The Pilgrims arrive at the Delectable Mountains

do at that stile, to prevent those that should come after from falling into the hands of Giant Despair. So they consented to erect there a pillar, and to engrave upon the stile thereof this sentence; "Over this style is the way to Doubting-castle, which is kept by Giant Despair, who despiseth the King of the celestial country, and seeks to destroy his holy pilgrims." Many therefore that followed after, read what was written, and escaped the danger. This done, they sang as follows:

"Out of the way we went, and then we found
What 'twas to tread upon forbidden ground:
And let them that come after have a care,

Lest heedlessness make them like us to fare ;

Lest they for trespassing his pris'ners are,

Whose castle's Doubting, and whose name's Despair."

They went then till they came to the Delectable Mountains; which mountains belong to the Lord

was a good night to me: I have had but few better. I longed for the company of some of God's people, that I might impart untu them what God had showed me. Christ was a precious Christ to my soul that night: I could scarcely lie in my bed for joy, and peace, and triumph through Christ." p. 96, 3d. edit.

These lines, though plain and homely, are worthy the atten tion of Christians, as pointing out the causes of despondency and despair.

"Out of the way we went, and then we found

What 'twas to tread upon forbidden ground."

The means employed for preventing other christians from being brought into similar distress, are wisely adapted to caution then against "trespassing" by taking any "by-path," however rough the path of duty may be. The judicious Mr. Scott has pertinently observed upon this part of the work, "If christians follow 'Vain-confidence,' and endeavour to keep up their hopes when neglecting their own duty, let them remember that (whatever some men may pretend) they will surely be thus brought acquainted with 'Diffidence, immured in 'Doubting-castle, and terribly bruised and frightened by 'Giant Despair;' nor will they be delivered till they have learned, by painful experience, that the assurance of hope is inseparably connected with the self-denying obedience of faith and love."

The Shepherds at the Delectable Mountains

of that hill of which we have spoken before. So they went up the mountains, to behold the gardens and orchards, the vineyards and fountains of water; where also they drank and washed themselves, and did freely eat of the vineyards. Now there were on the tops of those mountains shepherds feeding their flocks, and they stood by the highway-side. The pilgrims therefore went to them, and leaning upon their staves, (as is common with weary pilgrims when they stand to talk with any by the way,) they asked "Whose delectable mountains are these; and whose are the sheep that feed upon them?"

SHEP. These mountains are Emmanuel's land, and they are within sight of his city; and the sheep also are his, and he laid down his life for them.

CHR. Is this the way to the celestial city?
SHEP. You are just in the way.

CHR. How far is it thither?

SHEP. Too far for any but those that shall get thither indeed.

CHR. Is the way safe, or dangerous?

SHEP. Safe for those for whom it is to be safe; but transgressors shall fall therein. (Hos. xiv. 9.)

CHR. Is there in this place any relief for pilgrims that are weary and faint in the way?

SHEP. The Lord of these mountains hath given us a charge not to be forgetful to entertain strangers : therefore the good of the place is before you. (Heb. xiii. 2.)

I saw also in my dream, that when the Shepherds perceived they were wayfaring men, they also put questions to them, (to which they made answer as in other

< Under the picture of the Delectable Mountains :—

Mountains delectable they now ascend,

Where shepherds be, who to them do commend
Alluring things, and things that cautions ares

Pilgrims are steady kept by faith and fear

ontertain Christian and Hopeful.

places,) as, "Whence came you ?" and, "How got you?" you into the way?" and, "By what means have you so persevered therein? for but few of them that begin to come hither, do show their face on these mountains." When the Shepherds heard their answers, being pleased therewith, they looked very lovingly upon them, and said, "Welcome to the Delectable Mountains."

The Shepherds, I say, whose names were Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and Sincere, took them by the hand, and had them to their tents, and made them partake of that which was ready at present. They said moreover, "We would that you should stay here a while, to be acquainted with us, and yet more to solace yourselves with the good of the Delectable Mountains." They then told them, that they were content to stay. So they went to their rest that night, because it was very late.

The "Delectable Mountains," or "Emmanuel's Land," were seen by Christian when at the "House Beautiful," though at that time very far off, Isa. xxxiii. 17. He was then told, that "they were as common to and for all pilgrims as that hill was "-from which we learn, that the subject relates to church-fellowship. Our author, by this scene, intends to represent the delight and pleasure experienced in divine ordinances, when, in the full assurance of faith, believers are led by them to anticipate the employments and enjoyments of the heavenly state; delights which are well represented by walking in pleasant gardens and orchards; and pleasures, which are represented by partaking of the fruit of the vineyards, and being refreshed and cleansed by fountains of water. The shepherds feeding their flocks, represent the public ministry of the gospel; and the sheep are believers, who are redeemed from their vain conversation by the precious blood of Christ. Believers are edified by the preaching of the gospel, when they learn from it, that they are in the way to heaven, and that perseverance in holiness unto the end of life is essential to salvation; as they only who continue to the end will be saved, whilst those who apostatize draw back to perdition. Christian pastors should be “ given to hospitality, and apt to teach," 1 Tim. iii. 2.

It is an awful consideration, that but few of those who set out n a profession of religion ever arrive at the delights and pleasures

The Pilgrims entertained at the Delectable Mountains.

Then I saw in my dream, that in the morning the Shepherds called up Christian and Hopeful to walk with them upon the mountains: so they went forth with them, and walked a while, having a pleasant prospect on every side. Then said the Shepherds one to another, "Shall we show these pilgrims some wonders?" So when they had concluded to do it, they had them first to the top of a hill, called Error, which was very steep on the farthest side, and bid them look down to the bottom. So Christian and Hopeful looked down, and saw at the bottom several men dashed to pieces by a fall that they had from the top. Then said Christian, "What meaneth this ?" The Shepherds answered, "Have you not heard of them that were made to err, by hearkening to Hymenæus and Philetus, as concerning the faith of the resurrection of the body?" (2 Tim. ii. 17, 18.) They answered, "Yes." Then said the Shepherds, "Those that you see dashed in pieces at the bottom of this mountain are they: and they have continued to this day unburied, as you see, for an example for others to take heed how they clamber too high, or how they come too near to the brink of this mountain."

of it. It affords great satisfaction to faithful ministers to hear persons say, "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul," Psal. lxvi. 16. To such wellinstructed christians they feel the warmest affection, and they encourage them by saying, "Come in, thou blessed of the Lord."

To qualify a minister for being a pastor, or overseer, in the church of Christ, he must possess extensive "knowledge" of the Scriptures, to enable him to teach; "experience," to enable him to rule, and to guide the affairs of the church with discretion; "watchfulness," that he may be upon his guard against persons of erroneous principles or immoral conduct; and "sincerity," that he may do every thing which relates to his affairs-" without partiality, and without hypocrisy." Under the pastoral care of such ministers, judicious christians will be "content to stay," and in churches thus superintended they will find "rest."

Every serious student of the Scriptures must know, that many