NOTES UPON PART II. 237 with the plan of this work, to enter on a particular explanation of them. The dealings, of the Lord are here represented, as uniformly gentle to the feeble, trembling, humble believers, and the circumstances of their deaths comparatively encouraging and easy. 180..13. River... This speech has been justly admired, as one of the most striking passages in the whole work: but it is so plain, that it only requires an attentive reader. It may, however, be worthy of our observation, that in all the instances before us the pilgrims are represented as resting their only dependence, at the closing scene, on the mercy of GOD, through the righteousness and atonement of his son; and yet recollecting their conscious integrity, boldness in professing and contending for the truth, love to the cause, example, and words of CHRIST, obedience to his precepts, delight in his ways, preservation from their own iniquities, and consistent behaviour, as evidences that their faith was living, and their hope warranted; and in this way the retrospect conduced to their encouragement. Moreover they all concur in declaring, that while they left their infirmities behind them they would take their graces along with them, and that their works would follow them." -Thus the scriptural mean is exactly maintained, between those who place their supposed good works as the foundation of their hope; and those, who would exclude even real good works from being so much as looked upon, as evidential of saving faith, or as in any way giving encouragement to the believer in his dying hour1. 181..14. Glorious... The view given in this place, of the peaceful and joyful death of the pilgrims, cannot but affect every reader in some degree; and many perhaps may be ready to say, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my " last end be like his." But, except they make it their principal concern to live the life of the righteous, such a wish will most probably be frustrated; and every hope grounded 2 Tim. iv. 6-8. 238 NOTES UPON PART II. on it is evidently presumptuous, as the example of BALAAM sufficiently proves. If any man therefore doubt whether this allegory do indeed describe the rise and progress of religion in the soul; the beginning, continuance, and termination of the godly man's course to heaven; let him diligently search the scriptures, and fervently pray to God, from whom alone "cometh every good and perfect gift," to enable him to determine this question. But let such as own themselves to be satisfied that it does, beware lest they rest on this assent and notion, in the pleasure of reading an ingenious work on the subject, or in the ability of developing many of the author's emblems. Let them beware, lest they be fascinated, as it were, into a persuasion, that they actually accompany the pilgrims in the life of faith, and walking with God, in the same measure, as they keep pace with the author, in discovering and approving the grand outlines of his plan. And let every one carefully examine his state, sentiments, experience, motives, tempers, affections, and conduct, by the various characters, incidents, and observations, that pass under his review: assured that this is a matter of the greatest consequence. We ought not indeed to call any man master, or subscribe absolutely to all his sentiments: yet the diligent practical student of scripture can scarcely doubt, but that the warnings, counsels and instructions of this singular work, agree in general with that sacred touchstone; or that characters and actions will at last be approved or condemned by the Judge of the world, in a great degree according to the sentence passed on them in this wise and faithful book. The Lord grant that both the writer and readers of these observations may " find mercy " in that day," and be addressed in these gracious words, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world." THE END. * The Italic numerals refer to the Preface and Life; i. ii. to the Part; and the A figure to the Page. a baptist church, xiv. ordained ib. ap- Accommodation, of scripture, dangerous, Adam the first, i. 76, 77. Age and youth, their different advan- Anchor, golden, ii. 78. Apostates, i 32-34,150,230, 257,305. Apples, Eve's, ii. 78 erroneous notion re- specting, ii. 201. Atheism, long hypocritical profession of Atheist, derides Christian and Hopeful, Backsliders, i. 253. Beelzebub, his castle, i. 22. his dog, ii. 167. description and character of, 168, Bunyan, Mr.his parents, ix, occupation,ix. Burden, Christian's, i. 1, 206, not taken C Candour, false, i. 304. Charity, her conversation with Christian, Christ, how revealed to the soul,i 94, 175, Children, are to be early commended to Christiana, Sagacity's account of her and 232, 238, 246. genuine, distinguished Conflict, the christian's inward, i. 30, 31. are of little moment, ii. 190. D Death, represented by a river without a Debts, unjust to contract them by false 233. Delectable mountains, i. 58, 146-151. Demas, invites Christian and Hopeful to Despond, slough of, i. 8-10. ii. 18, 19. Despondency, whence it arises, i. 208, slain by Honest, ii. 142. Discretion, her discourse with Christian, i. 48. i 1 the last century, xu, xvii. the indul- Dog, at the wicket-gate, ii. 20, 25. by Great-heart, &c. ii. 143 E Ease, the plain, i. 130. Enchanted ground, i. 167-190. ii. 160- 170. Enthusiasm, i. 232, 266, 315, 316, ii. 187 -197- Envy, his testimony against Faithful, i. Error, mount, i. 148. none harmless or in- Evangelist, meets Christian, i. 3. again, Evidences, see Grace. F Fearing, Mr. account of, ii. 98-105. Fire, an emblem, i. 30. ful into a net, i. 163. Gaius entertains Christiana, &c. ii. 111-- Faint-heart, Mistrust, and Guilt, rob Lit- Fairs, their pernicious effects, i. 269. (See Faith, human and divine, i. 109. Nature of, 200-202. Faithful, joined by Christian, i. 73. gives Fear, nature and advantage of right, i. 126. Gentleman-like, the expression, i. 131, 287. Grace, how maintained in the heart, i. 30, Great-heart, appointed by the Interpreter Grim, giant, opposes Great-heart and the Hate-good, judge, i. 106. his address to Help, i. 9. Hope and fear duly proportioned, i. 230. 210. Hopeful, joins Christian, i. 112. inclines |