Sidebilder
PDF
ePub

The Pilgrims go on their Way,

Now there was, on the other side of the wall that fenced in the way up which Christiana aud her companions were to go, a garden, that belonged to him whose was that barking dog, of which mention was made before. And some of the fruit-trees that grew in the garden shot their branches over the wall; and the fruit being mellow, they that found it did gather it up, and eat of it to their hurt. So Christiana's boys, as boys are apt to do, being pleased with the trees, and with the fruit that did hang thereon, did pluck it, and began to eat. Their mother did chide them for so doing, but still the boys went on.

66

My sons," said she, "you transgress, for that fruit is none of ours;" but she did not know that it did belong to the enemy: I'll warrant you, if she bad, she would have been ready to die for fear. But that passed, and they went on their way. Now by that they were gone about two bow-shot from the place that led them into the way, they espied two very ill-favoured ones coming down apace to meet them. With that Christiana and Mercy her friend covered themselves with their veils and kept also on

[ocr errors]

faith in the promises of the gospel, is very natural, and exhibits the delight which believers in Jesus enjoy.-The fears which they had experienced lest they should be rejected, and the reasons or their praying with such fervour and importunity, will remind many believers, that thus they felt when they ventured upon Christ for salvation. Many have said in effect, as queen Esther did, "I will go in unto the King, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish." But none ever did perish, who said with humble fervency, in the language of Jacob, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."-Young converts are at a loss to account for Satan's being permitted to tempt and harass the people of God: but they are afterwards convinced, that even the temptations of the devil are for their benefit; and they will acknowledge, that their gracious Saviour "hath done all things well," Mark vii. 37.-Supported by the bread, and cleansed by the water of life, Christians may pursue their journey according to the precepts of the gospel, not only with pleasure and comfort, but even with joy and singing.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

and are met and attacked by Enerics.

their journey: the children also went on before; so that at last they met together. Then they that came down to meet them, came just up to the women, as if they would embrace them; but Christiana said, "Stand back, or go peaceably as you should." Yet these two, as men that are deaf, regarded not Christiana's words, but began to lay hands upon them: at that Christiana waxed very wroth, and spurned at them with her feet. Mercy also, as well as she could, did what she could to shift them. Christiana again said to them, "Stand back, and be gone, for we have no money to lose, being pilgrims, as you see, and such too as live upon the charity of our friends.'

"

ILL FAV. Then said one of the two men, We make no assault upon you for money, but are come out to tell you, that if you will but grant one small request, which we shall ask, we will make women of you for ever.

CHR. Now Christiana, imagining what they should mean, made answer again, We will neither hear, nor regard, nor yield to what you shall ask. We are in baste, and cannot stay; our business is of life and death. So again she and her companious made a fresh essay to go past them; but they letted them in their way.

ILL-FAV. And they said, We intend no hurt to your lives; it is another thing we would have.

CHR. Ay, replied Christiana, you would have us body and soul, for I know it is for that you are come; but we will rather die upon the spot, than suffer ourselves to be brought into such snares as shall hazard our well-being hereafter. And with that they both shrieked out, and cried, Murder! murder and so put themselves under those laws which are provided for the protection of women. (Deut. xxii. 23-27.) But the men still made their approach upon them, with design to prevail against them. They therefore cried out again.

Now, they being, as I said, not far from the gate

The Pilgrims rescued.

in at which they came, their voice was heard from where they were, thither: wherefore some of the house came out, and knowing that it was Christiana's tongue, they made haste to her relief. But by that they were got within sight of them, the women were in a very great scuffle; the children also stood crying by. Then did he that came in for their relief call out to the ruffians, saying, "What is that thing you do; would you make my Lord's people to transgress:" He also attempted to take them, but they did make their escape over the wall into the garden of the man to whom the great dog belonged; so the dog became their protector. This reliever then came up to the women, and asked them how they did. So they answered, "We thank thy Prince, pretty well, only we have been somewhat affrighted; we thank thee also, for that thou camest unto our help, for otherwise we had been overcome."

RELIEVER. So after a few more words, this reliever said as followeth: I marvelled much when you were entertained at the gate above, seeing ye know that ye are but weak women, that you petitioned not the Lord for a conductor; then might you have avoided these troubles and dangers: he would have granted you one.

CHR. Alas! said Christiana, we were so taken with our present blessing, that dangers to come were forgotten by us. Beside, who could have thought, that so near the King's palace there should have lurked such naughty ones? Indeed, it had been well for us had we asked our Lord for one; but since our Lord knew it would be for our profit, I wonder he sent not one along with us.

REL. It is not always necessary to grant things not asked for, lest by so doing they become of little esteem; but when the want of a thing is felt, it then comes, in the eyes of him who feels it, under

It is good to cry out when we are assaulted.

Mark this.

We lose for want of asking.

The Pilgrims converse respecting their Deliverance.

that estimate which properly is its due, and so consequently will be hereafter used. Also, had my Lord granted you a conductor, you would not so have bewailed that oversight of yours, in not asking for one, as now you have occasion to do. So all things work for good, and tend to make you more wary.

CHR. Shall we go back again to my Lord, and confess our folly, and ask one?

REL. Your confession of your folly I will present him with. To go back again, you need not; for in all places whither you shall come, you will find no want at all; for in every one of my Lord's lodgings, which he has prepared for the reception of his pilgrims, there is sufficient to furnish them against al attempts whatsoever. But, as I said, he will be inquired of by them to do it for them. (Ezek. xxxvi. 37.) And it is a poor thing that is not worth asking for. When he had thus said, he went back to his place, and the pilgrims went on their way.

MER. Then said Mercy, What a sudden blank is here! I made account that we had been past all danger, and that we should never sorrow more.

CHR. Thy innocency, my sister, said Christiana to Mercy, may excuse thee much: but as for me, my fault is so much the greater, for that I saw this danger before I came out of the doors, and yet did not provide for it where provision might have been had. I am much to be blamed.

MER. Then said Mercy, How knew you this before you came from home? Pray open to me this riddle.

CHR. Why, I will tell you. Before I set foot out of doors, one night, as I lay in my bed, I had a dream about this; for methought I saw two men, as like these as ever they could look, stand at my bed's feet, plotting how they might prevent my salvation. I will tell you their very words. They said, (it was when I was in my troubles,) What shall we do with this woman? for she cries out waking nd sleeping for forgiveness; if she be suffered to

The Pilgrims converse respecting their Deliverance.

go on as she begins, we shall lose her as we have Jost her husband. This you know might have made me take heed, and provide when provision might have been had.

MER. Well, said Mercy, as by this neglect we have an occasion ministered unto us to behold our imperfections, so our Lord has taken occasion thereby to make manifest the riches of his grace; for he, as we see has followed us with unasked kindness, and has delivered us from their hands that were stronger than we, of his mere good pleasure.'

The straight path of duty and self-denial in which Christians are "to walk and please God," 1 Thess. iv. 1. lies through the world, which, because of its various sources of temptation, may be fonsidered as "the devil's garden :" and though God has provided walls of salvation for the defence of his people, yet tempting objects may be found by Christians, to their injury, even while they are pursuing the path of duty.-The young and inexperienced might be induced to indulge themselves by seeking unlawful and worldly vanities, were not wise parents, who are concerned for the welfare of their children, to reprove them for conduct which subjects them to a charge of improper behaviour. And disobedience to parents is highly improper in young Christians. They will be exceedingly distressed, should they know that in any thing their children have been carried away by the temptations of the devil into the commission of sin.-Those are seducers of the basest description, who attempt to prevail upon modest pious females, that are poor and unprotected, to consent to a violation of their chastity, by the insidious promises of bettering their circumstances, and raising them in society. Christian females should resist such villanous proposals instantly, firmly, and constantly; knowing, as they do, that it will ruin their reputation and peace of mind, and put their future salvation to imminent peril. And if their firm resolution never to comply, but rather to lose their lives, be accompanied with fervent prayer, they will find that divine "relief," will pe speedily afforded, and effectual deliverance granted them.-By an allusion to the wicked sons of Eli, who filled the priest's office, the official character of these infamous men is pointed out. Men who fill the office of clergymen, and yet are the devil's servants, hould be considered and treated as such, as soon as they manifest either by looks, or words, or actions, a design to defile the chastity of pious females.-Female Christians are justly reproved, who have neglected to pray for direction in the choice of a wise and faithful minister of Christ, who, by his knowledge and reputation, would bave thrown a shield of protection over them. But when the mind

« ForrigeFortsett »