Christian's gratitude to God.

which I might have trod with delight, had it not been for this sinful sleep. How far might I have been on my way by this time. I am made to tread these steps thrice over, which I needed to have trod but once; yea, now also, I am like to be benighted, for the day is almost spent. O that I had not slept!

Now by this time he was come to the arbour again, where for a while he sat down and wept; but at last (as Providence would have it,) looking sorrowfully down under the settle, there he espied his roll; the which, he with trembling and haste catched up, and put into his bosom. But who can tell how joyful this man was, when he had gotten his roll again! For this roll was the assurance of his life, and acceptance at the desired heaven.— Therefore he laid it up in his bosom, gave God thanks for directing his eye to the place where it lay, and with joy, and tears betook himself again to his journey. (y) But O how nimbly did he go up the rest of the hill! Yet, before he got up, the sun went down upon Christian; and this made him again recal the vanity of his sleeping to his remembrance; and thus he again began to condole with himself: O thou sinful sleep! how for thy sake am I like to be benighted in my journey! I must walk without the sun, darkness may cover the

(y) This means a fresh sense of the love and peace of God, and joy in the 'oly Ghost, through faith in Christ Jesus. Mind with what alacrity and speed, Pilgrim now pursues his journey. O this rich blessing of assurance is not enough prized, and too little songht for by professors But how can any one be content without it? If it is impossible for them to be happy, and to rejoice in the Lord, without a real scriptural assurance of his love and favour. It is this, which adds wings to faith, liveliness to hope, joy to love, and cheerfulness to obedience. Plead the precious promises; be not content without the enjoyment of the blessings contained in them. According to our Lord's own words, “Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John xvi. 24.

Lions in the way.- Conversation with the Porter.

path of my feet, and must hear the noise of dole ful creatures, because of my sinful sleep! Nov also, he remembered the story that Mistrust and Timorous told him of, how they were frightened with the sight of the lions. Then said Christian to himself again, these beasts range in the night for their prey; and if they should meet with me in the dark, how should I shift them? How should I escape being by them torn in pieces? Thus he went on his way; but while he was thus bewailing this unhappy miscarriage, he lifted up his eyes, and behold there was a very stately palace before him, the name of which was Beautiful, and it stood just by the high-way side. (z)

So I saw in my dream, that he made haste and went forward, that if possible he might get lodging there. Now before he had gone far, he entered into a very narrow passage, which was about a furlong off the porter's lodge; and, looking very narrowly before him as he went, he espied two lions in the way (a) Now, thought he, I see the danger that Mistrust and Timorous were driven back by. (The lions were chained, but he saw no chains.) Then he was afraid, and thought also himself to go after them, for he thought nothing but death was before him; but the porter at the lodge, whose name is Watchful, perceiving that Christian made a halt, as if he would go back, cried unto him, saying,* Is thy strength so small? Fear not the lions, for

Mark xiii.

(z) This means, a visible Church of Christ, to which he might be joined, and enjoy the blessing and comfort of the communion of

saints.

(a) The two lions may signify to us, the roaring of the devil and the world against us, but both are chained; they cannot go one link beyond what our God permits. Sometimes we may see the chain, and unscriptural fears may beset us. But this is the watchword of our Lord, "Fear not."

Conversation with the PORTer.

they are chained, and are placed there for trial of faith, where it is, and for discovery of those that have none keep in the midst of the path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.

Then I saw that he went on trembling for fear of the lions; but taking good heed to the directions of the Porter, he heard them roar, but they did him no harm. Then he clapped his hands, and went on till he came and stood before the gate where the Porter was. (b) Then said Christian to the Porter, Sir, what house is this? And may I lodge here to night? The Porter answered, This house was built by the Lord of the hill, and he built it for the relief and security of pilgrims. The Porter also asked whence he was, and whither he was going?

Chr. I am come from the City of Destruction, and am going to Mount Zion; but because the sun is now set, I desire, if I may, to lodge here tonight.

Por. What is your name?

Chr. My name is now Christian; but my name at the first was Graceless: (c) I came of the race of Japheth,* whom God will persuade to dwell in the tents of Shem.

Por. But how doth it happen that you come so late? The sun is set.

Chr. I had been here sooner, but that, wretched man that I am, I slept in the arbour that stands on

* Gen. ix. 27.

(b) A minister of Christ. One who is watchful for the good of souls. O how precious are they to pilgrims' hearts! See, the sweet encouragement, and blessed advice Pilgrim obtained from him.

(e) O soul, did you ever know that this was your name? Hast thou tasted that the Lord is rich in grace to graceless sinners! O then, sing of free grace, and unmerited love, every step of thy pilgrimage.

Christian questioned by Discretion.

the hill-side? (d) Nay, Nay, I had, notwithstanding that, been here much sooner, but that, in my sleep, I lost my evidence, and came without it to the brow of the hill and then, feeling for it, and finding it not, I was forced, with sorrow of heart, to go back to the place where I slept my sleep, where I found it, and now I am come. (e)

Port Well, I will call out one of the virgins of this place, who will, if she likes your talk, bring you in to the rest of the family, according to the rules of the house. So Watchful, the Porter, rang a bell, at the sound of which, came out of the door of the house, a grave and beautiful damsel, named Discretion, (f) and asked, why she was called?

The Porter answered, This man is on a journey from the City of Destruction to Mount Zion; but being weary and benighted, he asked me if he might lodge here to-night: so I told him, I would call for thee, who, after discourse had with him, mayest do as seemeth thee good, even according to the law of the house.

Then she asked him, whence he was; and whither he was going? And he told her. She asked him also, how he got into the way? And he told her; Then she asked him what he had seen and met with in the way? And he told her. And at last, she asked his name? So he said, it is Christian; and I have so much the more desire to lodge here to night, because, by what I perceive, this place was built by the Lord of the hill, for the

(d) Look well to your roll. Beware of losing your assurance, See, the evil of it; it keeps the soul back. Many have lost it, and have never found it, till the end of their life.

(e) None ought to be admitted into the church of Christ, but such as can give good evidence that they are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, and are sincere pilgrims in the way of the heavenly city.

(f) Admitting members into churches, should be done with discretion.

Christian is welcomed by Discretion.

relief and security of pilgrims; so she smiled, but the water stood in her eyes; and after a little pause, she said, I will call forth two or three more of my family. So she ran to the door, and called out Prudence, Piety, and Charity, who, after a little more discourse with him, had him into the family; and many of them meeting him at the threshold of the house, said, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord, this house was built by the Lord of the hill, on purpose to entertain such pilgrims in.-Then he bowed his head, and followed them into the house, so when he was come in and sat down, they gave him something to drink, and consented together, that until supper was ready, some of them should have some particular discourse with Christian, for the best improvement of the time; and they appointed Piety and Prudence, and Charity, to discourse with him; and thus they began. (e)

Piety. Come, good Christian, since we have been so loving to you, to receive you into our house this night, let us, if perhaps, we may better ourselves thereby, talk with you of all things that have happened to you in your pilgrimage.

Chr. With a very good will, and I am glad that you are so well disposed.

Piety. What moved you at first to betake yourelf to a pilgrim's life?

Chr. I was driven out of my native country by dreadful sound that was in my years; to wit, that navoidable destruction did attend me, if I abode in that place where I was.

Piety. But how did it happen that you came out of your country this way?

Chr. It was as God would have it; for when I

(e) The blessedness of savoury, experimental conversation with fellow Pilgrims.