They set forward on their journey.

Now the monster, at first, was very rampant, and looked upon these enemies with great disdain; but they so belaboured him, being sturdy men at arms, that they made him retreat; so they came home to Mr. Mnason's house again.

The monster, you must know, had his certain seasons to come out at, and to make his attempts upon the children of the people of the town: also at these seasons did these valiant worthies watch him, and did continually assault him; insomuch, that in process of time, he became not only wounded, but lame; also he had not made the havoc of the townsman's chil

dren as formerly he has done, And it is verily believed by some, that this beast will certainly die of his wounds.

This, therefore, made Mr. Great-heart and his fellows of great fame in this town; so that many of the people that wanted their taste of things, yet had a reverend esteem and respect for them.

Upon this account therefore, it was, that these pilgrims got not much hurt here. True, there were some of the baser sort, that could see no more than a mole, nor understand no more than a beast; these had no reverence for these men, nor took they notice of their valour and adventures.

Well, the time drew on that the pilgrims must go on their way, therefore they prepared for their journey. They sent for their friends; they conferred with them; they had some time set apart therein, to commit each other to the protection of their Prince.

There were again, that brought them of such things as they had, that were fit for the weak and strong, for the women and the men, and so laded them with such things as were necessary. Acts xviii.

10.

Then they set forward on their way, and their friends accompanying them so far as was convenient

Their journey continued.

they again committed each other to the protection of their King, and departed.

They, therefore, that were of the pilgrim's company, went on, and Mr. Great-heart went before them; now the women and children being weakly, they were forced to go as they could bear; by this means, Mr. Ready-to-halt, and Mr. Feeble-mind, had more to sympathise with their condition.

When they were gone from the townsmen, and when their friends had bid them farewell, they quickly came to the place where Faithful was put to death; therefore they made a stand, and thanked him that had enabled him to bear his cross so well: and the rather, because they now found that they had a benefit by such a man's sufferings as his was.

They went on therefore, after this, a good way further, talking of Christian and Faithful: and how Hopeful joined himself to Christian, after that Faithful was dead.

Now they were come up to the hill of Lucre, where the silver mine was, which took Demas off from his pilgrimage, and into which (as some think) Byeends fell, and perished: wherefore they considered that.

But when they were come to the old monument that stood over against the hill Lucre, to wit, the pillar of salt, that stood also within view of Sodom, and its stinking lake: they marvelled, as did Christian before, that men of that knowledge, and ripeness of wit, as they were, should be so blind as to turn aside here. Only they considered again, that nature is not affected with the harms that others have met with, especially, if that thing, upon which they look, has an attracting virtue upon the foolish

eye.

I saw now, that they went on, till they came to

They arrive at the river of the Water of Life.

the river that was on this side of the Delectable Mountains: to the river where the fine trees grow on both sides, and whose leaves, if taken inwardly, are good against surfeits, Psalm xxiii. Where the mea. dows are green all the year long, and where they might lie down safely.

By this river-side, in the meadows, there were cotes and folds for sheep, a house built for the nourishing and bringing up of those lambs, the babes of those women that go on pilgrimage, Heb. v. 2. Isaiah

xl. 11.

Also, there was here, one that was entrusted with them, who could have compassion, and that could gather these lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and that could gently lead those that were with young.

Now, to the care of THIS MAN, Christiana admonished her four daughters to commit their little ones, that by these waters, they might be housed, harboured, succoured, and nourished, and that none of them might be lacking in the time to come. This Man, if any of them go astray or be lost, he will bring them again; he will also bind np that which was broken, and will strengthen them that are sick. Here, they will never want meat, drink, and clothing; here they will be kept from thieves and robbers; for this man will die before one of those committed to his trust shall be lost. Besides, here, they shall be sure to have good nurture and admonition, and shall be taught to walk in right paths: and that you know is a favour of no small account. Also here, as you see, are delicate waters, pleasant meadows, dainty flowers, variety of trees, and such as bear wholesome fruit; fruit, not like that which Matthew eat of, that fell over the wall out of Belzebub's garden; but fruit that pro

They determine to attack Giant Despair.

cureth health where there is none, and that continueth and increaseth where it is. (g)

Se they were content to commit their little ones to him; and that which was also an encouragement to them so to do, was, for that all this was to be at the charge of the King, and so was an hospital for young children and orphans.

Now they went on, and when they were come to By-path meadow, to the stile, over which Christian went with his fellow, Hopeful, when they were taken by Giant Despair, and put into Doubting Castle; they sat down and consulted what was best to be done; to wit, now they were so strong, and had got such a man as Mr. Great-heart for their couductor, whether they had not best make an attempt upon the Giant, demolish his castle, and if there were any pilgrims in it, to set them at liberty, before they went any farther.

So one said one thing, and another said to the contrary. One questioned, if it was lawful to go upon unconsecrated ground; another said, they might, provided their end was good.

But Mr. Great-heart said, Though that assertion offered last, cannot be universally true, yet I have a commandment to resist sin, to overcome evil, to fight the good fight of faith: and, I pray, with whom should I fight this good fight, if not with Giant Despair? I will therefore, attempt the taking away of his life, and the demolishing of Doubting Castle.

(g) Here we frequently find our author speaking of our dear God and our Saviour, as Man. He excels in this. It was to be wished, that authors and preachers wrote and spake of the manhood of Jesus, who was a perfect Man, like unto us, in all things, except sin. The view and consideration of this is sweet to faith, and endears our Saviour to our hearts.

They attack the Giant.

Then said he, Who will go with me? Then said old Honest, I will. And so will we too, said Christiana's four sons. Matthew, Samuel, James, and Joseph; for they were young men and strong.

So they left the women on the road, and with them Mr. Feeble Mind, and Mr. Ready-to-halt, with his crutches to be their guard, until they came back, (for in that place, the Giant Despair dwelt ;) it being so near, that keeping in the road, a little child might lead them.

So Mr. Great-heart, old Honest, and the four young men went to go up to Doubting Castle, to look for Giant Despair. When they came to the castle-gate, they knocked for entrance, with an unusual noise.

With that the old Giant comes to the gate, and Diffidence, his wife, follows. Then said he, Who and what is he, that is so hardy, as after this manner to molest the Giant Despair? Mr. Great-heart replied, It is I, Great-heart, one of the King of the Celestial Country's conductors of pilgrims to their place and I demand of thee, that thou open thy gates, for my entrance; prepare thyself also to fight, for I am come to take away thy head, and to demolish Doubting Castle.

Now Giant Despair, because he was a Giant, thought no man could overcome him, and again, thought he, Since heretofore, I have made a conquest of angels, shall Great-heart make me afraid?

So he harnessed himself, and went out; he had a cap of steel upon his head, a breast-plate of fire, girded to him, and he came out in iron shoes, with a great club in his hand.

Then these six men made up to him, and beset him behind and before; also, when Diffidence, the Giantess, came up to help him, old Mr. Honest cut her down at one blow. Then they fought for their