tinguish and put it out, is the Devil: But in that thou feeft the Fire notwithstanding burn higher and hötter, thou shalt also fee the Reason of that. So he had him about to the Backfide of the Wall, where he faw a Man with a Veffel of Oil in his Hand, of the which he did alfo continually caft (but fecretly) into the Fire.

Then faid Chriftian, What means this? The Interpreter anfwered, This is Christ, who continually with the Oil of his Grace. maintains the Work already begun in the Heart By the Means of which, notwithstanding what the Devil can do, the Souls of his People prove gracious ftill. Cor. 12. 9 And in that thou faweft, that the Man ftood behind the Wall to maintain the Fire this is to teach thee, That it is hard for the Tempted to fee how this Work of Grace is maintained in the Soul.

I faw alfo, that the Interpreter took him again by the Hand, and lead him into a pleafant Place, where was built a stately Palace, beautiful to behold; at the Sight of which Chriftian was greatly delighted; he faw alfo upon the Top thereof certain Perfons walking, who were cloathed all in Gold.

Then faid Chriftian, May we go in thither?

Then the Interpreter took him and led him up towards the Door of the Palace, and behold, at the Door ftood a great Company of Men, as defirous to go in, but durft not. There alfo fat a Man at a little Distance from the Door, at a Table Side with a Book, and his Inkhorn before him, to take the Name of him that fhould

D

ant Man.

fhould enter therein: He faw alfo, that in the Door-way stood many Men in Armour to keep it, being refolved to do to the Men that would enter, what Hurt and Mischief they could. Now was Chriftian fomewhat in Amaze: At laft, when every Man ftarted back for fear of the armed Men, Chriftian faw a Man of a very ftout Countenance, come up to the Man that + The Vali- fat there to write, faying, † Set down my Name, Sir; the which when he had done, he faw the Man draw his Sword, and put an Helmet upon his Head, and rush toward the Door upon the armed Men, who laid upon him with deadly Force: But the Man, not at all difcouraged, fell to cutting and hacking moft fiercely. So after he had + received, and given many Wounds to thofe that attempted to keep him out, he cut his Way though them all, and preffed forward into the Palace; at which there was a pleasant Voice heard from those that were within, even of those that walked upon the Top of the Palace, faying,

t Acts 14.

22.

Come in, come in;

Eternal Glory thou shalt win.

So he went in, and was cloathed with fuch Garments as they. Then Chriftian fmiled, and faid, I think verily I know the Meaning of this.

Now, faid Chriftian, let me go hence. Nay, ftay (faid the Interpreter) till I have fhewed thee a little more, and after that thou shalt go on thy Way. So he took

him by the Hand again, and led him into a very dark Room, where there fate a Man in an Iron Cage.

Now the Man, to look on, feemed very fad; he fat with his Eyes looking down to the Ground, his Hands folded together, and he fighed as if he would break his Heart. Then faid Chriftian, What means this? At which the Interpreter bid him talk with the Man.

Then faid Chriftian to the Man, What art thou? The Man anfwered, I am what I was not once.

Chr. What waft thou once?

Man. The Man faid, I was once a fair and flourishing Profeffor, both in mine Luke 8. 13. + own eyes, and alfo in the Eyes of others: I once was, as I thought, fair for the Coleftial City, and. had then even Joy at the Thoughts that I should get thither.

Chr. Well, but what art thou now? Man. I am now a Man of Despair, and am fhut up in it, as in this Iron Cage. I cannot get out; O now I cannot.

Chr. dition?

But how cameft thou in this Con

Man. I left off to watch, and be fober; I laid the Reins upon the Neck of my Lufts; I finned against the Light of the Word, and the Goodness of God: I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone; I tempted the Devil, and he is come to me; I have provoked God to Anger, and he has left me; I have fo hardened my Heart that I cannot repent.

+ Heb. 6. 6.

† Luke 19.

14.

28, 29.

Then faid Chriftian to the Interpreter, But is there no Hopes for fuch a Man as this? Afk him, faid the Interpreter.

Chr. Then faid Chriftian, Is there no Hope, but you must be kept in the Iron Cage of Despair?

Man. No, none at all.

Chr. Why? The Son of the Bleffed is very pitiful.

Man. I have crucified him to myself afrefh; I have despised his Perfon, I have defpifed his Righteousness, I have counted his Blood an unholy Thing, I have done Heb. 10. Defpite to the Spirit of Grace: There§ fore I fhut myself out of all the Promifes, and there now remains to me nothing but Threatnings, dreadful Threatnings, fearful Threatnings of certain Judgment and fiery Indignation, which fhall devour me as an Adverfary.

Chr. For what did you bring yourself

into this Condition?

Man. For the Lufts, Pleafures, and Profits of this World, in the Enjoyment of which, I did then promise myself much Delight: But now every one of those Things alfo bite me, and gnaw me, like a burning Worm.

Chr. But canft thou not now repent and turn?

Man. God hath denied me Repentance. His Word gives me no Encouragement to believe; yea, himself hath fhut me up in this Iron Cage: Nor can all the Men in the World let me out. O Eternity! Eternity! How fhall I grapple with the Mifery that I must meet with in Eternity?

Inter. Then faid the Interpreter to Chriftian, Let this Man's Mifery be remembered by thee, and be an everlasting Caution to thee.

Chr. Well, faid Chriftian, this is fearful! God help me to watch and be fober, and to pray that I may fhun the Caufe of this Man's Mifery. Sir, is it not Time for me to go on my Way now?

Inter. Tarry till I fhall fhew thee one Thing more, and then thou fhalt go on thy Way.

So he took Chriftian by the Hand again, and led him into a Chamber, where there was one rifing out of Bed; and as he put on his Raiment, he fhook and trembled. Then, faid Chriftian, Why doth this Man thus tremble? The Interpreter then bid him to tell Chriftian the Reasons of his fo doing: So he began and faid, This Night as I was in my Sleep, I dreamed, and behold the Heavens grew exceeding black : Alfo it thundred and lightned in moft fearful wife, that it put me into an Agony. So I looked up in my Dream, and faw the Clouds racked at an unfual Rate; upon which I heard a great Sound of a Trumpet, and faw also a Man fit upon a Cloud, at- 1 Cor. 15. tended with the Thoufands of Heaven: 1 Theff. 4. They were all in flaming Fire, alfo the Jude 15. Heavens were in a burning Flame. I heard John 5. 28. then a Voice, faying. Arife ye Dead, Rev. 20. 11, and come to Judgment; and with that the 12, 13, 14. Rocks rent, the Graves opened, and the Dead, that were therein, came forth; fome Ifa. 26. 21 of them were exceeding glad, and looked Mich. 7. 16. upward; and fome fought to hide them- Pfalm 5. 1, felves 2, 3.

D 3

2 Theff. 1. 8.

17.