up, the sun went down upon Christian; and this made him again recall the vanity of his sleeping to his re.nembrance; 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 must cover the path of my fect, and I must hear the noise of doleful creatures, because of my sinful sleep!' Now also he remembered the story that Mistrust and Timorous told him of, how they were frighted 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. But, while he was bewailing his 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 by the highway side.

he loves genuine comfort springs immediately from the vigorous exercise of holy affections in communion with God, which may be suspended even when no doubts are entertain ed of final salvation; and the true penitent is least disposed to forgive himself, when most satisfied that the Lord hath for give him.

*Beautiful-Hitherto Christian had been a solitary pilgrim; but we must next consider him as admitted to the com union of the faithful, and joining with them in the most soJeinn public ordinances. This is represented under the emblem of the house Beautiful, and the pilgrim's entertainment in it. Mr. Bunyan was a protestant dissenter, an Independant in respect of church government and discipline, and an Anti-pado-baptist, or one who deemed adult professors of repentance and faith the only proper subjects of baptism, and

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 spied two lions* in the way. Now,

immersion the only proper mode of administering that ordinance. He must, therefore, have intended to describe especially the admission of the new convert as a member of a dissenting church (which consists of the communicants only) upon a profession of faith, and with adult baptism by immersion: but as he held open communion with Pado-baptists, the last circumstance is not necessarily included. Indeed he has expressed himself so candidly and cautiously, that his representations may suit the admission of new members into the society of professed Christians in any communion, where a serious regard to spiritual religion is in this respect maintained. It may, perhaps, be questioned how far, in the present state of things, this is practicable; but we can scarcely deny it to be very desirable, that Christian societies should be formed according to the principles here exhibited : such would indeed be very beautiful, honourable to God, conducive to mutual edification, and examples to the world around them. Different expedients also may be adopted for thus promoting the communion of the saints: but surely more might be done than is at present, perhaps any where, were all concerned to attempt it boldly, earnestly, and with united efforts.

*Lions'-A public profession of faith exposes a man to more opposition from relatives and neighbours than a private attention to religion; and in our author's days, it was commonly the signal for persecution; for which reason he places the lions in the road to the house Beautiful. Sense perceives the danger to which an open profession of religion may expose a man, and the imagination through the suggestions of Satan, xceedingly magnifies them; faith alone can discern the secret restraints which the Lord lays on the minds of opposers; and even believers are apt to be fearful and distrustful on such occasions. But the vigilant pastors of the flock obviate their fears, and by seasonable admonitions animate them to press for ward, assured that nothing shall do them any real harm, and that all shall eventually prove beneficia' to them. We

thought he, I see the danger that Mistrust and Timorous were driven back by. (The lions were chained, but he saw not the chains.) Then he was afraid, and 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? (Mark iv. 40.) Fear not the lions, for 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 Then said Christian to the porter, Sir, what house is this? And, May I lodge here tonight? The porter answered, This house was built by the Lord of the hill, and he built it for the relief and security of pilgrims. This porter* also asked whence he was? and whither he was going?

meet with the following lines in the old copies, which though misplaced in most of them, may refer to the pilgrim's present situation.

Difficulty is behind, fear is before,

Though he's got on the hill, the lions roar :

A Christian man is never long at ease;

When one fright's gone, another doth him sieze.'

This porter'—The porter's inquiries and Christian's an awers exhibt our author's sentiments on the caution with which members should be admitted into the communion of

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 to-night.

Por. What is your name?

Chr. My name is now Christian, but my name at the first was Graceless: I came of the race of Japheth (Gen. ix. 27), whom God will persuade to dwell in the tents of Shem.

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

Chr. I had been here sooner, but that,

the faithful; and it very properly shews, how ministers by private conversation, may form a judgment of a man's profession, whether it be intelligent and the result of experience, or notional and formal. Christian assigned his sinful sleep ing as the cause of his arriving so late when believers are oppressed with prevailing doubts of their acceptance, they are backward in joining themselves to God's people; and this often tempts them to sinful delays, instead of exciting them to greater diligence. The subsequent discourse of Discretion with the pilgrim represents such precautions and inquiries into the character and views of a professor, as may be made use of by any body of Christians, in order to prevent the intrusion of improper persons. The answers, given to the several questions proposed, constitute the proper external qualifications for admission to the Lord's table, when there is nothing in a man's principles and conduct inconsistent with them? the Lord alone can judge how far they accord to the inward dispositions and affections of the heart. By the little discourse of others belonging to the family with Christian previous to his admission, the author probably meant, the members should be admitted into Christian societies with the approbation, at least, of the most prudent, pious, and candid part of those that constitute them; and according to the dictates of those graces or endowments here personified. By giving him something to eat before supper,' he probably referred to those preparatory sermous and devotions, by which the adminstration of the Lord's supper was then frequently and with great propriety introduced.

wretched man that I am! I slept in the arbour that stands on the hill-side. 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.

So

Por. Well, I will call out one of the virgins of this place, who will, if she like your talk, bring you in to the rest of the family, according to the rules of the house. Watchful the porter: ang a bell, at the sound of which came out at the door of the house a grave and beautiful damsel, named Discretion, and asked why she was called?

The porter answered, This man is in 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 in 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 a desire to lodge here to-night, because, by what I perceive, this place was VOL. I.

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