Joined by Mr. Ready-to-halt.

lamp despised, (he that is ready to slip with his feet, is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease ;) so I know not what to do. (r)

Great-heart. But brother, said Mr. Great-heart, I have it in commission to comfort the feeble-minded. and to support the weak. You must needs go along with us: we will wait for you, we will lend you our help; we will deny ourselves of some things, both opinionative and practical, for your sake; we will not enter into doubtful disputations before you; we will be made all things to you, rather than you shall be left behind. (s)

Now all this while, they were at Gaius's door; and behold, as they were thus in the heat of their discourse, Mr. Ready-to-halt came by, with his crutches in his hand, and he also was going on pilgrimage.

Feeble. Then said Mr. Feeble-mind to him, How camest thou hither? I was but now complaining, that I had not a suitable companion, but thou art according to my wish. Welcome, welcome, good Mr. Ready-to-halt, I hope thou and I 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 happily met, I will lend thee one of my crutches. (t)

(r) What an open ingenuous confession is here! though feeble in mind, he was strong in wisdom and sound judgment.

(s) O that this was more practised among the christians of different standings, degrees and judgment! If they who are strong, were thus to bear with the weak, as they ought, how much more love, peace, and unanimity would prevail !

(t) Excellent! See the nature of Christian love: even to be ready to spare a brother what we ourselves have an occasion for. Love looketh not at the things of our own, but to provide for the want of others.

A review of Christian adventures.

Feeble. 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, it may help me against a dog.

Ready-to halt. If either myself or my crutches can do thee a pleasure, we are both at thy command, good Mr. Feeble-mind.

Thus, therefore they went on. Mr. Great-heart and Mr. Honest went before, Christiana and her children went next, and Mr. Feeble-mind and Mr. Readyto-halt came behind with his crutches. Then said Mr. Honest,

Hon. Pray, sir, now we are upon the road, tell us some profitable things of some that have gone on pilgrimage before us.

Great-heart. With a good will. I suppose you have heard how Christian of old did meet with Apollyon, in the Valley of Humiliation, and also what hard work he had to go through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Also I think that you cannot but have heard how Faithful was put to it by Madam Wanton, with Adam the first, with one Discontent, and Shame: four as deceitful villains as a man can meet with upon the road.

Hon. Yes, I believe I heard of all this; but, indeed, good Faithful was hardest put to it with Shame; he was an unwearied one.

Great-heart. Ay, for, as the pilgrim well said, he of all men had the wrong name.

Hon. 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.

Hon. He had like to have beguiled Faithful.

Great-heart. Ay, but Christian put him into a way quickly to find him out.

A review of Christian adventures.

Thus they went on till they came to the place where Evangelist met with Christian and Faithful, and prophesied to them what should befal them at Vanity-Fair.

Great-heart. Then said their guide, Hereabouts did Christian and Faithful meet with Evangelist, who prophesied to them of what troubles they should meet with at Vanity-Fair.

Hon. Say you so? I dare say it was a hard chapter that then he read unto them.

Great-heart. It was so, but he gave them encouragement withal. But what do we talk of them? they were a couple of lion-like men; they had set their faces like flints. Do not you remember how undaunted they were when they stood before the judge.

Hon. Well, Faithful bravely suffered.

Great-heart. So he did, and as brave things came on it for Hopeful and some others, (as the story relates,) were converted by his death.

Hon. Well, but pray go on; for you are well acquainted with things. (u)

Great-heart. Above all that Christian met with after he had passed through Vanity-Fair, one Byends was the arch one.

Hon. By-ends! what was he?

Great heart. A very arch-fellow, a downright hypocrite; one that would be religious, which way ever the world went: but so cunning, that he would be sure never to lose or suffer for it.

He had his mode of religion for every fresh occa

(n) Nothing is more profitable than conversing on faith, valour, and success, of those who have gone before us, with their trials, enemies and dangers; yea, how gloriously they fought their way through all, and came off more than conquerors over all. Pilgrims love to hear these things.

They enter Vanity-Fair.

sion, and his wife was as good at it as he. He would turn from opinion to opinion, yea, and plead for sodoing too. But as far as I could learn, he came to an ill end with his bye-ends; nor did I ever hear that any of his children were ever of any esteem with any that truly fear God.

Now by this time, they were come within sight of the town of Vanity, where Vanity-fair is kept.

So when they saw that they were so near the town, they consulted with one another, how they should pass through the town; and some said one thing, and some another.

At last, Mr. Greatheart said, I have as you may understand, often been a conductor of pilgrims through this town; now I am acquainted with Mr. Mnason, a Cyprusian, by nation, and an old disciple, at whose house we may lodge. If you think good, said he, we will turn in there. (x)

Content, said old Honest; Content, said Christiana; Content, said Mr. Feeble-mind; and so they said all. Now, you must think it was even-tide by that they got to the outside of the town; but Mr. Great-heart knew the way to the old man's house.

So thither they came, and he called at the door, and the old man within knew his tongue so soon as ever he heard it: so he opened, and they all came in. Then said Mnason, their host, How far have ye come to day? So they said, From the house of Gaius, your friend.

I promise you, said he, you have gone a good stitch, you may well be weary; sit down; so they sat down.

(x) How happy to find a house in Vanity-fair, whose master will receive and entertain pilgrims. Blessed be God for the present revival of religion in our day; and for the many houses that are open to friends of the Lamb. The hearts of the masters of which he opens.

They are cordially welcomed and entertained by Mnason.

Great-heart. Then said their guide, Come, what cheer, good sirs? I dare say you are welcome to my friend.

Mnason. I also, said Mr. Mnason, do bid you welcome; and whatever you want, do but say, and we will do what we can to get it for you..

Hon. Our great want, awhile since, was harbour and good company, and now I hope we have both. (y) Mnason. For harbour, you see what it is, but for good company, that will appear in the trial.

Great heart. Well, said Mr. Great-heart, will you have the pilgrims into their lodging?

Mnason. I will, said Mr. Mnason.

So he had them to their respective places; and also shewed them a very fair dining room, where they may be, and sup together, until time was come to go to rest.

Now when they were set in their places, and were a little cheerly 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 few, when compared with them on the other side.

Hon. But how should we do to see some of them? For the sight of good men to them that are going on pilgrimage, is like to the appearing of the moon and stars to them that are going a journey. (z)

Mnason. Then Mr. Mnason stamped with his foot, and his daughter Grace came up; so he said unto her, Grace, go you, tell my friends, Mr. Contrite, Mr. Holy-man, Mr. Love saints, Mr. Dare

(y) Under all our wants, may we not say, with our father Abraham; "God will provide." Gen. xxii. 3.

(z) The enquiry of disciples after suitable company, discovers that they, with David, love the Lord's saints, and in the excellent of the earth is all their delight. Psalm xvi. 3. A genuine discovery this of a gracious heart.