felves under the Mountains: Then I faw the Man that fat upon the Cloud, open the Book, and bid the World draw near. Yet. there was, by reafon of a fierce Flame which iffued out and came before him, a convenient Distance betwixt him and them, Mal. 3. 2, 3. as betwixt the Judge and the Prifoners at Dan. 7.9, 10. the Bar. I heard it also proclaimed to them that attended on the Man that fate *Mark 3.13. on the Cloud, Gather together the Tares, Chap. 14.30 the Chaff and Stubble, and caft them into the burning Lake; and with that the bottomlefs Pit opened, juft whereabout I ftood: Out of the Mouth of which there came, in an abundant Manner, Smoak, and Coals of Fire, with hideous Noifes. It +Luke 3. 17. was alfo faid to the fame Perfons, + Ga * Mal. 4. 1. 16, 17. ther my Wheat into the Garner. And with 1 Theff. 7. that I faw many catched up and * carried away into the Clouds, but I was left behind. I alfo fought to hide myfelf, but I could not, for the Man that fat upon the Cloud ftill kept his Eye upon me: My Rom. 2. 14, Sins alfo came into my Mind; and my Confçience did accufe me on every Side. Upon this I awaked from my Sleep. 15. Chr. But what was it that made you fo afraid of this Sight?" Man. Why, I thought that the Day of Judgment was come, and that I was not ready for it: But this frighted me the most, that the Angels gathered up feveral, and left me behind; alfo the Pit of Hell opened her Mouth juft where I ftood. My Confcience too afflicted me; and, as I thought, the Judge had always his Eye upon upon me, fhewing Indignation in his Countenance. Then faid the Interpreter to Chriftian, Haft thou confidered all thefe Things? Chr. Yes, and they put me in Hope and Fear. Inter. Well, keep all Things fo in thy Mind, that they may be as a Good in thy Sides, prick thee forward in the Way thou must go. Then Chriftian began to gird up his Loins, and to address himself to his Journey. Then faid the Interpreter, The Comforter be always with thee, good Chriftian, to guide thee in the Way that leads to the City. So Chriftian went on his Way, faying, Here I bave feen Things rare and profitable, In what I have began to take in Hand, Now I faw in my Dream, That the Highway up which Chriftian was to go, was fenced on either Side with a Wall, and that Wall was called * Salvation. Up this Ifa. 26. 1. Way therefore did burdened Chriftian run, but not without great Difficulty, because of the Load on his Back. He ran thus till he came at a Place fomewhat afcending, and upon that Place stood a Crofs, and a little below, in the Bottom, a Sepulchre. So I faw in my Dream, When God releafes us of our Guilt and Burden, we are as thofe that leap for Joy. That juft as Chriftian came up with the Crofs, his Burden loofed from off his Shoulders, and fell from off his Back, and began to tumble, and fo continued to do, till it came to the Mouth of the Sepulchre, where it fell in, and I faw it no more. Then was Chriftian glad and lightfome, and faid with a merry Heart, He bath given me Reft by his Sorrow, and Life by his Death. Then he ftood ftill a while to look and wonder; for it was very furprizing to him, that the Sight of the Crofs fhould thus eafe him of his Burden. He looked therefore, and looked again, even till the Springs that were in his Head fent the *Zech. 12.10. Waters down his Cheeks. Now, as he ftood looking and weeping, behold three Shining ones came to him and faluted him, with Peace be to thee; fo the first faid to him, C +Mar. 2. 2. Thy Sins be forgiven thee; the fecond Zech. 3. 4. Stript him of his Rags, and 13. cloathed him with Change of Raiment, the third also Ephef. 1. fet a § Mark on his Forehead, and gave him a Roll, with a Seal upon it, which he bid him look on as he ran, and that he should give it in at the Coleftial Gate; fo they went their Way. Then Chriftian gave three Leaps for Joy, and went on Singing: A Chriflian canfing though alone when God doth give him the Joy of bis Heart. Thus far did I come laden with my Sin; Muft |