A River. Rev. 22. 9. Trees by the River. the Fire of the Lord out of Heaven could make it. And it is most rationally, to be concluded, that fuch, even fuch as thefe are, that fhall fin in the Sight, yea, and that too in Defpight of fuch Examples, that are fet continually before them to caution them to the contrary, must be Partakers of the fevereft Judgments. Hope. Doubtlefs thou haft faid the Truth; but what a Mercy is it, that neither thou, but especially I, am not made myself this Example? This miniftreth Occafion to us to thank God, to fear before him, and always to remember Lot's Wife, I faw then, that they went on their Way to a pleasant River; which David the King Pfal. 65.9. called the River of God, but John, the River of the Water of Life. Now their Way lay juft upon the Bank of this River: Here therefore Chriftian and his Companion walked with great Delight; they drank alfo of the Water of the River, which was pleasant and enlivening to their weary Spirits: Befides, on the Banks of this River, on either Side, were green Trees, The Fruit and for all manner of Fruit; and the Leaves Leaves of the they eat to prevent Surfeits, and other Difeafes that are incident to thofe, that heat their Blood by Travels. On either Side of the River was alfo a Meadow, cuin which they riously beautified with Lillies; and it was green all the Year long. In this Meadow they lay down and flept: for here they Ifa. 14. 30. might be down fafely. When they awoke, they gathered again of the Fruit of the Trees, and drank again of the Water of the River, and then lay down again to fleep, Trees. A Meadow lie down to Sleep. Pfal. 22. Thus they did feveral Days and Nights. Behold ye, how thefe Crystal Streams do To comfort Pilgrims, by the Highway Side. Yield Dainties for them: And be that can What pleasant Fruit, yea, Leaves, these Will foon fell all, that he may buy this So when they were difpofed to go on, (for they were not as yet at their Journey's End) they eat and drank, and de parted. T Now I beheld in my Dream, that they had not journeyed far, but the River and the Way for a Time parted, at which they were not a little forry, yet they durft not go out of the Way. Now the Way from the River was rough, and their Feet tender by reafon of their Travels: So the Souls of the Pilgrims were much dif- Numb. 21 4. couraged because of the Way. Wherefore ftill as they went on, they wished for a better Way. Now a little before them, there was on the Left Hand of the Road a Meadow, and a Stile to go over into it; By-Pathand that Meadow, is called By-Path-Mea- Meadow. dow. Then faid Chriftian to his Fellow, tation makes One Temp If this Meadow lieth along by our Way- way for ano fide, ther Strong Chriftians may lead weak fide, let us go over into it. Then he went to the Stile to fee, and behold a Path lay along by the Way on the other Side of the Fence. It is according to my Wish, faid Chriftian, here is the easiest going; come, good Hopeful, and let us go over. Hope. But how if this Path fhould lead us out of the Way? Chr. That is not likely, faid the other. Look, doth it not go along by the Wayfide? So Hopeful, being perfuaded by his ones out of the Fellow, went after him over the Stile. Way. When they were gone over, and were got into the Path, they found it very easy for their Feet; and withal, they looking before them, efpied a Man walking, as they did, (and his Name was Vain Confidence) fo they called after him, and afked him, whither that Way led? He faid, to the Cœleftial Gate: * Look, faid Chri ftian, did not I tell you fo? By this you may fee we are right; fo they followed, and he went before them. But behold, the Night came on, and it grew very dark; fo that they that were behind loft the Sight of him that went before, * See what it is too fuddenly to fall in with Strangers. Ifa 9. 16. 4 Pit to catch rious in. He therefore that went before (VainConfidence by Name) nor feeing the Way the Vain-glo- before him, fell into a deep Pit, which was on Purpose there made by the Prince of thofe Grounds, to catch Vain glorious Fools withal, and was dafhed in Pieces with his Fall. Renflaing be Now Chriftian and his Fellow heard Hiin Chri- fall. So they called to know the Matter, flian and.. but there was none to anfwer, only they Hopeful. heard heard a Groanig, Then faid Hopeful, Where are we now? Then was his Fellew filent, as mistrusting that he had led him out of the Way; and now it began to rain, and thunder and lighten in a moft dreadful Manner; and the Waters rofe amain. Then Hopeful groaned in himself, faying, Oh, that I had kept on my Way! Chr. Who would have thought that this Path fhould have led us out of the Way? Hope. I was afraid on it at the very first, and therefore gave you that gentle Caution. I would have spoke plainer, but that you are older than I. Chr. Good Brother, be not offended, I Chriftian's am forry I have brought thee out of the Repentance Way, and that I have put thee into fuch for leading bis Brother out of imminent Danger; pray, my Brother, for- the Way give me; I did not do it of an evil Intent. Hope. Be comforted, my Brother, for I forgive thee; and believe too, that this fhall be for our Good. Chr. I am glad I have met with a merciful Brother: But we must not stand thus, let us try to go back again. Hope. But, good Brother, let me go be fore. Chr. No, if you please let me go first that if there be any Danger, I may be first therein, becaufe by my Means we are both gone out of the Way Hope. No, faid Hopeful, you fhall not go firft; for your Mind being, troubled, may lead you out of the Way again. Then for their Encouragement, they heard the Jer. 31. 1. They are in Danger of Drowning as they go back. Voice of one faying, Let thine Heart be towards the High-way even the Way that thou tenteft, turn again. But by this time the Watets were greatly rifen, by reafon of which, the Way of going back was very dangerous. (Then I thought that it is eafier going out of the Way when we are in, than going in when we are out.) Yet they adventured to go back, but it was fo dark, and the Flood was fo high, that in their going back, they had like to have been drowned nine or ten Times. Neither could they, with all the Skill: they had, get again to the Stile that Night. Wherefore at laft, lighting under a little Shelter, they fat down there 'till the Daybreak: But being weary, they fell asleep. They fleep in the Grounds of Now there was, not far from the Place Giant Defpair where they lay, a Caftle, called Doubting: Caftle, the Owner whereof was Giant De them to Doubting-Caftle. fpair, and it was in his Grounds they now were fleeping; wherefore he getting up He finds them in the Morning early, and walking up and in his Ground, down in his Fields, caught Chriftian and and carries Hopeful afleep in his Grounds: Then with a grim and furly Voice, he bid them awake, and asked them whence they were, and what they did in his Grounds. They told him they were Pilgrims, and that they had loft their Way. Then faid the Giant,. You have this Night trefpaffed on me by trampling and lying on my Ground, and therefore you must go along with me. So they were forced to go because he was ftronger than they. They also had but little to fay, for they knew themselves. in a Fault. The Giant therefore drove them |