felf, betwixt flesh and the fpirit. Wherefore, good Master Standfast, be as your name is, and when you have done all, ftand. At this discourse there was among the pilgrims a mixture of joy and trembling; but at length they brake out and fang: What danger is the pilgrim in! How many are his foes! How many ways there are to fin, No living mortal knows. Some in the ditch are spoil'd, and can Lie tumbling in the mire; Some, though they fhun the frying-pan, After this, I beheld until they came unto the land of Beulah, where the fun fhineth night and day. Here, because they were weary, they betook themfelves a while to reft. And because this country was common for pilgrims, and because the orchards and vineyards which were here belonged to the King of the celeftial country, therefore they were licensed to make bold with any of his things. But in a fhort time they foon refreshed themfelves here; for the bells did fo ring, and the trumpets did continually found fo melodiously, that they could not sleep; and yet they received as much refreshment as if they had flept their fleep never fo foundly. Here alfo all the noise of them who walked in the ftreets was, More pilgrims are come to town. And another would anfwer, faying, So many went over the wa ter, ter, and were let in at the golden gates to-day. Again, they would cry, There is now a legion of fhining ones juft come to town: by which we know that there are more pilgrims upon the road; for here they come to wait for them, and comfort them after their forrow. Then the pilgrims got up, and walked to and fro: but how were their eyes now filled with celestial visions? In this land they heard nothing, faw nothing, felt nothing, fmelt nothing, tafted nothing, which was offenfive to their ftomach or mind; only when they tafted the water of the river, over which they were to go, they thought that it tafted a little bitterish to the palate, but it proved sweet when it was down. In this place there was a record kept of the names of them who had been pilgrims of old, and a hiftory of all the famous acts which they had done. It was here also much difcourfed on, how the river to fome had its flowings; and what ebbings it has had while others have gone over": how it has been in a manner dry for fome; while it has overflowed its banks for others. In this place, the children of the town would go into the King's gardens, and gather nosegays for the pilgrims, which they would bring to them with affection. Here also grew camphire, and spikenard, "The dying teftimony of departing Chriftians, and their various experiences, are not only profitable, but pleafing. The difference clearly proves the fovereignty of God in the dispenfations of his grace. faffron, faffron, calamus, and cinnamon; with all trees of frankincenfe, myrrh, and aloes, with all chief fpices. With these the pilgrims' chambers were perfumed while they ftaid here; and with these their bodies were anointed, to prepare them to go over the river, when the time appointed was come. Now while they lay here waiting for the good hour, there was a noise in the town, that there was a poft come from the celeftial city, with matters of great importance to one Chriftiana, the wife of Chriftian the pilgrim. Inquiry was made for her, and when the house was found out where fhe was, the post presented her with a letter: the contents were, Hail, good woman! I bring thee tidings, that the Mafter calleth for thee, and expecteth that thou shouldest stand in his presence, in clothes of immortality, within these ten days. her When he had read this letter to her, he gave therewith a true token that he was a true meffenger, and was come to bid her make hafte to be gone. The token was, An arrow fharpened with love, let eafily into her heart, which, by degrees, wrought fo effectually with her, that at the time appointed fhe must be gone. When Chriftiana faw that her time was come, and that she was the first of this company who was to go over, fhe called for Mr. Great-heart, her guide, and told him how matters were. He told her he was heartily glad of the news, and could have been glad had the poft come for him. Then fhe bid bid him give advice how all things fhould be prepared for her journey. So he told her, faying, Thus and thus it must be, and we that furvive will accompany you to the river fide. Then she called for her children, and gave them her bleffing, and told them, that she had read with comfort the mark which was fet in their foreheads, and was glad to see them with her there, and to fee that they had kept their garments fo white. Lastly, she bequeathed to the poor what little fhe had, and commanded her fons and daughters to be ready against the meffenger fhould come for them. When she had spoken these words to her guide and to her children, fhe called for Mr. Valiant-fortruth, and faid unto him, Sir, you have in all places fhewed yourself true-hearted; be faithful unto death, and my King will give you a crown of glory. I would also entreat you to have an eye to my children; and if at any time you see them faint, speak comfortably to them. For my daughters, my fons' wives, they have been faithful, and a fulfilling of the promise unto them will certainly be their end. But she gave Mr. Standfast a ring. Then fhe called for old Mr. Honeft, and faid of him, "Behold an Ifraelite indeed, in whom is no guile." Then said he, I wish you a fair day; and when you fet out for Mount Sion, I fhall be glad to fee that you go over the river dry-shod. But fhe answered, Come wet, come dry, I long to be gone; for however the weather is in my journey, I fhall shall have time enough when I come there to fit down and rest me, and dry me. Then came in the good man, Mr. Ready-tohalt, to fee her. So fhe faid to him, Thy travel hitherto has been with difficulty; but that will make thy reft the sweeter. Watch and be ready; for at an hour when you think not, the meffenger may come. After him came Mr. Defpondency, and his daughter Much-afraid. To them she said, You ought with thankfulness, for ever, to remember your déliverance from the hand of giant Defpair, and out of Doubting-Castle. The effect of that mercy is, that you are brought with fafety hither. Be yet watchful, and cast away fear; be sober, and hope to the end. Then fhe faid to Mr. Feeble-mind, Thou wast delivered from the mouth of giant Slay-good, that thou mightest live in the light of the living for ever, and fee the King with comfort. I advise thee to repent of thy aptnefs to fear and to doubt of his goodness, before he fends for thee; left thou shouldeft, when he comes, be forced to ftand before him for that fault with blushing. Now the day drew on, that Chriftiana must be gone. The road was full of people, to fee her take her journey and behold, all the banks beyond the river were full of horfes and chariots, which were come down from above, to accompany her to the city gate. So fhe came forth, and entered the river with |