The Pilgrims arrive at the land of Beulah.

Some of the ditch are shy, yet can
Lie tumbling in the mire:

Some, though they shun the frying-pan,
Do leap into the fire."

After this I beheld until they were come into the land of Beulah, where the sun shineth night and day. Here, because they were weary, they betook themselves a while to rest. And because this country was common for pilgrims, and because the orchards and vineyards that were here belonged to the King of the celestial country, therefore they were licensed to make bold with any of his things. But a little while soon refreshed them here; for the bells did so ring, and the trumpets continually sounded so melodiously, that they could not sleep, and yet they received as much refreshing as if they had slept their sleep ever so soundly. Here also all the noise of them that walked in the streets was, " More pilgrims are come to town." And another would answer, saying, " And so many went over the water, and were let in at the golden gates to-day." They would cry again, "There is now a legion of shining ones just come to town, by which we know that there are more pilgrims upon the road; for here they come to wait for them, and to comfort them after all their sorrow. Then the pilgrims got up, and walked to and fro. But how were their eyes now filled with celestial visions! In this land they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smelt nothing, tasted nothing, that was offensive to their stomach or mind; only when they tasted of the water of the river over which they were to go, they thought

When in the light of faith divine
We look on things below,
Honcur, and gold, and sensual Joy,
How va and dang❜rous too!
The easares that allure our sense
Are dang rons snares to sonis;
There but a drop of flatt'ring sweet,
And data with bitter bowls.

God is my all-sufficient good,
My portion and my choice;
In him my vast desires are filled,
And all my powers rejoice.

In vain the world accosts my ear.
And tempts my heart anew;
I cannot buy my bliss so dear,
Nor part with heaven for yon.

"

Rejoicings on the Arrival of the Pilgrims,

that it tasted a little bitterish to the palate; but it proved sweet when it was down,

In this place there was a record kept of the names of them that had been pilgrims of old, and a history of all the famous acts that they had done. It was here also much discoursed, how the river to some has its flowings, and what ebbings it has had while others have gone over.' It has been in a manner dry for some, while it has overflowed its banks for others."

In this place, the children of the town would go into the King's gardens, and gather nosegays for the pilgrims, and bring them to them with affection. Here also grew camphire, and spikenard, and saffron, calamus, and cinnamon, with trees of frankincense, myrrh, and aloes, and all chief spices. With these the pilgrims' chambers were perfumed while they staid here; and with these were their bodies auointed, to prepare them to go over the river, when the time appointed should be come."

* Death is bitter to the flesh, but sweet to the soul.
'Death has its ebbings and flowings, like the tide.

m It is by no means ususual for believers, who have been exceedingly tried and afflicted during life, to have a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord when the time of their departure is at hand. They lift up their heads, knowing that their redemption draweth nigh. Dwelling as it were in the immediate vicinity of the promised land, they inhale the air of the heavenly Canaan even on this side the river of Death; they eat the grapes of Eshcol, while yet in the wilderness; and the days of their mourning are ended, even before the journey of life is finished, excepting the transient dread which may be felt from expecting the attack of the last enemy; and even this is for their profit, as it leads them to look to him who hath abolished death. The records of inspi ration contain many instances of persons who have died in the assurance of hope; and though all have not been favoured with similar enjoyments in the hour of death, yet all have passed the river in perfect safety, whether the waters were found by them. to be shallow or deep.

n

The joys and delights thus experienced in the ordinances the church, are reviving and refreshing to the spirits of be ers. They are the pledges of their safety, and the anticipatives of their future blessedness. "The dying christian," says Dr.

Christiana blesses her Children,

Now while they lay here, and waited for the good hour, there was a noise in the town, that there was a post come from the Celestial City, with matters of great importance to one Christiana, the wife of Christian the Pilgrim. So inquiry was made for her, the house was found out where she was, and the post presented her with a letter. The contents were, "Hail, good woman; I bring thee tidings, that the Master calleth for thee, and expecteth that thou shouldst stand in his presence, in clothes of immortality, within these ten days."

When he had read this letter to her, he gave her therewith a token that he was a true messenger, and was come to bid her make haste to be gone. The token was, an arrow sharpened with love, let easily into her heart, which by degrees wrought so effectually with her, that at the time appointed she must be gone.

When Christiana saw that her time was come, and that she was the first of this company that was to go over, she called for Mr. Great-heart her guide, and told him how matters were. So he told her, he was heartily glad of the news, and could have been glad had the post come for him. Then she bid that he should give advice how all things should be prepared for her journey. So he told her, saying, Thus and thus it must be, and we that survive will accompany you to the river side.

Then she called for her children, and gave them her blessing, and told them, that she had read with comfort the mark that was set in their foreheads,

Bates, " may change his room, but not his company." If he leave the saints on earth, he will find others of the same family, and relieved from all the imperfections of their brethren, waiting to receive him into an everlasting habitation. Many believers have said, and sung,

Christiana takes her leave of the Pilgrims.

and was glad to see them with her there, and that they had kept their garments so white. Lastly, she bequeathed to the poor that little she had, and commanded her sons and daughters to be ready against the messenger should come for them.

When she had spoken these words to her guide, and to her children, she called for Mr. Valiant-for-truth, and said unto him, “Sir, you have in all places showed yourself true-hearted; be faithful unto death, and my king will give you a crown of glory, Rev. ii. 10. Í would also entreat you to have an eye to my children; and if at any time you see them faint, speak comfortably to them. For my daughters, my sons' wives, they have been faithful, and a fulfilling of the promise upon them will be their end." But she gave Mr. Standfast a ring.

Then she called for old Mr. Honest, and said of him, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" John i. 47. Then said he, "I wish you a fair day when you set out for Mount Sion, and shall be glad to see that you go over the river dry-shod." She answered, "Come wet, come dry, I long to be gone; for however the weather is in my journey, I shall have time enough when I come there, to sit down and rest me, and dry me."

Then came in that good man Mr. Ready-to-halt to see her. So she said to him, "Thy travel hitherto has been with difficulty; but that will make thy rest the sweeter. Watch and be ready; for in such an hour as you think not, the messenger may come."

After him came Mr. Despondency, and his daugh ter Much-afraid; to whom she said, "You ought with thankfulness for ever to remember your deliverance from the hand or Giant Despair, and out of Doubtingcastle. The effect of that mercy is, that you are brought with safety hither. Be ye watchful, and cast away fear; be sober, and hope to the end."

Then she said to Mr. Ferble-mind, "Thou wast

Departure of Christiana for the Celestial City.

delivered from the mouth of Giant Slay-good, that thou mightest live in the light of the living for ever, and see thy king with comfort. Only I advise thee to repent thee of thy aptness to fear and doubt of his goodness, before he sends for thee; lest thou shouldst, when he comes, be forced to stand before him for that fault with blushing.

Now the day drew on that Christiana must be gone. So the road was full of people to see her take her journey. But behold, all the banks beyond the river were full of horses and chariots, which were come down from above to accompany her to the city gate. So she came forth, and entered the river, with a beckon of farewell to those that followed her to the river side. The last words that she was heard to say, were, "I come, Lord, to be with thee and bless thee." So her children and friends returned to their place, for that those that waited for Christiana had carried her out of their sight. So she went and called, and entered in at the gate with all the ceremonies of joy that her husband Christian had entered with before her. At her departure the children wept. But Mr. Great-heart and Mr. Valiant played upon the welltuned cymbal and harp for joy. harp for joy. So all departed to

their respective places.°

The account of the death of Christiana is very instructive. From the time of her first attack by disease, she felt an ardent desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which was far better even than the company of the most affectionate friends on earth. She sends for her faithful minister, who rejoices at the distinguishing kindness of her Saviour, who had called for her; saying that he should have been glad had the messenger Death come for him. She takes an affectionate leave of her children, expressing her persuasion that they were the sealed servants of the Lord, and her pleasure because they had maintained the purity of their christian character. She appoints one of her tried brethren as their guardian; gives another a pledge of her dying regard, because of the consistency and purity of his conduct; reminds them all of the grace of God towards them; and exhorts them to watch and pray, to be always ready, and to repent of whatever might have