honest in his lifetime had spoken to one Good-conscience to meet him there, the which he also did, and lent him his hand, and so helped him over. The last words of Mr. Honest were, Grace reigns. So he left the world.

     After this, it was noised abroad, that Mr. Valiant-for-Truth was taken with a summons, by the same postman as the other; and had this for a token that the summons was true, "That his pitcher was broken at the fountain." (Ecc 12:6) When he understood it, he called for his friends, and told them of it. Then, he said, I am going to my Father's; and though with great difficulty I have arrived here, yet now I do not regret all the trouble I have been in to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me, that I have fought His battles, who now will be my Rewarder. When the day that he must go came, many accompanied him to the river-side, into which as he went, he said, "Death, where is thy sting?" And as he went down deeper, he said, "Grave, where is thy victory?" So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.

     Then there came forth a summons for Mr. Stand-fast. Mr. Stand-fast was he that the rest of the Pilgrims found upon his knees in the Enchanted Ground-for the postman brought it him open in his hands. The contents of it were, that he must prepare for a change of life, for his Master was not willing that he should be so far from Him any longer. At this Mr. Stand-fast was put into a muse. No, said the messenger, you need not doubt of the truth of my message, for here is a token of the Truth thereof: "Thy wheel is broken at the cistern." (Ecc 12:6) Then he called to him Mr. Great-heart, who was their guide, and said to him, Sir, although it was not my lot to be much in your good company in the days of my pilgrimage; yet, since the time I knew you, you have been profitable to me. When I came from home, I left behind a wife and five small children; let me entreat you, at your return, (For I know that you will go, and return to your Master's house, in hopes that you may yet be a conductor to more of the holy pilgrims) that you send to my family, and let them be acquainted with all that has, or shall happen to me. Tell them, moreover, of my happy arrival to this place, and of the present [And] late blessed condition that I am in. Tell them also of Christian, and Christiana his wife, and how she and her children came after her husband. Tell them also of what a happy end she made, and where she is gone. I have a little or nothing to send to my family, except it be prayers and tears for them; of which it will suffice if you acquaint them with them, if perhaps they may prevail.

     When Mr. Stand-fast had thus set things in order, and the time came for him to rush him away, he also went down to the river. Now there was a great calm at that time in the river; therefore Mr. Stand-fast, when he was about half-way in, stood a while and talked to his companions that had waited upon him there; and he said, This river has been a terror to many; yes, the thoughts of it also have often frightened me. Now, I think, I stand easy, my foot is fixed upon that which the feet of the priests that bare the ark of the Covenant stood, while Israel went over this Jordan. (Jos 3:17) The waters, indeed, are to the palate bitter, and to the stomach cold; yet the thoughts of what I am going to, and of the conduct that waits for me on the other side, does lie as a glowing coal at my heart.

     I see myself now at the end of my journey, my toilsome days are ended. I am going now to see that Head that was crowned with thorns, and that Face that was spit upon for me.

     I have formerly lived by hearsay and faith; but now I go where I shall live by sight, and shall be with Him in whose company I delight myself.

     I have loved to hear my Lord spoken of; and wherever I have seen the print of His shoe in the earth, there I have coveted to set my foot too.

     His name has been to me as a civet-box; yea, sweeter than all perfumes. His voice to me has been most sweet; and His countenance I have more desired than they that have most desired the light of the sun. His Word I did use to gather for my food, and for antidotes against my faintings. "He has held me, and has kept me from my iniquities; yes, my steps He has strengthened in His way."

     Now, while he was thus in discourse, his countenance changed, his strong man bowed under him; and after he had said, Take me, for I come unto Thee, he ceased to be seen of them.

     But glorious it was to see how the open region was filled with horses and chariots, with trumpeters and pipers, with singers and players on stringed instruments, to welcome the Pilgrims as they went up, and followed one another in at the beautiful gate of the city.

     As for Christian's children, the four boys that Christiana brought with her, with their wives and children, I did not stay where I was till they were gone over. Also, since I came away, I heard one say that they were yet alive, and so would be for the increase of the CHURCH in that place where they were, for a time.

     Shall it be my lot to go that way again, I may give those that desire it an account of what I am now silent about. Meantime, I bid my reader ADIEU.

END