the men of the fair. There they lay for fome time, and were made the objects of any man's fport, or malice, or revenge; the great one of the fair laughing ftill at all that befel them: but, the men being patient, not rendering railing for railing, but contrariwife bleffing, and giving good words for bad, and kindness for injuries done; fome men in the fair, who were more obferving and lefs prejudiced than the reft, began to check and blame the bafer fort for their continual abufes done by them to the men: they therefore, in an angry manner retorted upon them, counting them as bad as the men in the cage, and telling them that they seemed confederates, and fhould be made partakers of their misfortunes. The others replied, that, for aught they could fee, the men were quiet and fober, and intended no body any harm and, that there were many who traded in their fair who were more worthy to be put into the cage, yea, and the whom they had abused. had paffed on both fides felves all the while very wifely and foberly before them), they fell to blows among themselves, and did harm one to another. Then these two poor men were brought before their examiners again, and there charged as being guilty of the hubbub that had been in the fair. So they beat them pitifully, and hanged irons upon them, and led them in chains and down the fair, for an example and terror to others, left any fhould speak in their behalf, or join up pillory too, than the men Thus, after divers words (the men behaving them themselves themselves unto them. But Chriftian and Faithful behaved themselves yet more wifely, and received the ignominy and shame which was caft upon them with so much meekness and patience, that it won to their fide (though but few in comparison of the reft) several of the men in the fair. This put the other party into a greater rage yet, infomuch that they concluded the death of these two men. Wherefore they threatened, that neither cage nor irons fhould ferve their turn, but that they fhould die for the abuse they had done, and for deluding the men of the fair. Then they were again remanded to the cage, until further order fhould be taken with them. So they put them in, and made their feet faft in the stocks. Here therefore they called to mind what they had heard from their faithful friend Evangelift, and were the more confirmed in their ways and fufferings, by what he told them would happen to them. They also now comforted each other, that whofoever's lot it fhould be to fuffer, he would have the best of it; each man therefore fecretly wifhed that he might have that preferment: but, committing themselves to the all-wife difpofal of him who ruleth all things, with much content they abode in the condition they were in, until they should be otherwise disposed of. Then a convenient time was appointed for them to be brought forth to their trial, in order to their condemnation. When the time was come, they were brought before their enemies, and arraigned. The with knives; after that they stoned him with stones; then they pricked him with their fwords; and laft of all, they burnt him to ashes at the ftake. came Faithful to his end c. Thus Now I faw, that there stood behind the multitude a' chariot and a couple of horses waiting for Faithful, who (as foon as his adversaries had dispatched him) was taken up into it, and straightway was carried up through the clouds with found of trumpet, the nearest way to the celestial gate. As for Chriftian, he had fome refpite, and was remanded back to prifon, where he remained for a fpace but he who over-rules all things, having the power of their rage in his own hand, fo brought it. about, that Chriftian for that time efcaped, and went his way. And as he went he fung, faying, Well, Faithful, thou haft faithfully profest If this roaring lion, the world, was not chained, every faithful follower of the Lord Jefus Chrift would come to the fame end; it is of the Lord's mercy that we do not meet with the fame perfecution in this day. Perhaps fome trembling foul may say, on reading this account of Faithful, I could ne ver have fuffered as this man has done; remember, as thy day is, fo fhall thy ftrength be. If the Lord calls thee to a martyr's death, he will give thee a martyr's faith, and will enable thee, as he did Faithful, and a cloud of witnesses befides, who have obtained a good report through faith, to glorify his name even in the fire. Now Now I faw in my dream that Christian went not forth alone; for there was one whofe name was Hopeful (being fo made by the beholding of Chriftian and Faithful in their words and behaviour, in their fufferings at the fair), who joined himself unto him, and entering into a brotherly covenant, told him that he would be his companion. Thus one died to bear teftimony to the truth, and another rises out of his ashes to be a companion with Christian in his pilgrimage. This Hopeful also told Christian, that there were many more of the men in the fair who would take their time, and follow after. So I faw that, quickly after they were got out of the fair, they overtook one who was going before them, whose name was By-ends: fo they faid to him, What countryman, Sir, and how far go you this way? He told them, that he came from the town of Fair-speech, and he was going to the celestial city, but told them not his name. From Fair-fpeech! faid Chriftian; is there any good thing lives there? By-ends. Yes, I hope fo. Chr. Pray, Sir, what may I call you? By-ends. I am a ftranger to you, and you to me: if you are going this way, I fhall be glad of your company; if not, I must be content, Ch. This town of Fair-fpeech I have heard of, and, as I remember, they fay its a wealthy place. By-ends. Yes, I will affure you that it is, and I have very many rich kindred there. Chr. Pray who are your kindred there, if a man may be fo bold? By-ends. Almost the whole town: and in particular, my Lord Turn-about, my Lord Time-ferver, my Lord Fair-fpeech (from whofe ancestors that town first took its name): alfo Mr. Smooth-man, Mr. Facing-both-ways, Mr. Any-thing; and the parfon of our parish, Mr. Two-tongues, was my mother's own brother by Father's fide: and, to tell you the truth, I am become a gentleman of good quality, yet my great grandfather was but a waterman, looking one way and rowing another, and I got most of my estate by the fame occupation. Chr. Are you a married man? By-ends. Yes, and my wife is a very virtuous woman, the daughter of a very virtuous woman: fhe was my Lady Feigning's daughter; fhe came of a very honourable family, and is arrived to fuch a pitch of breeding, that she knows how to carry it to all, even to prince and peasant. 'Tis true, we somewhat differ in religion from those of the stricter fort, yet but in two fmall points: first, We never strive against wind and tide. Secondly, We are always most zealous when religion goes in filver flippers; we love much to walk with him in the street, if the fun fhines, and the people applaud him, Then Christian stept a little afide to his fellow Hopeful, faying, It runs in my mind that this is one By-ends of Fair-speech; and if it be he, we have as very a knave in our company as dwelleth in all these 7 parts. |