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 Difcourfes," till they came to go down the Hill. Then faid Christian, A's 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 a hard Matter for a Man to go down into the Valley of Humiliation, as The Valley thou art now, and to catch no Slip by the of HumiliaWay; 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 Slip or two.

Then I faw in my Dream, That thefe good Companions (when Chriftian was got down to the Bottom of the Hill) gave him a Loaf of Bread, a Bottle of Wine, and a Clufter of Raifins; and then he went his Way.

tion.

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 Chriftian begin to be afraid, and to caft in his Mind whether to go back or to ftand his Ground. But he confidered again, that he had no † Armour for his + Chriftian Back, and therefore thought that to turn has no Armour the Back to him might give him greater for his Back. Advantages, with Eafe, to pierce him with his Darts; therefore he refolved to Chriftian's venture, and stand his Ground: For, the Approach thought he, had I no more in mine Eye of Apollyon.

F

than

Refolution at

Difcourfe

than the Saving of my Life, it would be the best Way to stand.

So he went on, and Apollyon met him: Now the Monster was hideous to behold : He was cloathed with Scales like a Fish ;. (and they are his Pride) he had Wings like a Dragon, Feet. like a Bear, and out. of his Belly came Fire and Smoke, and his Mouth was as the Mouth of a Lion. When he was come up to Chriftian, he beheld him with a difdainful Countenance, and thus began to question with him.

Apollyon.

Whence come you? and

betwixt Chri- whither are you bound?

ftian and Apollyon.

Chr. I am come from the City of Deftruction, which is the Place of all Evil, and am going to the City of Zion.

Apol. By this I perceive thou art one. of my Subjects; for all that Country is mine, and I am the Prince and God of it. How is it then that thou haft run away from thy King? Were it not that I hope thou mayeft do me more Service, I would ftrike the now, at one Blow, to the Ground.

Chr. I was born indeed in your Dominions, but your Service was hard, and your Wages fuch as a Man could not live on; Roni. 6.23. 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 myself.

Apol. There is no Prince that will thus lightly lofe his Subjects, neither will I as yet lote. thee; but fince thou complaineft.

of

*

of thy Service and Wages be content to Apollyon's go back; what our Country will afford, Flattery. I do here promife to give thee,

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

Apol. Thou haft done in this accord

ing to the Proverb, † Change a Bed for a + Apollyon Worfe: But it is ordinary for thofe that undervalues have profeffed themfelves his Servants, Chrift's Serafter a while to give him the Slip, and return again to me: Do thou fo too, and allfhall 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 Traytor?

Apol. Thou didst the fame to me, and; yet I am willing to pass by all, if now thou will yet turn and go back.

Chr. What I promised thee was in my Non-age; and befides, I count that the Prince under whofe Banner now I ftand, is able to abfolve me; yea, and to pardon alfo what I did as to my Compliance with thee: And befides (O thou deftroying Apollyon) to fpeak Truth, I like his Service, his Wages, his Servants, his Government, his Company, and Country, better than thine; and therefore leave off to perfuade me farther, I am his Servant, and I will follow him.

'vice.

Apollyon pleads the

Apol. Confider again, when thou art grievous Ends in cool Blood, what thou art like to meet to diffuade of Chriftians with in the Way that thou goeft. Thou Chriftian knoweft, that for the moft Part, his Ser-from perfifting in his Way.

F 2

vants

|| Apollyon

Vants come to an ill End, because they are Tranfgreffors against me and my Ways. How many of them have been put to fhameful Deaths and befides, thou counteft his Service better than mine, whereas he never came yet from the Place where he is, to deliver any that served him out of their Hands: But as for me, how many Times, as all the World very well knows, have I delivered, either by Power. or Fraud, thofe that have faithfully ferved me from him and his, though taken by them? And fo I will deliver thee.'

Chr. His forbearing at prefent to deliver them, is on Purpofe to try their Love, whether they will cleave to him to the End: And as for the ill End thou fayeft they come to, that is moft glorious in their Account: But, for prefent Deliverance, they do not much expect it; for they ftay for their Glory, and then they fhall have it, when their Prince comes in his, and the Glory of the Angels.

Apol. Thou haft already been unfaithful in thy Service to him; and how doft thou think to receive Wages of him?

"

Chr. Wherein, O Apollyon! have I been unfaithful to him?

Apol. Thou didst faint at first fetting pleads Chri- out, when thou was almoft choaked in tian's Infir- the Gulph of Defpond; thou didst attempt milies against wrong Ways to be rid of thy Burden,

bim.

whereas thou fhouldeft have ftayed 'till

thy Prince had taken it off. Thou didft finfully fleep, and lofe thy choice Things. Thou waft alfo almoft perfuaded to go back at the Sight of the Lions: And when thou

2