THE

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.

PART II.

COURTEOUS COMPANIONS,

SOME time since, to tell you a dream that I had of Christian, the pilgrim, and of his dangerous journey towards the celestial country, was pleasant to me and profitable to you. I told you then also, what I saw concerning his wife and children, and how unwilling they

*Courteous'-It has been before observed, that the first part of the Pilgrim's Progress' is in all respects the most complete: yet there are many things in the second, well worthy of the pious reader's attention; nor can there be any doubt, but it was penned by the same author. It is not however, necessary that the annotator should be so copious upon it as upon the more interesting instructions of the preceeding part. In some places, it is not easy to discover the precise meaning of the allegory; in others, it does not seem sufficiently important to demand so large a measure of attention as would be required to the explanation of every minute circumstance: and, in general, the leading incidents may be considered as the author's own exposition of his meaning in the former part, or as his delineation of some varieties, that occur in events of a similar nature. In things of this kind, brevity must here be observed: but some particulars will demand a more copious elucidation

were to go with him on pilgrimage: insomuch that he was forced to go on his progress with out them, for he durst not run the danger of that destruction, which he feared would come by staying with them in the city of Destruction; wherefore, as I then shewed you, he left them and departed.

Now it hath so happened, through the multiplicity of business, that I have been much hindered and kept back from my wonted travels into those parts where he went, and so could not, till now, obtain an opportunity to make farther inquiry after whom he left behind, that I might give you an account of them. But having had some concerns that way of late, I went down again thitherward. Now having taken up my lodging in a wood, about a mile off the place, as I slept I dreamed again.

And, as I was in my dream, behold, an aged gentleman came by where I lay; and because he was to go some part of the way that I was travelling, methought I got up and went with him. So, as we walked, and as travellers usually do, I was as if we fell into a discourse, and our talk happened to be about Christian and his travels, for thus I began with the old man :

Sir, said I, what town is that there below, that lieth on the left-hand of our way?

Then said Mr. Sagacity (for that was his name), It is the city of Destruction, a populous place, but possessed with a very ill-conditioned and idle sort of people.

I thought that was that city, quoth I; I went once myself through that town; and therefore I know that this report you give of it is true.

Sag. Too true! I wish I could speak truth in speaking better of them that dwell therein.

Well, Sir, quoth I, then I perceive you to be a well-meaning man, and so one that takes pleasure to hear and tell of that which is good pray did you never hear what happened to a man some time ago in this town (whose name was Christian), that went on a pilgrimage up towards the higher regions?

Sag. Hear of him! Ay, and I also heard of the molestations, troubles, wars, captivities, cries, groans, frights, and fears, that he met with, and had on his journey. Besides, I must tell you, all our country rings of him; there are but few houses, that have heard of him and his doings, but have sought after and got the records of his pilgrimage: yea, I think I may say, that this hazardous journey has got many well-wishers to his ways; for though, when he was here, he was fool in every man's mouth, yet now he is gone he is highly commended of all. For it is said he lives bravely where he is: yea, many of them that are resolved never to run his hazards, yet have their mouths water at his gains.

They may, quoth I, well think, if they think any thing that is true, that he liv eth well where he is; for he now lives at and in the Fountain of Life, and has what he has without labour and sorrow, for there is no

grief mixed therewith. But pray, what talk have the people about him?

Sag. Talk! the people talk strangely about him some say, that he now walks in white (Rev. iii. 4; vi. 11); and that he has a chain of gold about his neck; that he has a crown of gold, beset with pearls, upon his head : others say, that the shining ones, that sometimes shewed themselves to him in his journey, are become his companions, and that he is as familiar with them in the place where he is, as here one neighbour is with another (Zech. iii. 7). Besides it is confidently affirmed concerning him, that the King of the place where he is has bestowed upon him already a very rich and pleasant dwelling at court, and that he every day eateth, and drinketh, and walketh, and talketh with him, and receiveth the smiles and favours of him that is judge of all there. Moreover, it is expected of some, that his prince, the lord of

Moreover-Christians are the representatives on earth of the Saviour and Judge of the world; and the usage they meet with whether good or bad, commonly originates in men's love to him, or contemptuous enmity against him. The decisions of the great day therefore will be made with an especial reference to this evidence of men's faith or unbelief; faith works by love of Christ, and of his people for his sake, which influences men to self-denying kindness towards the needy and distressed of the flock. Where these fruits are to tally wanting, it is evident there is no love of Christ, and consequently no faith in him, or salvation by him. And as true believers are the excellent of the earth, no man can have any good reason for despising, hating, and injuring them ; so that this usage will be adduced as a proof of positive cumity to Christ, and expose the condemned sinner to more aggravated misery. Indeed, it often appears after the death of consis