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Presents made to the Pilgrims.

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ing of Giant Despair, and the demolishing of DoubtingCastle.-About Christiana's neck the Shepherds put a bracelet, and so they did about the necks of her four daughters; also they put ear-rings 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 them those certain cautions which before were given to Christian and his companion. The reason was, for that these had Great-heart to be their Guide, who was one that was well acquainted with things, and so could give them their cautions more seasonable; to wit, even then when the danger was nigh the approaching. What cautions Christian and his companion had received of the Shepherds, they had also lost by that the time was come that they had need to put them in practice. Wherefore, here was the advantage that this company had over the other. (u)

From hence they went on singing, and they said,

'Behold, how fitly are the Tables set

For their relief that Pilgrims are become,
And how they us receive without one let,
That make the other life the 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 shew we Pilgrims are, where'er we go.'
* Part i. p. 161.

(u) The author embraces every opportunity of pointing out the important advantages of the pastoral office, when faithfully executed; by which he meant the regular care of a stated minister over a company of professed Christians who are his peculiar charge, have voluntarily placed themselves under his instructions, seek counsel from him in all their difficulties, and pay regard to his private admonitions; being convinced that he uprightly seeks their spiritual welfare, and is capable of promoting it. Nothing so much tends to the establishment and consistent conduct of believers, or the permanent success of the gospel, as a proper reciprocal attention of pastors and their flocks to each other. A general way of preaching and hearing, with little or no connexion, cordial unreserved intercourse, or even acquaintance, between ministers and their congregations; with continual changes from one place to another, may tend to spread a superficial knowledge of evangelical truth more widely: but, through the want of seasonable reproof, counsel, encouragement, or admonition, the general directions delivered from the pulpit will seldom be recollected when they are most wanted. Hence it is, that professors so often miss their way, are taken in the Flatterer's net, and fall asleep on the Enchanted Ground: and a faithful Guide, ever at Rand, to give the caution or direction at the time, is the proper remedy, for which no ade quate substitute can be found. But, as it is much easier to preach at large on general topics, and, after a few serious deļivered in one congregation, to go over the same ground

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Turn-away, of Apostasy.

When they were gone from the Shepherds, they quickly came to the place where Christian met with one Turn-away, that dwelt in the Town of Apostasy.* Wherefore of hi Mr. Great-heart, their Guide, did now put them in mind, saying, "This is the place where Christian met with one Turn-away, who carried with him the character of his rebellion at his back. And this I have to say concerning this man; he would hearken to no counsel, but, once a falling, persuasion could not stop him. When he came to the place where the Cross and the Sepulchre was, he did meet with one that bid him look there, but he gnashed with his teeth, and stamped, and said, he was resolved to go back to his own town. Before he came to the Gate, he met with Evangelist, who offered to lay hands on him to turn him into the way again. But this Turn-away resisted him, and having done much despite unto him, he got away over the wall, and so escaped his hand.'

Then they went on and, just at the place where Littlefaith 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 name is Valiant-for-truth; I am a Pilgrim, and am going to the Celestial City. Now, as I was in my way, there were three men that did beset me, and propounded unto me these three things;-Whether I would become one of them ?-Or go back from whence I came ?-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. Then they demanded what I would say to the second. So I told them the place from 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 forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what I said to the third? And I told them, My life cost more dear far, than that I should lightly give it away : Besides, you have nothing to do to put things to my choice; wherefore at your

again in another place; than to perform duly the several parts of the arduous office, which is sustained by the stated pastor of a regular congregation: and as it is far more agreeable to nature, to be exempted from private admonitions, than to be troubled with them, it may be feared, that this important subject will not at present be duly attended to,

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Valiant-for-truth's Battle and Victory.

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peril be it if you meddle. Then these three, to wit, Wildhead, Inconsiderate, and Pragmatick, drew upon me, and I also drew upon them. So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of three hours. They have left upon me, as you see, some of the marks of their valour, and have also carried away with them some of mine. They are but just now gone: I suppose they might, as the saying is, hear your horse dash, and so they betook themselves to flight. (w)

Gr.-H. But here was great odds, three against one.

Val. 'Tis true; but little or more are nothing to him that has the truth on his side. "Though an host should encamp against me," said one, "my heart shall not fear: though war shall rise against me, in this will I be confident." "Besides,' said he, 'I have read in some records, that one man has fought an army and how many did Samson slay with the jaw-bone

of an ass ?'

Then said the Guide, 'Why did not you cry out, that some might have come in for your succour ?'

Val. So I did to my King, who I knew could hear me, and afford invisible help, and that was enough for me.

Then said Great-heart to Mr. Valiant-for-truth, "Thou hast worthily behaved thyself; let me see thy sword.' So he shewed it him. When he had taken it into his hand, and looked thereon a while, he said, 'Ha! it is a right Jerusalem blade.'

Val. It is so. hand to wield it, an angel with it.

Let a man have one of these blades, with a and skill to use it, and he may venture upon He need not fear its holding, if he can but

(w) From the names given to the opponents, with whom this Pilgrim fought, we may infer, that the author meant to represent by them certain wild enthusiasts, who, not having ever duly considered any religious subject, officiously intrude themselves in the way of professors; to perplex their minds, and persuade them, that unless they adopt their reveries or superstitions, they cannot be saved. An ungovernable imagination, a mind incapable of sober reflection, and a dogmatizing spirit, characterize these enemies of the truth: they assault religious persons with specious reasonings, caviling objections, confident assertions, bitter reproaches, proud boastings, sarcastical censures, and rash judgments: they endeavour to draw them over to their party, or to drive them from attending to religion at all; or to terrify them with the fears of damnation, in their present endeavours to serve God, and find his salvation. Whatever company of persons we suppose that the author had in view, we may learn from the passage what our strength, hope, and conduct ought to be, when we are thus assaulted. The word of God, used in faith, and with fervent and persevering prayer, will at length enable us to silence such dangerous assailants: and if we be valiant for the truth; and meekly contend for it, amidst revilings, menaces, and contentpt, we may hope to confirm others also, and to promote the common cause.

324 Valiant-for-truth shews how he left Dark-land.

tell how to lay on. Its edge will never blunt. It will cut flesh and bones, and soul and spirit and all.

Gr.-H. But you fought a great while; I wonder you was not weary.

Val. I fought till my sword did ecleave to my hand, and then they were joined together, as if a sword grew out of my arm; and when the blood run through my fingers, then I fought with most courage.

Gr.-H. Thou hast done well; thou hast "resisted unto blood, striving against sin ;" thou shalt abide by us, come in and go out with us, for we are thy companions.

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

he was ?

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

Dark-land!' said the Guide: 'doth not that lie on the same coast with the City of Destruction ?'

Val. Yes, it doth. Now that which caused me to come on pilgrimage, was this: We had Mr. Tell-true came into our parts, and he told it about what Christian bad done, that went from the City of Destruction; namely, how he had forsaken his wife and children, and had betaken himself to a Pilgrim's life. It was also confidently reported, how he had killed a serpent, that did come out to resist him in his journey; and how he got through to whither he intended. It was also told, what welcome he had to all his Lord's lodg ings, especially when he came to the Gates of the Celestial City; for there, said the man, he was received with sound of trumpet, by a company of Shining Ones. He told it also, how all the bells in the City did 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 so told the story of Christian and his travels, that my heart fell into a burning heat to be gone after him : nor could father or mother stay me. So I got from them, and am come thus far on my way.

Gr.-H. You came in at the Gate, did you not?

Knowledge of each other in Glory.

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

the Gate.

way at 'Look you,' said the Guide to Christiana, 'the pilgrimage of your husband, and what he has gotten thereby, is spread abroad far and near."

Val. Why, is this Christian's wife?

Gr.-H. Yes, that it is; and these are also her four son's.
Val. What! and going on pilgrimage too?

Gr.-H. Yes, verily, they are following after.

Val. It glads me at heart; good man, how joyful will he be, when he shall see them, that would not go with him, to enter before him in at the Gates into the Celestial City!

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

Val. 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.

Gr.-H. Do they think they shall know themselves then, or that they shall rejoice to see themselves in that bliss ? And if they think they shall know and do these, why not know others, and rejoice in their welfare also? Again, since revelations are our second self, though that state will be dissolved, yet why may it not be rationally concluded that we shall be more glad to see them there, than to see they are wanting?

Val. Well, I perceive whereabouts you are as to this. Have you any more things to ask me about my beginning to come on pilgrimage ?

Gr.-H. Yes; was your father and mother willing that you should become a Pilgrim P

Val. Oh no! they used all means imaginable to persuade me to stay at home.

Gr.-H. What could they say against it?

Val. They said, it was an idle life; and, if I myself were not inclined to sloth and laziness, I would never countenance a Pilgrim's condition. (.x)

(x) This hath been the reproach cast on religion in every age. Pharaoh said to Moses and the Israelites, “Ye are idle, ye are ille; therefore ye say, let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord." Men naturally imagine, that time spent in the immediate service of God is

DD.

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