CONTENTS.

PART II.

Author's Apology for the Second Part

Pilgrimage of Christiana and her children

THE FIRST STAGE. - Christiana and Mercy - Slough of Despond - knocking at the gate- the Dog - talk between the Pilgrims

THE SECOND STAGE. - The Devil's garden - two ill-favored ones assault them - theReliever - entertainment at the Interpreter's house - the Significant Rooms - Christianaand Mercy's experience

THE THIRD STAGE. - Accompanied by Great-Heart - the Cross - justified by Christ -Sloth and his companions hung - the hill Difficulty - the Arbor

THE FOURTH STAGE. - The Lions - Giant Grim slain by Great-Heart - the Pilgrims entertained- the children catechized by Prudence - Mr. Brisk - Matthew sick - the remedy - sightsshown the Pilgrims

THE FIFTH STAGE. - Valley of Humiliation - Valley of the Shadow of Death - GiantMaul slain

THE SIXTH STAGE. - Discourse with Old Honest - character and history of Mr. Fearing- Mr. Self-will and some professors - Gaius' house - conversation - the supper -Old Honest and Great-Heart's riddles and discourse - Giant Slay-good killed - Mr.Feeble-mind's history - Mr. Ready-to-halt - Vanity Fair - Mr. Mnason's house - cheeringentertainment and converse - a Monster

THE SEVENTH STAGE. - Hill Lucre - River of Life - Giant Despair killed - the DelectableMountains - entertainment by the Shepherds

THE EIGHTH STAGE. - Valiant-for-Truth's-Victory - his talk with Great- Heart - theEnchanted Ground - Heedless and Too-bold - Mr. Stand-fast - Madam Bubble's temptations- the land of Beulah - Christiana summoned - her parting addresses - she passes theRiver - she is followed by Ready-to-halt, Feeble-mind, Despondency and his daughter,Honest, Valiant,
Steadfast

Author's Farewell



THE AUTHOR'S WAY OF SENDING FORTH

His Second Part of the Pilgrim

Go now, my little book, to every place,
Where my first PILGRIM has but shown his face.

Call at their door; if any say, "Who's there?"
Then answer thou, "CHRISTIANA is here."

And if they bid thee come in, then enter thou
With all thy boys. And then, as thou know'st how,

Tell who they are, also from whence they come.
Perhaps they'll know them by their looks, or name;

But if they should not, ask them yet again
If formerly they did not entertain

One CHRISTIAN, a pilgrim. If they say
They did, and were delighted in his way,

Then let them know that these related were
Unto him; yea, his wife and children are.

Tell them that they have left their house and home
Are turned pilgrims; seek a world to come:

That they have met with hardships in the way:
That they do meet with troubles night and day:

That they have trod on serpents, fought with devils;
Have also overcome a many evils.

Yea, tell them also of the next who have,
Of love to pilgrimage, been stout and brave

Defenders of that way; and how they still
Refuse this world to do their Father's will.

Go, tell them also of those dainty things
That pilgrimage unto the pilgrim brings.

Let them acquainted be, too, how they are
Beloved of their King, under his care;

What goodly mansions for them he provides,
Though they meet with rough winds and swelling tides;

How brave a calm they will enjoy at last--
Who to their Lord and by his ways hold fast.

Perhaps with heart and hand they will embrace
Thee, as they did my firstling; and will grace

Thee and thy fellows with such cheer and fare,
As show will they of pilgrims lovers are.


FIRST OBJECTION.

But how, if they will not believe of me
That I am truly thine? 'cause some there be

That counterfeit the pilgrim, and his name:
Seek by disguise to seem the very same;

And by that means have wrought themselves into
The hands and houses of I know not who.

ANSWER.

'Tis true, some have of late, to counterfeit
My pilgrim, to their own my title set;

Yea, others half my name and title too
Have stitched to their book, to make them do:

But yet they, by their features, do declare
Themselves not mine to be, whose-e'er they are.

If such thou meetest with, then thine only way,
Before them all, is, to say out thy say

In thine own native language, which no man
Now uses nor with ease dissemble can.

If, after all, they still of you shall doubt,
Thinking that you, like gipsies, go about,

In naughty wise the country to defile,
Or that you seek good people to beguile

With things unwarrantable--send for me,
And I will testify you pilgrims be;

Yea, I will testify that only you
My pilgrims are: and that alone will do.

SECOND OBJECTION.

But yet, perhaps, I may enquire for him
Of those that wish him damned life and limb:

What shall I do when I, at such a door,
For pilgrims ask, and they shall rage the more?

ANSWER.

Fright not thyself, my book, for such bugbears
Are nothing else but ground for groundless fears.

My pilgrim's book has travelled sea and land,
Yet could I never come to understand

That it was slighted, or turned out of door
By any kingdom, were they rich or poor.

In France and Flanders, where men kill each other,
My pilgrim is esteemed a friend, a brother.

In Holland too 't is said, as I am told,
My pilgrim is with some worth more than gold,

Highlanders and wild Irish can agree,
My pilgrim should familiar with them be.

'T is in New England under such advance--
Receives there so much loving countenance--

As to be trimmed, new-clothed, and decked with gems,
That it may show its features and its limbs;

Yet more, so comely doth my pilgrim walk
That of him thousands daily sing and talk.

If you draw nearer home, it will appear
My pilgrim knows no ground of shame or fear.

City and country will him entertain.
With "Welcome, pilgrim!" Yea, they can't refrain

From smiling if my pilgrim be but by,
Or shows his head in any company.

Brave gallants do my pilgrim hug and love;
Esteem it much; yea, value it above

Things of a greater bulk; yea, with delight,
Say my lark's leg is better than a kite.

Young ladies, and young gentlewomen too,
Do no small kindness to my pilgrim show:

Their cabinets, their bosoms, and their hearts
My pilgrim has; 'cause he to them imparts

His pretty riddles in such wholesome strains,
As yields them profit double to their pains

Of reading. Yea, I think I may be bold
To say--some prize him far above their gold.

The very children that do walk the street,
If they do but my holy pilgrim meet,

Salute him will; will wish him well and say,
"He is the only stripling of the day."

They that have never seen him, yet admire
What they have heard of him; and much desire

To have his company, and hear him tell
Those pilgrim stories which he knows so well.

Yea, some who did not love him at the first
But called him "fool" and "noddy," say they must,

Now they have seen and heard him, him commend;
And to those whom they love they do him send.

Wherefore, my second part, thou needest not be
Afraid to show thy head: none can hurt thee:

That wish but well to him that went before;
'Cause thou comest after with a second store

Of things as good, as rich, as profitable,
For young, for old, for staggering, and for stable.

THIRD OBJECTION.

But some there be that say he laughs too loud;
And some do say his head is in a cloud.

Some say, his words and stories are so dark,
They know not how by them to find his mark.

ANSWER.

One may, I think, say, "Both his laughs and cries
May well be guessed at by his watery eyes."

Some things are of that nature as to make,
One's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache.

When Jacob saw his Rachel with the sheep,
He did at the same time both kiss and weep.

Whereas some say a cloud is in his head:
That doth but show how wisdom's covered

With its own mantles; and to stir the mind
To a search after what it fain would find.

Things that seem to be hid in words obscure,
Do but the godly mind the more allure

To study what those sayings should contain,
That speak to us in such a cloudy strain.

I also know a dark similitude
Will on the fancy more itself intrude;

And will stick faster in the heart and head,
Than things from similes not borrowed.

Wherefore, my book, let no discouragement
Hinder thy travels. Behold, thou forth art sent

To friends, not foes; to friends that will give place,
To thee, thy pilgrims and thy words embrace.

Besides, what my first pilgrim left concealed,
Thou, my brave second pilgrim, hath revealed:

What CHRISTIAN left locked up, and went his way,
Sweet CHRISTIANA opens with her key.

FOURTH OBJECTION.

But some love not the method of your first;
"Romance" they call it; throw it away as dust,

If I should meet with such, what should I say?
Must I slight them as they slight me; or nay?

ANSWER.

My CHRISTIANA, if with such thou meet,
By all means, in all loving wise, them greet,

Render them not reviling for revile;
But if they frown, I prithee on them smile.

Perhaps 't is nature, or some ill report,
Has made them thus despise, or thus retort.

Some love no cheese; some love no fish; and some
Love not their friends, nor their own house or home:

Some start at pig; slight chicken; love not fowl
More than they love a cuckoo or an owl.

Leave such, my CHRISTIANA, to their choice;
And seek those who, to find thee, will rejoice.

By no means strive; but, in all humble wise,
Present thee to them in thy pilgrim's guise.

Go then, my little book, and show to all
That entertain, and bid thee welcome shall,

What thou shalt keep close, shut up from the rest;
And wish what thou shalt show them may be blessed

To them for good--may make them choose to be
Pilgrims better by far than thee or me.

Go then, I say, tell all men who thou art:
Say, "I am CHRISTIANA; and my part

Is now, with my four sons, to tell you what
It is for men to take a pilgrim's lot."

Go also tell them who, and what, they be
That now do go on pilgrimage with thee.

Say, "Here's my neighbour MERCY: she is one
That has long time with me a pilgrim gone;

Come, see her in her virgin face, and learn
'Twixt idle ones and pilgrims to discern.

Yea, let young damsels learn of her to prize
The 'world' which is 'to come' in any wise;

When little tripping maidens follow God,
And leave old doting sinners to his rod:

'T is like those days wherein the young ones cried
'Hosannah!' to whom old ones did deride."

Next tell them of old HONEST, who you found,
With his white hairs, treading the pilgrim's ground:

Yea, tell them how plain hearted this man was,
How after his good Lord he bare his cross.

Perhaps with some grey head this may prevail
With Christ to fall in love, and sin bewail.

Tell them also how Master FEARING went
On pilgrimage, and how the time he spent

In solitariness, with fears and cries;
And how at last he won the joyful prize.

He was a good man, though much down in spirit;
He is a good man, and doth life inherit.

Tell them of Master FEEBLE-MIND also,
Who, not before, but still behind, would go,

Show them also how he had like been slain,
And how one GREAT-HEART did his life regain.

This man was true of heart though weak in grace;
One might true godliness read in his face.

Then tell them of Master READY-TO-HALT,
A man with crutches, but much without fault;

Tell them how Master FEEBLE-MIND and he
Did love, and in opinions much agree.

And let all know, though weakness was their chance.
Yet sometimes one could sing, the other dance.

Forget not Master VALIANT-FOR-THE-TRUTH,
That man of courage, though a very youth:

Tell everyone his spirit was so stout,
No man could ever make him face about!

And how GREAT-HEART and he could not forbear,
But put down Doubting Castle, slay DESPAIR.

Overlook not Master DESPONDENCY,
Nor MUCH-AFRAID, his daughter; though they lie

Under such mantles as may make them look
(With some) as if their God had them forsook.

They softly went, but sure; and at the end
Found that the Lord of pilgrims was their friend.

When thou hast told the world of all these things,
Then turn about, my book, and touch these strings;

Which, if but touched, will such music make,
They'll make a cripple dance, a giant quake.

These riddles that lie couched within thy breast,
Freely propound, expound; and for the rest

Of thy mysterious lines, let them remain
For those whose nimble fancies shall them gain.

Now may this little book a blessing be
To those that love this little book and me;

And may its buyer have no cause to say
His money is but lost or thrown away.

Yea, may this second pilgrim yield that fruit,
As may with each good pilgrim's fancy suit;

And may it persuade some that go astray,
To turn their foot and heart to the right way--

Is the hearty prayer of

THE AUTHOR,

JOHN BUNYAN.



Christiana and Her Children


To My Courteous Companions

SOME time since, to tell you my dream that I had of CHRISTIAN the pilgrim, and ofhis dangerous journey towards the Celestial Country, was pleasant to me, and profitableto you. I told you then also what I saw concerning his wife and children, and howunwilling they were to go with him on pilgrimage: insomuch that he was forced togo on his progress without them; for he durst not run the danger of that destructionwhich 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 hath so happened, through the multiplicity of business, that I have been muchhindered and kept back from my wonted travels into those parts whence he went, andso could not till now obtain an opportunity to make further inquiry after whom heleft behind, that I might give you an account of them. But having had some concernsthat way of late, I went down again thitherward. Now, having taken up my lodgingsin a wood about a mile off the place, as I slept I dreamed again.



The News of Christian, Christiana and Their Children

And as I was in my dream, behold, an aged gentleman came by where I lay; and becausehe was to go some part of the way that I was travelling, methought I got up and wentwith him. So as we walked, and as travellers usually do, we fell into discourse;and our talk happened to be about CHRISTIAN and his travels, for thus I began withthe old man:

"Sir," said I, "what town is that there below, that lies on the lefthand of our way?"

Sagacity. Then said Mr. SAGACITY--for that was his name: "It is the cityof Destruction; a populous place, but possessed with a very ill conditioned and idlesort of people."

"I thought that was that city," quoth I; "I went once myself throughthat 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 thatdwell therein.

"Well, sir," quoth I, "then 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 younever hear what happened to a man some time ago in this town (whose name was CHRISTIAN),that went on pilgrimage up towards the higher regions?"

Sag. Hear of him! aye, 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 housesthat have heard of him and his doings, that have sought after and got the recordsof his pilgrimage. Yea, I think I may say, that his hazardous journey has got a manywell-wishers to his ways; for though when he was here he was fool in every man'smouth, yet now he is gone he is highly commended of all: for 't is said he livesbravely where he is; yea, many of them that are resolved never to run his hazards,yet have their mouths water at his gains.

"They may," quoth I, "well think, if they think anything that 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 labour and sorrow, for there is no grief mixed therewith."

Sag. Talk! the people talk strangely about him. Some say that he now walksin white; that he has a chain of gold about his neck; and that he has a crown ofgold beset with pearls upon his head:

"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis whichhave not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they areworthy."
~ Revelation 3:4 ~

"And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them,that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also andtheir brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."
~ Revelation 6:11 ~

others say that the Shining Ones that sometimes showed themselves to him in his journeyare become his companions; and that he is as familiar with them in the place wherehe is, as here one neighbour is with another.

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wiltwalk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house,and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these thatstand by."
~ Zechariah 3:7 ~

Besides, 't is confidently affirmed concerning him, that the King of the place wherehe is has bestowed upon him already a very rich and pleasant dwelling at court; andthat he every day eats and drinks, and walks and talk with him, and receives of thesmiles and favours of him that is Judge of all there.

"And when one of them that sat at meat withhim heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat breadin the kingdom of God."
~ Luke 14:15 ~

Moreover, it is expected of some, that his Prince, the Lord of that country, willshortly come into these parts, and will know the reason, if they can give any, whyhis neighbours set so little by him, and had him so much in derision, when they perceivedthat he would be a pilgrim.

"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam,prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them ofall their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hardspeeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
~ Jude 1:14, 15 ~

For they say, that now he is so in the affections of his Prince, and that his Sovereignis so much concerned with the indignities that were cast upon CHRISTIAN when he becamea pilgrim, that he will look upon all as if done unto himself; and no marvel, for't was for the love that he had to his Prince that he ventured as he did.

"He that heareth you heareth me; and hethat despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sentme."
~ Luke 10:16 ~

"I dare say," quoth I. "I am glad of it; I am glad for the poor man'ssake. For that now he has rest from his labour;

"And I heard a voice from heaven sayingunto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works dofollow them."
~ Revelation 14:13 ~

and for that he now reaps the benefit of his tears with joy;

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come againwith rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
~ Psalms 126:5, 6 ~

and for that he has got beyond the gunshot of his enemies, and is out of the reachof them that hate him. I also am glad for that a rumour of these things is noisedabroad in this country. Who can tell but that it may work some good effect on somethat are left behind! But pray, sir, while it is fresh in my mind, do you hear anythingof his wife and children? Poor hearts! I wonder in my mind what they do."

Sag. Who? CHRISTIANA and her sons! They are like to do as well as did CHRISTIANhimself; for though they all played the fool at the first, and would by no meansbe persuaded by either the tears or entreaties of CHRISTIAN, yet second thoughtshave wrought wonderfully with them; so they have packed up, and are also gone afterhim.

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

Sag. 'Tis true. I can give you an account of the matter; for I was upon thespot at the instant, and was thoroughly acquainted with the whole affair.

"Then," said I, "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 someconsiderable way together, I will give you an account of the whole of the matter.



How Christiana Decided to Become a Pilgrim

"This CHRISTIANA (for that was her name from the day that she, with her children,betook 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 relationwas utterly broken betwixt them; for you know," said he to me, "naturecan do no less but entertain the living with many a heavy cogitation in the remembranceof the loss of loving relations. This, therefore, of her husband did cost her manya tear. But this was not all; for CHRISTIANA did also begin to consider with herself,whether her unbecoming behaviour towards her husband was not one cause that she sawhim no more, and that in such sort he was taken away from her. And upon this cameinto her mind by swarms all her unkind, unnatural, and ungodly carriages to her dearfriend, 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-bemoanings of her husband; and how she did harden her heart against allhis entreaties and loving persuasions (of her and her sons) to go with him; yea,there was not anything that CHRISTIAN either said to her, or did before her, allthe while that his burden did hang on his back, but it returned upon her like a flashof lightning, and rent the caul of her heart in two. Specially, that bitter outcryof his, 'What must I do to be saved?' did ring in her ears most dolefully.

"Then said she to her children, 'Sons, we are all undone. I have sinned awayyour father, and he is gone; he would have had us with him, but I would not go myself;I also have hindered you of life.' With that the boys fell all into tears, and criedout to go after their father. 'Oh,' said CHRISTIANA, 'that it had been but our lotto go with him; then had it fared well with us beyond what 'tis like to do now! Forthough I formerly foolishly imagined concerning the troubles of your father, thatthey proceeded of a foolish fancy that he had, or for that he was overrun with melancholyhumours; yet now 't will not out of my mind, but that they sprang from another cause,to wit, for that the light of light was given him; by the help of which, as I perceive,he has escaped the snares of death'.

"For if any be a hearer of the word, andnot a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdethhimself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein,he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessedin his deed."
~ James 1:23-25 ~

Then they all wept again; and cried out, 'Oh, woe worth the day!'

"The next night CHRISTIANA had a dream; and behold, she saw as if a broad parchmentwas opened before her, in which were recorded the sum of her ways; and the times,as she thought, looked very black upon her. Then she cried out aloud in her sleep,'Lord, have mercy upon me, a sinner!';

"And the publican, standing afar off, wouldnot lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying,God be merciful to me a sinner."
~ Luke 18:13 ~

and the little children heard her.

"After this she thought she saw two very ill favoured ones standing by her bedside,and saying, 'What shall we do with this woman; for she cries out for mercy wakingand sleeping? If she be suffered to go on as she begins, we shall lose her as wehave lost her husband. Wherefore we must, by one way or other, seek to take her offfrom the thoughts of what shall be hereafter; else all the world cannot help it butshe will become a pilgrim.'

"Now she awoke in a great sweat, also a trembling was upon her; but after awhileshe fell to sleeping again. And then she thought she saw CHRISTIAN her husband ina place of bliss, among many immortals, with a harp in his hand, standing and playingupon it before One that sat on a throne, with a rainbow about his head. She saw alsoas if he bowed his head with his face to the paved work that was under the Prince'sfeet, saying, 'I heartily thank my Lord and King for bringing of me into this place.'Then shouted a company of them that stood around 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, and had prayed to God, and talked with her childrenawhile, one knocked hard at the door; to whom she spake out saying, 'If thou comestin God's name, come in.' So he said, 'Amen,' and opened the door, and saluted herwith, 'Peace be to this house!' The which when he had done, he said, 'CHRISTIANA,knowest thou wherefore I am come?' Then she blushed and trembled; also her heartbegan to wax warm with desires to know whence he came, and what was his errand toher. So he said unto her, 'My name is SECRET: I dwell with those that are high. Itis talked of where I dwell as if thou hadst a desire to go thither; also there isa report that thou art aware of the evil thou hast formerly done to thy husband inhardening of thy heart against his way, and in keeping of these thy babes in theirignorance. CHRISTIANA, the merciful One has sent me to tell thee that he is a Godready to forgive; and that he takes delight to multiply pardon to offences. He alsowould have thee know that he inviteth thee to come into his presence; to his table;and that he will feed thee with the fat of his house, and with the heritage of Jacobthy father.

"'There is CHRISTIAN, thy husband that was, with legions more, his companions,ever beholding that face that doth minister life to beholders; and they will allbe glad when they shall hear the sound of thy feet step over thy Father's threshold.'

"CHRISTIANA at this was greatly abashed in herself; and bowed her head to theground, this visitor proceeded, and said, 'CHRISTIANA, here is also a letter forthee, which I have brought from thy husband's King.' So she took it and opened it;but it smelt after the manner of the best perfume,

"Because of the savour of thy good ointmentsthy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee."
~ Song of Solomon 1:3 ~

also it was written in letters of gold. The contents of the letter was, 'That theKing would have her do as did CHRISTIAN her husband; for that was the way to cometo his City, and to dwell in his presence with joy for ever.' At this the good womanwas quite overcome. So she cried out to her visitor. 'Sir, will you carry me andmy children with you, that we also may go and worship this King?'

"Then said the visitor, 'CHRISTIANA! the bitter is before the sweet. Thou mustthrough troubles, as did he that went before thee, enter this Celestial City. WhereforeI advise thee to do as did CHRISTIAN thy husband: go to the wicket gate yonder, overthe plain, for that stands in the head of the way up which thou must go; and I wishthee all good speed. Also I advise that thou put this letter in thy bosom. That thouread therein to thyself and to thy children, until you have got it by heart. Forit is one of the songs that thou must sing while thou art in this house of thy pilgrimage.

"Thy statutes have been my songs in thehouse of my pilgrimage."
~ Psalms 119:54 ~

Also this thou must deliver in at the further gate.'"

Now I saw in my dream, that this old gentleman, as he told me this story, did himselfseem to be greatly affected therewith. He moreover, proceeded and said, "SoCHRISTIANA called her sons together, and began thus to address herself unto them,'My sons, I have, as you may perceive, been of late under much exercise in my soulabout the death of your father; not for that I doubt at all of his happiness forI am satisfied now that he is well. I have also been much affected with the thoughtsof mine own state and yours, which I verily believe is by nature miserable. My carriagesalso to your father in his distress is a great load to my conscience; for I hardenedboth my own heart and yours against him, and refused to go with him on pilgrimage.

"'The thoughts of these things would now kill me outright, but that for a dreamwhich I had last night, and but that for the encouragement that this stranger hasgiven me this morning. Come, my children, let us pack up, and be gone to the gatethat leads to the celestial country; that we may see your father, and be with himand his companions in peace, according to the laws of that land.'

"Then did her children burst out into tears for joy that the heart of theirmother was so inclined. So their visitor bade them farewell: and they began to prepareto set out for their journey.


A Visit From Mrs. Timorous and Mercy

"But while they were thus about to be gone, two of the women that were CHRISTIANA'Sneighbours 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 kindof 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 fromher house.

"So they began, and said, 'Neighbour, pray what is your 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 CHRISTIANupon the Hill Difficulty, and would have had him go back for fear of the lions.)

"Timorous. For what journey, I pray you?

"Chris. Even to go after my good husband. And with that she fell a-weeping.

"Tim. I hope not so, good neighbour. Pray, for your poor children's sakes,do not so unwomanly cast away yourself.

"Chris. Nay, my children shall go with me; not one of them is willingto stay behind.

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

"Chris. Oh, neighbour, knew you but as much as I do, I doubt not butthat you would go with me.

"Tim. Prithee, what new knowledge hast thou got that so worketh off thymind from thy friends, and that tempteth thee to go nobody knows where?

"Chris. Then CHRISTIANA replied, 'I have been sorely afflicted sincemy husband's departure from me; but specially since he went over the river. But thatwhich troubles me most is, my churlish carriages to him when he was under his distress.Besides, I am now as he was then; nothing will serve me but going on pilgrimage.I was dreaming last night that I saw him. Oh that my soul was with him! He dwellsin the presence of the King of the country; he sits and eats with him at his table;he is become a companion of immortals; and has a house now given him to dwell in,to which the best palaces on earth if compared, seem to me to be but as a dunghill.

"For we know that if our earthly house ofthis tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not madewith hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to beclothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed weshall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, beingburdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality mightbe swallowed up of life."
~ 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 ~

The Prince of the place has also sent for me, with promise of entertainment if Ishall 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 now will you say to this?'

"Tim. Oh, the madness that has possessed thee and thy husband, to runyourselves upon such difficulties! You have heard, I am sure, what your husband didmeet with, even in a manner at the first step that he took on his way, as our neighbourOBSTINATE, can yet testify; for he went along with him, yea, and PLIABLE too, untilthey, like wise men, were afraid to go any farther. 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 thee. For ifhe, though a man, was so hard put to it, what canst thou, being but a poor woman,do? Consider, also, that these four sweet babes are thy children, thy flesh and thybones. Wherefore, though thou shouldst be so rash as to cast away thyself, yet, forthe sake of the fruit of thy body, keep thou at home.

"But CHRISTIANA said unto her, 'Tempt me not, my neighbour; I have now a priceput into mine hand to get gain, and I should be a fool of the greatest size if Ishould have no heart to strike in with the opportunity. And for that you tell meof all these troubles that I am like to meet with in the way, they are so far offfrom being to me a discouragement, that they show I am in the right. The bitter mustcome 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 pray you to be gone, andnot to disquiet me further.'

"Then TIMOROUS also reviled her, and said to her fellow, 'Come, neighbour MERCY,let's leave her in her own hands, since she scorns our counsel and company.' ButMERCY was at a stand, and could not so readily comply with her neighbour; and thatfor a twofold reason. First, her bowels yearned over CHRISTIANA; so she said withinherself, 'If my neighbour will needs be gone, I will go a little way with her, andhelp her.' Secondly, her bowels yearned over her own soul (for what CHRISTIANA hadsaid had taken some hold upon her mind). Wherefore she said within herself again,'I will yet have more talk with this CHRISTIANA: and if I find truth and life inwhat she shall say, myself with my heart shall also go with her.' Wherefore MERCYbegan thus to reply to her neighbour TIMOROUS.

"Mercy. Neighbour, I did indeed come with you to see CHRISTIANA thismorning; and since she is, as you see, a taking of her last farewell of her country,I think to walk this sunshiny morning a little way with her to help her on the way.

"But she told her not of her second reason; but kept that to herself.

"Tim. Well, I see you have a mind to go a-fooling too; but take heedin time, and be wise: while we are out of danger we are out; but when we are in weare in.

"So Mrs. TIMOROUS returned to her house, and CHRISTIANA betook herself to herjourney. But when TIMOROUS was got home to her house, she sent for some of her neighbours:to wit, Mrs. BAT'S-EYES, Mrs. INCONSIDERATE, Mrs. LIGHT-MIND, and Mrs. KNOW-NOTHING.So when they were come to her house, she fell to telling the story of CHRISTIANAand of her intended journey. And thus she began her tale:

"Tim. Neighbours, having had little to do this morning, I went to giveCHRISTIANA a visit; and when I came at the door I knocked, as you know 't is ourcustom. And she answered, 'If you come in God's name, come in.' So in I went, thinkingall 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 toldme, in short, that she was now of a mind to go on pilgrimage, as did her husband.She told me also a dream that she had, and how the King of the country where herhusband was had sent her an inviting letter to come thither.

"Mrs. Know-nothing. Then said Mrs. KNOW-NOTHING, 'And what, do you thinkshe will go?'

"Tim.Aye, go she will, whatever come on't; and methinks I know it bythis, for that which was my great argument to persuade her to stay at home (to wit,the troubles she was like to meet with in the way), is one great argument with herto put her forward on her journey. For she told me in so many words, the bitter goesbefore the sweet. Yea, and for as much as it so doth, it makes the sweet the sweeter.

"Mrs. Bat's-eyes. 'Oh, this blind and foolish woman,' said she; 'willshe not take warning by her husband's afflictions? For my part, I see, if he werehere again, he would rest him content in a whole skin, and never run so many hazardsfor nothing.'

"Mrs. Inconsiderate also replied, saying, 'Away with such fantasticalfools from the town--a good riddance, for my part, I say, of her. Should she staywhere she dwells, and retain this her mind, who could live quietly by her? for shewill either be dumpish or unneighbourly, or talk of such matters as no wise bodycan abide. Wherefore, for my part, I shall never be sorry for her departure; lether go, and let better come in her room: 't was never a good world since these whimsicalfools dwelt in it.'

"Then Mrs. Light-mind added as follows: 'Come, put this kind of talk away. Iwas yesterday at Madam WANTON'S, where we were as merry as the maids. For who doyou think should be there, but I, and Mrs. LOVE-THE-FLESH, and three or four more,with Mr. LECHERY, Mrs. FILTH, and some others. So there we had music and dancing,and what else was meet to fill up the pleasure. And I dare say, my lady herself isan admirably well bred gentlewoman, and Mr. LECHERY is as pretty a fellow.'


Uncertainties

"By this time CHRISTIANA was got 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 favour that thou shouldstset foot out of doors with me, to accompany me a little in my way.'

"Mercy. Then said young MERCY (for she was but young), 'If I thoughtit would be to purpose to go with you, I would never go near the town any more.'

"Chris. 'Well, MERCY,' said CHRISTIANA, 'cast in thy lot with me. I wellknow what will be the end of our pilgrimage: my husband is where he would not butbe for all the gold in the Spanish mines. Nor shalt thou be rejected, though thougoest but upon my invitation. The King who hath sent for me and my children is onethat delights in mercy. Besides, if thou wilt, I will hire thee, and thou shalt goalong with me as my servant. Yet we will have all things in common betwixt thee andme; only go along with me.'

"Mer. But how shall I be ascertained that I also shall be entertained?Had I this hope but from one that can tell, I would make no stick at all; but wouldgo, being helped by him that can help, though the way was never so tedious.

"Chris. Well, loving MERCY, I will tell thee what thou shalt do. Go withme to the wicket gate, and there I will further inquire for thee; and if there thoushalt not meet with encouragement, I will be content that thou shalt return to thyplace. I also will pay thee for thy kindness which thou showest to me and my children,in thy accompanying of us in our way as thou doest.

"Mer. Then will I go thither, and will take what shall follow; and theLord grant that my lot may there fall even as the King of heaven shall have his heartupon me!

"CHRISTIANA then was glad in her heart, not only that she had a companion, butalso for that she had prevailed with this poor maid to fall in love with her ownsalvation. So they went on together; and MERCY began to weep. Then said CHRISTIANA,'Wherefore weepest my sister so?'

"Mer. 'Alas!' said she, 'who can but lament that shall but rightly considerwhat a state and condition my poor relations are in that yet remain in our sinfultown? and that which makes my grief the more heavy is, because they have no instructor,nor any to tell them what is to come.'

"Chris. Bowels becomes pilgrims. And thou dost for thy friends as mygood CHRISTIAN did for me when he left me; he mourned for that I would not heed norregard him; but his Lord and ours did gather up his tears, and put them into hisbottle; and now both I, and thou, and these my sweet babes, are reaping the fruitand benefit of them. I hope, MERCY, these tears of thine will not be lost: for thetruth hath said, that 'they that sow in tears shall reap in joy, in singing. Andhe that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again withrejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him'.

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come againwith rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
~ Psalms 126:5, 6 ~

"Then said MERCY:

'Let the Most Blessed be my guide,
If it 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."'

Now my old friend proceeded, and said, "But when CHRISTIANA came up to the Sloughof Despond, she began to be at a stand: 'For,' said she, 'this is the place in whichmy dear husband had like to have been smothered with mud.' She perceived also, thatnotwithstanding the command of the King to make this place for pilgrims good, yetit was rather worse than formerly." So I asked if that was true? "Yes,"said the old gentleman, "too true. For that many there be that pretend to bethe King's labourers, and that say they are for mending the King's highway, thatbring din and dung instead of stones, and so mar instead of mending. Here CHRISTIANAtherefore, with her boys, did make a stand. But said MERCY, 'Come, let us venture,only let us be wary.' Then they looked well to the steps, and made a shift to getstaggeringly over.

"Yet CHRISTIANA had like to have been in, and that not once nor twice. Now theyhad no sooner got over, but they thought they heard words that said unto them, 'Blessedis she that believes; for there shall be a performance of those things that havebeen told her from the Lord'.

"And blessed is she that believed:for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."
~ Luke 1:45 ~

"Then they went on again. And said MERCY to CHRISTIANA, 'Had I as good groundto hope for a loving reception at the wicket gate as you, I think no Slough of Despondwould discourage me.'

"'Well,' said the other, 'you know your sore, and I know mine, and, good friend,we shall all have enough evil before we come at our journey's end. For can it beimagined, that the people that design to attain such excellent glories as we do,and that are so envied that happiness as we are, but that we shall meet with whatfears and scares, with what troubles and afflictions, they can possibly assault uswith that hate us? '"



Knocking at the Wicket Gate

And now Mr. SAGACITY left me to dream out my dream by myself. Wherefore methoughtI saw CHRISTIANA, and MERCY, and the boys, go all of them up to the gate. To whichwhen they were come, they betook themselves to a short debate about how they mustmanage their calling at the gate, and what should be said to him that did open tothem. So it was concluded, since CHRISTIANA was the eldest, that she should knockfor entrance; and that she should speak to him that did open for the rest. So CHRISTIANAbegan to knock; and as her poor husband did, she knocked and knocked again. But insteadof any that answered, they all thought that they heard as if a dog came barking uponthem. A dog, and a great one too; and this made the women and children afraid. Nordurst they for awhile to knock any more, for fear the mastiff should fly upon them.Now, therefore, they were greatly tumbled up and down in their minds, and knew notwhat to do. Knock they durst not, for fear of the dog; go back they durst not, forfear that the keeper of that gate should espy them as they so went, and should beoffended with them. At last they thought of knocking again, and knocked more vehementlythan they did at the first. Then said the keeper of the gate, "Who is there?"So the dog left off to bark, and he opened unto them.

Then CHRISTIANA made low obeisance, and said, "Let not our Lord be offendedwith his handmaidens, for that we have knocked at his princely gate."

Then said the keeper, "Whence come ye, and what is that ye would have?"

CHRISTIANA answered, "We are come from whence CHRISTIAN did come, and upon thesame errand as he; to wit, to be, if it shall please you, graciously admitted bythis gate into the way that leads to the Celestial City. And I answer my Lord inthe next place, that I am CHRISTIANA, once the wife of CHRISTIAN that now is gottenabove."

With that the keeper of the gate did marvel saying, "What, is she become nowa pilgrim, that but awhile ago abhorred that life?" Then she bowed her head,and said, "Yes; and so are these my sweet babes also."

Then he took her by the hand, and let her in and said also, "Suffer the littlechildren to come unto Me;" and with that he shut up the gate. This done, hecalled to a trumpeter that was above over the gate, to entertain CHRISTIANA withshouting and sound of trumpet for joy.

"I say unto you, that likewise joy shallbe in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine justpersons, which need no repentance."
~ Luke 15:7 ~

So he obeyed and sounded, and filled the air with his melodious notes.

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

Chris. And she said, "My Lord, I have a companion of mine that standsyet without, that is come hither upon the same account as myself: one that is muchdejected in her mind; for that she comes, as she thinks, without sending for, whereasI was sent to 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;wherefore she prevented CHRISTIANA from a fuller interceding for her, by knockingat the gate herself: and she knocked then so loud, that she made CHRISTIANA to start.Then said the keeper of the gate, "Who is there?" And said CHRISTIANA,"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."

"Oh, sir," said she, "I am faint; there is scarce life left in me."But he answered that "one once said, 'When my soul fainted within me, I rememberedthe Lord, and my prayer came in unto Thee, into Thy holy temple'.

"When my soul fainted within me I rememberedthe LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple."
~ John 2:7 ~

Fear not, but stand upon thy feet, and tell Me wherefore thou art come."

Mer. I am come for that unto which I was never invited, as my friend CHRISTIANAwas. Hers was from the King, and mine was but from her; wherefore I fear I presume.

Keeper of Gate. "Did she desire thee to come with her to this place?"

Mer. Yes; and, as my Lord sees, I am come. And if there is any grace or forgivenessof sins to spare, I beseech that I, thy poor handmaid, may be partaker thereof.

Then he took her again by the hand, and led her gently in, and said, "I prayfor all them that believe on Me, by what means soever they come unto Me." Thensaid he to those that stood by, "Fetch something, and give it to MERCY to smellon, thereby to stay her fainting." So they fetched her a bundle of myrrh, andawhile after she was revived.

And now was CHRISTIANA and her boys, and MERCY, received of the Lord at the headof the way, and spoke kindly unto by him.

Then said they yet further unto him, "We are sorry for our sins, and beg ofour Lord his pardon; and further information what we must do."

"I grant pardon," said he, "by word and deed: by word, in the promiseof forgiveness; by deed, in the way I obtained it. Take the first from my lips witha kiss, and the other as it shall be revealed".

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of hismouth: for thy love is better than wine."
~ Song of Solomon 1:2 ~

"And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side.Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord."
~ John 20:20 ~

Now I saw in my dream that he spake many good words unto them, whereby they weregreatly gladdened. he also had them up to the top of the gate, and showed them bywhat deed they were saved; and told them withal, that that sight they would haveagain as they went along in the way, to their comfort.

So he left them awhile in a summer parlour below, where they entered into talk bythemselves. And thus CHRISTIANA began, "O Lord, how glad am I that we are gotin hither!"

Mer. So you well may; but I, of all, have cause to leap for joy.

Chris. I thought one time, as I stood at the gate (because I had knocked,and none did answer), that all our labour had been lost; specially when that uglycur made such a heavy barking against us.

Mer. But my worst fear was after I saw that you were taken into his favour,and that I was left behind. Now, thought I, 'tis fulfilled which is written, "Twowomen shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left".

"Two women shall be grinding at themill; the one shall be taken, and the other left."
~ Matthew 24:41 ~

I had much ado to forbear crying out, Undone, undone! And afraid I was to knock anymore; but when I looked up to what was written over the gate, I took courage. I alsothought that I must either knock again, or die. So I knocked; but I cannot tell how,for my spirit now struggled betwixt life and death.

Chris. 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 knockingin all my life. I thought you would have come in by violent hands, or have takenthe Kingdom by storm.

"And from the days of John the Baptist untilnow the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."
~ Matthew 11:12 ~

Mer. Alas! to be in my case, who that so was could but have done so? You sawthat the door was shut upon me; and that there was a most cruel dog thereabout. Who,I say, that was so fainthearted as I, that would not have knocked with all theirmight? But pray, what said my Lord to my rudeness? Was he not angry with me?

Chris. 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 marvel in my heart why he keeps such a dog. Had I known that afore, I fearI should not have had heart enough to have ventured myself in this manner. But nowwe are in, we are in; and I am glad with all my heart.

Mer. I will ask, if you please, next time he comes down, why he keeps sucha filthy cur in his yard. I hope he will not take it amiss.

"Ay, do," said the children; "and persuade him to hang him, for weare afraid he will bite us when we go hence."

So at last he came down to them again; and MERCY fell to the ground on her face beforehim, and worshipped, and said, "Let my Lord accept of the sacrifice of praisewhich I now offer unto him with the calves of my lips."

So he said unto her, "Peace be to thee: stand up."

But she continued upon her face and said, "Righteous art Thou, O Lord, whenI plead with Thee; yet let me talk with Thee of thy judgments:

"Righteous art thou, O LORD, whenI plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doththe way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal verytreacherously? Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea,they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins."
~ Jeremiah 12:1, 2 ~

wherefore dost Thou keep so cruel a dog in thy yard, at the sight of which such womenand children as we are ready to fly from thy gate for fear?"

He answered, and said, "That dog has another owner; he also is kept close inanother man's ground, only my pilgrims hear his barking. He belongs to the castlewhich you see there at a distance, but can come up to the walls of this place. Hehas frightened many an honest pilgrim from worse to better by the great voice ofhis roaring. Indeed, he that owns him doth not keep him of any good will to Me ormine; but with intent to keep the pilgrims from coming to Me, and that they may beafraid to knock at this gate for entrance. Sometimes also he has broken out, andhas worried some that I love; but I take all at present patiently. I also give mypilgrims timely help; so that they are not delivered up to his power, to do to themwhat his doggish nature would prompt him to. But what! My purchased one, I trow,hadst thou known never so much beforehand, thou wouldst not have been afraid of adog. The beggars that go from door to door will, rather than they will lose a supposedalms, run the hazard of the bawling, barking, and biting too, of a dog; and shalla 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 thepower of the dog."

Mer. Then said MERCY, "I confess my ignorance; I spake what I understandnot: I acknowledge that Thou doest all things well."

Then CHRISTIANA began to talk of their journey, and to inquire after the way. Sohe fed them, and washed their feet; and set them in the way of his steps, accordingas 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 comfortableto them.

Then CHRISTIANA began to sing, saying:

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

'Tis true, 't was long ere I began
To seek to live for ever:
But now I run fast as I can-
'T is better late, than never.

Our tears to joy, our fears to faith,
Are turned, as we see:
Thus our beginning (as one saith)
Shows what our end will be."



Danger and a Protector

Now there was on the other side of the wall that fenced in way up which CHRISTIANAand her companions were to go, garden; and that garden belonged to him whose wasthat barking dog of whom mention was made before. And some of the fruit trees thatgrew in that garden shot their branches over the wall; and being mellow, they thatfound them did gather them up, and oft ate of them to their hurt. So CHRISTIANA'Sboys--as boys are apt to do--being pleased with the trees, and with the fruit thatdid hang thereon, did pluck them, and began to eat. Their mother did also chide themfor so doing; but still the boys went on.

"Well," said she, "my sons, you transgress; for that fruit is noneof ours." But she did not know that they did belong to the enemy; I'll warrantyou if she had, she would have been ready to die for fear. But that passed, and theywent on their way. Now by that they were gone about two bows' shot from the placethat let them into the way, they espied two very ill favoured ones coming down apaceto meet them. With that CHRISTIANA, and MERCY her friend, covered themselves withtheir veils; and so kept on their journey. The children also went on before; so thatat last they met together. Then they that came down to meet them came just up tothe women as if they would embrace them; but CHRISTIANA said, "Stand back, orgo peaceably by, as you should." Yet these two, as men that are deaf, regardednot CHRISTIANA'S words; but began to lay hands upon them. At that CHRISTIANA, waxingvery wroth, spurned at them with her feet. MERCY also, as well as she could, didwhat she could to shift them. CHRISTIANA again said to them, "Stand back, andbe gone; for we have no money to lose, being pilgrims, as ye see, and such too aslive upon the charity of our friends."

Ill-favoured Ones. Then said one of the two men, "We make no assaultupon you for money; but are come out to tell you, that if you will but grant onesmall request which we shall ask, we will make women of you for ever."

Chris. Now CHRISTIANA, imagining what they should mean, made answer again,"We will neither hear, nor regard, nor yield to what you shall ask. We are inhaste,---cannot stay; our business is a business of life and death." So again,she and her companions made a fresh essay to go past them: but they hindered themin their way.

Ill-favoured Ones. "We intend no hurt to your lives; 'tis another thingwe would have."

Chris. "Aye," quoth CHRISTIANA, "you would have us body andsoul, for I know 'tis for that you are come; but we will die rather upon the spotthan suffer ourselves to be brought into such snares as shall hazard our wellbeinghereafter." 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.

"If a damsel that is a virgin bebetrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; Butunto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthyof death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even sois this matter: For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damselcried, and there was none to save her."
~ Deuteronomy 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 at which they came, their voicewas heard from where they were, thither: wherefore some of the house came out, andknowing that it was CHRISTIANA'S tongue, they made haste to her relief; but by thatthey were got within sight of them, the women were in a very great scuffle, the childrenalso stood crying by. Then did he that came in for their relief call out to the ruffians,saying, "What is that thing that you do? Would you make my Lord's people totransgress?" He also attempted to take them; but they did make their escapeover the wall into the garden of the man to whom the great dog belonged: so the dogbecame their protector. This RELIEVER then came up to the women, and asked them howthey did. So they answered, "We thank thy Prince, pretty well, only we havebeen somewhat affrighted; we thank thee also for that thou camest into our help,for otherwise we had been overcome."

Reliever. So after a few more words, this RELIEVER said as follows: "Imarvelled much when you were entertained at the gate above, seeing ye knew that yewere but weak women, that you petitioned not the Lord there for a conductor. Thenmight you have avoided these troubles and dangers; for he would have granted youone."

Chris. "Alas," said CHRISTIANA, "We were so taken with ourpresent blessing, that dangers to come were forgotten by us; besides, who could havethought that so near the King's palace there should have lurked such naughty ones?Indeed, it had been well for us had we asked our Lord for one; but since our Lordknew 'twould be for our profit, I wonder he sent not one along with us."

Rel. It is not always necessary to grant things not asked for, lest by sodoing, they become of little esteem; but when the want of a thing is felt, it thencomes under, in the eyes of him that feels it, that estimate that properly is itsdue, and so consequently will be thereafter used. Had my Lord granted you a conductor,you would not neither so have bewailed that oversight of yours in not asking forone as now you have occasion to do. So all things work for good, and tend to makeyou more wary.

Chris. Shall we go back again to my Lord, and confess our folly, and ask forone?

Rel. Your confession of your folly I will present him with; to go back again,you need not. For in all places where you shall come, you will find no want at all;for in everyone of my Lord's lodgings which he has prepared for the reception ofhis pilgrims, there is sufficient to furnish them against all attempts whatsoever.But, as I said, he will be inquired of by them to do it for them;

"Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet forthis be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increasethem with men like a flock."
~ Ezekiel 36:37 ~

and 'tis a poor thing that is not worth asking for.

When he had thus said, he went back to his place; and the pilgrims went on theirway.

Mer. Then said MERCY, "What a sudden blank is here! I made account wehad now been past all danger, and that we should never see sorrow more."

Chris. "Thy innocency, my sister," said CHRISTIANA to MERCY, "mayexcuse thee much; but as for me, my fault is so much the greater, for that I sawthis danger before I came out of the doors, and yet did not provide for it, whereprovision might have been had. I am, therefore, much to be blamed."

Mer. Then said MERCY, "How knew you this before you came from home? Prayopen to me this riddle."

Chris. Why, I will tell you. Before I set foot out of doors, one night, asI lay in my bed, I had a dream about this; for methought I saw two men, as like theseas ever the world they could look, stand at my bed's feet, plotting how they mightprevent my salvation. I will tell you their very words. They said ('twas when I wasin my troubles), "What shall we do with this woman; for she cries out, wakingand sleeping, for forgiveness? If she be suffered to go on as she begins, we shalllose her as we have lost her husband." This, you know, might have made me takeheed and have provided when provision might have been had.

Mer. "Well," said MERCY, "as by this neglect we have an occasionministered unto us to behold our own imperfections, so our Lord has taken occasionthereby to make manifest the riches of his grace. For he, as we see, has followedus with unasked kindness; and has delivered us from their hands that were strongerthan we of his mere good pleasure."


Welcome at the Interpreter's House

Thus now, when they had talked away a little more time, they drew nigh to a housewhich stood in the way, which house was built for the relief of pilgrims; as youwill find more fully related in the first part of these records of the "Pilgrim'sProgress." 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 gaveear, and heard, as they thought, CHRISTIANA mentioned by name; for you must knowthat there went along, even before her, a talk of her and her children's going onpilgrimage: and this thing was the more pleasing to them, because they had heardthat she was CHRISTIAN'S wife--that woman who was some time ago so unwilling to hearof going on pilgrimage. Thus, therefore, they stood still; and heard the good peoplewithin commending her who, they little thought, stood at the door. At last CHRISTIANAknocked, as she had done at the gate before. Now when she had knocked, there cameto the door a young damsel named INNOCENT, and opened the door, and looked, and beholdtwo women were there.

Damsel. Then said the damsel to them, "With whom would you speak in thisplace?"

Chris. CHRISTIANA answered, "We understand that this is a privilegedplace for those that are become pilgrims, and we now at this door are such; wherefore,we pray that we may be partakers of that for which we at this time are come: forthe day, as thou seest, is very far spent, and we are loath tonight to go any farther."

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

Chris. My name is CHRISTIANA: I was the wife of that pilgrim that some yearsago did travel this way; and these be 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 thosewithin, "Can you think who is at the door? There is CHRISTIANA and her children,and her companion, all waiting for entertaining here."

Then they leaped for joy, and went and told their master. So he came to the door,and looking upon her, he said, "Art thou that CHRISTIANA whom CHRISTIAN, thegood man, left behind him when he betook himself to a pilgrim's life?"

Chris. I am that woman that was so hard hearted as to slight my husband'stroubles, and that left him to go on in his journey alone, and these are his fourchildren; but now I also am come, for I am convinced that no way is right but this.

Interpreter. Then is fulfilled that which also is written of the man thatsaid to his son, "Go, work today in my vineyard;" and he said to his father,"I will not," but afterwards repented and went.

"He answered and said, I will not: but afterwardhe repented, and went."
~ Matthew 21:29 ~

Chris. Then said CHRISTIANA, "So be it: Amen. God make it a true sayingupon me; and grant that I may be found at the last of him in peace without spot andblameless."

Inter. "But why standest thou thus at the door? Come in, thou daughterof Abraham; we were talking of thee but now, for tidings have come to us before howthou art become a pilgrim. Come, children, come in; come, maiden, come in."So he had them all into the house.

So when they were within, they were bidden to sit down and rest; the which when theyhad done, those that attended upon the pilgrims in the house came into the room tosee them. And one smiled, and another smiled, and they all smiled for joy that CHRISTIANAwas become a pilgrim. They also looked upon the boys; they stroked them over thefaces with the hand, in token of their kind reception of them; they also carriedit lovingly to MERCY, and bade them all welcome into their master's house.



Lessons

After awhile--because supper was not ready--the INTERPRETER took them into his significantrooms, 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 thatcut his way through his enemies; and the picture of the biggest of them all; togetherwith 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 hercompany, the INTERPRETER takes them apart again, and has them first into a room wherewas a man that could look no way but downwards, with a muck rake in his hand. Therestood also One over his head with a celestial crown in his hand, and proffered togive 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 said CHRISTIANA, "I persuade myself that I know somewhat the meaning ofthis; for this is a figure of a man of this world. Is it not, good sir?"

Inter. "Thou hast said the right," said he: "and his muck rakedoth show his carnal mind. And whereas thou seest him rather give heed to rake upstraws and sticks, and the dust of the floor, than to what he says that calls tohim from above with the celestial crown in his hand, it is to show that heaven isbut as a fable to some, and that things here are counted the only things substantial.Now, whereas it was also showed thee that the man could look no way but downwards,it is to let thee know that earthly things, when they are with power upon men's minds,quite carry their hearts away from God."

Chris. Then said CHRISTIANA, "Oh, deliver me from this muck rake!"

Inter. "That prayer," said the INTERPRETER, "has been lainby till 'tis almost rusty. 'Give me not riches'

"Remove far from me vanity and lies: giveme neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:"
~ Proverbs 30:8 ~

is scarce the prayer of one of ten thousand. Straws, and sticks, and dust, with mostare the great things now looked after."

With that MERCY and CHRISTIANA wept and said, "It is, alas ! too true."

When the INTERPRETER had showed them this, he has them into the very best room inthe house (a very brave room it was); so he bade them look round about, and see ifthey could find anything profitable there. Then they looked round and round; forthere was nothing there to be seen but a very great spider on the wall, and thatthey overlooked.

Mer. Then said MERCY, "Sir, I see nothing." But CHRISTIANA heldher peace.

Inter. But said the INTERPRETER, "Look again." She therefore lookedagain, and said, "Here is not anything but an ugly spider, who hangs by herhands upon the wall." Then said he, "Is there but one spider in all thisspacious room?" Then the water stood in CHRISTIANA'S eyes, for she was a womanquick of apprehension, and she said, "Yes, Lord, there is here more than one;yea, and spiders whose venom is far more destructive than that which is in her."The INTERPRETER then looked pleasantly upon her, and said, "Thou hast said thetruth." This made MERCY blush, and the boys to cover their faces; for they allbegan now to understand the riddle.

Then said the INTERPRETER again, "The spider takes hold with her hands,"as you see, "and is in kings' palaces.

"The spider taketh hold with her hands,and is in kings' palaces."
~ Proverbs 30:28 ~

And wherefore is this recorded, but to show you, that how full of the venom of sinsoever you be, yet you may, by the hand of faith, lay hold of, and dwell in the bestroom that belongs to the King's house above?

Chris. "I thought," said CHRISTIANA, "Of something of this;but I could not imagine it all. I thought that we were like spiders, and that welooked like ugly creatures, in what fine room soever we were; but that by this spider,this venomous and ill favoured creature, we were to learn how to act faith, thatcame not into my mind. And yet she has taken hold with her hands, as I see, and dwellsin the best room in the house. God has made nothing in vain."

Then they seemed all to be glad; but the water stood in their eyes. Yet they lookedone upon another, and also bowed before the INTERPRETER.

He had them then into another room where was a hen and chickens, and bid them toobserve awhile. So one of the chickens went to the trough to drink; and every timeshe drank, she lifted up her head and her eyes towards heaven. "See," saidhe, "what this little chick doth; and learn of her to acknowledge whence yourmercies come, by receiving them with looking up. Yet again," said he, "observeand look." So they gave heed, and perceived that the hen did walk in a fourfoldmethod towards her chickens.

1. She had a common call; and that she hath 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.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou thatkillest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often wouldI have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens underher wings, and ye would not!"
~ Matthew 23:37 ~

Inter. "Now," said he, "compare this hen to your King, andthese chickens to his obedient ones. For answerable to her, himself has his methods,which he walks in towards his people. By his common call, he gives nothing; by hisspecial call, he always has something to give; he has also a brooding voice for themthat are under his wing; and he has an outcry, to give the alarm when he sees theenemy come. I choose, my darlings, to lead you into the room where such things are,because you are women, and they are easy for you."

Chris. "And, sir," said CHRISTIANA, "pray let us see some more."

So he had them into the slaughter house, where a butcher was killing a sheep. Andbehold the sheep was quiet, and took her death patiently. Then said the INTERPRETER,"You must learn of this sheep to suffer and to put up wrongs without murmuringsand complaints. Behold how quietly she takes her death; and without objecting, shesuffers her skin to be pulled over her ears. Your King doth call you his sheep."

After this, he led them into his garden, where was great variety of flowers. Andhe said, "Do you see all these?" So CHRISTIANA said, "Yes." Thensaid he again, "Behold the flowers are divers in stature, in quality, in colour,and smell, and virtue, and some are better than others. Also, where the gardenerhas set them, there they stand; and quarrel not one with another."

Again, he had them into his field, which he had sowed with wheat and corn; but whenthey beheld, the tops of all were cut off, only the straw remained. He said again,"This ground was dunged, and ploughed, and sowed; but what shall we do withthe crop?" Then said CHRISTIANA, "Burn some, and make muck of the rest."Then said the INTERPRETER again, "Fruit you see, is that thing you look for;and for want of that you condemn it to the fire, and to be trodden under foot ofmen. Beware that in this you condemn not yourselves."

Then, as they were coming in from abroad, they espied a little robin with a greatspider in his mouth. So the INTERPRETER said, "Look here." So they looked;and MERCY wondered. But CHRISTIANA said, "What a disparagement is it to sucha pretty little 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 livedupon crumbs of bread, or upon other such harmless matter. I like him worse than Idid."

The INTERPRETER then replied, "This robin is an emblem very apt to set forthsome professors by; for to sight they are as this robin, pretty of note, colour,and carriage; they seem also to have a very great love for professors that are sincere;and above all other, to desire to sociate with and to be in their company, as ifthey could live upon the good man's crumbs. They pretend also, that therefore itis that they frequent the house of the godly, and the appointments of the Lord; butwhen they are by themselves as the robin, they can catch and gobble up spiders, theycan change their diet, drink iniquity, and swallow down sin like water."

So when they were come again into the house and supper as yet was not ready, CHRISTIANAagain desired that the INTERPRETER would either show or tell of some other thingsthat are profitable.

Then the INTERPRETER began, and said, "The fatter the sow is, the more she desiresthe mire; the fatter the ox is, the more gamesomely he goes to the slaughter; andthe 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's a comely thing tobe adorned with that which in God's sight is of great price.

"'Tis easier watching a night or two, than to sit up a whole year together:so 'tis easier for one to begin to profess well, than to hold out as he should tothe end.

"Every shipmaster, when in a storm, will willingly cast that overboard thatis of the smallest value in the vessel. But who will throw the best out first? nonebut he that fears not God.

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

"He that forgets his friend, is ungrateful unto him: but he that forgets hisSaviour, is unmerciful to himself.

"He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that sowscockle, 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 alwayshis company keeper.

"Whispering and change of thoughts, prove that sin is in the world.

"If the world, which God sets light by, is counted a thing of that worth withmen; what is heaven, which God commends!

"If the life that is attended with so many troubles is so loath to be let goby us, what is the life above!

"Everybody will cry up the goodness of men; but who is there that is, as heshould be, affected with the goodness of God?

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

When the INTERPRETER had done, he takes them out into his garden again, and had themto a tree, whose inside was all rotten and gone, and yet it grew and had leaves.Then said MERCY, "What means this?" "This tree," said he, "whoseoutside is fair, and whose inside is rotten, it is to which many may be comparedthat 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 fornothing but to be tinder for the devil's tinderbox."



Supper with the Interpreter

Now supper was ready, the table spread, and all things set on the board. So theysat down, and did eat, when one had given thanks. And the INTERPRETER did usuallyentertain 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 only my support
And he that doth me feed:
How can I, then want anything
Where of I stand in need?.

When the song and music were ended, the INTERPRETER asked CHRISTIANA what it wasthat at first did move her to betake herself to a pilgrim's life?

CHRISTIANA answered, "First the loss of my husband came into my mind, at whichI 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 achurl I had carried it to him as to that. So guilt took hold of my mind, and wouldhave drawn me into the pond; but that opportunely I had a dream of the wellbeingof my husband, and a letter sent me by the King of that country where my husbanddwells, to come to him. The dream and the letter together so wrought upon my mind,that they forced me to this way."

Inter. But met you with no opposition afore you set out of doors?

Chris. Yes; a neighbour of mine, one Mrs. TIMOROUS (she was akin to him thatwould have persuaded my husband to go back for fear of the lions). She all-to-befooledme for--as she called it--my intended desperate adventure. She also urged what shecould to dishearten me to it,--the hardship and troubles that my husband met within the way, but all this I got over pretty well. But a dream that I had, of two illlooking ones, that I thought did plot how to make me miscarry in my journey, thathath troubled me much; yea, it still runs in my mind, and makes me afraid of everyonethat I meet, lest they should meet me to do me a mischief, and to turn me out ofthe way. Yea, I may tell my lord, though I would not have everybody know it, thatbetween this and the gate by which we got into the way, we were both so sorely assaulted,that we were made to cry out "murder": and the two that made this assaultupon us were like the two that I saw in my dream.

Inter. Then said the INTERPRETER, "Thy beginning is good; thy latterend shall greatly increase." So he addressed himself to MERCY, and said untoher, "And what moved thee to come hither, sweetheart?"

Then MERCY blushed and trembled; and for awhile continued silent.

Inter. Then said he, "Be not afraid; only believe, and speak thy mind."

Mer. So she began, and said, "Truly, sir, my want of experience is thatthat makes me covet to be in silence; and that also that fills me with fears of comingshort at last. I cannot tell of visions and dreams, as my friend CHRISTIANA can;nor know I what it is to mourn for my refusing of the counsel of those that weregood relations."

Inter. What was it, then, dear heart, that hath prevailed with thee to doas thou hast done?

Mer. Why, when our friend here was packing up to be gone from our town, Iand 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 what was her meaning.She said she was sent for to go to her husband; and then she up and told us how shehad 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 praisesto him for bringing him thither, etc. Now, methought while she was telling thesethings unto 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 Imay, go along with CHRISTIANA.

So I asked her further of the truth of these things, and if she would let me go withher; for I saw now that there was no dwelling, but with the danger of ruin, any longerin our town. But yet I came away with a heavy heart; not for that I was unwillingto come away, but for that so many of my relations were left behind. And I am comewith all the desire of my heart; and will go, if I may, with CHRISTIANA unto herhusband and his King.

Inter. Thy setting out is good; for thou hast given credit to the truth. Thouart a Ruth; who did, for the love that she bore to Naomi, and to the Lord her God,leave father and mother, and the land of her nativity, to come out, and go with apeople that she knew not heretofore. "The Lord recompense thy work; and a fullreward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come totruth".

"And Boaz answered and said unto her, Ithath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since thedeath of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother,and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God ofIsrael, under whose wings thou art come to trust."
~ Ruth 2:11, 12 ~

Now supper was ended, and preparation was made for bed; the women were laid singlyalone, and the boys by themselves. Now when MERCY was in bed, she could not sleepfor joy, for that now her doubts of missing at last were removed farther from herthan ever they were before; so she lay blessing and praising God, who had had suchfavour for her.


Cleaned, Sealed and Clothed

In the morning they arose with the sun, and prepared themselves for their departure;but the INTERPRETER would have them tarry awhile, "For," said he, "youmust orderly go from hence." Then said he to the damsel that at first openedunto them, "Take them, and have them into the garden to the bath; and therewash 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 themto the bath; so she told them that there they must wash and be clean, for so hermaster would have the women to do that called at his house as they were going onpilgrimage. Then they went in and washed, yea, they and the boys and all; and theycame out of that bath, not only sweet and clean, but also much enlivened and strengthenedin their joints: so when they came in, they looked fairer a deal than when they wentout to the washing.

When they were returned out of the garden from the bath, the INTERPRETER took them,and looked upon them, and said unto them, "Fair as the moon." Then he calledfor the seal wherewith they used to be sealed that were washed in his bath. So theseal was brought, and he set his mark upon them, that they might be known in theplaces whither they were yet to go. Now the seal was the contents and sum of thePassover which the children of Israel did eat when they came out from the land ofEgypt,

"And thou shalt shew thy son in that day,saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me whenI came forth out of Egypt. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand,and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: forwith a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. Thou shalt thereforekeep this ordinance in his season from year to year."
~ Exodus 13:8-10 ~

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 gravity, and made theircountenances more like those of angels.

Then said the INTERPRETER again to the damsel that waited upon these women, "Gointo the vestry, and fetch out garments for these people." So she went, andfetched out white raiment, and laid it down before him; so he commanded them to putit on. It was fine linen, white and clean. When the women were thus adorned, theyseemed to be a terror one to the other; for that they could not see that glory eachone on herself which they could see in each other. Now therefore, they began to esteemeach other better than themselves; "For you are fairer than I am," saidone; "And you are more comely than I am," said another. The children alsostood amazed to see into what fashion they were brought.

The INTERPRETER then called for a manservant of his, one GREAT-HEART, and bade himtake sword, and helmet, and shield. "And take these my daughters," saidhe, "and conduct them to the house called Beautiful, at which place they willrest next." So he took his weapons, and went before them; and the INTERPRETERsaid, "God speed!" Those also that belonged to the family sent them awaywith many a good wish; so they went on their way, and sung:

"This place has been our second stage:
Here we have heard and seen
Those good things that, from age to age,
To others hid have been.
The Dunghill raker, Spider, Hen,
The Chicken, too, to me
Hath 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--doth 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."



Righteousness

Now I saw in my dream, that they went on, and GREAT-HEART went before them; so theywent and came to the place where CHRISTIAN'S burden fell off his back and tumbledinto a sepulchre. Here, then, they made a pause; and here also they blessed God."Now," said CHRISTIANA, "it comes to my mind what was said to us atthe gate; to wit, that we should have pardon by word and deed: by word, that is,by the promise; by deed, to wit, in the way it was obtained. What the promise is,of that I know something; but what is it to have pardon by deed, or in the way thatit was obtained? Mr. GREAT-HEART, I suppose you know? wherefore, if you please, letus hear your discourse thereof."

Great-heart. Pardon by the deed done is pardon obtained by some one for anotherthat hath need thereof; not by the person pardoned, but in the way, saith another,in which I have obtained it. So, then, to speak to the question more largely, thepardon that you and MERCY and these boys have attained was obtained by another: towit, by him that let you in at the gate. And he hath obtained it in this double way:he has performed righteousness to cover you; and spilt blood to wash you in.

Chris. But if he parts with his righteousness to us, what will he have forhimself?

Great-heart. He has more righteousness than you have need of, or than he needshimself.

Chris. Pray make that appear.

Great-heart. With all my heart; but first I must premise that he of whom weare now about to speak is one that has not his fellow. He has two natures in oneperson--plain to be distinguished, impossible to be divided. Unto each of these naturesa righteousness belongs; and each righteousness is essential to that nature. So thatone may as easily cause the nature to be extinct, as to separate its justice or righteousnessfrom it. Of these righteousnesses, therefore, we are not made partakers so as thatthey, or any of them, should be put upon us that we might be made just, and livethereby. Besides these, there is a righteousness which this Person has, as thesetwo natures are joined in one. And this is not the righteousness of the Godhead asdistinguished from the Manhood, nor the righteousness of the Manhood as distinguishedfrom the Godhead; but a righteousness which stands in the union of both natures,and may properly be called the righteousness that is essential to his being preparedof God to the capacity of the mediatory office which he was to be intrusted with.If he parts with his first righteousness, he parts with his Godhead; if he partswith his second righteousness, he parts with the purity of his Manhood; if he partswith this third, he parts with that perfection that capacitates him to the officeof mediation. He has, therefore, another righteousness which stands in performance,or obedience to a revealed will: and that is it that he puts upon sinners, and thatby which their sins are covered. Wherefore he saith, "As by one man's disobediencemany were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous".

"For as by one man's disobedience many weremade sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
~ Romans 5:19 ~

Chris. But are the other righteousnesses of no use to us?

Great-heart. Yes; for though they are essential to his natures and office,and so cannot be communicated unto another, yet it is by virtue of them that therighteousness that justifies is, for that purpose, efficacious. The righteousnessof his Godhead gives virtue to his obedience; the righteousness of his Manhood givescapability to his obedience to justify; and the righteousness that stands in theunion of these two natures to his office, gives authority to that righteousness todo the work of which it is ordained.

So then, here is a righteousness that Christ, as God, had no need of, for he is Godwithout it; here is a righteousness that Christ, as man, has no need of to make himso, 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 righteousnessthat 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, for himself,wants not, and therefore he gives it away. Hence 'tis called "The gift of righteousness".

"For if by one man's offence death reignedby one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousnessshall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."
~ Romans 5:17 ~

This righteousness, since Christ Jesus the Lord was made himself under the law, mustbe given away; for the law doth not only bind him that is under it to do justly,but to use charity: wherefore he must--he ought by the law--if he hath two coats,to give one to him that hath none. Now our Lord indeed hath two coats, one for himselfand one to spare; wherefore he freely bestows one upon those that have none. Andthus, CHRISTIANA, and MERCY, and the rest of you that are here, doth your pardoncome by deed, or by the work of another man. Your Lord Christ is he that has worked,and has given away what he wrought for to the next poor beggar he meets.

But again, in order to pardon by deed, there must something be paid to God as a price,as well as something prepared to cover us withal. Sin has delivered us up to thejust curse of a righteous law. Now from this curse we must be justified by way ofredemption, a price being paid for the harms we have done; and this is by the bloodof your Lord, who came and stood in your place and stead, and died your death foryour transgressions.

"But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed,if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;"
~ Romans 4:24 ~

Thus has he ransomed you from your transgressions by blood, and covered your pollutedand deformed souls with righteousness. For the sake of which God passes by you, andwill not hurt you, when he comes to judge the world.

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curseof the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree:"
~ Galations 3:13 ~

Chris. This is brave. Now I see that there was something to be learnt by ourbeing pardoned by word and deed. Good MERCY, let us labour to keep this in mind;and, my children, do you remember it also. But, Sir, was not this it that made mygood CHRISTIAN'S burden fall from off his shoulder, and that made him give threeleaps for joy?

Great-heart. Yes, 'twas the belief of this that cut those strings that couldnot be cut by other means; and 'twas to give him a proof of the virtue of this thathe was suffered to carry his burden to the cross.

Chris. I thought so; for though my heart was lightsome and joyous before,yet it is ten times more lightsome and joyous now. And I am persuaded by what I havefelt, though I have felt but little as yet, that if the most burdened man in theworld were here, and did see and believe as I now do, 'twould make his heart themore merry and blithe.

Great-heart. There is not only comfort and ease of a burden brought to usby the sight and consideration of these, but an endeared affection begot in us byit. For who can, if he doth but once think that pardon comes--not only by promise,but thus--but be affected with the way and means of his redemption, and so with theMan that hath wrought it for him?

Chris. True; methinks it makes my heart bleed to think that he should bleedfor me. O thou loving One! O thou blessed One! Thou deservest to have me; Thou hastbought me. Thou deservest to have me all; Thou hast paid for me ten thousand timesmore 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 he wished me with him; but,vile wretch that I was, I let him come all alone! O MERCY, that thy father and motherwere hear; yea, and Mrs. TIMOROUS also! Nay, I wish now with all my heart that herewas MADAM WANTON too. Surely, surely their hearts would be affected; nor could thefear of the one, nor the powerful lusts of the other, prevail with them to go homeagain, and to refuse to become good pilgrims.

Great-heart. You speak now in the warmth of your affections; will it, thinkyou, be always thus with you? Besides, this is not communicated to everyone; norto everyone that did see your Jesus bleed. There were that stood by, and that sawthe blood run from his heart to the ground: and yet were so far off this, that insteadof lamenting, they laughed at him; and instead of becoming his disciples, did hardentheir hearts against him. So that all that you have, my daughters, you have by apeculiar impression made by a divine contemplating upon what I have spoken to you.Remember that 'twas told you, that the hen, by her common call, gives no meat toher chickens: this you have, therefore, by a special grace.


The End of Simple, Sloth and Presumption

Now I saw, still in my dream, that they went on until they were come to the placethat SIMPLE and SLOTH and PRESUMPTION lay and slept in when CHRISTIAN went by onpilgrimage; and behold, they were hanged up in irons a little way off on the otherside.

Mercy. Then said MERCY to him that was their guide and conductor, "Whatare those three men? and for what are they hanged there?"

Great-heart. These three men were men of very bad qualities: they had no mindsto be pilgrims themselves; and whomsoever they could they hindered. They were forsloth and folly themselves; and whoever they could persuade they made so too; andwithal taught them to presume that they should do well at last. They were asleepwhen 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-PACEthat they persuaded to do as they. They also prevailed with one SHORT-WIND; withone NO-HEART; with one LINGER-AFTER-LUST; and with one SLEEPY-HEAD; and with a youngwoman--her name was DULL--to turn out of the way and become as they. Besides, theybrought up an ill report of your Lord, persuading others that he was a taskmaster.They also brought up an evil report of the good land, saying 'twas not half so goodas some pretend it was. They also began to defame his servants, and to count thevery best of them meddlesome, troublesome busybodies: further, they would call thebread of God, husks: the comforts of his children, fancies; the travel and labourof pilgrims, things to no purpose.

Chris. "Nay," said CHRISTIANA, "if they were such, they shallnever be bewailed by me; they have but what they deserve, and I think it is wellthat they hang so near the highway, that others may see and take warning. But hadit not been well if their crimes had been engraven in 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 tothe wall.

Mercy. No, no; let them hang, and their names rot, and their crimes live forever against them. I think it a high favour that they were hanged afore we came hither:who knows else what 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."



The Hill of Difficulty

Thus they went on till they came at the foot of the hill Difficulty; where againtheir good friend, Mr. GREAT-HEART, took an occasion to tell them of what happenedthere when CHRISTIAN himself went by. So he had them first to the spring. "Lo,"saith he, "this is the spring that CHRISTIAN drank of before he went up thishill, and then 'twas clear and good; but now 'tis dirty with the feet of some thatare not desirous that pilgrims here should quench their thirst".

"Seemeth it a small thingunto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feetthe residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foulthe residue with your feet?"
~ Ezekiel 34:18 ~

Thereat MERCY said, "And why so envious trow?" But said their guide, "Itwill do, if taken up, and put into a vessel that is sweet and good; for then thedirt will sink to the bottom, and the water come out by itself more clear."Thus, therefore, CHRISTIANA and her companions were compelled to do. They took itup and put it into an earthen pot, and so let it stand till the dirt was gone tothe bottom; and then they drank thereof.

Next he showed them the two byways that were at the foot of the hill, where FORMALITYand HYPOCRISY lost themselves. And said he, "These are dangerous paths; twowere here cast away when CHRISTIAN came by. And although, as you see, these waysare since stopped up with chains, posts, and a ditch, yet there are those who willchoose to adventure here, rather than take the pains to go up this hill."

Chris. "The way of transgressors is hard".

"Good understanding giveth favour: but theway of transgressors is hard."
~ Proverbs 13:15 ~

'Tis wonder that they can get into those ways without danger of breaking their necks.

Great-heart. They will venture; yea, if at any time any of the King's servantsdoth happen to see them, and doth call unto them, and tell them that they are inthe wrong ways, and do bid them beware of the danger: then they will railingly returnthem answer, and say, "As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in thename of the King, we will not hearken unto thee: but we will certainly do whatsoeverthing goes out of our own mouths," etc.

"As for the word that thouhast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee. But wewill certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incenseunto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done,we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in thestreets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, andsaw no evil."
~ Jeremiah 44:16, 17 ~

Nay, if you look a little farther, you shall see that these ways are made cautionaryenough; not only by these posts, and ditch, and chain, but also by being hedged up:yet they will choose to go there.

Chris. They are idle, they love not to take pains; the uphill way is unpleasantto them. So it is fulfilled unto them as it is written: "The way of the slothfulman is a hedge of thorns".

"The way of the slothful man is asan hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain."
~ Proverbs 15:19 ~

Yea, they will rather choose to walk upon a snare, than to go up this hill and therest of this way to the city.

Then they set forward, and began to go up the hill, and up the hill they went; butbefore they got to the top, CHRISTIANA began to pant, and said, "I daresay thisis a breathing hill; no marvel if they that love their ease more than their soulschoose to themselves a smoother way." Then said MERCY, "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 arbour." Then tookhe the little boy by the hand, and led him up thereto.

When they were come to the arbour, they were very willing to sit down; for they wereall in a pelting heat. Then said MERCY, "How sweet is rest to them that labour!And how good is the Prince of pilgrims to provide such resting places for them!

"Come unto me, all ye that labourand are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
~ Matthew 11:28 ~

Of this arbour I have heard much; but I never saw it before. But here let us bewareof sleeping; for as I have heard, that it cost poor CHRISTIAN dear."

Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART to the little ones, "Come, my pretty boys, how doyou do? what think you now of going on pilgrimage?" "Sir," said theleast, "I was almost beat out of heart; but I thank you for lending me a handat my need. And I remember now what my mother has told me, namely, 'That the wayto heaven is as up a ladder; and the way to hell is as down a hill.' But I had rathergo up the ladder to life, than down the hill to death."

Then said MERCY, "But the proverb is, 'To go down the hill is easy.'" ButJAMES said (for that was his name), "The day is coming when, in my opinion,going down hill will be the hardest of all." "'Tis a good boy," saidhis Master; "thou hast given her a right answer." Then MERCY smiled; butthe little boy did blush.

Chris. "Come," said CHRISTIANA, "will you eat a bit, a littleto sweeten your mouths, while you sit here to rest your legs? For I have here a pieceof 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." "Ithought he gave you something," said MERCY, "because he called you aside.""Yes, so he did," said the other; "but, MERCY, it shall still be asI said it should, when at first we came from home; thou shalt be a sharer in allthe good that I have, because thou so willingly didst become my companion."Then she gave to them, and they did eat, both MERCY and the boys. And said CHRISTIANAto Mr. GREAT-HEART, "Sir, will you do as we?" But he answered, "Youare going on pilgrimage, and presently I shall return; much good may what you havedo to you. 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 good, let us prepare to be going." So they got up to go, and thelittle boys went before; but CHRISTIANA forgot to take her bottle of spirits withher, so she sent her little boy back to fetch it. Then said MERCY, "I thinkthis is a losing place. Here CHRISTIAN lost his roll; and here CHRISTIANA left herbottle behind her: Sir, what is the cause of this?" So their guide made answerand said, "The cause is sleep or forgetfulness: some sleep when they shouldkeep awake; and some forget when they should remember; and this is the very causewhy often, at the resting places, some pilgrims in some things come off losers. Pilgrimsshould watch, and remember what they have already received under their greatest enjoyments;but for want of doing so, oft times their rejoicing ends in tears, and their sunshinein a cloud: witness the story of CHRISTIAN at this place."

When they were come to the place where MISTRUST and TIMOROUS met CHRISTIAN to persuadehim to go back for fear of the lions, they perceived as it were a stage; and beforeit, towards the road, a broad plate, with a copy of verses written thereon, and underneath,the reason of raising up of that stage in that place rendered.

The verses were these:

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

The words underneath the verses were, "This stage was built to punish such upon,who, through timorousness or mistrust, shall be afraid to go farther on pilgrimage.Also on this stage both MISTRUST and TIMOROUS were burned through the tongue witha hot iron, for endeavouring to hinder CHRISTIAN in his journey."

Then said MERCY, "This is much like to the saying of the Beloved, 'What shallbe given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Sharp arrowsof the mighty, with coals of juniper'".

"What shall be given unto thee? or whatshall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coalsof juniper."
~ Psalms 120:4 ~

Grim

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 whenthey were come up to the place where the lions were, the boys that went before wereglad to cringe behind, for they were afraid of the lions: so they stepped back andwent behind. At this their guide smiled, and said, "How now, my boys, do youlove to go before when no danger doth approach; and love to come behind as soon asthe lions appear?"

Now as they went up, Mr. GREAT-HEART drew his sword, with intent to make a way forthe pilgrims in spite of the lions. Then there appeared one that it seems had takenupon him to back the lions. And he said to the pilgrim's guide. "What is thecause of your coming hither?" 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 said the pilgrims' guide, "These women and childrenare going on pilgrimage; and this is the way they must go: and go it they shall,in spite of thee and the lions ."

Grim. This is not their way; neither shall they go therein. I am come forthto withstand them; and to that end will back the lions.

Now to say truth, by reason of the fierceness of the lions, and of the grim carriageof him that did back them, this way had of late lain much unoccupied, and was almostall grown over with grass.

Chris. Then said CHRISTIANA, "Though the highways have been unoccupiedheretofore, and though the travellers have been made in time past to walk throughbypaths, it must not be so now I am risen: 'Now I am risen a mother in Israel'".

"In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked throughbyways. The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, untilthat I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel."
~ Judges 5:6, 7 ~

Grim. Then he swore by the lions but it should; and therefore bade them turnaside, for they should not have passage there.

But GREAT-HEART their guide made first his approach unto GRIM; and laid so heavilyat him with his sword, that he forced him to a retreat.

Grim. Then said he that attempted to back the lions, "Will you slay meupon mine own ground?"

Great-heart. "'Tis the King's highway that we are in, and in his wayit is that thou hast placed thy lions; but these women and these children, thoughweak, shall hold on their way in spite of thy lions." And with that he gavehim again a downright blow, and brought him upon his knees. With this blow he alsobroke his helmet; and with the next he cut off an arm. Then did the giant roar sohideously, that his voice frightened the women; and yet they were glad to see himlie sprawling upon the ground. Now the lions were chained, and so of themselves coulddo nothing. Wherefore, when old GRIM that intended to back them was dead, Mr. GREAT-HEARTsaid to the pilgrims, "Come now, and follow me, and no hurt shall happen toyou from the lions." They therefore went on; but the women trembled as theypassed by them, the boys also looked as if they would die; but they all got by withoutfurther hurt.



Welcomed to the House Called "Beautiful"

Now then, they were within sight of the porter's lodge, and they soon came up untoit; but they made the more haste after this to go thither, because 'tis dangeroustravelling there in the night. So, when they were come 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 oft beforethat come thither as a conductor of pilgrims. When he was come down, he opened thegate, and seeing the guide standing just before it (for he saw not the women, forthey were behind him), he said unto him, "How now, Mr. GREAT-HEART; what isyour business here so late tonight?" "I have brought," said he, "somepilgrims hither, where, by my Lord's commandment, they must lodge. I had been heresome time ago, and I had not been opposed by the giant that did use to back the lions.But I, after a long and tedious combat with him, have cut him off, and have broughtthe pilgrims hither in safety."

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

Great-heart. No, I will return to my Lord tonight.

Chris. Oh, sir, I know not how to be willing you should leave us in our pilgrimage:you have been so faithful and so loving to us; you have fought so stoutly for us;you have been so hearty in counselling of us--that I shall never forget your favourtoward us.

Mercy. Then said MERCY, "Oh that we might have thy company to our journey'send! How can such poor women as we hold out in a way so full of troubles as thisway is without a friend and defender?"

James. Then said JAMES, the youngest of the boys, "Pray, sir, be persuadedto go with us, and help us; because we are so weak, and the way so dangerous as itis."

Great-heart. I am at my Lord's commandment. If he shall allot me to be yourguide quite through, I will willingly wait upon you: but here you failed at first;for when he bade me come thus far with you, then you should have begged me of himto have gone quite through 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; andmy husband is dead; his name was CHRISTIAN the pilgrim." "How?" saidthe porter, "was he your husband?" "Yes," said she, "andthese are his children; and this" (pointing to MERCY) "is one of my townswomen."Then the porter rang the bell, as at such times he is wont; and there came to thedoor one of the damsels, whose name was HUMBLE-MIND. And to her the porter said,"Go, tell it within that CHRISTIANA, the wife of CHRISTIAN, and her children,are come hither on pilgrimage." She went in, therefore, and told it. But oh,what a noise for gladness was there within when the damsel did but drop that wordout of her mouth !

So they came with haste to the porter; for CHRISTIANA stood still at the door. Thensome of the most grave said unto her, "Come in, CHRISTIANA: come in, thou wifeof that good man; come in, thou blessed woman; come in, with all who are with thee."So she went in; and they followed her that were her children and her companions.Now when they were gone in, they were had into a very large room, where they werebidden to sit down; so they sat down, and the chief of the house was called to seeand welcome the guests. Then they came in; and, understanding who they were, didsalute each other with a kiss, and said, "Welcome, ye vessels of the grace ofGod; welcome to us your friends!"

Now, because it was somewhat late, and because the pilgrims were weary with theirjourney, and also made faint with the sight of the fight and of the terrible lions,therefore they desired, as soon as might be, to prepare to go to rest. "Nay,"said those of the family, "refresh yourselves first with a morsel of meat."For they had prepared for them a lamb, with the accustomed sauce belonging thereto;

"Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel,saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man alamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:"
~ Exodus 12:3 ~

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb ofGod, which taketh away the sin of the world."
~ John 1:29 ~

for the porter had heard before of their coming, and had told it to them within.So when they had supped, and ended their prayer with a psalm, they desired they mightgo to rest. "But let us," said CHRISTIANA, "if we may be so bold asto choose, be in that chamber that was my husband's when he was here." So theyhad them up thither, and they lay all in a room. When they were at rest, CHRISTIANAand MERCY entered into discourse about things that were convenient.

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

Mercy. And you as little thought of lying in his bed, and in his chamber torest, as you do now.

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

Mercy. Hark, don't you hear a noise?

Chris. Yes, 'tis, 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 inheaven--for joy that we are here.


Mercy's Dream

Thus they talked awhile, and then betook themselves to sleep. So in the morning,when they were awake, CHRISTIANA said to MERCY,

Chris. What was the matter, that you did laugh in your sleep tonight? I supposeyou were in a dream.

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

Chris. Yes, you laughed heartily; but prithee, MERCY, tell me thy dream.

Mercy. I was a dreaming that I sat all alone in a solitary place, and wasbemoaning the hardness of my heart. Now I had not sat there long, but methought manywere gathered about me to see me, and to hear what it was that I said. So they hearkened;and I went on bemoaning the hardness of my heart. At this, some of them laughed atme; some called me fool; and some began to thrust me about. With that methought Ilooked up, and saw one coming with wings towards me. So he came directly to me, andsaid, "MERCY, what aileth thee?" Now when he had heard me make my complaint,he said, "Peace be to thee!" He also wiped mine eyes with his handkerchief,and clad me in silver and gold; he put a chain about my neck; and earrings in mineears; and a beautiful crown upon my head.

"Now when I passed by thee, and looked uponthee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee,and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant withthee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine. Then washed I thee with water;yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. Iclothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girdedthee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. decked thee also with ornaments,and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck."
~ Ezekiel 16:8-11 ~

Then he took me by the hand, and said, "MERCY, come after me." So he wentup, and I followed, till we came at a golden gate. Then he knocked; and when theywithin had opened, the man went in, and I followed him up to a throne, upon whichOne sat, and he said to me, "Welcome, daughter!" The place looked brightand twinkling like the stars, or rather like the sun; and I thought that I saw yourhusband there. So I awoke from my dream: but did I laugh?

Chris. Laugh! Aye, and well you might, to see yourself so well. For you mustgive me leave to tell you, that I believe it was a good dream, and that as you havebegun to find the first part true, so you shall find the second at last. "Godspeaks once, yea, twice; yet man perceives it not. In a dream, in a vision of thenight, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumbering upon the bed".

"For God speaketh once, yea twice, yetman perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleepfalleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;"
~ Job 33:14, 15 ~

We need not when 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 oft times wakes when we sleep; andGod can speak to that, either by words, by proverbs, by signs and similitudes, aswell as if one were awake.

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

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

Mercy. Pray, if they invite us to stay awhile, let us willingly accept ofthe proffer. I am the more willing to stay awhile here, to grow better acquaintedwith these maids; methinks PRUDENCE, PIETY, and CHARITY, have very comely and sobercountenances.

Chris. We shall see what they will do.

So when they were up and ready, they came down. And they asked one another of theirrest; and if it was comfortable or not.

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



Prudence Catechises the Boys

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

Charity. "Aye, and that with a very good will," said CHARITY.

So they consented, and stayed there about a month or above, and became very profitableone to another. And because PRUDENCE would see how CHRISTIANA had brought up herchildren, she asked leave of her to catechise them. So she gave her free consent.Then she began at the youngest, whose name was JAMES.

Pru. And she said, "Come, JAMES, canst thou tell who made thee?"

James. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.

Pru. Good boy. And canst thou tell who saves thee?

James. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.

Pru. Good boy, still. But how doth God the Father save thee?

James. By his grace.

Pru. How doth God the Son save thee?

James. By his righteousness, death, and blood, and life.

Pru. And how doth God the Holy Ghost save thee?

James. By his illumination; by his renovation; and by his preservation.

Then said PRUDENCE to CHRISTIANA, "You are to commended for thus bringing upyour children. I suppose I need not ask the rest these questions, since the youngestof them can answer them so well. I will therefore now apply myself to the youngestnext."

Pru. Then said she, "Come, JOSEPH" (for his name was Joseph), "willyou let me catechise you?"

Joseph. With all my heart.

Pru. What is man?

Jos. A reasonable creature, so saved by God, as my brother said.

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

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

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

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

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

Jos. The glorifying of his name, of his grace and justice, etc.; and the everlastinghappiness of his creatures.

Pru. Who are they that must be saved?

Jos. Those that accept of his salvation.

Pru. Good boy, JOSEPH; thy mother has taught thee well, and thou hast hearkenedto what she has said unto thee.

Then said PRUDENCE to SAMUEL, who was the eldest but one:

Pru. Come, SAMUEL, are you willing that I should catechise you also?

Samuel. Yes, forsooth, if you please.

Pru. What is heaven?

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

Pru. What is hell?

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

Pru. Why wouldest thou 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 fulness of the Holy Spirit in me,that I can by no means here enjoy.

Pru. "A very good boy also, and one that has learned well." Thenshe addressed herself to the eldest, whose name was MATTHEW; and she said to him,"Come, MATTHEW, shall I also catechise you?"

Matthew. With a very good will.

Pru. I ask, then, if there was ever anything that had a being antecedent to,or before God?

Mat. No, for God is eternal; nor is there anything, excepting himself, thathad a being until the beginning of the first day: "For in six days the Lordmade heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is."

Pru. What do you think of the Bible?

Mat. It is the holy Word of God.

Pru. Is there nothing written therein but what you understand?

Mat. Yes, a great deal.

Pru. What do you do when you meet with such places therein that you do notunderstand?

Mat. I think God is wiser than I. I pray also that he will please to let meknow all therein that he knows will be for my good.

Pru. How believe you as touching the resurrection of the dead?

Mat. I believe they shall rise the same that was buried; the same in nature,though not in corruption. And I believe this upon a double account: first, becauseGod has promised it; secondly, because he is able to perform it.

Then said PRUDENCE to the boys, "You must still hearken to your mother; forshe can learn you more. You must also diligently give ear to what good talk you shallhear from others; for, for your sakes do they speak good things. Observe also, andthat with carefulness, what the heavens and the earth do teach you; but especiallybe much in the meditation of that Book that was the cause of your father's becominga pilgrim. I, for my part, my children, will teach you what I can while you are here;and shall be glad if you will ask me questions that tend to godly edifying."


Mercy, Mr. Brisk and Husbands

Now by that these pilgrims had been at this place a week, MERCY had a visitor thatpretended some good will unto 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. Sohe came once or twice, or more, to MERCY, and offered love unto her. Now MERCY wasof a fair countenance, and therefore the more alluring.

Her mind also was, to be always busying of herself in doing; for when she had nothingto do for herself, she would be making of hose and garments for others, and wouldbestow them upon them that had need. And Mr. BRISK, not knowing where or how shedisposed of what she made, seemed to be greatly taken for that he found her neveridle. "I will warrant her a good housewife," quoth he to himself.

MERCY then revealed the business to the maidens that were of the house, and inquiredof them concerning him; for they did know him better than she. So they told her thathe was a very busy young man, and one that pretended to religion; but was, as theyfeared, a stranger to the power of that which was good.

"Nay, then," said MERCY, "I will look no more on him; for I purposenever to have a clog to my soul."

PRUDENCE then replied, "That there needed no great matter of discouragementto be given to him; her continuing so as she had begun to do for the poor would quicklycool his courage."

So the next time he came he found her at her old work, a-making of things for thepoor. Then said he, "What, always at it?" "Yes," said she, "eitherfor myself or for others." "And what canst thee earn a day?" quothhe. "I do these things," said she, "that I may be rich in good works;laying up in store a good foundation against the time to come, that I may lay holdon eternal life".

"Charge them that are rich in this world,that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich ingood works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselvesa good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
~ 1 Timothy 6:17-19 ~

"Why, prithee, what dost thou with them?" "Clothe the naked,"said she. With that his countenance fell. So he forbore to come at her again. Andwhen he was asked the reason why, he said, "That MERCY was a pretty lass, buttroubled with ill conditions."

When he had left her, PRUDENCE said, "Did I not tell thee that Mr. BRISK wouldsoon forsake thee? yea, he will raise up an ill report of thee; for notwithstandinghis pretence to religion, and his seeming love to MERCY, yet MERCY and he are oftempers so different, that I believe they will never come together."

Mercy. I might have had husbands afore now, though I spake not of it to any;but they were such as did not like my conditions, though never did any of them findfault with my person: so they and I could not agree.

Pru. Mercy in our days is little set by, any further than as to its name;the practice which is set forth by thy conditions there are but few that can abide.

Mercy. "Well," said MERCY, "if nobody will have me, I willdie a maid; or my conditions shall be to me as a husband. For I cannot change mynature; and to have one that lies cross to me in this, that I purpose never to admitof as long as I live. I had a sister named BOUNTIFUL that was married to one of thesechurls; but he and she could never agree: but because my sister was resolved to doas she had begun, that is, to show kindness to the poor, therefore her husband firstcried her down at the cross, and then turned her out of his doors."

Pru. And yet he was a professor, I warrant you.

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



Matthew's Sickness

Now MATTHEW, the eldest son of CHRISTIANA, fell sick, and his sickness was sore uponhim; for he was much pained in his bowels, so that he was with it at times pulledas 'twere both ends together. There dwelt also not far from thence one Mr. SKILL,an ancient and well approved physician. So CHRISTIANA desired it, and they sent forhim and he came. When he was entered the room and had a little observed the boy,he concluded that he was sick of the gripes. Then he said to his mother, "Whatdiet has MATTHEW of late fed upon?" "Diet!" said CHRISTIANA, "nothingbut that which is wholesome." The physician answered, "This boy has beentampering with something that lies in his maw undigested; and that will not awaywithout means. And I tell you he must be purged, or else he will die."

Sam. Then said SAMUEL, "Mother, mother, what was that which my brotherdid gather up and eat so soon as we were come from the gate that is at the head ofthis way? You know that there was an orchard on the left hand, on the other sideof the wall, and some of the trees hung over the wall, and my brother did pluck anddid eat."

Chris. "True, my child," said CHRISTIANA, "he did take thereofand did eat, naughty boy, as he was; I did chide him, and yet he would eat thereof."

Skill. I knew he had eaten something that was not wholesome food. And thatfood, to wit, that fruit, is even the most hurtful of all. It is the fruit of Beelzebub'sorchard. I do marvel that none did warn you of it; many have died thereof.

Chris. Then CHRISTIANA began to cry, and she said, "Oh, naughty boy;and oh, careless mother: what shall I do for my son?"

Skill. Come, do not be too much dejected; the boy may do well again; but hemust purge and vomit.

Chris. Pray, sir, try the utmost of your skill with him, whatever it costs.

Skill. "Nay, I hope I shall be reasonable." So he made him a purge,but it was too weak. 'Twas said it was made of the blood of a goat, the ashes ofan heifer, and with some of the juice of hyssop, etc.

"For the law having a shadow of good thingsto come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrificeswhich they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Forthen would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers oncepurged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices thereis a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possiblethat the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
~ Hebrews 10:1-4 ~

When Mr. SKILL had seen that that purge was too weak, he made him one to the purpose.'Twas made ex Carne et Sanguine Christi (you know physicians give strange medicinesto their patients); and it was made up into pills with a promise or two, and a proportionablequantity of salt.

"Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh myblood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh ismeat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinkethmy blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and Ilive by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me."
~ John 6:54-57 ~

"For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be saltedwith salt."
~ Mark 9:49 ~

Now he was to take them three at a time, fasting, in half a quarter of a pint ofthe tears of repentance.

"How much more shall the blood of Christ,who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciencefrom dead works to serve the living God?"
~ Hebrews 9:14 ~

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem,the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they havepierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son,and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."
~ Zechariah 12:10 ~

When this potion was prepared and brought to the boy, he was loath to take it, thoughtorn 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. "I must have you take it," said his mother. "I shallvomit it up again," said the boy, "Pray, sir," said CHRISTIANA toMr. SKILL, "how does it taste?" "It has no ill taste," said thedoctor; and with that she touched one of the pills with the tip of her tongue. "Oh,MATTHEW!" said she, "this potion is sweeter than honey. If thou lovestthy mother, if thou lovest thy brothers, if thou lovest MERCY, if thou lovest thylife--take it." So with much ado, after a short prayer for the blessing of Godupon it, he took it; and it wrought kindly with him. It caused him to purge; it causedhim to sleep, and rest quietly; it put him into a fine heat and breathing sweat;and did quite rid him of his gripes.

So in a little time he got up and walked about with a staff; and would go from roomto room, and talk with PRUDENCE, PIETY, and CHARITY, of his distemper and how hewas healed.


Physic

So when the boy was healed, CHRISTIANA asked Mr. SKILL, saying, "Sir, what willcontent you for your pains and care to and of my child?" And he said, "Youmust pay the master of the college of physicians, according to rules made in thatcase and provided.

"For the bodies of those beasts, whose bloodis brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without thecamp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood,suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearinghis reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By himtherefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruitof our lips giving thanks to his name."
~ Hebrews 13:11-15 ~

Chris. "But, sir," said she, "what else is this pill good for?"

Skill. It is an universal pill: 'tis good against all the diseases that pilgrimsare incident to; and when it is well prepared, it will keep good time out of mind.

Chris. Pray, sir, make me up twelve boxes of them; for if I can get these,I will never take other physic.

Skill. "These pills are good to prevent diseases, as well as to curewhen one is sick. Yea, I dare say it, and stand to it, that if a man will but usethis physic as he should, it will make him live for ever.

"This is the bread which cometh down fromheaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die."
~ John 6:50 ~

But, good CHRISTIANA, thou must give these pills no other way but as I have prescribed;for if you do, they will do no good." So he gave unto CHRISTIANA physic forherself, and her boys, and for MERCY; and bade MATTHEW take heed how he ate any moregreen plums, and kissed them, and went his way.


Questions for Prudence

It was told you before that PRUDENCE bade the boys that if at any time they would,they should ask her some questions that might be profitable; and she would say somethingto them.

Mat. Then MATTHEW, who had been sick, asked her, "Why, for the most part,physic should be bitter to our palates ?"

Pru. To show how unwelcome the Word of God and the effects thereof are toa carnal heart.

Mat. Why does physic, if it does good, purge and cause that we vomit?

Pru. To show that the Word, when it works effectually, cleanses the heartand mind. For look, what the one doth to the body, the other doth to the soul.

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

Pru. By the going up of the fire we are taught to ascend to heaven by ferventand hot desires. And by the sun, his sending his heat, beams, and sweet influencesdownwards, we are taught that the Saviour of the world, though high, reaches downwith his grace and love to us below.

Mat. Where have the clouds their water?

Pru. Out of the sea.

Mat. What may we learn from that?

Pru. That ministers should fetch their doctrine from God.

Mat. Why do they empty themselves upon the earth?

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

Mat. Why is the rainbow caused by the sun?

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

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

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

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

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

Mat. Why doth the fire fasten upon the candlewick?

Pru. To show that unless grace doth kindle upon the heart, there will be notrue light of life in us.

Mat. Why is the wick and tallow, and all, spent to maintain the light of thecandle?

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

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

Pru. To nourish her young ones with her blood; and thereby to show that Christthe blessed so loves his young, his people, as to save them from death by his blood.

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

Pru. Learn to remember Peter's sin and Peter's repentance. The cock's crowingshows also that day is coming on; let, then, the crowing of the cock put thee inmind of that last and terrible day of Judgment.



Departure

Now about this time their month was out; wherefore they signified to those of thehouse that 'twas convenient for them to up and be going. Then said JOSEPH to hismother, "It is convenient that you forget not to send to the house of Mr. INTERPRETER,to pray him to grant that Mr. GREAT-HEART should be sent unto us, that he may beour conductor the rest of our way." "Good boy," said she; "Ihad almost forgot." So she drew up a petition, and prayed Mr. WATCHFUL, theporter, to send it by some fit man to her good friend, Mr. INTERPRETER; who whenit was come, 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, theycalled the whole house together to give thanks to their King for sending to themsuch profitable guests as these. Which done, they said to CHRISTIANA, "And shallwe not show thee something, according as our custom is to do to pilgrims, on whichthou mayest meditate when thou art upon the way?" So they took CHRISTIANA, herchildren, and MERCY, into the closet, and showed them one of the apples that Evedid eat of, and that she also did give to her husband, and that for the eating ofwhich they both were turned out of Paradise: and asked her what she thought thatwas. Then CHRISTIANA said, "'Tis food or poison--I know not which." Sothey opened the matter to her; and she held up her hands, and wondered.

"And when the woman saw that the tree wasgood for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desiredto make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave alsounto her husband with her; and he did eat."
~ Genesis 3:6 ~

"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
~ Romans 7:24 ~

Then they had her to a place and showed her Jacob's ladder. Now at that time therewere some angels ascending upon it. So CHRISTIANA looked and looked to see the angelsgo up; and so did the rest of the company. Then they were going into another placeto show them something else; but JAMES said to his mother, "Pray bid them stayhere a little longer; for this is a curious sight." So they turned again, andstood feeding their eyes with this so pleasant a prospect.

"And he dreamed, and behold a ladder setup on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of Godascending and descending on it."
~ Genesis 28:12 ~

After this they had them into a place where did hang up a golden anchor; so theybade CHRISTIANA take it down. "For," said they, "you shall have itwith you; for 'tis of absolute necessity that you should, that you may lay hold ofthat within the veil, and stand steadfast, in case you should meet with turbulentweather"; so they were glad thereof.

"The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, andutter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but theLORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel."
~ Joel 3:16 ~

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast,and which entereth into that within the veil;"
~ Hebrews 6:19 ~

Then they took them, and had them to the mount upon which Abraham our father hadoffered up Isaac his son; and showed them the altar, the wood, the fire, and theknife: for they remain to be seen to this very day.

"And they came to the place which God hadtold him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and boundIsaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood."
~ Genesis 22:9 ~

When they had seen it, they held up their hands and blessed themselves, and said,"Oh, what a man for love to his Master and for denial to himself was Abraham!"After they had showed them all these things, PRUDENCE took them into the dining room,where stood a pair of excellent virginals: so she played upon them, and turned whatshe 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 angel's are.

An anchor you received have;
But let not these suffice,
Until with Abraham 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 was come in, what joy was there! For it came nowfresh again into their minds how, but awhile ago, he had slain old GRIM BLOODY-MAN,the Giant, and had delivered them from the lions.

Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART to CHRISTIANA and to MERCY, "My Lord hath sent eachof 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 alongwith them. When they came at the gate, CHRISTIANA asked the porter if any of latewent by. He said, "No, only one some time since, who also told me that of latethere had been a great robbery committed on the King's highway, as you go; but hesaith the thieves are taken, and will shortly be tried for their lives." ThenCHRISTIANA and MERCY were afraid; but MATTHEW said, "Mother, fear nothing aslong as Mr. GREAT-HEART is to go with us and to be our conductor."

Then said CHRISTIANA to the porter, "Sir, I am much obliged to you for all thekindnesses you have showed me since I came hither; and also for that you have beenso loving and kind to my children. I know not how to gratify your kindness, whereforepray, as a token of my respects to you, accept of this small mite." So she puta gold angel (an ancient coin) in his hand; and he made her a low obeisance, andsaid, "Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head want no ointment.Let MERCY live and not die; and let not her works be few." And to the boys hesaid, "Do you flee youthful lusts, and follow after godliness with them thatare grave and wise; so shall you put gladness into your mother's heart, and obtainpraise 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 ofthe hill; where PIETY, bethinking herself, cried out, "Alas! I have forgot whatI intended to bestow upon CHRISTIANA and her companions. I will go back and fetchit." So she ran and fetched it.

While she was gone, CHRISTIANA thought she heard in a grove, a little way off onthe right hand, a most curious melodious note, with words much like these:

"Through all my life Thy favour is
So frankly showed 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 for ever sure:
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure."

So CHRISTIANA asked PRUDENCE what 'twas that made those curious notes? "Theyare," said she, "our country birds: they sing these notes but seldom, exceptit be at the Spring, when the flowers appear and the sun shines warm; and then youmay hear them all day long. I often," said she, "go out to hear them; wealso oft times keep them tame in our house. They are very fine company for us whenwe are melancholy; also they make the woods, and groves, and solitary places, placesdesirous to be in.

"For, lo, the winter is past, the rain isover and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing ofbirds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;"
~ Song of Solomon 2:11, 12 ~

By this time PIETY was come again; so she said to CHRISTIANA, "Look here; Ihave brought thee a scheme of all those things that thou hast seen at our house,upon which thou mayest look when thou findest thyself forgetful, and call those thingsagain to remembrance for thy edification and comfort."

Now they began to go down the hill into the Valley of Humiliation. It was a steephill, and the way was slippery; but they were very careful, so they got down prettywell. When they were down in the valley, PIETY said to CHRISTIANA, "This isthe place where CHRISTIAN, your husband, met with the foul fiend APOLLYON; and wherethey had that dreadful fight that they had. I know you cannot but have heard hereof.But be of good courage; as long as you have here Mr. GREAT-HEART to be your guideand conductor, we hope you will fare the better." So when these two had committedthe pilgrims unto the conduct of their guide, he went forward, and they went after.



The Beautiful Valley of Humiliation

Great-heart. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "We need not to be so afraidof this valley; for here is nothing to hurt us unless we procure it to ourselves.'Tis 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 thisvalley has got so hard a name. For the common people, when they hear that some frightfulthing has befallen such an one in such a place, are of an opinion that that placeis haunted with some foul fiend or evil spirit; when, alas, it is for the fruit oftheir doing that such things do befall them there.

"This Valley of Humiliation is of itself as fruitful a place as any the crowflies over; and I am persuaded, if we could hit upon it, we might find somewherehereabouts, something that might give us an account why CHRISTIAN was so hardly besetin this place."

Then JAMES said to his mother, "Lo, yonder stands a pillar, and it looks asif something was written thereon; let us go and see what it is." So they went,and found there written, "Let CHRISTIAN'S slips before he came hither, and thebattles that he met with in this place, be a warning to those that come after."

"Lo," said their guide, "did not I tell you, that there was somethinghereabouts that would give intimation of the reason why CHRISTIAN was so hard besetin this place?" Then turning himself to CHRISTIANA, he said, "No disparagementto CHRISTIAN more than to many others, whose hap and lot his was. For 't is easiergoing up than down this hill; and that can be said but of few hills in all theseparts of the world. But we will leave the good man--he is at rest, he also had abrave 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 mostfruitful piece of ground in all those parts. It is fat ground; and, as you see, consistsmuch in meadows; and if a man were to come here in the summertime, as we do now,if he knew not anything before thereof, and if he also delighted himself in the sightof his eyes, he might see that that would be delightful to him. Behold, how greenthis valley is! also how beautiful with lilies!

"I am the rose of Sharon, andthe lily of the valleys."
~ Song of Solomon 2:1 ~



"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, butgiveth grace unto the humble."
~ James 4:6 ~

"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of yoube subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud,and giveth grace to the humble."
~ 1 Peter 5:5 ~

I have also known many labouring men that have got good estates in this Valley ofHumiliation (for God resists the proud, but gives more grace to the humble); forindeed it is a very fruitful soil, and doth bring forth by handfuls. Some also havewished that the next way to their Father's house were here, that they might be troubledno more with either hills or mountains to go over; but the way is the way, and there'san end."

Now as they were going along and talking, they espied a boy feeding his father'ssheep. The boy was in very mean clothes, but of a very fresh and well favoured countenance;and as he sat by himself, he sang. "Hark," said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "towhat the shepherd's boy saith."

So they hearkened, 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.

I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much;
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because thou savest such.

Fulness to such a burden is
That go on pilgrimage:
Here little, and hereafter bliss,
Is best from age to age."

"I know both how to be abased, and I knowhow to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full andto be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christwhich strengtheneth me."
~ Philippians 4:12, 13 ~

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and becontent with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, norforsake thee."
~ Hebrews 13:5 ~

Then said their guide, "Do you hear him? I will dare to say that this boy livesa merrier life, and wears more of that herb called 'hearts-ease' in his bosom, thanhe that is clad 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 behere. 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: allstates are full of noise and confusion; only the Valley of Humiliation is that emptyand solitary place. Here a man shall not be so let and hindered in his contemplationas in other places he is apt to be. This is a valley that nobody walks in but thosethat love a pilgrim's life. And though CHRISTIAN had the hard hap to meet here withAPOLLYON, and to enter with him a brisk encounter--yet I must tell you, that in formertimes men have met with angels here; have found pearls here; and have in this placefound the words of life.

"The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah,and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompensehim. He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had powerwith God: Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplicationunto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; Even the LORDGod of hosts; the LORD is his memorial."
~ Hosea 12:2-5 ~

"Did I say, our Lord had here in former days his country house, and that heloved here to walk? I will add, in this place, and to the people that live and tracethese grounds, he has left a yearly revenue to be faithfully paid them at certainseasons for their maintenance by the way, and for their further encouragement togo on their pilgrimage".

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
~ Matthew 11:29 ~

Sam. Now, as they went on, SAMUEL said to Mr. GREAT-HEART, "Sir, I perceivethat in this valley my father and APOLLYON had their battle; but whereabout was thefight, for I perceive this valley is large?"

Great-heart. Your father had that battle with APOLLYON at a place yonder,before us, in a narrow passage just beyond Forgetful Green. And indeed that placeis the most dangerous place in all these parts. For if at any time the pilgrims meetwith any brunt, it is when they forget what favours they have received, and how unworthythey are of them. This is the place also where others have been hard put to it. Butmore of the place when we are 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 sucha battle there was fought.

Mercy. Then said MERCY, "I think I am as well in this valley as I havebeen anywhere else in all our journey. The place, methinks, suits with my spirit.I love to be in such places where there is no rattling with coaches, nor rumblingwith wheels. Methinks here one may, without much molestation, be thinking what heis; whence he came; what he has done; and to what the King has called him. Here onemay think, and break at heart and melt in one's spirit, until one's eyes become likethe fish pools of Heshbon. They that go rightly through this valley of Baca makeit a well; the rain that God sends down from heaven upon them that are here alsofills the pools. This valley is that from whence also the King will give to themvineyards, and they that go through it shall sing

"Thy neck is as a tower of ivory;thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy noseis as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus."
~ Song of Solomon 7:4 ~

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heartare the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Bacamake it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength,every one of them in Zion appeareth before God."
~ Psalms 84:5-7 ~

"And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor fora door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as inthe day when she came up out of the land of Egypt."
~ Hosea 2:15 ~

(as CHRISTIAN did, for all he met with APOLLYON)."

Great-heart. "'T is true," said their guide, "I have gone throughthis valley many a time, and never was better than when here. I have also been aconductor to several pilgrims; and they have confessed the same. 'To this man willI look,' saith the King, 'even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, andthat trembles at my word.'"

Now they were come to the place where the afore mentioned battle was fought. Thensaid the guide to CHRISTIANA, her children, and MERCY, "This is the place: andon this ground CHRISTIAN stood; and up there came APOLLYON against him. And look,did not I tell you, here is some of your husband's blood upon these stones to thisday. Behold also, how here and there are yet to be seen upon the place some of theshivers of APOLLYON'S broken darts. See also how they did beat the ground with theirfeet, as they fought to make good their places against each other; how also withtheir by-blows they did split the very stones in pieces. Verily CHRISTIAN did hereplay the man, and showed himself as stout as could, had he been there, even HERCULEShimself. When APOLLYON was beaten, he made his retreat to the next valley, that iscalled the Valley of the Shadow of Death--unto which we shall come anon. Lo, yonderalso stands a monument on which is engraven 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 readthe 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."



Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

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 withevil things, as many are able to testify. But these women and children went the betterthrough it, because they had daylight; and because Mr. GREAT-HEART was their conductor.

When they were entered upon this valley, they thought that they heard a groaningas of dead men--a very great groaning. They thought also they did hear words of lamentationspoken, as of some in extreme torment. These things made the boys to quake; the womenalso looked pale and wan; but their guide bade them be of good comfort.

So they went on a little farther, and they thought that they felt the ground beginto shake under them, as if some hollow place was there; they heard also a kind ofa hissing as of serpents; but nothing as yet appeared. Then said the boys, "Arewe not yet at the end of this doleful place?" But the guide also bade them beof good courage, and look well to their feet; "Lest haply," said he, "yoube taken in some snare."

Now JAMES began to be sick; but I think the cause thereof was fear; so his mothergave him some of that glass of spirits that she had given her at the INTERPRETER'Shouse, 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 CHRISTIANAsaid, "Methinks I see something yonder upon the road before us, a thing of sucha shape such as I have not seen." Then said JOSEPH, "Mother, what is it?""An ugly thing, child; an ugly thing," said she. "But, mother whatis it like," said he. "'T is like I cannot tell what," said she. Andnow it was but a little way off. Then said she, "It is nigh."

"Well, well," said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "Let them that are most afraidkeep close to me." So the fiend came on, and the conductor met it; but whenit was just come to him, it vanished to all their sights. Then remembered they whathad been told some time ago, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

They went therefore on, as being a little refreshed; but they had not gone far, beforeMERCY, looking behind her, saw, as she thought, something most like a lion, and itcame a great padding pace after; and it had a hollow voice of roaring, and at everyroar that it gave, it made all the valley echo, and their hearts to ache, save theheart of him that was their guide. So it came up, and Mr. GREAT-HEART went behind,and put the pilgrims all before him. The lion also came on apace; and Mr. GREAT-HEARTaddressed himself to give him battle. But when the lion saw that it was determinedthat resistance should be made, he also drew back, and came no farther.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversarythe devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resiststedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in yourbrethren that are in the world."
~ 1 Peter 5:8, 9 ~

Then they went on again, and their conductor did go before them, till they came ata place where was cast up a pit the whole breadth of the way; and before they couldbe prepared to go over that, a great mist and darkness fell upon them, so that theycould not see. Then said the pilgrims, "Alas! now what shall we do?" Buttheir guide made answer, "Fear not; stand still, and see what an end will beput to this also": so they stayed there because their path was marred. Thenthey also thought that they did hear more apparently the noise and rushing of theenemies; the fire also and the smoke of the pit was much easier to be discerned.Then said CHRISTIANA to MERCY, "Now I see what my poor husband went through.I have heard much of this place, but I never was here afore now; poor man! he wenthere all alone in the night--he had night almost quite through the way; also thesefiends were busy about him, as if they would have torn him in pieces. Many have spokenof it; but none can tell what the Valley of the Shadow of Death should mean untilthey come in it themselves. 'The heart knows its own bitterness; and a stranger intermeddlesnot with its joy.' To be here is a fearful thing."

Great-heart. This is like doing business in great waters, or like going downinto the deep; this is like being in the heart of the sea, and like going down tothe bottoms of the mountains. Now it seems as if the earth with its bars were aboutus for ever. "But let them that walk in darkness, and have no light, trust inthe name of the Lord, and stay upon their God." For my part, as I have toldyou already, I have gone often through this valley, and have been much harder putto it than I am now; and yet you see I am alive. I would not boast, for that I amnot mine own saviour; but I trust we shall have a good deliverance. Come, let uspray for light to him that can lighten our darkness, and that can rebuke, not onlythese, but all the Satans in hell.

So they cried and prayed, and God sent light and deliverance: for there was now nolet in their way; no not there, where but now they were stopped with a pit.

Yet they were not got through the valley; so they went on still; and behold, greatstinks and loathsome smells, to the great annoyance of them. Then said MERCY to CHRISTIANA,"Itis not so pleasant being here as at the Gate; or at the INTERPRETER'S; orat the house where we lay last."

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

"Well said, SAMUEL," quoth the guide; "thou hast now spoke like aman." "Why, if ever I get out here again," said the boy, "I thinkI shall prize light and good way better than ever I did in all my life." Thensaid the guide, "We shall be out by and bye"

So on they went; and JOSEPH said, "Cannot we see to the end of this valley asyet?" Then said the guide, "Look to your feet; for you shall presentlybe among the snares." So they looked to their feet and went on; but they weretroubled much with the snares. Now when they were come among the snares, they espieda man cast into the ditch on the left hand, with his flesh all rent and torn. Thensaid the guide, "That is one HEEDLESS, that was a going this way; he has lainthere a great while. There was one TAKEHEED with him when he was taken and slain;but he escaped their hands. You cannot imagine how many are killed here about; andyet men are so foolishly venturous, as to set out lightly on pilgrimage, and to comewithout a guide. Poor CHRISTIAN! it was a wonder that he here escaped; but he wasbeloved of his God; also he had a good heart of his own, or else he could never havedone it." Now they drew towards the end of the way; and just there, where CHRISTIANhad seen the cave when he went by, out thence came forth MAUL, a giant. This MAULdid use to spoil young pilgrims with sophistry; and he called GREAT-HEART by hisname, and said unto him, "How many times have you been forbidden to do thesethings?" Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "What things?" "What things?"quoth the giant, "you know what things; but I will put an end to your trade.""But pray," said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "before we fall to it, let us understandwherefore we must fight" (now the women and children stood trembling, and knewnot what to do). Quoth the giant, "You rob the country, and rob it with theworst of thefts." "These are but generals," said Mr. GREAT-HEART;"come to particulars, man."

Then said the giant, "Thou practisest the craft of a kidnapper; thou gatherestup women and children, and carriest them into a strange country, to the weakeningof my master's kingdom." But now GREAT-HEART replied, "I am a servant ofthe God of heaven; my business is to persuade sinners to repentance; I am commandedto do my endeavour to turn men, women and children from darkness to light, and fromthe power of Satan to God; and if this be indeed the ground of thy quarrel, let usfall to it as soon as thou wilt."

Then the giant came up; and Mr. GREAT-HEART went to meet him. And as he went, hedrew his sword; but the giant had a club. So without more ado they fell to it; andat the first blow, the giant stroke Mr. GREAT-HEART down upon one of his knees: withthat, the women and children cried out. So Mr. GREAT-HEART, recovering himself, laidabout him in full lusty manner, and gave the giant a wound in his arm; thus he foughtfor the space of an hour, to that height of heat, that the breath came out of thegiant's nostrils as the heat doth out of a boiling cauldron.

Then they sat down to rest them, but Mr. GREAT-HEART betook him to prayer; also thewomen and children did nothing but sigh and cry all the time that the battle didlast.

When they had rested them, and taken breath, they both fell to it again; and Mr.GREAT-HEART with a full blow, fetched the giant down to the ground. "Nay, hold,and let me recover," quoth he. So Mr. GREAT-HEART fairly let him get up, soto it they went again: and the giant missed but little of all-to-breaking Mr. GREAT-HEART'Sskill with his club.

Mr. GREAT-HEART seeing that, runs to him in the full heat of his spirit, and pierceshim under the fifth rib; with that the giant began to faint, and could hold up hisclub no longer. Then Mr. GREAT-HEART seconded his blow, and smote the head of thegiant from his shoulders. Then the women and children rejoiced; and Mr. GREAT-HEARTalso praised God for the deliverance he had wrought.

When this was done, they amongst them erected a pillar, and fastened the giant'shead thereon; and wrote underneath in letters that passengers might read:

"He that did wear this head was one
That pilgrims did misuse;
He stopt 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 aprospect for pilgrims (that was the place from whence CHRISTIAN had the first sightof FAITHFUL, his brother). Wherefore here they sat down, and rested; they also heredid eat and drink and make merry, for that they had gotten deliverance from thisso dangerous an enemy. As they sat thus and did eat, CHRISTIANA asked the guide,"If he had caught no hurt in the battle?" Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "No,save a little on my flesh; yet that also shall be so far from being to my determent,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 last."

"But were you not afraid, good sir, when you saw him come out with his club?"

"It is my duty," said he, "to distrust mine own ability, that I mayhave reliance on him that is stronger than all."

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubledon every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted,but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the bodythe dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest inour body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, thatthe life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith,according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe,and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise upus also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things arefor your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redoundto the glory of God."
~ 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 ~

"But what did you think when he fetched you down to the ground at the firstblow?"

"Why, I thought," quoth he, "that so my Master himself was served;and yet he it was that conquered at the last."

Matt. When you all have thought what you please, I think God has been wonderfulgood unto us, both in bringing us out of this valley, and in delivering us out ofthe hand of this enemy; for my part I see no reason why we should distrust our Godany more, since he has now, and in such a place as this, given us such testimonyof his love as this.



Honest

They then got up and went forward. Now a little before them stood an oak; and underit, when they came to it, they found an old pilgrim, fast asleep; they knew thathe was a pilgrim by his clothes, and his staff, and his girdle.

So the guide, Mr. GREAT-HEART, awakened him; and the old gentleman as he lift uphis eyes, cried out, "What's the matter? who are you? and what is your businesshere?"

Great-heart. "Come, man, be not so hot; here are none but friends."Yet the old man gets up and stands upon his guard, and will know of them what theywere. Then said the guide, "My name is GREAT-HEART; I am the guide of thesepilgrims, which are going to the celestial country."

Honest. Then said Mr. HONEST, "I cry you mercy; I feared that you hadbeen of the company of those that some time ago did rob LITTLE-FAITH of his money;but now I look better about me, I perceive you are honester people."

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

Honest. Done! why I would have fought as long as breath had been in me; andhad I so done, I am sure you could never have given me the worst on't; for a Christiancan never be overcome, unless he shall yield of himself.

Great-heart. "Well said, father HONEST," quoth the guide; "forby this I know thou art a cock of the right kind, for thou hast said the truth."

Honest. And by this also I know that thou knowest what true pilgrimage is;for all others do think that we are the soonest overcome of any.

Great-heart. Well, now we are so happily met, pray let me crave your nameand the name of the place you came from?

Honest. My name I cannot; but I came from the town of Stupidity: it lies aboutfour degrees beyond the city of Destruction.

Great-heart. Oh, are you that countryman, then? I deem I have half a guessof you; your name is OLD HONESTY, is it not?

Honest. So the old gentleman blushed, and said, "Not Honesty in the abstract,but HONEST is my name; and I wish that my nature shall agree to what I am called.But, sir," said the old gentleman, "how could you guess that I am sucha man, since I came from such a place?"

Great-heart. I had heard of you before by my Master; for he knows all thingsthat are done on the earth. But I have often wondered that any should come from yourplace; for your town is worse than is the City of Destruction itself.

Honest. Yes, we lie more off from the sun, and so are more cold and senseless;but were a man in a mountain of ice, yet if the Sun of Righteousness will arise uponhim, 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 the thingis true.

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

Chris. Then said CHRISTIANA, "My name I suppose you have heard of; goodCHRISTIAN was my husband, and these four were his children." But can you thinkhow 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:

Honest. "I have heard much of your husband, and of his travels and warswhich he underwent in his days. Be it spoken to your comfort, the name of your husbandrings all over these parts of the world: his faith, his courage, his enduring, andhis 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 unto them, "MATTHEW,be thou like Matthew the publican--not in vice, but in virtue. SAMUEL," saidhe, "be thou like Samuel the prophet, a man of faith and prayer. JOSEPH,"said he, "be thou like Joseph in Potiphar's house, chaste, and one that fliesfrom temptation. And JAMES, be thou like James the Just, and like James the brotherof our Lord."

"Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthewthe publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;"
~ Matthew 10:3 ~

"Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon hisname; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them."
~ Psalms 99:6 ~

"And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh,captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, whichhad brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperousman; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw thatthe LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper inhis hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made himoverseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And itcame to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, andover all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake;and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, savethe bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and wellfavoured. And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast hereyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master'swife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hathcommitted all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this housethan I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou arthis wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it cameto pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lieby her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Josephwent into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of thehouse there within.

And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment inher hand, and fled, and got him out. And it came to pass, when she saw that he hadleft his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, That she called unto the men ofher house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto usto mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: Andit came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he lefthis garment with me, and fled, and got him out. And she laid up his garment by her,until his lord came home. And she spake unto him according to these words, saying,The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garmentwith me, and fled out."
~ Genesis 39:1-18 ~

Then they told him of MERCY; and how she had left her town and her kindred, to comealong with CHRISTIANA and with her sons. At that the old honest man said, "MERCYis thy name? by mercy shalt thou be sustained, and carried through all those difficultiesthat shall assault thee in thy way; till thou shall come thither, where thou shaltlook the fountain of mercy in the face with comfort."

All this while the guide, Mr. GREAT-HEART, was very much pleased, and smiled uponhis companion.


The Story of Mr. Fearing

Now as they walked along together, the guide asked the old gentleman, if he did notknow one Mr. FEARING that came on pilgrimage out of his parts.

Honest. "Yes, very well," said he; "he was a man that had theroot of the matter in him, but he was one of the most troublesome pilgrims that Iever met with in all my days."

Great-heart. I perceive you knew him; for you have given a very right characterof him.

Honest. Knew him! I was a great companion of his, I was with him when he firstbegan to think of what would come upon us hereafter.

Great-heart. I was his guide from my master's house to the gates of the CelestialCity.

Honest. 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 callingare oftentimes entrusted with the conduct of such as he was.

Honest. Well then, pray let us hear a little of him, and how he managed himselfunder your conduct.

Great-heart. "Why, he was always afraid that he should come short ofwhither he had a desire to go. Everything frightened him that he heard anybody speakof, that had but the least appearance of opposition in it. I hear that he lay roaringat the Slough of Despond for above a month together; nor durst he, for all he sawseveral go over before him, venture, though they, many of them, offered to lend himtheir hand. He would not go back again neither. The Celestial City, he said, he shoulddie if he came not to it; and yet was dejected at every difficulty, and stumbledat every straw that anybody cast in his way. Well, after he had lain at the Sloughof Despond a great while, as I have told you, one sunshiny morning, I do not knowhow, he ventured, and so got over. But when he was over, he would scarce believeit. He had, I think, a Slough of Despond in his mind, a slough that he carried everywherewith him; or else he could never have been as he was. So he came up to the gate--youknow what I mean--that stands at the head of this way; and there also he stood agood while before he would adventure to knock. When the gate was opened, he wouldgive back; and give place to others, and say that he was not worthy. For, for allhe got before some to the gate, yet many of them went in before him. There the poorman would stand shaking and shrinking; I dare say it would have pitied one's heartto have seen him; nor would he go back again. At last he took the hammer that hangedon the gate in his hand, and gave a small rap or two; then one opened to him, buthe shrunk back as before. He that opened stept out after him, and said, "Thoutrembling one, what wantest thou?" With that he fell down to the ground. Hethat spoke to him wondered to see him so faint. So he said to him, 'Peace be to thee;up, for I have set open the door to thee; come in, for thou art blest.' With thathe got up, and went in trembling; and when he was in, he was ashamed to show hisface.

"Well, after he had been entertained there awhile, as you know how the manneris, he was bid go on his way, and also told the way he should take. So he came tillhe came to our house; but as he behaved himself at the gate, so he did at my masterthe INTERPRETER'S door. He lay thereabout in the cold a good while before he wouldadventure to call; yet he would not go back. And the nights were long and cold then.Nay, he had a note of necessity in his bosom to my Master, to receive him, and granthim the comfort of his house; and also to allow him a stout and valiant conductor,because he was himself so chicken hearted a man; and yet for all that he was afraidto call at the door. So he lay up and down thereabouts till, poor man, he was almoststarved; yea, so great was his dejection, that though he saw several others for knockingget in, yet he was afraid to venture.

"At last, I think I looked out of the window; and perceiving a man to be upand down about the door, I went out to him, and asked what he was; but, poor man,the water stood in his eyes. So I perceived what he wanted. I went therefore in,and told it in the house; and we showed the thing to our Lord. So he sent me outagain to entreat him to come in; but I dare say I had hard work to do it. At lasthe came in; and I will say that for my Lord, he carried it wonderful lovingly tohim. There were but a few good bits at the table; but some of it was laid upon histrencher. Then he presented the note; and my Lord looked thereon, and said his desireshould be granted. So when he had been there a good while, he seemed to get someheart, and to be a little more comfortable; for my Master, you must know, is oneof very tender bowels, especially to them that are afraid: wherefore he carried itso towards him, as might tend most to his encouragement. Well, when he had had asight of the things of the place, and was ready to take his journey to go to thecity, my Lord, as he did to CHRISTIAN before, gave him a bottle of spirits, and somecomfortable things to eat. Thus we set forward, and I went before him; but the manwas but of few words, only he would sigh aloud.

"When we were come to where the three fellows were hanged, he said that he doubtedthat that would be his end also. Only he seemed glad when he saw the cross and thesepulchre. There I confess he desired to stay a little to look; and he seemed forawhile after to be a little cheery. When we came at the Hill Difficulty, he madeno stick at that, nor did he much fear the lions; for you must know that his troublewas not about such things as those, his fear was about his acceptance at last.

"I got him in at the house Beautiful I think before he was willing; also whenhe was in, I brought him acquainted with the damsels that were of the place; buthe was ashamed to make himself much for company. He desired much to be alone; yethe always loved good talk, and often would get behind the screen to hear it. He alsoloved much to see ancient things, and to be pondering them in his mind. He told meafterwards that he loved to be in those two houses from which he came last; to wit,at the Gate, and that of the INTERPPRETER'S, but that he durst not be so bold asto ask.

When we went also from the house Beautiful down the hill, into the Valley of Humiliation,he went down as well as ever I saw a man in my life; for he cared not how mean hewas, so he might be happy at last. Yea, I think there was a kind of a sympathy betwixtthat valley and him; for I never saw him better in all his pilgrimage than when hewas in that valley.

Here he would lie down, embrace the ground, and kiss the very flowers that grew inthis valley.

"It is good for a man thathe bear the yoke in his youth. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hathborne it upon him. He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may behope."
~ Lamentations 3:27-29 ~

He would now be up every morning by break of day, tracing, and walking to and froin this valley.



But when he was come to the entrance of the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I thoughtI should have lost my man; not for that he had any inclination to go back--that healways abhorred,--but he was ready to die for fear. 'Oh, the hobgoblins will haveme, the hobgoblins will have me!' cried he; and I could not beat him out on't. Hemade such a noise and such an outcry here, that, had they but heard him, 't was enoughto encourage them to come and fall upon us.

"But this I took very great notice of: that this valley was as quiet while hewent through it, as ever I knew it before or since. I suppose those enemies herehad now a special check from our Lord; and a command not to meddle until Mr. FEARINGwas passed over it.

"It would be too tedious to tell you of all, we will therefore only mentiona passage or two more. When he was come at Vanity Fair, I thought he would have foughtwith all the men in the fair; I feared there we should both have been knocked o'the head, so hot was he against their fooleries. Upon the enchanted ground he wasalso very wakeful. But when he was come at the river where was no bridge, there againhe was in a heavy case; now, now, he said, he should be drowned for ever, and sonever 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 thatriver was lower at this time than ever I saw it in all my life; so he went over atlast not much above wetshod. When he was going up to the gate, Mr. GREAT-HEART beganto take his leave of him, and to wish him a good reception above; so he said, 'Ishall, I shall.' Then parted we asunder, and I saw him no more."

Honest. Then it seems he was well at last.

Great-heart. Yes, yes; I never had a doubt about him. He was a man of a choicespirit, only he was always kept very low; and that made his life so burdensome tohimself, and so troublesome to others.

"O LORD God of my salvation, I have criedday and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine earunto my cry; For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hathno strength: Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thourememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast laid me in thelowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hastafflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.

Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abominationunto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. Mine eye mourneth by reasonof affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my handsunto thee. Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praisethee? Selah. Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulnessin destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness inthe land of forgetfulness? But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morningshall my prayer prevent thee.

LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me? I amafflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrorsI am distracted. Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off. Theycame round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together. Lover andfriend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness."
~ Psalms 88:1-18 ~

He was, above many, 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 offend.

"It is good neither to eatflesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, oris offended, or is made weak."
~ Romans 14:21 ~

"Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while theworld standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."
~ 1 Corinthians 8:13 ~

Honest. But what should be the reason that such a good man should be all hisdays so much in the dark?

Great-heart. There are two sorts of reasons for it: one is, the wise God willhave it so; some must pipe, and some must weep:

"But whereunto shall I liken this generation?It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned untoyou, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and theysay, He hath a devil."
~ Matthew 11:16-18 ~

now Mr. FEARING was one that played upon the bass. He and his fellows sound the sackbut,whose notes are more doleful than the notes of other music are. Though, indeed, somesay, the bass is the ground of music. And for my part, I care not at all for thatprofession that begins not in heaviness of mind. The first string that the musicianusually touches is the bass, when he intends to put all in tune; God also plays uponthis string first when he sets the soul in tune for himself. Only here was the imperfectionof Mr. FEARING: he could play upon no other music but this till towards his latterend.

I make bold to talk thus metaphorically for the ripening of the wits of young readers;and because, in the book of the Revelation, the saved are compared to a company ofmusicians that play upon their trumpets and harps, and sing their songs before thethrone.

"And I saw the seven angels which stoodbefore God; and to them were given seven trumpets."
~ Revelation 8:2 ~

"And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voiceof a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: Andthey sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, andthe elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty andfour thousand, which were redeemed from the earth."
~ Revelation 14:2, 3 ~

Honest. He was a very zealous man, as one may see by what relation you havegiven of him. Difficulties, lions, or Vanity Fair, he feared not at all; 't was onlysin, death, and hell that were to him a terror, because he had some doubts abouthis interest in that celestial country.

Great-heart. You say right: those were the things that were his troublers,and they, as you have well observed, arose from the weakness of his mind thereabout;not from weakness of spirit as to the practical part of a pilgrim's life. I darebelieve, that, as the proverb is, he could have bit a firebrand, had it stood inhis way; but the things with which he was oppressed, no man ever yet could shakeoff with ease.

Chris. Then said CHRISTIANA, "This relation of Mr. FEARING has done megood. I thought nobody had been like me; but I see there was some semblance 'twixtthis good man and I, only we differed in two things: his troubles were so great theybrake out; but mine I kept within. His also lay so hard upon him, they made him thathe could not knock at the houses provided for entertainment; but my trouble was alwayssuch as made me knock the louder."

Mercy. If I might also speak my heart, I must say, that something of him hasalso dwelt in me. For I have ever been more afraid of the lake and the loss of aplace in paradise, than I have been of the loss of other things. Oh, thought I, mayI have the happiness to have a habitation there, 't is enough, though I part withall the world to win it!

Matt. Then said MATTHEW, "Fear was one thing that made me think thatI was far from having that within me that accompanies salvation; but if it was sowith 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 notalways grace where there is the fear of hell, yet to be sure, there is no grace wherethere is no fear of God."

Great-heart. Well said, JAMES, thou hast hit the mark: for the "fearof God is the beginning of wisdom"; and, to be sure, they that want the beginninghave neither middle nor end. But we will here conclude our discourse of Mr. FEARINGafter we have sent after him this farewell:

"Well, Master FEARING, thou didst fear
Thy God; and wast afraid
Of doing anything, while here,
That would have thee betrayed.
And thou didst fear the Lake and Pit--
Would others did so too!
For, as for them that want thy wit,
They do themselves undo."



A False Pilgrim With False Conclusions

Now I saw that they still went on in their talk; for after Mr. GREAT-HEART had madean end with Mr. FEARING, Mr. HONEST began to tell them of another, but his name wasMr. 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 headof the way."

Great-heart. Had you ever any talk with him about it?

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

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

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

Great-heart. How? If he had said, 't is possible for the best to be guiltyof the vices as well as to partake of the virtues of pilgrims, he could not muchhave been blamed; for, indeed, we are exempted from no vice absolutely, but on conditionthat we watch and strive. But this I perceive is not the thing. But, if I understandyou right, your meaning is that he was of that opinion that it was allowable so tobe.

Honest.Aye,aye, so I mean; and so he believed and practised.

Great-heart. But what ground had he for his so saying?

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

Great-heart. Prithee, Mr. HONEST, present us with a few particulars.

Honest. So I will. He said--to have to do with other men's wives had beenpractised by David, God's beloved; and therefore he could do it. He said--to havemore women than one was a thing that Solomon practised; and therefore he could doit. 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 oftheir Master, and took away the owner's ass; and therefore he could do so too. Hesaid--that Jacob got the inheritance of his father in a way of guile and dissimulation;and therefore he could do so too.

Great-heart. High bass, indeed! and you are sure he was of this opinion?

Honest. I have heard him plead for it; bring Scripture for it; bring argumentfor it, etc.

Great-heart. An opinion that is not fit to be, with any allowance, in theworld.

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

Great-heart. But what more false than such a conclusion? For this is as muchas to say, that because good men heretofore have sinned of infirmity, therefore hehad allowance to do it of a presumptuous mind. Or if because a child, by the blastof the wind, or for that it stumbled at a stone, fell down and defiled itself inmire--therefore he might wilfully lie down and wallow like a boar therein. Who couldhave thought that anyone could so far have been blinded by the power of lust? Butwhat is written must be true: "They stumble at the Word, being disobedient;whereunto also they were appointed".

"And a stone of stumbling, and a rock ofoffence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereuntoalso they were appointed."
~ 1 Peter 2:8 ~

His supposing that such may have the godly man's virtues who addict themselves totheir vices, is also a delusion as strong as the other. 'T is just as if the dogshould say, "I have, or may have, the qualities of the child; because I lickup its stinking excrements." To eat up the sin of God's people is no sign ofone that is possessed with their virtues.

"They eat up the sin of my people, and theyset their heart on their iniquity."
~ Hosea 4:8 ~

Nor can I believe that one that is of this opinion can at present have faith or lovein him. But I know you have made strong objections against him; prithee, what canhe say for himself?

Honest. Why, he says, "To do this by way of opinion, seems abundancemore 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 lustswhile our opinions are against such things is bad: yet to sin, and plead a tolerationso to do, is worse. The one stumbles beholders accidentally; the other leads theminto the snare.

Honest. 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 thatfears the King of Paradise shall come out of them all.

Chris. There are strange opinions in the world; I know one that said, 't wastime enough to repent when they come to die.

Great-heart. Such are not over wise. That man would have been loath, mighthe have had a week to run twenty miles in for his life, to have deferred that journeyto the last hour of that week.

Honest. You say right; and yet the generality of them that count themselvespilgrims, do indeed do thus. I am, as you see, an old man, and have been a travellerin this road many a day; and I have taken notice of many things.

I have seen some that have set out as if they would drive all the world afore them;who yet have, in a few days, died as they in the wilderness, and so never got sightof 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 have yet provedvery good pilgrims.

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

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

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

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

Now as they were thus in their way, there came one running to meet them, and said,"Gentlemen, and you of the weaker sort, if you love life, shift for yourselves;for the robbers are before you."

Great-heart. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "They be the three that set uponLITTLE-FAITH heretofore. Well," said he, "we are ready for them";so they went on their way. Now they looked at every turning when they should havemet with the villains; but whether they heard of Mr. GREAT-HEART, or whether theyhad some other game, they came not up to the pilgrims.


At the House of Gaius

CHRISTIANA then wished for an inn for herself and her children, because they wereweary. Then said Mr. HONEST, "There is one a little before us, where a veryhonourable disciple, one GAIUS, dwells".

"Gaius mine host, and of the whole church,saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother."
~ Romans 16:23 ~

So they all concluded to turn in thither; and the rather, because the old gentlemangave him so good a report. So when they came to the door, they went in; not knocking,for folks used not to knock at the door of an inn. Then they called for the masterof the house; and he came to them. So they asked if they might lie there that night.

Gaius. "Yes, gentlemen, if you be true men; for my house is for nonebut pilgrims." Then was CHRISTIANA, MERCY, and the boys the more glad; for thatthe innkeeper was a lover of pilgrims. So they called for rooms: and he showed themone for CHRISTIANA, and her children, and MERCY; and another for Mr. GREAT-HEARTand the old gentlemen.

Great-heart. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "Good GAIUS, what hast thou forsupper ? for these pilgrims have come far today, and are weary."

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

Great-heart. We will be content with what thou hast in the house; for as muchas I have proved thee, thou art never destitute of that which is convenient.

Then he went down and spake 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 entertainyou; and while supper is making ready, if you please, let us entertain one anotherwith some good discourse." So they all said, "Content."

Gaius. Then said GAIUS, "Whose wife is this aged matron? and whose daughteris 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 acquaintance, one that shehath persuaded to come with her on pilgrimage. The boys take all after their father,and covet to tread in his steps. Yea, if they do but see any place where the oldpilgrim hath lain, or any print of his foot, it ministers joy to their hearts, andthey covet to lie or tread in the same.

Gaius. Then said GAIUS, "Is this CHRISTIAN'S wife, and are these CHRISTIAN'Schildren? I knew your husband's father; yea, also his father's father. Many havebeen good of this stock; their ancestors dwelt first at Antioch.

"And when he had found him, he brought himunto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves withthe church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians firstin Antioch."
~ Acts 11:26 ~

CHRISTIAN'S progenitors (I suppose you have heard your husband talk of them) werevery worthy men. They have, above any that I know, showed themselves men of greatvirtue 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 thesake of the truth. STEPHEN, that was one of the first of the family from whence yourhusband sprang, was knocked o' the head with stones.

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God,and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with aloud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, hefell asleep."
~ Acts 7:59, 60 ~

JAMES, another of this generation, was slain with the edge of the sword.

"And he killed James the brother of Johnwith the sword."
~ Acts 12:2 ~

To say nothing of PAUL and PETER, men anciently of the family from whence your husbandcame. There were-- IGNATIUS, who was cast to the lions; ROMANUS, whose flesh wascut by pieces from his bones; and POLYCARP, that played the man in the fire. Therewas he that was hanged up in a basket in the sun, for the wasps to eat; and he whomthey put into a sack, and cast him into the sea, to be drowned. 'T would be impossibleutterly to count up all of that family that have suffered injuries and death forthe love of a pilgrim's life. Nor can I but be glad to see that thy husband has leftbehind him four such boys 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 likely lads: they seem to choose heartilytheir father's ways.

Gaius. That is it that I said, wherefore CHRISTIAN'S family is like stillto spread abroad upon the face of the ground, and yet to be numerous upon the faceof the earth. Wherefore let CHRISTIANA look out some damsels for her sons, to whomthey may be betrothed; that the name of their father, and the house of his progenitors,may never be forgotten in the world.

Honest. 'T is pity this family should fall and be extinct.

Gaius. "Fall, it cannot, but be diminished it may; but let CHRISTIANAtake my advice, and that's the way to uphold it. And, CHRISTIANA," said thisinnkeeper, "I am glad to see thee and thy friend MERCY together here, a lovelycouple. And may I advise, take MERCY into a nearer relation to thee. If she will,let her be given to MATTHEW, thy eldest son. 'T is the way to preserve you a posterityin the earth." So this match was concluded; and in process of time they weremarried. But more of that hereafter.

GAIUS also proceeded, and said, "I will now speak on the behalf of women, totake away their reproach. For as death and the curse came into the world by a woman,so also did life and health: 'God sent forth his Son made of a woman'.

"Now the serpent was more subtil than anybeast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea,hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said untothe serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruitof the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall noteat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto thewoman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof,then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Andwhen the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it waspleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she tookof the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and hedid eat.

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked;and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard thevoice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam andhis wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of thegarden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I wasnaked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked?Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me ofthe tree, and I did eat.

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done?And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the LORD God saidunto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle,and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shaltthou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruisehis heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception;in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thyhusband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkenedunto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee,saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrowshalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herbof the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return untothe ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dustshalt thou return. And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the motherof all living. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins,and clothed them. And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us,to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of thetree of life, and eat, and live for ever:"
~ Genesis 3:1-22 ~

Yea, to show how much those that came after did abhor the act of their mother, thissex, in the Old Testament, coveted children, if happily this or that woman mightbe the mother of the Saviour of the world. I will say again, that, when the Saviourwas come, women rejoiced in him before either man or angel.

"And Mary arose in those days, and wentinto the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the houseof Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heardthe salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled withthe Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed artthou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence isthis to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as thevoice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of thosethings which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in Godmy Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, fromhenceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath doneto me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on themthat fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm;he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put downthe mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filledthe hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpenhis servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers,to Abraham, and to his seed for ever."
~ Luke 1:39-55 ~

I read not that ever any man did give unto Christ so much as one coin; but the womenfollowed him, and ministered to him of their substance. 'T was a woman that washedhis feet with tears; and a woman that anointed his body to the burial. They werewomen that wept when he was going to the cross; and women that followed him fromthe cross; and that sat by his sepulchre when he was buried. They were women thatwere first with him at his resurrection morn; and women that brought tidings firstto his disciples that he was risen from the dead.

"And, behold, a woman in the city, whichwas a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house,brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping,and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs ofher head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now whenthe Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying,This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman thisis that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him,Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There wasa certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and theother fifty.

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore,which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he,to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turnedto the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house,thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, andwiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this womansince the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didstnot anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say untothee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom littleis forgiven, the same loveth little.

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him beganto say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to thewoman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
~ Luke 7:37-50 ~

"And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Marycalled Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod'ssteward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance."
~ Luke 8:2, 3 ~

"And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which alsobewailed and lamented him."
~ Luke 23:27 ~

"Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were earlyat the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that theyhad also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
~ Luke 24:22, 23 ~

"And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have nowine."
~ John 2:3 ~

"(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped hisfeet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)"
~ John 11:2 ~



"Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on ourchildren. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, hedelivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesusinto the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. Andthey stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crownof thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and theybowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And theyspit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that theyhad mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him,and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man ofCyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were comeunto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof,he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots:that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garmentsamong them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watchedhim there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KINGOF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand,and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise alsothe chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He savedothers; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come downfrom the cross, and we will believe him.

He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I amthe Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same inhis teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto theninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli,Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This mancalleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filledit with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The restsaid, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he hadcried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of thetemple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, andthe rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which sleptarose,

And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, andappeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watchingJesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly,saying, Truly this was the Son of God. And many women were there beholding afar off,which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: Among which was Mary Magdalene,and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. Whenthe even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himselfwas Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilatecommanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrappedit in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn outin the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre."
~ Matthew 27:25-61 ~

Women, therefore, are highly favoured; and show by these things that they are sharerswith us in the grace of life."

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

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

Gaius. So let all ministering doctrines to thee in this life beget in theea 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 trenchers, and as settingof salt upon the board, when compared with the feast that our Lord will make forus when we come to his house.



So supper came up, and first a heave shoulder and a wave breast was set on the tablebefore them, to show that they must begin their meal with prayer and praise to God

"And the right shoulder shall ye give untothe priest for an heave offering of the sacrifices of your peace offerings.He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and thefat, shall have the right shoulder for his part. For the wave breast and theheave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices oftheir peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sonsby a statute for ever from among the children of Israel."
~ Leviticus 7:32-34 ~

"And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou,and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons'due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the childrenof Israel. The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offeringsmade by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before the LORD; andit shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hathcommanded."
~ Leviticus 10:14, 15 ~

"Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul."
~ Psalms 25:1 ~



"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."
~ Hebrews 13:15 ~

With the heave shoulder David lifted up his heart to God; and with the wave breast,where his heart lay, with that he used to lean upon his harp when he played. Thesetwo dishes were very fresh and good; and they all ate heartily well thereof.

The next they brought up was a bottle of wine, red as blood. So GAIUS said to them,"Drink freely; this is the juice of the true vine, that makes glad the heartof God and man." So they drank and were merry.

"Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, withfat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneysof wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape."
~ Deuteronomy 32:14 ~

"And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God andman, and go to be promoted over the trees?"
~ Judges 9:13 ~

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."
~ John 15:1 ~

The next was a dish of milk well crumbed. But GAIUS said, "Let the boys havethat, that they may grow thereby".

"Wherefore laying aside all malice, andall guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes,desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:"
~ 1 Peter 2:1, 2 ~

Then they brought up in course a dish of butter and honey. Then said GAIUS, "Eatfreely 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: 'Butter and honey shall he eat; thathe may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good'".

"Butter and honey shall he eat, that hemay know to refuse the evil, and choose the good."
~ Isaiah 7:15 ~

Then they brought them up a dish of apples; and they were very good tasting fruit.Then said MATTHEW, "May we eat apples, since they were such by and with whichthe serpent beguiled first our mother?"

Then said GAIUS:

"Apples were they with which we were beguiled;
Yet sin, not apples, hath our souls defiled.
Apples forbid, if ate, corrupts 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 said MATTHEW, "I made the scruple, because I, awhile since, was sick witheating of fruit."

Gaius. Forbidden fruit will make you sick; but not what our Lord has tolerated.

While they were thus talking, they were presented with another dish, and 't was adish of nuts.

"I went down into the garden of nuts tosee the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, andthe pomegranates budded."
~ Song of Solomon 6:11 ~

Then said some at the table, "Nuts spoil tender teeth, especially the teethof children." Which when GAIUS heard, he said:

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

Then were they very merry, and sat at the table a long time, talking of many things.Then said the old gentleman, "My good landlord, while we are cracking your nuts,if you please, do you 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 stillawhile, and then thus replied:

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

Then said JOSEPH, "I dare say, sir, I did not think you could have found itout."

"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 foundby experience that I have gained thereby. 'There is that scatters, yet increases;and there is that withholds more than is meet, but it tends to poverty.' 'There isthat makes himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that makes himself poor, yethath great riches'".

"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth topoverty."
~ Proverbs 11:24 ~

"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there isthat maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."
~ Proverbs 13:7 ~

Then SAMUEL whispered to CHRISTIANA his mother, and said, "Mother, this is avery good man's house; let us stay here a good while, and let my brother MATTHEWbe married here to MERCY, before we go any farther."

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 garmentsto give to the poor; by which she brought up a very good report about the pilgrims.

But to return again to our story. After supper, the lads desired a bed; for thatthey were weary with travelling. Then GAIUS called to show them their chamber; butsaid MERCY, "I will have them to bed." So she had them to bed, and theyslept well, but the rest sat up all night; for GAIUS and they were such suitablecompany, 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 said GREAT-HEART, "What, sir! you begin to be drowsy! come,rub up; now here's a riddle for you."

Then said Mr. HONEST," Let's hear it."

Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART:

"He that will kill must first be overcome;
Who live abroad would, first must die at home."

"Ha," said Mr. HONEST, "it is a hard one: hard to expound, and harderto practise. But come, landlord," said he, "I will, if you please, leavemy part to you; do you expound it, and I will hear what you say."

"No," said GAIUS, "'t was put to you, and 't is expected that youshould answer it."

Then said the old gentleman:

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

"It is right," said GAIUS; "good doctrine and experience teaches this.For, first, until grace displays itself, and overcomes the soul with its glory, itis altogether without heart to oppose sin. Besides, if sin is Satan's cords, by whichthe soul lies bound, how should it make resistance before it is loosed from thatinfirmity?

"2. Nor will any that knows either reason or grace believe that such a man canbe a living monument of grace, that is a slave to his own corruptions.

"And now it comes in my mind, I will tell you a story worth the hearing. Therewere two men that went on pilgrimage; the one began when he was young, the otherwhen he was old. The young man had strong corruptions to grapple with; the old man'swere decayed with the decays of nature. The young man trod his steps as even as didthe old one, and was every way as light as he: who now, or which of them, had theirgraces shining clearest, since both seemed to be alike?"

Honest. The young man's, doubtless. For that which heads it against the greatestopposition, gives best demonstration that it is strongest: especially when it alsoholds pace with that that meets not with half so much; as, to be sure, old age doesnot.

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; andso have been apt to beguile themselves. Indeed, old men that are gracious, are bestable to give advice to them that are young; because they have seen most of the emptinessof things. But yet, for an old and a young to set out both together, the young onehas the advantage of the fairest discovery of a work of grace within him; thoughthe old man's corruptions are naturally the weakest.

Thus they sat talking till break of day. Now when the family was up, CHRISTIANA badeher son JAMES that he should read a chapter: so he read the 53rd of Isaiah. Whenhe had done, Mr. HONEST asked why it was said, "That the Saviour is said tocome out of a dry ground; and also that he had no form nor comeliness in him?"

Great-heart. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "To the first I answer, Becausethe Church of the Jews, of which Christ came, had then lost almost all the sap andspirit of religion. To the second I say, The words are spoken in the person of theunbelievers; who, because they want that eye that can see into our Prince's heart,therefore they judge of him by the meanness of his outside.

"Just like those that know not that precious stones are covered over with ahomely crust; who, when they have found one, because they know not what they havefound, cast it away again, as men do a common stone."



The Slaying of Slay-Good

"Well," said GAIUS, "now you are here, and since, as I know, Mr. GREAT-HEARTis good at his weapons, if you please, after we have refreshed ourselves, we willwalk into the fields, to see if we can do any good. About a mile from hence thereis one SLAY-GOOD, a giant that doth much annoy the King's highway in these parts.And I know whereabout his haunt is: he is master of a number of thieves; 'twouldbe well if we could clear these parts of him."

So they consented and went: Mr. GREAT-HEART with his sword, helmet, and shield; andthe rest with spears and staves.

When they came to the place where he was, they found him with one FEEBLE-MIND inhis hands, whom his servants had brought unto him, having taken him in the way. Nowthe giant was filling of him, with a purpose, after that, to pick his bones; forhe was of the nature of a flesh eater.

Well, so soon as he saw Mr. GREAT-HEART and his friends at the mouth of his cavewith their weapons, he demanded what they wanted.

Great-heart. "We want thee; for we are come to revenge the quarrel ofthe many that thou hast slain of the pilgrims, when thou hast dragged them out ofthe King's highway; wherefore, come out of thy cave!" So he armed himself andcame out; and to a battle they went, and fought for above an hour, and then stoodstill to take wind.

Slay-good. Then said the giant, "Why are you here on my ground?"

Great-heart. "To revenge the blood of pilgrims; as I also told thee before."So they went to it again; and the giant made Mr. GREAT-HEART give back: but he cameup again; and in the greatness of his mind, he let fly with such stoutness at thegiant's head and sides, that he made him let his weapon fall out of his hand. Sohe smote 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 with him to his lodgings. Whenthey were come home, they showed his head to the family; and then set it up as theyhad done others before, for a terror to those that should attempt to do as he hereafter.


Mr. Feeble-Mind

Then they asked Mr. FEEBLE-MIND how he fell into his hands.

Feeble-mind. Then said the poor man, "I am a sickly man, as you see;and because death did usually, once a day, knock at my door, I thought I should neverbe well at home. So I betook myself to a pilgrim's life; and have travelled hitherfrom the town of Uncertain, where I and my father were born. I am a man of no strengthat all, of body, nor yet of mind; but would, if I could, though I can but crawl,spend my life in the pilgrims' way. When I came at the gate that is at the head ofthe way, the Lord of that place did entertain me freely. Neither objected he againstmy weakly looks, nor against my feeble mind; but gave me such things that were necessaryfor my journey, and bade me 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 hardfor me, I was carried up that by one of his servants. Indeed, I have found much relieffrom pilgrims; though none was willing to go so softly as I am forced to do. Yetstill, as they came on, they bade me be of good cheer; and said, that it was thewill of their Lord that comfort should be given to the feeble-minded, and so wenton their own pace.

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn themthat are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward allmen."
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:14 ~

When I was come up to Assault Lane, then this giant met with me, and bade me preparefor an encounter; but alas, feeble one that I was, I had more need of a cordial.So he came up and took me. I conceived he should not kill me; also when he had gotme into his den, since I went not with him willingly, I believed I should come outalive again. For I have heard, that not any pilgrim that is taken captive by violenthands, 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 Iam; but I am, as you see, escaped with life, for the which I thank my King as author,and you as the means. Other brunts I also look for: but this I have resolved on--towit, to run when I can; to go when I cannot run; and to creep when I cannot go. Asto the main, I thank him that loves me, I am fixed: my way is before me; my mindis beyond the river that has no bridge; though I am, as you see, but of a feeblemind."

Honest. Then said old Mr. HONEST, "Have you not, some time ago, beenacquainted with one Mr. FEARING, a pilgrim?"

Feeble-mind. Acquainted with him! yes. He came from the town of Stupidity,which lies four degrees to the northward of the city of Destruction, and as manyoff of where I was born. Yet we were well acquainted: for indeed he was mine uncle,my father's brother; he and I have been much of a temper; he was a little shorterthan I, but yet we were much of a complexion.

Honest. I perceive you know him, and I am apt to believe also that you wererelated one to another: for you have his whitely look; a cast like his with youreye; and your speech is much alike.

Feeble-mind. Most have said so that have known us both; and besides, whatI have read in him, I have for the most part found in myself.

Gaius. "Come, sir," said good GAIUS, "be of good cheer! --youare welcome to me and to my house; and what thou hast a mind to, call for freely;and what thou wouldst have my servants do for thee, they will do it with a readymind."

Feeble-mind. Then said Mr. FEEBLE-MIND, "This is unexpected favour, andas the sun shining out of a very dark cloud. Did giant SLAY-GOOD intend me this favourwhen he stopped me, and resolved to let me go no farther? Did he intend that afterhe had rifled my pockets, I should go to GAIUS mine host? Yet so it is."

Now, just as Mr. FEEBLE-MIND and GAIUS were thus in talk, there comes one running,and called at the door; and told, that about a mile and a half off there was oneMr. NOT-RIGHT, a pilgrim, struck dead upon the place where he was with a thunderbolt.

Feeble-mind. "Alas," said Mr. FEEBLE-MIND, "is he slain! heovertook me some days before I came so far as hither, 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, doth seek to slay outright,
Oft times delivers from the saddest plight;
That very Providence, whose face is death,
Doth oft times to the lowly life bequeath.
I taken was, he did escape and flee;
Hands crossed give death to him, and life to me."


A Feast and a Farewell

Now about this time MATTHEW and MERCY were married; also GAIUS gave his daughterPHOEBE to JAMES, MATTHEW'S brother, to wife: after which time, they yet stayed aboveten days at GAIUS's house, spending their time and the seasons like as pilgrims usedto do.

When they were to depart, GAIUS made them a feast; and they did eat and drink, andwere merry. Now the hour was come that they must be gone; wherefore Mr. GREAT-HEARTcalled for a reckoning. But GAIUS told him that at his house it was not the customfor pilgrims to pay for their entertainment. He boarded them by the year; but lookedfor his pay from the good Samaritan, who had promised him, at his return, whatsoevercharge he was at with them faithfully to repay him.

"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed,came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And wentto him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on hisown beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow whenhe departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said untohim, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I willrepay thee."
~ Luke 10:33-35 ~

Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART to him:

Great-heart. Beloved, "thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest tothe brethren and to strangers; which have borne witness of thy charity before theChurch: whom if thou (yet) bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thoushalt do well".

"Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoeverthou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; Which have borne witness of thy charitybefore the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort,thou shalt do well:"
~ 3 John 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 intendedto linger. The which, when Mr. GREAT-HEART espied, he said, "Come, Mr. FEEBLE-MIND,pray do you go along with us; I will be your conductor, and you shall fare as therest."

Feeble-mind. Alas! I want a suitable companion; you are all lusty and strong,but I, as you see, am weak. I choose therefore, rather to come behind; lest, by reasonof my many infirmities, I should be both a burden to myself and to you. I am, asI said, a man of a weak and feeble mind; and shall be offended and made weak at thatwhich others can bear. I shall like no laughing. I shall like no gay attire; I shalllike no unprofitable questions. Nay, I am so weak a man, as to be offended with thatwhich others have a liberty to do. I do not yet know all the truth; I am a very ignorantChristian man; sometimes, if I hear some rejoice in the Lord, it troubles me becauseI cannot do so too. It is with me, as it is with a weak man among the strong; oras with a sick man among the healthy; or as a lamp despised. (" He that is readyto slip with his feet, is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease."

"He that is ready to slip with hisfeet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease."
~ Job 12:5 ~

So that I know not what to do.

Great-heart. "But, brother," said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "I haveit in commission to comfort the feeble-minded and to support the weak. You must needsgo along with us: we will wait for you; we will lend you our help; we will deny ourselvesof some things, opinionative and practical, for your sake; we will not enter intodoubtful disputations before you; we will be made all things to you rather than youshall be left behind".

"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye,but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things:another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eatethnot; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath receivedhim. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standethor falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One manesteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let everyman be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth itunto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regardit. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he thateateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us livethto himself, and no man dieth to himself.

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord:whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ bothdied, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. Butwhy dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? forwe shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, AsI live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confessto God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us nottherefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblockor an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by theLord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemethany thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably.Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evilspoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace,and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptableto God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which makefor peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the workof God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man whoeateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, norany thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemnethnot himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if heeat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faithis sin."
~ Romans 14:1-23 ~

"Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge.Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knowethany thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, thesame is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that areoffered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are calledgods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) Butto us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, andwe in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscienceof the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and theirconscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither,if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse."
~ 1 Corinthians 8:1-8 ~

Now all this while they were at GAIUS's door; and behold, as they were thus in theheat of their discourse, Mr. READY-TO- HALT came by with his crutches in his hand,and he also was going on pilgrimage.

"For I am ready to halt, and my sorrowis continually before me."
~ Psalms 38:17 ~

Feeble-mind. Then said Mr. FEEBLE-MIND to him, "Man, how camest thouhither? I was but just now complaining that I had not a suitable companion; but thouart according to my wish. Welcome, welcome, good Mr. READY-TO-HALT; I hope thee andI may be some help."

Ready-to-halt. "I shall be glad of thy company," said the other;"and good Mr. FEEBLE-MIND, rather than we will part, since we are thus happilymet, I will lend thee one of my crutches."

Feeble-mind. "Nay," said he, "though I thank thee for thy good-will,I am not inclined to halt before I am lame. Howbeit, I think, when occasion is, itmay help me against a dog."

Ready-to-halt. If either myself or my crutches can do thee a pleasure, weare both at thy command, good Mr. FEEBLE-MIND.



Stories of Christian's Pilgrimage

Thus, therefore, they went on: Mr. GREAT-HEART and Mr. HONEST went before; CHRISTIANAand her children went next; and Mr. FEEBLE-MIND and Mr. READY-TO-HALT came behindwith his crutches. Then said Mr. HONEST:

Honest. Pray, sir, now we are upon the road, tell us some profitable thingsof some that have gone on pilgrimage before us.

Great-heart. With a good will. I suppose you have heard how CHRISTIAN of olddid meet with APOLLYON in the Valley of Humiliation; and also what hard work he hadto go through the Valley of the Shadow of Death? Also, I think you cannot but haveheard how FAITHFUL was put to it with Madame WANTON; with ADAM the first; with oneDISCONTENT; and SHAME --four as deceitful villains as a man can meet with upon theroad.

Honest. Yes, I have heard of all this; but, indeed, good FAITHFUL was hardestput to it with SHAME; he was an unwearied one.

Great-heart. Aye, for as the pilgrim well said, "He of all men had thewrong name."

Honest. But pray, sir, where was it that CHRISTIAN and FAITHFUL met TALKATIVE?That same was also a notable one.

Great-heart. He was a confident fool; yet many follow his ways.

Honest. He had like to have beguiled FAITHFUL.

Great-heart. Aye, but CHRISTIAN put him into a way quickly to find him out.

Thus they went on, till they came at the place where EVANGELIST met with CHRISTIANand FAITHFUL, and prophesied to them of what should befall them at Vanity Fair.

Great-heart. Then said their guide, "Hereabouts did CHRISTIAN and FAITHFULmeet with EVANGELIST, who prophesied to them of what troubles they should meet withat Vanity Fair.

Honest. Say you so? I dare say it was a hard chapter that then he did readunto them!

Great-heart. 'Twas so; but he gave them encouragement withal. But what dowe talk of them? they were a couple of lion-like men; they had set their faces likeflint. Don't you remember how undaunted they were when they stood before the judge?

Honest. Well, FAITHFUL bravely suffered.

Great-heart. So he did; and as brave things came on't; for HOPEFUL and someothers, as the story relates it, were converted by his death.

Honest. Well, but pray go on; for you are well acquainted with things.

Great-heart. Above all that CHRISTIAN met with after he had passed throughVanity Fair, one BY-ENDS was the arch one.

Honest. BY-ENDS! what was he?

Great-heart. A very arch fellow, a downright hypocrite; one that would bereligious whichever way the world went; but so cunning, that he would be sure neitherto 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. He would turn and change from opinion to opinion;yea, and plead for so doing too. But so far as I could learn, he came to an ill endwith his by-ends; nor did I ever hear that any of his children were ever of any esteemwith any that truly feared God.


A Stay in Vanity Fair

Now by this time they were come within sight of the town of Vanity, where VanityFair is kept. So when they saw that they were so near the town, they consulted withone another how they should pass through the town; and some said one thing, and someanother. At last Mr. GREAT-HEART said, "I have, as you may understand, oftenbeen 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. If youthink good," said he, "we will turn in there."

"Content," said old HONEST; "Content," said CHRISTIANA; 'Content,"said Mr. FEEBLE-MIND; and so they said all. Now you must think it was eventide bythat they got to the outside of the town; but Mr. GREAT-HEART knew the way to theold man's house. So thither they came, and he called at the door; and the old manwithin knew his tongue so soon as ever he heard it; so he opened, and they all camein. Then said MNASON their host, "How far have ye come today?" So theysaid, 'From the house of GAIUS our friend." "I promise you," saidhe, "you have gone a good stitch; you may well be a-weary; sit down." Sothey sat down.

Great-heart. Then said their guide, "Come, what cheer, sirs? I daresayyou are welcome to my friend."

Mnason. "I also," said Mr. MNASON, "do bid you welcome; andwhatever you want, do but say, and we will do what we can to get it for you."

Honest. Our great want, awhile since, was harbour and good company; and nowI hope we have both.

Mnason. For harbour, you see what it is; but for good company; that will appearin the trial.

Great-heart. "Well," said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "will you have thepilgrims up into their lodging?"

Mnason. "I will," said Mr. MNASON.

So he had them to their respective places; and also showed them a very fair diningroom, where they might be and sup together, until time was come 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 store of good people in the town.

Mnason. We have a few; for indeed they are but a few when compared with themon the other side.

Honest. But how shall we do to see some of them? for the sight of good mento them that are going on pilgrimage is like to the appearing of the moon and thestars to them that are sailing upon the seas.

Mnason. Then Mr. MNASON stamped with his foot; and his daughter GRACE cameup. So he said unto her, "GRACE, go you, tell my friends, Mr. CONTRITE, Mr.HOLY-MAN, Mr. LOVE-SAINT, Mr. DARE-NOT-LIE, and Mr. PENITENT, that I have a friendor two at my house that have a mind this evening to see them."

So GRACE went to call them; and they came: and, after salutation made, they sat downtogether at the table.

Then said Mr. MNASON, their landlord, "My neighbours, I have, as you see, acompany of strangers come to my house; they are pilgrims, they come from afar, andare going to Mount Zion. But who," quoth he, "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 inour town." At that they stood amazed, saying, "We little thought to seeCHRISTIANA, when GRACE came to call us; wherefore 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 andserve make you as your father; and bring you where he is, in peace."

Then Mr. HONEST (when they were all sat down) asked Mr. CONTRITE and the rest, inwhat posture their town was at present.

Contrite. You may be sure we are full of hurry in fair time. 'Tis hard keepingour hearts and spirits in any good order when we are in a cumbered condition. Hethat lives in such a place as this, and that has to do with such as we have, hasneed of an item to caution him to take heed, every moment of the day.

Honest. But how are your neighbours for quietness?

Contrite. They are much more moderate now than formerly. You know how CHRISTIANand FAITHFUL were used at our town; but of late, I say, they have been far more moderate.I think the blood of FAITHFUL lies with load upon them till now; for since they burnedhim, they have been ashamed to burn any more. In those days we were afraid to walkthe 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), religionis counted honourable.

Then said Mr. CONTRITE to them, "Pray, how fares it with you in your pilgrimage?how stands the country affected towards you?"

Honest. It happens to us as it happens to wayfaring men: sometimes our wayis clean, sometimes foul; sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill; we are seldom ata certainty. The wind is not always on our backs; nor is everyone a friend that wemeet with in the way. We have met with some notable rubs already; and what are yetto come we know not: but, for the most part, we find it true that has been talkedof old--" A good man must suffer trouble."

Contrite. You talk of rubs: what rubs have you met withal?

Honest. Nay, ask Mr. GREAT-HEART, our guide; for he can give the best accountof that.

Great-heart. We have been beset three or four times already: first, CHRISTIANAand her children were beset with two ruffians, that they feared would have takenaway their lives; we were beset with Giant BLOODY-MAN, Giant MAUL, and Giant SLAY-GOOD;indeed, we did rather beset the last than were beset of him. And thus it was: afterwe had been some time at the house of GAIUS, mine host, and of the whole Church,we were minded upon a time to take our weapons with us, and so go see if we couldlight upon any of those that were enemies to pilgrims; for we heard that there wasa notable one thereabouts. Now GAIUS knew his haunt better than I, because he dweltthereabout: so we looked and looked, till at last we discerned the mouth of his cave;then we were glad, and plucked up our spirits. So we approached up to his den; andlo, when we came there, he had dragged by mere force into his net this poor man,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 cameout. So we fell to it full sore, and he lustily laid about him; but in conclusion,he was brought down to the ground, and his head cut off, and set up by the waysidefor a terror to such as should after practise such ungodliness. That I tell you thetruth, here is the man himself to affirm it, who was as a lamb taken out of the mouthof the lion.

Feeble-mind. Then said Mr. FEEBLE-MIND, "I found this true to my costand comfort: to my cost, when he threatened to pick my bones every moment; and tomy comfort, when I saw Mr. GREAT-HEART and his friends with their weapons approachso near for my deliverance."

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

Love-saint. Then said Mr. LOVE-SAINT, "I hope this caution is not needfulamongst you. But truly there are many that go upon the road that rather declare themselvesstrangers to pilgrims, than strangers and pilgrims in the earth."

Dare-not-lie. Then said Mr. DARE-NOT-LIE, "'Tis true, they neither havethe pilgrim's weed, nor the pilgrim's courage; they go not uprightly, but all awrywith their feet,--one shoe goes inward, another outward, and their hosen out behind;there a rag and there a rent, to the disparagement of their Lord."

Penitent. "These things," said Mr. PENITENT, "they ought tobe troubled for; nor are the pilgrims like to have that grace put upon them and theirpilgrims' progress as they desire, until the way is cleared of such spots and blemishes."

Thus 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. Nowthey stayed in this fair a great while, at the house of this Mr. MNASON, who, inprocess 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 formertimes). Wherefore the pilgrims grew acquainted with many of the good people of thetown, and did them what service they could. MERCY, as she was wont, laboured muchfor the poor; wherefore their bellies and backs blessed her, and she was there anornament to her profession. And to say the truth for GRACE, PHOEBE, and MARTHA, theywere all of a very good nature, and did much good in their place. They were alsoall of them very fruitful; so that CHRISTIAN'S name, as was said before, was liketo live in the world.

While they lay here, there came a monster out of the woods, and slew many of thepeople of the town. It would also carry away their children, and teach them to suckits whelps. Now no man in the town durst so much as face this monster; but all menfled when they heard of the noise of his coming.

The monster was like unto no one beast upon the earth. Its body was like a dragon;and it had seven heads and ten horns.

"And there appeared another wonder in heaven;and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crownsupon his heads."
~ Revelation 12:3 ~

It made great havoc of children; and yet it was governed by a woman. This monsterpropounded conditions to men; and such men as loved their lives more than their soulsaccepted of those conditions. So they came under.

Now this Mr. GREAT-HEART, together with these that came to visit the pilgrims atMr. MNASON'S house, entered into a covenant to go and engage this beast, if perhapsthey might deliver the people of this town from the paws and mouths of this so devouringa serpent.

Then did Mr. GREAT-HEART, Mr. CONTRITE, Mr. HOLYMAN, 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 belaboured him, beingsturdy men at arms, that they made him make a retreat; so they came home to Mr. MNASON'Shouse again.

The monster, you must know, had his certain seasons to come out in, and to make hisattempts upon the children of the people of the town; also these seasons did thesevaliant worthies watch him in, and did still continually assault him: insomuch that,in process of time, he became not only wounded, but lame; also he had not made thathavoc of the townsmen's children as formerly he has done. And it is verily believedby some, that this beast will die of his wounds.

This, therefore, made Mr. GREAT-HEART and his fellows of great fame in this town;so that many of the people that wanted their taste of things, yet had a reverentesteem and respect for them. Upon this account, therefore, it was that these pilgrimsgot not much hurt here. True, there were some of the baser sort, that could see nomore than a mole, nor understand more than a beast; these had no reverence for thesemen, nor took they notice of their valour or adventures.

Well, the time grew on that the pilgrims must go on their way; wherefore they preparedfor their journey. They sent for their friends; they conferred with them; they hadsome time set apart, therein to commit each other to the protection of their Prince.There were again those that brought them such things as they had, that were fit forthe weak and strong, for the women and the men; and so laded them with such thingsas were necessary.

"Who also honoured us with many honours;and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary."
~ Acts 28:10 ~

Continuing on the Way

Then they set forward on their way; and their friends accompanying them so far aswas 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 wentbefore them. Now the women and children being weakly, they were forced to go as theycould bear; by this means, Mr. READY-TO-HALT and Mr. FEEBLE-MINDED had more to sympathisewith 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. There, therefore,they made a stand, and thanked him that had enabled him to bear his cross so well;and the rather, because they now found that they had a benefit by such a manly sufferingas his was.

They went on, therefore, after this, a good way further, talking of CHRISTIAN andFAITHFUL, and how HOPEFUL joined himself to CHRISTIAN after that FAITHFUL was dead.

Now they were come up with the Hill Lucre, where the silver mine was which took DEMASoff from his pilgrimage, and into which, as some think, BY-ENDS fell and perished;wherefore they considered that. But when they were come to the old monument thatstood over against the Hill Lucre, to wit, the pillar of salt that stood also withinview of Sodom and its stinking lake, they marvelled, as did CHRISTIAN before, thatmen of knowledge and ripeness of wit, as they were, should be so blind as to turnaside here. Only they considered again that nature is not affected with the harmsthat others have met with; especially if that thing upon which they look has an attractingvirtue upon the foolish eye.

I saw now that they went on till they came to the river that was on this side ofthe Delectable Mountains; to the river where the fine trees grow on both sides, andwhose leaves, if taken inwardly, are good against surfeits, where the meadows aregreen all the year long, and where they might lie down safely.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shallnot want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the stillwaters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for hisname's sake."
~ Psalms 23:1-3 ~

By this riverside, in the meadow, there were cotes and folds for sheep; a house builtfor the nourishing and bringing up of those lambs, the babes of those women thatgo on pilgrimage.

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; andthat could gently lead those that were with young.

"Who can have compassion on the ignorant,and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity."
~ Hebrews 5:2 ~

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of theLORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exaltedabove the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go andsay, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the Godof Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for outof Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shalljudge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat theirswords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not liftup sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob,come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD."
~ Isaiah 2:2-5 ~

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned:for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins."
~ Isaiah 40:1, 2 ~

Now to the care of this Man, CHRISTIANA admonished her four daughters to commit theirlittle ones; that by these waters they might be housed, harboured, succoured, andnourished; and that none of them might be lacking in time to come. This Man, if anyof them go astray or be lost, he will bring them again; he will also bind up thatwhich was broken; and will strengthen them that are sick.

"And I will set up shepherds over them whichshall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall theybe lacking, saith the LORD."
~ Jeremiah 23:4 ~

"For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search mysheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that heis among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and willdeliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and darkday. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries,and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israelby the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall theirfold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall theyfeed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them tolie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again thatwhich was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthenthat which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed themwith judgment."
~ Ezekiel 34:11-16 ~

Here they will never want meat, and drink, and clothing; here they will be kept fromthieves and robbers, for this Man will die before one of those committed to his trustshall be lost. 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 favour of nosmall account. Also here, as you see, are delicate waters; pleasant meadows; daintyflowers; variety of trees, and such as bear wholesome fruit. Fruit, not like thatwhich MATTHEW ate of, that fell over the wall out of Beelzebub's garden: but fruitthat procures health where there is none, and that continues and increases it whereit is.

So they were content to commit their little ones to him; and that which was alsoan encouragement to them so to do was, for that all this was to be at the chargeof the King, and so was a hospital to young children and orphans.


Demolishing Doubting Castle and Death to Despair and Diffidence

Now they went on; and when they were come to By-path meadow--to the stile over whichCHRISTIAN went with his fellow HOPEFUL, when they were taken by Giant DESPAIR andput into Doubting Castle--they sat down and consulted what was best to be done: towit, now they were so strong, and had got such a man as Mr. GREAT-HEART for theirconductor, whether they had not best to make an attempt upon the giant; demolishhis castle; and if there were any pilgrims in it, to set them at liberty before theywent any further. So one said one thing, and another said the contrary. One questionedif it was lawful to go upon unconsecrated ground; another said they might, providedtheir end was good: but Mr. GREAT-HEART said, "Though that assertion offeredlast cannot be universally true, yet I have a commandment to resist sin; to overcomeevil; to fight the good fight of faith. And, I pray, with whom shall I fight thisgood fight, if not with Giant DESPAIR? I will therefore attempt the taking away ofhis life, and the demolishing of Doubting Castle." Then said he, "Who willgo with me?"

Then said old HONEST, "I will." "And so will we too," said CHRISTIAN'Sfour SONS--MATTHEW, SAMUEL, JAMES, and JOSEPH; for they were young men, and strong.

"I write unto you, fathers, because ye haveknown him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, becauseye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye haveknown the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him thatis from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong,and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."
~ 1 John 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, thoughGiant DESPAIR dwelt so near, they keeping in the road, "a little child mightlead them".

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion andthe fatling together; and a little child shall lead them."
~ Isaiah 11:6 ~

So Mr. GREAT-HEART, old HONEST, and the four young men, went to go up to DoubtingCastle, to look for Giant DESPAIR. When they came to the castle gate, they knockedfor entrance with an unusual noise. At that the old Giant came to the gate, and DIFFIDENCEhis wife followed: then said he, "Who and what is he that is so hardy as after,his manner to molest the Giant DESPAIR?" Mr. GREAT-HEART replied, "It isI, GREAT-HEART, one of the King of the celestial country's conductors of pilgrimsto their place; and I demand of thee that thou open thy gates for my entrance; preparethyself also to fight, for I am come to take away thy head, and to demolish DoubtingCastle."

Now Giant DESPAIR, because he was a giant, thought no man could overcome him; andagain, thought he, since heretofore I have made a conquest of angels, shall GREAT-HEARTmake me afraid! So he harnessed himself and went out. He had a cap of steel uponhis head; a breast plate of fire girded to him; and he came out in iron shoes, witha great club in his hand. Then these six men made up to him, and beset him behindand before; also when DIFFIDENCE the giantess came up to help him, old Mr. HONESTcut her down at one blow. Then they fought for their lives; and Giant DESPAIR wasbrought 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 himnot till he had severed his head from his shoulders.

Then they fell to demolishing Doubting Castle, and that, you know, might with easebe done, since Giant DESPAIR was dead. They were seven days in destroying of that:and in it of pilgrims they found one Mr. DESPONDENCY, almost starved to death; andone MUCH-AFRAID, his daughter; these two they saved alive. But it would have madeyou 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 honestpeople, though they were prisoners in Doubting Castle to that tyrant Giant DESPAIR.They therefore, I say, took with them the head of the giant (for his body they hadburied under a heap of stones); and down to the road and to their companions theycame, and showed them what they had done. Now when FEEBLE-MIND and READY-TO-HALTsaw that it was the head of Giant DESPAIR indeed, they were very jocund and merry.Now CHRISTIANA, if need was, could play upon the viol, and her daughter MERCY uponthe lute; so, since they were so merry disposed, she played them a lesson, and READY-TO-HALTwould dance. So he took DESPONDENCY'S daughter named MUCH-AFRAID by the hand, andto dancing they went in the road. True, he could not dance without one crutch inhis 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, the music was not much to him; he was for feeding ratherthan dancing, for that he was almost starved. So CHRISTIANA gave him some of herbottle of spirits for present relief, and then prepared him something to eat; andin 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 tookthe head of Giant DESPAIR, and set it upon a pole by the highway side, right overagainst the pillar that CHRISTIAN erected for a caution to pilgrims that came after,to take heed of entering into his grounds.

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

"This is 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 scruples satisfy!
This head, also when doubting cripples dance,
Doth show from fears they have deliverance."



With the Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains

When these men had thus bravely showed themselves against Doubting Castle, and hadslain Giant DESPAIR, they went forward; and went on till they came to the DelectableMountains, where CHRISTIAN and HOPEFUL refreshed themselves with the varieties ofthe place. They also acquainted themselves with the shepherds there; who welcomedthem, as they had done CHRISTIAN before, unto the Delectable Mountains.

Now the shepherds seeing so great a train follow Mr. GREAT-HEART (for with him theywere well acquainted), they said unto him, "Good sir, you have got a goodlycompany here; pray where did you find all these?"

Then Mr. GREAT-HEART replied:

"First, here's CHRISTIANA and her train:
Her sons, and her sons' wives; who, like the wain,
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 farther go? let's know whereon to trust."

Shepherds. Then said the shepherds, "This is a comfortable company: youare welcome to us, for we have for the feeble as for the strong; our Prince has aneye to what is done to the least of these.

"And the King shall answer and say untothem, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the leastof these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
~ Matthew 25:40 ~

Therefore infirmity must not be a block to our entertainment."

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 the shepherds to the guide, "wecall in by name; for that they are most subject to draw back: but as for you, andthe rest that are strong, we leave you to your wonted liberty." Then said Mr.GREAT-HEART, "This day I see that grace doth shine in your faces, and that youare my Lord's shepherds indeed; for that you have not pushed these diseased neitherwith side nor shoulder, but have rather strewed their way into the palace with flowers,as you should".

"Because ye have thrust with side and withshoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered themabroad;"
~ Ezekiel 34:21 ~

So the feeble and weak went in; and Mr. GREAT-HEART and the rest did follow. Whenthey were also set down, the shepherds said to those of the weakest sort, "Whatis it that you would have? for," said they, "all things must be managedhere to the supporting of the weak, as well as the warning of the unruly."

So they made them a feast of things easy of digestion, and that were pleasant tothe palate, and nourishing; the which, when they had received, they went to theirrest, each one respectively unto his proper place. When morning was come, becausethe mountains were high and the day clear, and because it was the custom of the shepherdsto show to the pilgrims, before their departure, some rarities; therefore, afterthey were ready, and had refreshed themselves, the shepherds took them out into thefields, and showed them first what they had shown to CHRISTIAN before.

Then they had them to some new places. The first was to Mount Marvel; where theylooked, and beheld a man at a distance that tumbled the hills about with words. Thenthey asked the shepherds what that should mean. So they told them that that man wasthe son of one GREAT-GRACE, of whom you read in the first part of the records ofthe "Pilgrim's Progress "; and he is set there to teach pilgrims how tobelieve down, or to tumble out of their ways, what difficulties they shall meet with,by faith.

"For verily I say unto you, That whosoevershall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; andshall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saithshall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you,What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,and ye shall have them."
~ Mark 11:23 ~

Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "I know him; he is a man above many."

Then they had them to another place, called Mount Innocent; and there they saw aman clothed all in white, and two men, PREJUDICE and ILL-WILL, continually castingdirt upon him. Now, behold, the dirt, whatsoever they cast at him, would in littletime fall off again; and his garment would look as clear as if no dirt had been castthereat.

Then said the pilgrims, "What means this?" The shepherds answered, "Thisman is named GODLY-MAN; and this garment is to show the innocency of his life. Nowthose that throw dirt at him are such as hate his well doing; but, as you see, thedirt will not stick upon his clothes: so it shall be with him that lives truly innocentlyin the world. Whoever they be that would make such men dirty, they labour all invain; for God, by that a little time is spent, will cause that their innocence shallbreak forth as the light, and their righteousness as the noonday."

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

Then said they, "What should this be?" "This is," said the shepherds,"to show you that he that has a heart to give of his labour to the poor shallnever want wherewithal. He that waters shall be watered himself. And the cake thatthe widow gave to the prophet did not cause that she had ever the less in her barrel."

They had them also to a place where they saw one FOOL and one WANT-WIT washing ofa filthy man with intention to make him clean; but the more they washed him the dirtierhe became. They then asked the shepherds what that should mean. So they told them,saying, "Thus shall it be with the vile person; all means used to get such onea good name shall, in conclusion, tend but to make him more abominable. Thus it waswith the Pharisees; and so it shall be with all hypocrites."

Then said MERCY, the wife of MATTHEW, to CHRISTIANA, her mother, "Mother,I would, if it might be, see the hole in the hill; or that commonly called the By-wayto Hell." So her mother brake her mind to the shepherds. Then they went to thedoor; it was in the side of a hill, and they opened it, and bid MERCY hearken awhile.So she hearkened; and heard one saying, "Cursed be my father for holding myfeet back from the way of peace and life"; and another said, "Oh that Ihad been torn in pieces before I had, to save my life, lost my soul"; and anothersaid, "If I were to live again, how would I deny myself rather than come tothis place!" Then there was as if the very earth had groaned and quaked underthe feet of this young woman for fear; so she looked white, and came trembling away,saying, "Blessed be he and she that is delivered from this place."

Now when the shepherds had showed them all these things, then they had them backto the palace, and entertained them with what the house would afford; but MERCY,being a young and breeding woman, longed for something that she saw there, but wasashamed to ask. Her mother-in-law then asked her what she ailed, for she looked asone not well. Then said MERCY, "There is a looking glass hangs up in the diningroom, off of which I cannot take my mind; if, therefore, I have not, I think I shallmiscarry." Then said her mother, "I will mention thy wants to the shepherds;and they will not deny it thee." But she said, "I am ashamed that thesemen should know that I longed." "Nay, my daughter," said she, "itis 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 ownfeature exactly; and turn it but another way, and it would show one of the very faceand similitude of the Prince of pilgrims himself. Yea, I have talked with them thatcan tell; and they have said, that they have seen the very crown of thorns upon hishead by looking in that glass; they have therein also seen the holes in his hands,in his feet, and his side. Yea, such an excellency is there in that glass, that itwill 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.

"For if any be a hearer of the word, andnot a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:"
~ James 1:23 ~

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know inpart; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
~ 1 Corinthians 13:12 ~

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, arechanged into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit ofthe Lord."
~ 2 Corinthians 3:18 ~

CHRISTIANA, therefore, went to the shepherds apart (now the names of the shepherdsare KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, WATCHFUL, and SINCERE); and said unto them, "Thereis one of my daughters, a breeding woman, that I think doth long for something thatshe hath seen in this house; and she thinks she shall miscarry if she should by yoube denied."

Experience. "Call her, call her; she shall assuredly have what we canhelp her to." So they called her, and said to her, "MERCY, what is thatthing thou wouldst have?" Then she blushed and said, "The great glass thathangs up in the dining room." So SINCERE ran and fetched it; and with a joyfulconsent it was given her. Then she bowed her head and gave thanks, and said, "Bythis I know that I have obtained favour in your eyes."

They also gave to the other young women such things as they desired; and to theirhusbands great commendations for that they joined with Mr. GREAT-HEART to the slayingof Giant DESPAIR and the demolishing of Doubting Castle.

About CHRISTIANA'S neck the shepherds put a bracelet; and so they did about the necksof her four daughters; also they put earrings in their ears and jewels on their foreheads.

When they were minded to go hence, they let them go in peace; but gave not to themthose certain cautions which before were given to CHRISTIAN and his companion. Thereason was, for that these had GREAT-HEART to be their guide, who was one that waswell acquainted with things; and so could give them their cautions more seasonably,to wit, even then when the danger was nigh the approaching.

What cautions CHRISTIAN and his companion had received of the shepherds, they hadalso lost by that the time was come that they had need to put them in practice. Whereforehere was the advantage that this company had over the other.

From hence they went on singing; and they said:

"Behold, how fitly are the stages set
For their relief that pilgrims are become;
And how they us receive without one let,
That make the other life our mark and home.

What novelties they have to us they give,
That we, though pilgrims, joyful lives may live;
They do upon us too such things bestow,
That show we pilgrims are where'er we go."

When they were gone from the shepherds, they quickly came to the place where CHRISTIANmet with one TURN-AWAY, that dwelt in the town of Apostasy. Wherefore of him Mr.GREAT-HEART their guide did now put them in mind; saying, "This is the placewhere CHRISTIAN met with one TURN-AWAY, who carried with him the character of hisrebellion at his back. And this I have to say concerning this man: He would hearkento no counsel; but once a-falling, persuasion could not stop him.

"For if we sin wilfully after that we havereceived the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shalldevour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under twoor three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thoughtworthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood ofthe covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despiteunto the Spirit of grace?"
~ Hebrews 10:26-29 ~

When he came to the place where the cross and the sepulchre was, he did meet withone that bade him look there; but he gnashed with his teeth, and stamped, and saidhe was resolved to go back to his own town. Before he came to the gate, he met withEVANGELIST, who offered to lay hands on him, to turn him into the way again. Butthis TURN-AWAY resisted him; and having done much despite unto him, he got away overthe wall, and so escaped his hand."



Valiant-For-Truth

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 said Mr. GREAT-HEART,"What art thou?" The man made answer, saying, "I am one whose nameis VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH. I am a pilgrim, and am going to the Celestial City. Now asI was in my way, there three men did beset me, and propounded unto me these threethings:

1. Whether I would become one of them?
2. Or go back from whence I came?
3. Or die upon the 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.

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consentthou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privilyfor the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole,as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shallfill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:"
~ Proverbs 1:10-14 ~

Then they demanded what I would say to the second. So I told them that the placefrom whence I came, had I not found incommodity there, I had not forsaken it at all;but finding it altogether unsuitable to me, and very unprofitable for me, I forsookit for this way. Then they asked me what I said to the third; and I told them mylife cost more dear far, than that I should lightly give it away. Besides, you havenothing to do thus to put things to my choice; wherefore at your peril be it if youmeddle. Then these three, to wit, WILD-HEAD, INCONSIDERATE, and PRAGMATIC, drew uponme; and I also drew upon them.

"So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of above three hours. Theyhave left upon me, as you see, some of the marks of their valour; and have also carriedaway with them some of mine. They are but just now gone. I suppose they might, asthe saying is, hear your horse dash; and so they betook them to flight."

Great-heart. But here were great odds, three against one!

Valiant. "'Tis true; but little and more are nothing to him that hasthe truth on his side. 'Though a host should encamp against me,' said one, 'my heartshall not fear. Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident,'etc.

"Though an host should encamp against me,my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will Ibe confident."
~ Psalms 27:3 ~

Besides," said he, "I have read in some records, that one man has foughtan army; and how many did Samson slay with the jawbone of an ass?"

Great-heart. Then said the guide, "Why did you not cry out, that somemight have come in for your succour."

Valiant. So I did, to my King,--who I knew could hear, and afford invisiblehelp; and that was sufficient for me.

Great-heart. Then said GREAT-HEART to Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, "Thou hastworthily behaved thyself: let me see thy sword." So he showed it him.

When he had taken it in his hand, and looked thereon awhile, he said, "Ah, itis a right Jerusalem blade!"

Valiant. It is so, Let a man have one of these blades, with a hand to wieldit, and skill to use it, and he may venture upon an angel with it. He need not fearits holding, if he can but tell how to lay on. Its edges will never blunt. It willcut flesh, and bones, and soul, and spirit, and all.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness ofthis world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take untoyou the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, andhaving done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparationof the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shallbe able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation,and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"
~ Ephesians 6:12-17 ~

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedgedsword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the jointsand marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
~ Hebrews 4:12 ~

Great-heart. But you fought a great while, I wonder you were not weary.

Valiant. I fought till my sword did cleave to my hand;

"He arose, and smote the Philistines untilhis hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a greatvictory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil."
~ 2 Samuel 23:10 ~

and when they were joined together, as if a sword grew out of my arm, and when theblood ran through my fingers, then I fought with most courage.

Great-heart. Thou hast done well; thou hast resisted unto blood, strivingagainst sin. Thou shall abide by us: come in, and go out with us; for we are thycompanions.

Then they took him and washed his wounds, and gave him of what they had to refreshhim; and so they went on together. Now as they went on, because Mr. GREAT-HEART wasdelighted in him (for he loved one greatly that he found to be a man of his hands),and because there were with his company them that were feeble and weak, thereforehe questioned him about many things; as first, "What countryman he was?"

Valiant. I am of Darkland for there I was born; and there my father and motherare still.

Great-heart. "Darkland," said the guide; "doth not that lieupon the same coast with the city of Destruction?"

Valiant. Yes, it doth. Now that which caused me to come on pilgrimage wasthis: We had one Mr. TELL-TRUE come into our parts, and he told it about what CHRISTIANhad done, that went from the city of Destruction; namely, how he had forsaken hiswife and children, and had betaken himself to a pilgrim's life. It was also confidentlyreported how he had killed a serpent that did come out to resist him in his journey;and how he got through to whither he intended. It was also told what welcome he hadat all his Lord's lodgings; especially when he came to the gates of the CelestialCity. "For there," said the man, "he was received with sound of trumpetby a company of shining ones." He told it also how all the bells in the Citydid ring for joy at his reception; and what golden garments he was clothed with;with many other things that now I shall forbear to relate. In a word, that man sotold the story of CHRISTIAN and his travels, that my heart fell into a burning hasteto be gone after him; nor could father or mother stay me: so I got from them, andam 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 nothing,if we did not begin to enter this way at the gate.

Great-heart. "Look you," said the guide to CHRISTIANA, "thepilgrimage of your husband, and what he has gotten thereby, is spread abroad farand 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, verily; they are following after.

Valiant. It gladdens me at heart! Good man! How joyful will he be when heshall see them that would not go with him, yet to enter in after him at the gatesinto the City.

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

Valiant. But now you are upon that, pray 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 theyshall rejoice to see themselves in that bliss? And if they think they shall knowand do these, why not know others, and rejoice in their welfare also? Again, sincerelations are our second self, though that state will be dissolved there, yet whymay it not be rationally concluded, that we shall be more glad to see them there,than to see they are wanting?

Valiant. Well, I perceive whereabouts you are as to this. Have you any morethings to ask me about my beginning to come on pilgrimage?

Great-heart. Yes; were your father and mother willing that you should becomea pilgrim?

Valiant. Oh no; they used all means imaginable to persuade me to stay at home.

Great-heart. Why, what could they say against it?

Valiant. They said it was an idle life; and if I myself were not inclinedto sloth and laziness, I would never countenance a pilgrim's condition.

Great-heart. And what did they say else?

Valiant. Why, they told me that it was a dangerous way; "yea, the mostdangerous way in the world," said they, "is that which the pilgrims go."

Great-heart. Did they show wherein this way is 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 well nighsmothered. They told me that there were archers standing ready in Beelzebub Castleto shoot them that should knock at the wicket gate for entrance. They told me alsoof the wood and dark mountains; of the hill Difficulty; of the lions; and also ofthe three giants, BLOODY-MAN, MAUL, and SLAY-GOOD. They said, moreover, that therewas a foul fiend haunted the Valley of Humiliation, and that CHRISTIAN was by himalmost bereft of life. "Besides," said they, "you must go over theValley of the Shadow of Death, where the hobgoblins are; where the light is darkness;where the way is full of snares, pits, traps, and gins." They told me also ofGiant DESPAIR; of Doubting Castle; and of the ruins that the pilgrims met with there.Further, they said, I must go over the Enchanted Ground, which was dangerous. Andthat, after all this, I should find a river, over which I should find no bridge;and that that river did lie betwixt. 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 ofpersons that laid await there to turn good men out of the path.

Great-heart. But how did they make that out?

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. Theysaid also that BY-ENDS, TALKATIVE, or DEMAS, would go near to gather me up; thatFLATTERER would catch me in his net; or that, with green-headed IGNORANCE, I wouldpresume to go on to the gate, from whence he always was sent back to the hole thatwas 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. But did they makean end here?

Valiant. No; stay. 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 theglory there that so many had so much talked of from time to time; and how they cameback again, and befooled themselves for setting a foot out of doors in that path,to the satisfaction of all the country. And they named several that did so; as OBSTINATEand PLIABLE; MISTRUST and TIMOROUS;--TURN-AWAY, and old ATHEIST; with several more,who, they said, had, some of them, gone far to see if they could find, but not oneof them found so much advantage by going as amounted to the weight of a feather.

Great-heart. Said they anything more to discourage you?

Valiant. Yes; they told me of one Mr. FEARING, who was a pilgrim, and howhe found this way so solitary, that he never had a comfortable hour therein; alsothat Mr. DESPONDENCY had like to have been starved therein; yea, and also--whichI 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 BlackRiver, and never went a foot farther; however, it was smothered up.

Great-heart. And did none of these things discourage you?

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

Great-heart. How came that about?

Valiant. Why, I still believed what Mr. TELL-TRUE had said; and that carriedme beyond them all.

Great-heart. Then this was your victory, even your faith.

Valiant. It was so: I believed, and therefore came out, got into the way,fought all that set themselves against me; and, by believing, am come to this place.

"Who would true valour 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.

Hobgoblin 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 labour night and day
To be a pilgrim."



Overcoming the Enchanted Ground

By this time they were got to the Enchanted Ground, where the air naturally tendedto make one drowsy. And that place was all grown over with briers and thorns, exceptinghere and there; where was an enchanted arbour, upon which, if a man sits, or in which,if a man sleeps, 'tis a question, say some, whether ever they shall rise or wakeagain in this world. Over this forest, therefore, they went, both one with another.Mr. GREAT-HEART went before, for that 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 onhere each man with his sword drawn in his hand; for they knew it was a dangerousplace. Also they cheered up one another as well as they could. FEEBLE-MIND, Mr. GREAT-HEARTcommanded should come up after him; and Mr. DESPONDENCY was under the eye of Mr.VALIANT.

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

Any one must think that here was but sorry going for the best of them all; but howmuch 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 him that led in the front,and of him that brought them up behind, they made a pretty good shift to move along.

The way also was here very wearisome through dirt and slabbiness. Nor was there onall this ground so much as one inn or victualling house, therein to refresh the feeblersort. Here, therefore, was grunting, and puffing, and sighing: while one tumblesover a bush, another sticks fast in the dirt; and the children, some of them, losttheir shoes in the mire. While one cries out, "I am down;" and another,"Ho! where are you?" and a third, "The bushes have got such fast holdon me, I think I cannot get away from them."

Then they came at an arbour, warm, and promising much refreshing to the pilgrims;for it was finely wrought abovehead, beautified with greens, furnished with benchesand settles. It also had in it a soft couch whereon the weary might lean. This, youmust think, all things considered, was tempting; for the pilgrims already began tobe foiled with the badness of the way: but there was not one of them that made somuch as a motion to stop there. Yea, for aught I could perceive, they continuallygave so good heed to the advice of their guide; and he did so faithfully tell themof dangers, and of the nature of dangers when they were at them, that usually, whenthey were nearest to them, they did most pluck up their spirits, and hearten oneanother to deny the flesh. This arbour was called the Slothful's Friend; on purposeto allure, if it might be, some of the pilgrims there, to take up their rest whenweary.

I saw then in my dream, that they went on in this their solitary ground, till theycame to a place at which a man is apt to lose his way. Now, though when it was light,their guide could well enough tell how to miss those ways that led wrong, yet, inthe dark, he was put to a stand; but he had in his pocket a map of all ways leadingto or from the Celestial City: wherefore he struck a light (for he never goes alsowithout his tinderbox), and took a view of his book or map, which bade him be carefulin that place to turn to the right hand way. And had he not here been careful tolook in his map, they had, in all probability, been smothered in the mud; for justa little way before them, and that at the end of the cleanest way too, was a pit--noneknows how deep--full of nothing but mud, there made on purpose to destroy the pilgrimsin.

Then thought I with myself, who that goes on pilgrimage, but would have one of thesemaps about him; that he may look, when he is at a stand, which is the way he musttake.

They went on then in this Enchanted Ground, till they came to where was another arbour;and it was built by the highway side. And in that arbour there lay two men whosenames were HEEDLESS and TOO-BOLD. These two went thus far on pilgrimage; but here,being wearied with their journey, they sat down to rest themselves, and so fell fastasleep. When the pilgrims saw them, they stood still and shook their heads; for theyknew that the sleepers were in a pitiful case. Then they consulted what to do: whetherto go on and leave them in their sleep, or to step to them and try to awake them.So they concluded to go to them and wake them--that is, if they could; but with thiscaution, namely, to take heed that they themselves did not sit down, nor embracethe offered benefit of that arbour.

So they went in and spake to the men, and called each by his name (for the guide,it seems, did know them); but there was no voice or answer. Then the guide did shakethem, and do what he could to disturb them. Then said one of them, "I will payyou when I take my money;" at which the guide shook his head. "I will fightso long as I can hold my sword in my hand," said the other. At that, one ofthe children laughed.

Then said CHRISTIANA, "What is the meaning of this?" The guide said, "Theytalk 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, whenthe waves of the sea did beat upon him, and he slept as one upon the mast of a ship,'When I awake, I will seek it again'.

"Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth downin the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have strickenme, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and Ifelt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again."
~ Proverbs 23:34, 35 ~

You know, when men talk in their sleep, they say anything; but their words are notgoverned either by faith or reason. There is an incoherency in their words now, asthere was before, betwixt their going on pilgrimage and sitting down here. This,then, is the mischief on't; when heedless ones go on pilgrimage, 'tis twenty to onebut they are served thus. For this Enchanted Ground is one of the last refuges thatthe enemy to pilgrims has: wherefore it is, as you see, placed almost at the endof the way; and so it stands against us with the more advantage. For when, thinksthe enemy, will these fools be so desirous to sit down as when they are weary? andwhen so like to be weary as when almost at their journey's end? Therefore it is,I say, that the Enchanted Ground is placed so nigh to the land Beulah, and so nearthe end of their race. Wherefore let pilgrims look to themselves; lest it happento them as it has done to these that, as you see, are fallen asleep, and none canwake them."

Then the pilgrims desired with trembling to go forward; only they prayed their guideto strike a light, that they might go the rest of their way by the help of the lightof a lantern.

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy;whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:"
~ 2 Peter 1:19 ~

So he struck a light; and they went by the help of that through the rest of thisway, though the darkness was very great.

But the children began to be sorely weary; and they cried out unto him that lovespilgrims, to make their way more comfortable. So by that they had gone a little farther,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 seeone another better, and the way wherein they should walk.

Now, when they were almost at the end of this ground, they perceived that a littlebefore them was a solemn noise, as of one that was much concerned. So they went onand looked before them; and behold, they saw, as they thought, a man upon his knees,with hands and eyes lifted up, and speaking, as they thought, earnestly to One thatwas above. They drew nigh, but could not tell what he said; so they went softly tillhe had done. When he had done, he got up, and began to run towards the CelestialCity. Then Mr. GREAT-HEART called after him, saying, "So ho, friend! let ushave your company, if you go, as I suppose you do, to the Celestial City." Sothe man stopped; and they came up to him. But as soon as Mr. HONEST saw him, he said,"I know this man." Then said Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, "Prithee, whois it?" "'Tis one," said he, "that comes from whereabouts I dwelt;his name is STANDFAST; he is certainly a right good pilgrim."


How Standfast Resisted Temptation in the Enchanted Ground

So they came up one to another; and presently STANDFAST said to old HONEST.

Standfast. "Ho, Father HONEST, are you there?" "Ay," saidhe, "that I am, as sure as you are there." "Right glad am I,"said Mr. STANDFAST, "that I have found you on this road." "And asglad am I," said the other, "that I espied you upon your knees." ThenMr. STANDFAST blushed, and said, "But why; did you see me?" "Yes,that I did," quoth the other; "and with my heart was glad at the sight.""Why, what did you think?" said STANDFAST. "Think," said oldHONEST, "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,how happy am I! But if I be not as I should, I alone must bear it." "Thatis true," said the other; "but your fear doth further confirm me that thingsare right betwixt the Prince of pilgrims and your soul. For he saith, 'Blessed isthe man that fears always.'"

Valiant. Well, but brother, I pray thee tell us what was it that was the causefor thy being upon thy knees, even now? Was it for that some special mercy laid obligationsupon thee, or how?

Standfast. Why, we are, as you see, upon the Enchanted Ground; and as I wascoming along, I was musing with myself of what a dangerous road the road in thisplace was; and how many that had come even thus far on pilgrimage, had here beenstopped, and been destroyed. I thought also of the manner of the death with whichthis place destroys men. Those that die here, die of no violent distemper; the deathwhich such die is not grievous to them. For he that goes away in a sleep, beginsthat journey with desire and pleasure. Yea, such acquiesce in the will of that disease.

Honest. Then Mr. HONEST, interrupting of him, said, "Did you see thetwo men asleep in the arbour?"

Standfast.Aye,aye, I saw HEEDLESS and TOO-BOLD there; and for aught I know,there they will lie till they rot.

"The memory of the just is blessed:but the name of the wicked shall rot."
~ Proverbs 10:7 ~

But let me go on in my tale. As I was thus musing, as I said, there was one in verypleasant attire, but old, that presented herself unto me; and offered me three things:to wit, her body, her purse, and her bed. Now the truth is, I was both a-weary andsleepy; I am also as poor as an owlet--and that perhaps the witch knew. Well, I repulsedher once or twice; but she put by my repulses, and smiled. Then I began to be angry;but she mattered that nothing at all. Then she made offers again; and said, "IfI 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 Iasked her name; and she told me it was "Madame BUBBLE." This set me furtherfrom her; but she still followed me with enticements. Then I betook me, as you see,to my knees; and with hands lifted up, and cries, I prayed to him that had said hewould help. So just as you came up, the gentlewoman went her way. Then I continuedto give thanks for this my great deliverance; for I verily believe she intended nogood, but rather sought to make stop of me in my journey.

Honest. Without doubt her designs were bad. But stay, now you talk of her,methinks I either have seen her, or have read some story of her.

Standfast. Perhaps you have done both.

Honest. Madame BUBBLE! Is she not a tall, comely dame, something of a swarthycomplexion?

Standfast. Right, you hit it; she is just such an one.

Honest. Doth she not speak very smoothly, and give you a smile at the endof a sentence?

Standfast. You fall right upon it again; for these are her very actions.

Honest. Doth she not wear a great purse by her side; and is not her hand oftenin it, fingering her money as if that was her heart's delight?

Standfast. 'Tis just so. Had she stood by all this while, you could not moreamply have set her forth before me, nor have better described her features.

Honest. Then he that drew her picture was a good limner; and he that wroteof her said true.

Great-heart. This woman is a witch; and it is by virtue of her sorceries thatthis ground is enchanted. Whoever doth lay their head down in her lap, had as goodlay it down upon that block over which the axe doth hang; and whoever lay their eyesupon her beauty, are counted the enemies of God.

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know yenot that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore willbe a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
~ James 4:4 ~

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyman love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
~ 1 John 2:15 ~

This is she that maintains in their splendour all those that are the enemies of pilgrims.Yea, this is she that has bought off many a man from a pilgrim's life. She is a greatgossiper; she is always, both she and her daughters, at one pilgrim's heels or other--nowcommending, and then preferring the excellences of this life. She is a bold and impudentslut; she will talk with any man. She always laughs poor pilgrims to scorn; but highlycommends the rich. If there be one cunning to get money in a place, she will speakwell of him from house to house. She loves banqueting and feasting mainly well; sheis always at one full table or another. She has given it out in some places thatshe is a goddess; and therefore some do worship her. She has her times and open placesof cheating; and she will say and avow it, that none can show a good comparable tohers. She promises to dwell with children's children, if they will but love and makemuch of her. She will cast out of her purse gold like dust, in some places and tosome persons. She loves to be sought after; spoken well of; and to lie in the bosomsof men. She is never weary of commending her commodities; and she loves them mostthat think best of her. She will promise to some, crowns and kingdoms, if they willbut take her advice; yet many has she brought to the halter, and ten thousand timesmore to hell.

Standfast. "Oh," said STANDFAST, "what a mercy is it that Idid resist her! for whither might she have drawn me?"

Great-heart. Whither! nay, none but God knows--whither. But in general, tobe sure, she would have drawn thee "into many foolish and hurtful lusts, whichdrown men in destruction and perdition".

"But they that will be rich fall into temptationand a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destructionand perdition."
~ 1 Timothy 6:9 ~

'Twas she that set Absalom against his father; and Jeroboam against his master. 'Twasshe that persuaded Judas to sell his Lord; and that prevailed with DEMAS to forsakethe godly pilgrim's life: none can tell of the mischief that she doth. She makesvariance betwixt rulers and subjects; betwixt parents and children; 'twixt neighbourand neighbour; 'twixt a man and his wife; 'twixt a man and himself; 'twixt the fleshand the heart.

Wherefore, good Master STANDFAST, 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; butat length they brake 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 on the mire:
Some, though they shun the frying pan,
Do leap into the fire."



Refreshment in the Land of Beulah

After this I beheld until they were come unto the land of Beulah, where the sun shinesnight and day. Here, because they were weary, they betook themselves awhile to rest.And because this country was common for pilgrims, and because the orchards and vineyardsthat were here belonged to the King of the Celestial Country, therefore they werelicensed to make bold with any of his things.

But a little while soon refreshed them here; for the bells did so ring, and the trumpetscontinually sound so melodiously, that they could not sleep: and yet they receivedas much refreshing as if they had slept their sleep never so soundly. Here also allthe noise of them that walked the streets was, "More pilgrims are come to town."And another would answer, saying, "And so many went over the water, and werelet in at the golden gates today." They would cry again, "There is nowa legion of shining ones just come to town, by which we know that there are morepilgrims upon the road; for here they come to wait for them, and to comfort themafter all their sorrow." Then the pilgrims got up and walked to and fro; buthow were their ears now filled with heavenly noises, and their eyes delighted withcelestial visions! In this land they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smeltnothing, tasted nothing, that was offensive to their stomach or mind; only when theytasted of the water of the river over which they were to go, they thought that tasteda little bitterish to the palate, but it proved sweeter when 'twas down.

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

In this place, the children of the town would go into the King's gardens, and gathernosegays for the pilgrims, and bring them to them with much affection. Here alsogrew camphor, with spikenard, and saffron, calamus, and cinnamon, with all its treesof frankincense, myrrh, and aloes, with all chief spices. With these the pilgrims'chambers were perfumed while they stayed here; and with these were their bodies anointed,to prepare them to go over the river when the time appointed was come.

Now, while they lay here, and waited for the good hour, there was a noise in thetown that there was a post come from the Celestial City, with matter of great importanceto 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 whereof were, "Hail, good woman, I bring thee tidings that theMaster calleth for thee, and expecteth that thou shouldest stand in his presence,in clothes of immortality, within this ten days."


Christiana is Summoned

When he had read this letter to her, he gave her therewith a sure token that he wasa true messenger, and was come to bid her make haste to be gone. The token was anarrow with a point, sharpened with love, let easily into her heart; which by degreeswrought 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 companythat was to go over, she called for Mr. GREAT-HEART, her guide, and told him howmatters were. So he told her he was heartily glad of the news; and could have beenglad had the post come for him. Then she bade that he should give advice how allthings should be prepared for her journey.

So he told her: saying, "Thus and thus it must be; and we that survive willaccompany you to the riverside."

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

When she had spoken these words to her guide and to her children, she called forMr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH; and said unto him, "Sir, you have in all places showedyourself true hearted: be faithful unto death, and my King will give you a crownof life. I would also entreat you to have an eye to my children; and if at any timeyou see them faint, speak comfortably to them. For my daughters, my sons' wives,they have been faithful; and a fulfilling of the promise upon them will be theirend." But she gave Mr. STANDFAST a ring.

Then she called for old Mr. HONEST; and said of him, "Behold an Israelite indeed,in whom is no guile." Then said he, "I wish you a fair day when you setout 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 weatheris in my journey, I shall have time enough when I come there to sit down and restme, and dry me."

Then came in that good man, Mr. READY-TO-HALT, to see her. So she said to him, "Thytravel hither has been with difficulty; but that will make thy rest the sweeter.But watch, and be ready! for at an hour when you think not the messenger may come."

After him came in Mr. DESPONDENCY, and his daughter MUCH-AFRAID; to whom she said,"You ought with thankfulness for ever to remember your deliverance from thehands of Giant DESPAIR, and out of Doubting Castle. The effect of that mercy is,that you are brought with safety hither. Be ye watchful, and cast away fear; be sober,and hope to the end."

Then she said to Mr. FEEBLE-MIND, "Thou wast delivered from the mouth of GiantSLAY-GOOD, that thou mightest live in the light of the living for ever, and see thyKing with comfort. Only I advise thee to repent thee of thy aptness to fear and doubtof his goodness, before he sends for thee; lest thou shouldest, when he comes, beforced 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 peopleto see her take her journey. But behold, all the banks beyond the river were fullof horses and chariots, which were come down from above to accompany her to the Citygate. So she came forth, and entered the river with a beckon of farewell to thosethat followed her to the riverside. The last word she was heard to say here was,"I come, Lord, to be with Thee, and bless Thee!"

So her children and friends returned to their place; for that those that waited forCHRISTIANA had carried her out of their sight. So she went and called, and enteredin at the gate with all the ceremonies of joy that her husband CHRISTIAN had donebefore her.

At her departure her children wept; but Mr. GREAT-HEART and Mr. VALIANT played uponthe well-tuned cymbal and harp for joy. So all departed to their respective places.



Through the River One by One

In process of time there came a post to the town again; and his business was withMr. READY-TO-HALT. So he inquired him out, and said to him, "I am come to theein the name of him whom thou hast loved and followed, though upon crutches. And mymessage is to tell thee, that he expects thee at his table to sup with him in hisKingdom the next day after Easter. Wherefore prepare thyself for this journey."

Then he also gave him a token that he was a true messenger; saying, "I havebroken thy golden bowl, and loosed thy silver cord".

"Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or thegolden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel brokenat the cistern."
~ Ecclesiastes 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 shouldsurvive him, but his crutches and his good wishes; therefore thus he said: "Thesecrutches I bequeath to my son that shall tread in my steps; with a hundred warm wishesthat he may prove better than I have done."

Then he thanked Mr. GREAT-HEART for his conduct and kindness; and so addressed himselfto his journey. When he came at the brink of the river, he said, "Now I shallhave no more need of these crutches; since yonder are chariots and horses for meto ride on." The last words he was heard to say were, "Welcome, life!"So he went his way.

After this Mr. FEEBLE-MIND had tidings brought him that the post sounded his hornat his chamber door. Then he came in and told him, saying, "I am come to tellthee that thy Master has need of thee; and that in very little time thou must beholdhis face in brightness. And take this as a token of the truth of my message: 'Thosethat look out at the windows shall be darkened".

"In the day when the keepers of the houseshall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease becausethey are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened"
~ Ecclesiastes 12:3 ~

Then Mr. FEEBLE-MIND called for his friends; and told them what errand had been broughtunto 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 that I have no need of inthe place whither I go; nor is it worth bestowing upon the poorest pilgrim: wherefore,when I am gone, I desire that you, Mr. VALIANT, would bury it in a dunghill. Thisdone, and the day being come in which he was to depart, he entered the river as therest. His last words were, "Hold out, faith and patience !" So he wentover to the other side.

When many days had passed away, Mr. DESPONDENCY was sent for. For a post was come,and brought this message to him: "Trembling man, these are to summon thee tobe ready with the King by the next Lord's day, to shout for joy for thy deliverancefrom all thy doubtings."

And said the messenger, "That my message is true, take this for a proof."So he gave him the grasshopper to be a burden unto him.

"Also when they shall be afraid ofthat which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond treeshall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: becauseman goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:"
~ Ecclesiastes 12:5 ~

Now Mr. DESPONDENCY'S daughter, whose name was MUCH-AFRAID, said, when she heardwhat was done, that she would go with her father. Then Mr. DESPONDENCY said to hisfriends, "Myself and my daughter, you know what we have been; and how troublesomelywe have behaved ourselves in every company. My will and my daughter's is, that ourdesponds and slavish fears be by no man ever received from the day of our departurefor ever; 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 beganto be pilgrims, and could never shake them off after. And they will walk about, andseek entertainment of the pilgrims: but for our sakes shut ye the doors upon them."

When the time was come for them to depart, they went to the brink of the river. Thelast words of Mr. DESPONDENCY were, "Farewell, night! welcome, day!" Hisdaughter went through the river singing; but none could understand what she said.

Then it came to pass, awhile after, that there was a post in the town that inquiredfor Mr. HONEST. So he came to the house where he was, and delivered to his hand theselines:-- "Thou art commanded to be ready against this day seven nights, to presentthyself before thy Lord at his Father's house. And for a token that my message istrue, 'all the daughters of musick shall be brought low'".

"And the doors shall be shut in the streets,when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird,and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;"
~ Ecclesiastes 12:4 ~

Then Mr. HONEST called for his friends; and said unto them, "I die; but shallmake no will. As for my honesty, it shall go with me: let him that comes after betold of this." When the day that he was to be gone was come, he addressed himselfto 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 wordsof 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 summonsby the same post as the other; and had this for a token that the summons was true,that his pitcher was broken at the fountain.

"Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or thegolden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel brokenat the cistern."
~ Ecclesiastes 12:6 ~

When he understood it, he called for his friends, and told them of it. Then saidhe, "I am going to my Father's; and though with great difficulty I am got hither,yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am.My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage; and my courage andskill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witnessfor me that I have fought his battles who now will be my Rewarder." When theday that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the riverside; into whichas 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 thetrumpets sounded for him on the other side.

Then there came forth a summons for Mr. STANDFAST (this Mr. STANDFAST was he thatthe rest of the pilgrims found upon his knees in the Enchanted Ground); for the postbrought it him open in his hands. The contents whereof were, that he must preparefor a change of life; for his Master was not willing that he should be so far fromhim any longer. At this Mr. STANDFAST was put into a muse; "Nay," saidthe messenger, "you need not doubt the truth of my message; for here is a tokenof the truth thereof: thy wheel is broken at the cistern".

"Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or thegolden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel brokenat the cistern."
~ Ecclesiastes 12:6 ~

Then he called to him Mr. GREAT-HEART, who was their guide; and said unto him, "Sir,although it was not my hap 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 fromhome, I left behind me a wife and five small children. Let me entreat you at yourreturn (for I know that you will go, and return to your Master's house, in hopesthat you may yet be a conductor to more of the holy pilgrims), that you send to myfamily; and let them be acquainted with all that hath and shall happen unto me. Tellthem, moreover, of my happy arrival at this place; and of the present blessed conditionthat I am in. Tell them also of CHRISTIAN and CHRISTIANA his wife; and how she andher children came after her husband. Tell them also of what a happy end she made,and whither she is gone. I have little or nothing to send to my family, except itbe prayers and tears for them; of which it will suffice if thou acquaint them, ifperadventure they may prevail." When Mr. STANDFAST had thus set things in order,and the time being come for him to haste him away, he also went down to the river.Now there was a great calm at that time in the river; wherefore Mr. STANDFAST, whenhe was about half way in, he stood awhile, and talked to his companions that hadwaited upon him thither. And he said:

"This river has been a terror to many; yea, the thoughts of it also have oftenfrightened me. But now, methinks I stand easy; my foot is fixed upon that upon whichthe feet of the priests that bore the ark of the covenant stood, while Israel wentover this Jordan.

"And the priests that bare the ark of thecovenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all theIsraelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean overJordan."
~ Joshua 3:17 ~

The waters, indeed, are to the palate bitter, and to the stomach cold; yet the thoughtsof what I am going to, and of the conduct that waits for me on the other side, dothlie as a glowing coal at my heart.

"I see myself now at the end of my journey; my toilsome days are ended. I amgoing now to see that head that was crowned with thorns, and that face that was spitupon for me.

"I have formerly lived by hearsay and faith; but now I go where I shall liveby 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 printof 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. Hisvoice to me has been most sweet; and his countenance I have more desired than theythat have most desired the light of the sun. His Word I did use to gather for myfood, and for antidotes against my fainting. He has held me, and I have kept me frommine iniquities; yea, my steps hath he strengthened in his way."

Now while he was thus in discourse, his countenance changed; his strong man bowedunder him; and after he had said, "Take me, for I came unto Thee!" he ceasedto 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--towelcome the pilgrims as they went up, and followed one another in at the beautifulgate of the City.

As for CHRISTIAN'S children, the four boys that CHRISTIANA brought with her, withtheir 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 forthe 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 accountof what I here am silent about; meantime, I bid my reader

ADIEU!