to the Gate, and there he asked the
Porter if he faw any Pilgrims pafs by,
Then the Porter answered, Yes.
Chr. Pray did you know him?
Por. I asked his name, and he
told me it was Faithful.

Chr. O, faid Chriftian, I know him, he is my Towns-man, my near Neighbour, he comes from the place where I was born: how far do you think he may be before?

Porter. He is got by this time below the Hill.

1 How

Porter

Chr. i Well, faid Chriftian, good Christian Porter the Lord be with thee,and add and the to all thy bleffings much increase, for the kindness that thou haft fhewed parting.

to me.

Then he began to go forward, but Difcretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence, would accompany him down to the foot of the Hill. So they went on together, reiterating their former discourses till they came to go down the Hill. Then faid Chriftian, As it was difficult coming up, fo (fo far as I can fee) it is dangerous going down. Yes, faid Prudence,fo it is; for it is an hard matter for a man to go down into the valley of Humiliation, as

thou

greet at

Whilft Christian is among his godly friends, Their golden mouths make him fufficient 'mends. For all his griefs, and when they let him go, He's clad with northern fteel from top to toe.

thou art now, and to catch no flip by the way; therefore, faid they, are we come out to accompany thee down the Hill. So he began to go down, but very warily, yet he caught a flip or too.

Then I faw in my Dream, that thefe good Companions, when Chriftian was gone down to the bottom of the Hill, gave him a loaf of Bread, a bottle of Wine, and a cluster of Raifins; and then he went on his way.

But now in this Valley of Humiliation poor Chriftian was hard put to it, for he had gone but a little way before he efpied a foul Fiend coming over the field to meet him; his name is Apollyon. Then did ChriStian begin to be afraid, and to caft in his mind whither to go back, or to ftand his ground. But he confidered again, that he had no Armour for his back, and therefore thought that to turn the back to him, might give him greater advantage with eafe to pierce him with his Darts; there- Christians fore he refolved k to venture, and refolution at the apstand his ground. For thought he, proach of had I no more in mine eye, then the Apollyon.

1 Discourse

faving of my life, 'twould be the best way to ftand.

So he went on, and Apollyon met him; now the Monster was hidious to behold, he was cloathed with scales like a Fish (and they are his pride) he had Wings like a Dragon, and out of his belly came Fire and Smoak, and his mouth was as the mouth of a Lion. When he was come up to Christian, he beheld him with a difdainful countenance, and thus began to question with him.

Apol. Whence come you and whither are you bound?

1

Chr. I come from the City of betwixt Deftruction, which is the place of Christian all evil, and am going to the City of and Apol- Zion.

lyon.

Apol. By this I perceive thou art one of my Subjects, for all that Countrey is mine; and I am the Prince and God of it. How is it then that thou haft ran away from thy King? Were it not that I hope thou maieft do me more fervice, I would strike thee now at one blow to the ground.

Chr. I was born indeed in your Dominions, but your fervice was hard, and your wages fuch as a man could

could not live on, for the Wages of Sin is death; therefore when I was come to years, I did as other confiderate perfons do, look out, if perhaps I might mend my self,

Apol. There is no Prince that will thus lightly lofe hisSubjects;neither will as yet lofe thee. But fince thou complaineft of thy fervice and wages m be

I

ons flatte

content to go back; what our Countrey m Apollywill afford, I do here promife to give thee.

Chr. But I have let my felf to another, even to the King of Princes, and how can I with fairness go back with thee?

u

ry.

Apol. Thou hast done in this, according to the Proverb, changed a nApollyon bad for a worse: but it is ordinary for undervathofe that have profeffed themselves his lues Chrifts. Service. Servants, after a while to give him the flip, and return again to me: do thou fo to, and all fhall be well.

Chr. I have given him my faith, and fworn my Allegiance to him; how then can I go back from this, and not be hanged as a Traitor? Apol. Thou dideft the fame to me, • and yet I am willing to pass by all, if now thou will turn again, and go back. be merciful

Apollyon

pretends to

Chr.