This Valley of Humiliation is of itself as fruitful a place as any the crows fly over; and, I am persuaded, if we could hit upon it, we might find, somewhere hereabout, something that might give us an account why Christian was so hardly beset in this place.

Then James said to his mother, Lo, yonder stands a pillar, and it looks as if somewhat was written thereon; let us go and see what it is. So they went, and found there written, "Let Christian's slips, before he came hither, and the battles that he met with in this place, be a warning to those that come after." Lo, said their guide, did I not tell you there was something hereabouts that would give intimation of the reason why Christian was so hard beset in this place? Then turning to Christiana, he said, No disparagement to Christian, more than to many others whose hap and lot it was. For it is easier going up

than down this hill, and that can be said but of few hills in all these parts of the world. But we will leave the good man: he is at rest; he also had a brave victory over his enemy: may He that dwelleth above, grant that we fare not worse, when we come to be tried, than he. But we will come again to this Valley of Humiliation. It is the best and most fruitful piece of ground in all these parts. It is fat

Valley of Humiliation; and how comfortable it is to know, that "like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them who fear him!" s. ciii. 13. Jesus is proving you and trying you, that by every trial he may show you what is in you, that you may see that you are wholly and solely indebted to his arm that brought salvation to you, and that wrought every deliverance for you, that you may ever glory in him, and give all glory to him, for his loving kindness and tender mercy to such a miserable sinher as you are, and to such an unprofitable servant as you ever will be.

ground, and, as you see, consisteth much in meadows; and if a man were to come here in the summer-time, as we do now, if he knew not any thing before thereof, and if he also delighted himself in the sight of his eyes, he might see that which would be delightful to him. Behold how green this valley is; also how beautiful with lilies.* I have known many labouring men that have got good estates in the Valley of Humiliation (for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble); for indeed it is a very fruitful soil, and doth bring forth by handfuls. Some also have wished, that the next way to their Father's house were here, that they might be troubled no more with either hills or mountains to go over: but the way is the way, and there's an end. (b)

Now as they were going along, and talking, they espied a boy feeding his father's sheep. The boy was in very mean clothes, but of a fresh and well-favoured countenance; and, as he sat by himself, he sung. Hark, said Mr. Great-heart, to what the

Song ii. 1. James iv. 6. 1 Pet. v. 5.

(b) Though this valley of humiliation, or a clear sight and abidng sense of the sinfulness of our nature, and the wickedness of our hearts, may be very terrifying to the pilgrims, after they have been favoured with peace and joy, and comforted by the views of faith and hope: yet it is a very safe place, and though at first entering into it, and seeing more of themselves than was ever before showed them, they may fear and tremble; yet, after some time continuing here, they are more reconciled and contented: for here they find the visits of their Lord; and, in the depths of their humility, they behold the heights of his love, and the depths of his mercy, and cry out with joy, Where sin abounds, grace superabounds. Though sin abounds in me, the grace of Jesus superabounds towards me. Though I am emptied of all, yet I have an inexhaustible fulness in Jesus to supply me with all I want, and all I hope for.

shepherd's boy saith. So they hearkened, and he

said,

"He that is down, needs fear no fall;

He that is low, no pride:

He that is humble, ever shall

Have God to be his guide.

"I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much;

And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because thou savest such.

"Fulness to such a burden is,
That go on pilgrimage;
Here little, and hereafter bliss,
Is best from age to age."

Then said the guide, Do you hear him? I will dare to say, this boy lives a merrier life, and wears more of the heart's-ease in his bosom, than he that is clad in silk and velvet-but we will proceed in our discourse. In this valley our Lord formerly had his country-house: he loved much to be here: he loved also to walk in these meadows; and he found the air was pleasant. Besides, here, a man shall be free from the noise and the hurryings of this life: all states are full of noise and confusion, only the Valley of Humiliation is that empty and solitary place. Here a man shall not be let and hindered in his contemplation, as in the other places he is apt to be. This is a valley that nobody walks in, but those that love a pilgrim's life. And though Christian had the hard hap to meet here with Apollyon, and to enter with him into a brisk encounter, yet I must tell you that, in former times, men have met with angels here, have found pearls here, and have in this