They are congratulated by Angels.

that follows into the holy places after you. There also you shall be clothed with glory and majesty, and put into an equipage fit to ride out with the KING OF GLORY. When he shall come with sound of trumpet in the clouds, as upon the wings of the wind, you shall come with him: and when he shall sit upon the throne of judgment, you shall sit by him; yea, and when he shall pass sentence upon all the workers of iniquity, let them be angels or men, you also shall have a voice in that judgment, because they were his and your enemies. Also, when he shall again return to the city, you shall go too, with sound of trumpet, and be ever with him.

Now, while they were thus drawing towards the gate, behold a company of the heavenly host came out to meet them; to whom it was said by the other two shining ones, These are the men who have loved our Lord, when they were in the world, and that left all for his holy name, and he hath sent us to fetch them, and we have brought them thus far on their desired journey, that they may go in and look their Redeemer in the face with joy. Then the heavenly host gave a great shout, saying." Blessed are they that are called to the marriage-supper of the Lamb." There came also out at this time to meet them several of the King's trumpeters, clothed in white and shining raiment, who, with melodious and loud noises, made even the heavens to echo with their sound. These trumpeters saluted Christian and his fellow, with ten thousand welcomes from the world; and this they did with shouting, and sound of trumpet.

This done, they compassed them round about on every side; some went before, some behind, and some on the right hand, some on the left, (as it were to guard them through the upper regions,)

They arrive at the gate.

continually sounding as they went with melodious noise, in notes on high; so that the very sight was to them that could behold it, as if heaven itself was come down to meet them. Thus therefore, they walked on together; and, as they walked, ever and anon these trumpeters, even with joyful sound, would, by mixing their music with looks and gestures, still signify to Christian and his brother how welcome they were into their company, and with what gladness they came to meet them and now were these two men, as it were, in heaven before they came at it; being swallowed up with the sight of angels, and with hearing their melodious notes. Here also, they had the city itself in view, and thought they heard all the bells therein to ring, to welcome them thereto. But, above all, the warm and joyful thoughts that they had about their own dwelling there with such company, and that for ever and ever: Oh! by what tongue or pen can their glorious joy be expressed! (i) Thus they came up to the gate.

Now, when they were come up to the gate, there was written over in letters of gold, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, (k) that they may

(i) Though Mr. Bunyan has been very happy in his spirited description, yet, were he alive, I am sure he would not be offended, though I were to say, it is short and faint, infinitely so of the reality; and were he permitted to come in person, and give another description, he could only say, what the prophet and apostle tells us," Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them who love him." Isa. Ixiv. 4. I Cor. ii. 9. Oh, for the increase of faith, to behold more clear the heavenly vision: and for love to Jesus the God of our salvation, that we may have more of Heaven in our souls, even while we are pilgrims here on earth! For none but those who love him on earth can enjoy him in heaven.

(k) Let us not imagine from hence, that our keeping the commandments, entitles us by way of right or claim, to God's favour

They enter the City.

have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

Then I saw in my dream, that the shining men bid them call at the gate; the which when they did, some from above looked over the gate, to wit, Enoch, Moses, and Elijah, &c. to whom it was said, These pilgrims are come from the City of Destruction, for the love that they bare to the KING of this place; and then the pilgrims gave in unto them each man his certificate, which they had received in the beginning: those, therefore, were carried into the King, who, when he had read them, said, Where are the men? To whom it was answered, They are standing without the gate. The King then commanded to open the gate, "that the righteous nation," said he, " that keepeth the truth may enter in."

Now I saw in my dream, that these two men went in at the gate; and lo, as they entered, they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold. There were also that met them with harps and crowns, and gave to them the harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honour. Then I heard in my dream, that all the bells in the city rang again for joy, and that it was said unto them, " Enter ye into the joy of your Lord." I also heard the men themselves that they sang with a loud voice, saying, "Blessing, honour, and glory, and power, be to Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever."

and kingdom. For this is subversive of faith in Jesus, hope in the gracious promises which are in him, and reliance in his atonement and righteousness, through which alone our right and title comes freely, and is secured eternally, according to free grace, gift and grant. But right here, signifies power or privilege, as in John i. 12. "To as many as receive Christ, to them gave he power, right, or privilege, to become the sons of God, even to them, who believe in his name.

Ignorance arrives at the river.

Now, just as the gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them, and behold the city shone like the sun; the streets also were paved with gold, and in them walked many men with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises withal.

There were also of them that had wings, and they answered one another without intermission, saying,"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord." And, after that, they shut up the gates; which, when I had seen, I wished myself among them.

Now, while I was gazing upon all these things, I turned my head to look back, and saw Ignorance coming up to the river side: but he soon got over; and that without half the difficulty which the other two men met with. For it happened, that there was then in that place one Vain-Hope, (1) a ferryman, that with his boat helped him over: so he, as the other, I saw, did ascend the hill, to come up to the gate, only he came alone: neither did any man meet him with the least encouragement. When he was coming up to the gate, he looked up to the writing that was above, and then began to knock, supposing that entrance should have been quickly administered to him; but he was asked by the men that looked over the top of the gate, Whence come you? And what he would have? He answered, I have eat and drank in the presence of the King, and he

(1) Vain-Hope ever dwells in the bosom of fools, and is ever ready to assist Ignorance. He wanted him at the last, and he found him. He had been his companion through life, and will not forsake him in the hour of death. You see Ignorance had no bands in his death, no fears, doubts, and sorrows, no terror from the enemy, but all was serene and happy. Vain-Hope was his ferry-man, and he, as the good folk say, died like a lamb: ah! but did such lambs see what was to follow, when Vain-Hope had wafted them over the river, they would roar like lions.

The Conclusion.

has taught in our streets. Then they asked him for his certificate, that they might go in and shew it to the King: so he fumbled in his bosom for one, and found none. Then said they, You have none? but the man answered never a word. So they told the King; but he would not come down to see him, but commanded the two shining Ones that conducted Christian and Hopeful to the city, to go out and take Ignorance, and bind him hand and foot, and have him away. Then they took him up, and carried him through the air to the door that I saw on the side of the hill, and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of Heaven, as well as from the City of Destruction. "So I awoke and behold it was a dream."

CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST PART.

NOW Reader, I have told my dream to thee,
See if thou canst interpret it to me,

Or to thyself, or neighbour; but take heed
Of mis-interpreting; for that instead

Of doing good, will but thyself abuse :

By mis-interpreting, evil ensues.

Take heed also that thou be not extreme,

In playing with the outside of my dream :
Nor let my figure or similitude

Put thee into a laughter or a feud :

Leave this for boys and fools; but, as for thee,
Do thou the substance of my matter see.
But by the curtains, look within my veil,
Turn up my metaphors, and do not fail;
There, if thou seekest them, such thou'lt find
As will be helpful to a honest mind ;
What of my dross thou findest here, be bold
To throw away, but yet preserve the gold.
What if my gold be wrapped up in ore;
None throws away the apple for the core.
But if thou shalt cast all away as vain,
I know not but 'twill make me dream again.

THE END OF THE FIRST PART.