Great heart overcomes Giant Grim.

Christ. Then said Christiana though the highways have been unoccupied heretofore, and though the travellers have been made times past to walk through by-paths, it must not be so now I am riseu, "Now I am risen a mother in Israel." Judges v. 6, 7.

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

Great-heart. But their guide made first his approach unto Grim, and laid so heavy at him with his sword, that he forced them to retreat.

Grim. Then said he that attempted to back the lions, Will you slay me upon my own ground?

Great-heart. It is the King's high-way that we are in, and in this way it is that thou hadst placed the lions; but these women and these children, though weak, shall hold on their way in spite of thy lions. And with that he gave him again a downright blow, and brought him upon his knees. With this blow he also broke his helmet, and with the next cut off an arm. Then did the giant roar so hideously, that his voice frighted the women, and yet they were glad to see him lie sprawling upon the ground. Now the lions were chained, and so of themselves could do nothing. (y) Wherefore when old Grim, that intended to back them, was dead, Mr. Great-heart said to the pilgrims, Come now, and follow me, and no hurt shall happen

(y) How often, after we have fought with the courage of faith, and the resolution of hope, and have overcome a grim enemy, have we seen the fiercest of our enemies chained by the power of God, so as not to have the least power to hurt us? O pilgrim! it is sweet to reflect, that every lion-like foe is under the control of thy God, and cannot come one link of their chain nearer to thee than my Lord will permit. Therefore, when fears and terrors beset thee, think of thy Lord's love to thee, his power engaged to preserve thee, and his promises to comfort thee. For the Lord is nigh unto them that call upon him." Psl. cxlv. 18.

They arrive at the Porter's Lodge.

to you from the lions. They therefore went on, but the women trembled as they passed by them; the boys also looked as if they would die, but they all got by without further hurt.

Now when they were within sight of the Porter's Lodge, they soon came up into it; but they made the more haste after this to go thither, because it is dangerous travelling 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 before that came thither as a Conductor of Pilgrims :) when he was come down, he opened the gate, and seeing the guide standing just before it (for he saw not the women, for they were behind him,) he said unto him, How now, Mr. Great-heart, what is your business here so late at night? I have brought, said he, some pilgrims hither, where, by my Lord's commandment, they must lodge: I had been here some time ago, had I 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 brought the pilgrims here in safety. (z)

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

Great-heart. No: I will return to my Lord to night.

Christ. Oh, Sir, I know not how to be willing

(z) How mindful is our Lord for us! How gracious is he to us! What blessed provisions doth he make for us! If Pilgrims are attacked by Giant Grim, and terrified by the sight of lions, they may be sure that it is only a prelude to some sweet enjoyment of their Lord's love, and that they are near to some sweet asylum, some sanctuary of rest, peace, and comfort. Some bitter generally precedes the sweet, and makes the sweet still sweeter.

Great-heart takes his reave of the Pilgrams.

you should leave us in our pilgrimage; you have been so faithful and so loving to us, you have been so hearty in counselling of us, that I shall never forget your favour towards us.

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

James. Then said James, the youngest of the boys, Pray, Sir, be persuaded to go with us, and help us, because we are so weak, and the way so dangerous as it is. (a)

Great-heart. I am at my Lord's commandment: if he shall allot me to be your guide quite through, I will willingly wait upon you. But here you failed at first; for when he bid me come thus far with you, then you should have begged me of him to have gone quite through with you, and he would have granted your request. However, at present I must withdraw; and so, Christiana, good Mercy, and my brave children, Adieu.

Then the Porter, Mr. Watchful, asked Christiana of her country, and of her kindred; and she said, I came from the City of Destruction; I am a widow woman, and my husband is dead; his name was Christian, the pilgrim. How! said the Porter, was he your husband? Yes, said she, and these are his children; and this (pointing to Mercy) is one of my own town's-women. Then the Porter rang his bell, as at such times he is wont, and there came to the door one of the damsels, whose name

(a) O, it is hard work to part with Great-heart! How many blessings do we lose for want of asking? Great-heart is at the command of our Lord. O for more power to cry incessantly to the Lord, for the presence of Great-heart, that we may go on more cheerfully, and more joyfully in the ways of the Lord.

Their gracious reception at the Lodge.

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 noise for gladness was there, when the damsel did but drop that word out of her mouth.

So they came with haste to the Porter, for Christiana stood still at the door. Then some of the most grave said unto her, Come in, Christiana, come in thou wife of that good man, come in thou blessed woman, come in, with all that 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 were bidden to sit down: so they sat down, and the chief of the house was called to see and welcome the guests. Then they came in, and understanding who they were, did salute each other with a kiss, and said, Welcome ye vessels of the grace of God; welcome to us your faithful friends. (b)

Now, because it was somewhat late, and because the pilgrims were weary with their journey, aud 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. Exod. xii. 31. Nay, said those of the family, refresh yourselves with a morsel of meat; for they had prepared for them a Lamb (c) with the accustomed sauce be

(b) Here is a blessed mark of being vessels of the grace of God, when we delight in the sight of, salute and welcome others in the way to Zion, and mutually have our hearts and affections drawn out to each other in love. O how sweet is the fellowship of pilgrims below! what must it be above! Infinitely above conception. Lord, fire our souls with the thought of ever being with thee and each other in thy kingdom.

(c) The Lamb is the food of pilgrims, and the end of their con

The Pilgrims retire to rest.

longing thereto. John i. 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 might go to rest.

But let us, said Christiana, if we may be so bold as to choose, be in that chamber which was my husband's, when he was here: so they had them up thither, and they all lay in a room. When they were at rest, Christiana and Mercy entered into a discourse about things that were convenient.

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

Mercy. And you as little thought of lying in his bed and in his chamber to rest, as you do now. (d)

Christ. And much less did I ever think of seeing his face with comfort, and of worshipping the Lord the King with him; and yet now, I believe I shall. Mercy Hark! dont you hear a noise?

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

Mercy. Wonderful! music in the house, music in the heart, and music also in heaven, for joy that we are here. (e)

versation. Reader, can you feed upon Christ by faith? Is the Lamb the nourishment of thy soul, and the portion of thy heart? Canst thou say, from sweet and blessed experience, his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed? Is it thy delight to think of him, hear of him, speak of him, abide in him, and live upon him? O bless him and praise him for his distinguishing mercy, this spiritual appetite. It is peculiar to his beloved ones only. (d) Pray mind the above sweet note, "Christ's bosom is for all pilgrims." It is there the weary find rest, and the burdened soul ease. O for more reclinings of soul upon the precious bosom of our dear Lord! We can be truly happy no where else.

(e) Q, what precious harmony is this! how joyful to the subjects