the House for they would have shewed you so many 〈◊〉 that you would scarce 〈◊〉 forgot them to the day of your death But pray tell me did you meet no body 〈◊〉 the Valley of Humility Faith 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 with one Discontent who would willingly have perswaded me to go back again with 〈◊〉 his reason was 〈◊〉 that the 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 without Honour he told me moreover That there to go was the way to disobey all my 〈◊〉 as Pride Arogancy Self-Conceit worldly Glory with others who he knew as he said would be very much offended if I made such a Fool of my self as to wade through this Valley Chr. Well and how did you answer him Faith I told him That although all these that he named might claim kindred 〈◊〉 me and that rightly for 〈◊〉 they were my Relations according to the 〈◊〉 yet since 〈◊〉 came a Pilgrim they have disowned me as I also have rejected them and therefore they were to me now no more then if they had never been of my Linage I told him moreover That as to this Valley he had quite miss-represented the thing for before Honour is Humility and a haughty spirit before a fall Therefore said I I had rather go through this 〈◊〉 to the Honour that was so accounted by the wisest then chuse that which he esteemed most worth our asfections Chr. Met you with nothing else in that Valley Faith Yes I met with Shame But of all the Men that I met 〈◊〉 in my Pilgrimage he I think bears the wrong name the other would be said nay after after a little argumentation and some what else but this bold faced 〈◊〉 would never have done Chr. Why what did he say to you Faith What! why he objected against Religion it self he said it was a pitiful low 〈◊〉 business for a Man to mind Religion he said that a tender conscience was an un-manly thing and that for a Man to watch over his words and ways so as to tye up himself from that hectoring liberty that the brave spirits of the times accustom themselves unto would make me the Ridicule of the times He ob ected also that but few of the Mighty Rich or Wise were ever of my 〈◊〉 nor any of them before they were perswaded to be Fools and to be of a voluntary fondness to venture the loss of 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 body else knows what He moreover objected the base and low estate and condition of 〈◊〉 that were chiefly the Pilgrims of the 〈◊〉 in which they lived 〈◊〉 their ignorance and want of understanding in all natural Science Yea he did hold me to it at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 about a great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then here I relate as that it was a shame to sit whining and mourning 〈◊〉 a Sermon and a 〈◊〉 to come sighing and 〈◊〉 home That it was a shame to ask my 〈◊〉 forgiveness for petty faults or to make restitution where I had taken from any He said also that Religion made a man grow strange to the great because of a few vices which he called by finer names and made him own and respect the base because of the same Religious fraternity And is not this said he a shame Chr. And what 〈◊〉 you say to him Faith Say I could not tell what to say at the first Yea he put me so to it that my blood came up in my face even this Shame 〈◊〉 it up and had almost beat me quite off But at last I began to consider That that which is 〈◊〉 esteemed among Men is had in abomination with God And I thought again This Shame tells me what men are but it tells me nothing what God or the word of God is And I thought moreover That at the day of docm we shall not be doomed to death or life according to the 〈◊〉 spirits of the world but according to the Wisdom and Law of the Highest Therefore thought I what God fays is best is best though all the Men in the world are against it Seeing then that God prefers his 〈◊〉 seeing God prefers a tender Conscience seeing they that make themselves Fools for the Kingdom of Heaven are wisest and that the poor that loveth Christ is richer then the 〈◊〉 Man in the world that hates him Shame depaâ—…t thou art an â—…y to my Salvation shall I entertain thee against my Soveraign Lord How then shall I look him in the face at his coming Should I now be 〈◊〉 of his wavs and Servants how can I expect the blessing But indeed this Shame was a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I could scarcâ—… shake him out of my company yea he would be hauntâ—…g of me and continually 〈◊〉 me in the car with some one or other of the 〈◊〉 that aâ—…nd Râ—…ion but at last I told him 'T was but in vain to attempt further in thâ—…s business for those things that he disdained in those did I see most glory And so at last I got past this importunate one The tryals that those men do meet withal That aâ—…e obediont to the Heavenly call Are manifold and suited 〈◊〉 the flesh And come and come and come again afresh That now or somtime else we by them may Be taken overcome and cast away O let the Pilgrims let the Pilgrims then Be vigilant and quit themselves like men Chr. I am glad my Brother that thou didst withstand this Villain so bravely for of all as thou sayst I think he has the wrong name for he is so bold as to follow us in the Streets and tâ—… attempt to put us to shame before all men that is to make us ashamed of that which is good but if he was not himself audacious he would never at empt to do as he does but let us still resist him for notwithstanding all his Bravadoes he promoteth the Fool and none else The Wise shall Inherit Glory said Solomon but shame shall be the promotion of Fools Faith I think we must cry to him for help against shame that would have us be valtant for the Truth upon the Earth Chr. Iou say true But did you meet no body else in that Valley Faith No not I for I had Sun-shine all the rest of the way through that and also through the Valley of the shadow of death Chr. 'T was well for you I am sure it â—…ed fâ—…r otherwise with me I had for a long sâ—…ason as soon almost as I entred into that Valley a dreadful Combat with that foul â—…nd Apollyon Yea I thought verily he would have killed me especially when he got me down and crusht me under him as if he would have crusht me to pieces For as he threw me my Sword flew out of my hand nay he told me He was sure of me but I crieâ—… to God and he heard me and delivered me out of all my troubles Then I entred into the Valâ—…ey of the shadow of death and had no light for almost half the way through it I thought
believed I had not come thus far to seek But finding none and yet I should had there been such a place to be found for I have gone to seek it further then you I am going back again and will seek to refresh my self with the things that I then cast away for hopes of that which I now see is not Chr. Then said Christian to Hopeful his Fellow Is it true which this man hath said Hopef. Take heed he is one of the Flatterers remember what it hath cost us once already for our harkning to such kind of Fellows What! no Mount Sion Did we not see from the delectable Mountains the Gaâ—… of the City Also are we not now to walk by Faith Let us go on said Hopeful left the man with the Whip overtakes us again You should have taught me that Lesson which I will round you in the â—…ars w. thall Cease my Son to hear the Instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge I say my Brother cease to hear him and lot us believe to the saving of the Soul Chr. My Brother I did not put the question to thee for that I doubted of the Truth of our belief my self But to prove thee and to fetch from thee a fruit of the honesty of thy heart As for this man I know that he is blinded by the god of this World Let thee and I go on knowing that we have belief of the Truth and no lie is of the Truth Hopef. Now do I rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God So they turned away from the man and he Laughing at them went his way I saw then in my Dream that they went till they came into a certain Countrey whose Air naturally tended to make one drowsie if he came a stranger into it And here Hopeful began to be very dull and heavy of sleep wherefore he said unto Christian I do now begin to grow so drowsie that I can scâ—…cely hold up mine eyes let us lie down here and take one Nap. Chr. By no means said the other lest sleeping we never awake more Hopef. Why my Brother sleep is sweet to the Labouring man we may be refreshed if we take a Nap. Chr. Do you not remember that one of the Shepherds bid us beware of the 〈◊〉 ground He meant by that that we should beware of sleeping wherefore let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober Hopef. I acknowledge my self in fault and had I been here alone I had by sleeping run the danger of of death I see it is true that the wise man saith Two are better then one Hitherto hath thy Company been my mercy and thou shalt have a good reward for thy labour Chr. Now tâ—…en said Christian to prevent drowsiness in this place let let us fall into good discourse Hopef. With all my heart said the other Chr. Where shall we begin Hopef. Where God began with us But do you begin if you please When Saints do sleepy grow let them come hither And hear how these two Pilgrims talk together Ye a let them learn of them in any wise Thus to keep ope their drowsie slumbring eyes Saints fellowship if it be manag'd well Keeps them awake and that in spite of hell Chr. Then Christian began and said I will ask you a question How came you to think at first of doing as you do now Hopef. Do you mean How came I at first to look after the good of my Soul Chr. Yes that is my meaning Hopef. I continued a great while in the delight of those things which were seen and sold at our fair things which as I believe now would have had I continued in them still drownded me in perdition and destruction Chr. What things were they Hopef. All the Treasures and Riches of the World Also I delighted much in Rioting Revelling Drinking Swearing Lying Uneleanness Sabbath-breaking and what not that tended to destroy the Soul But I found at last by hearing and considering of things that are Divine which indeed I heard of you as also of beloved Faithful that was put to death for his Faith and good-living in Vanityfair That the end of these things is death And that for these things sake the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience Chr. And did you presently fall under the power of this conviction Hopef. No I was not willing presently to know the evil of sin nor the damnation that follows upon the commission of it but endeavoured when my mind at first began to be shaken with the word to shut mine eyes against the light thereof Chr. But what was the cause of your carrying of it thus to the first workings of Gods blessed Spirit upon you Hopef The causes were 1. I was ignorant that this was the work of God upon me I never thought that by awaknings for sin God at first begins the conversion of a sinner 2. Sin was yet very sweet to my flâ—…sh and I was loth to leave iâ—… 3. I could not tell how to part with mine old Companions their presence and actions were so desirable unto me 4. The hours in which convictions were upon me were such troublesome and such heart-affrighting hours that I could not bear no not so much as the remembrance of them upon my heart Chr. Then asâ—…it seems sometimes you got rid of your trouble Hopef. Yes verily but it would come into my mind again and then I should be as bad nay worse then I was before Chr. Why what was it that brought your sins to mind again Hopef. Many things As 1. If I did but meet a good man in the Streets or 2. If I have heard any read in the Bible or 3. If mine Head did begin to Ake or 4. I were told that some of my Neighbours were sick or 5. If I heard the Bell Toull for some that were dead or 6. If I thought of dying my self or 7. If I heard that suddain death happened to others 8. But especially when I thought of my self that I must quickly come to Judgement Chr. And could you at any time with â—…ase get off the guilt of sin when by any of these wayes it came upon you Hopef. No not latterly for then they got faster hold of my Conscience And then if I did but think of going back to sin though my mind was turned against it it would be double torment to me Chr. And how dâ—…dyou you do then Hopef. I thought I must endeavour to mend my lâ—…e for else thought I I am sure to be damned Chr. And did you indeavour to mend Hopef. Yes and flâ—…d from not only my sins but sinful Company too and betook me to Religious Duties as Praying Reading wâ—…eping for Sin speaking Truth to my Neighbours c. Thâ—…se things I did with many others too much hâ—…e to relate Chr. And did you think your self well
Men of this World and Patience of the Men of that which is to come For as here thou seest Passion will have all now this year that is to say in this World So are the Men of this World they must have all their good things now they cannot stay till next Year that is untill the next World for their Portion of good That Proverb A Bird in the Hand is worth two in the Bush is of more Authority with them then are all the Divine Testimonies of the good of the World to come But as thou sawest that he had quickly lavished all away and had presently left him nothing but Raggs So will it be with all such Men at the end of this World Ch. Then said Christian Now I see that Patience has the best Wisdom and that upon many accounts 1. Because he stays for the best things 2. And also because he will have the Glory of His when the other hath nothing but Raggs In. Nay you may add another to wit The glory of the next World will never wear out but these are suddenly gone Therefore Passion had not so much reason to laugh at Patience because he had his good things first as Patience will have to laugh at Passion because he had his best things last for first must give place to last because last must have his time to come but last gives place to nothing for there is not another to succeed he therefore that hath his Portion first must needs have a time to spend it but he that has his Portion last must have it lastingly Therefore it is said of Dives In thy life-time thou hadest or receivedest thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things But now he is comforted and 〈◊〉 art tormented Ch. Then I perceive 't is not best to covet things that are now but to wait for things to come In. You say the Truth For the things thaâ—… are seen are Temporal but the things that are not seen are Eternal But though this be so yet since things present and our fleshly appetite are such near Neighbours one to another and again because things to come and carnal sense are such strangers one to another therefore it is that the first of these so suddenly fall into amity and that distance is so continued between the second Then I saw in my Dream that the Interpreter took Christian by the hand and led him into a place where was a Fire burning against a Wall and one standing by it always casting much Water upon it to quench it Yet did the Fire burn higher and hotter Then said Christian What means this The Interpreter answered This fire is â—…e work of Grace that is wrought in the heart he that casts Water upon it to extinguish and put it out is the Devil but in that thou seest the fire notwithstanding burn higher and hotter thou shalt also see the reason of that So he had him about to the back side of the Wall where he saw a Man with a Vessel of Oyl in his hand of the which he did also continually cast but secretly into the fire Then said Christian What means this The Interpreter answered This is Christ who continually with the Oyl ofhis 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 still And in that thou sawest that the Man stood behind the Wall to maintain the fire this is to teach thee that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of Grace is maintained in the soul. I saw also that the Interpreter took him again by the hand and led him into a pleasant place where was builded a stately Palace beautiful to behold at the sight of which Christian was greatly delighted he saw also upon the top thereof certain Persons walked who were cloathed all in Gold Then said Christian May we go in thither Then the Interpreter took him and led him up toward the door of the Palace and behold at the door stood a great Company of men as desirous to go in but durst not There also sat 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 should enter therein He saw also that in the door-way stood many Men in Armour to keep it being resolved to do to the Man that would enter what hurt and mischief they could Now was Christian somwhat in a muse at last when every Man started back for fear of the Armed Men Christian saw a Man of a very stout countenance come up to the Man that sat there to write saying Set down my name Sir the which when he had done he saw 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 discouraged fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely so after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out he cut his way through them all and pressed forward into the Palace at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within even of the Three that walked upon the top of the Palace Come in Come in Eternal Glory thou shalt win So he went in and was cloathed with such Garments as they Then Christian smiled and said I think verily I â—…now the meaning of this Now said Christian let me go hence Nay stay said the Interpreter till I have shewed 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 sat a Man in an Iron Cage Now the Man to look on seemed very sad he sat with his eyes looking down to the ground his hands â—…olded together and he sighed as if he would break his heart â—…hen said Christian What means this At which the Interpreter bid him talk with the Man Chr. Then said Christian to the Man What art thou The Man answered I am what I was not once Chr. What wast thou once Man The Man said I was once a fair and flourishing Professor both in mine own eyes and also in the eyes of others I once was as I thought fair for the Coelestial 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 shut up in it as in this Iron Cage I cannot get out O now I cannot Chr. But how camest thou in this condition Man I left off to watch and be sober I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts I sinned 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
is sufficient for thee Then I said But Lord what is believing And then I saw from that saying He thâ—… cometh to me shâ—…l never hunger and 〈◊〉 that believeth on 〈◊〉 shall never thirst That believing and coming was all one and that he that came that is run out in his heart and affections after salvation by Christ he indeed believed in Christ. Then the water stood in mine eyes and I asked further But Lord may such a great sinner as I am be indeed accepted of thee and be saved by thee And I heard him say And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Then I said But how Lord must I consider of thee in my coming to thee that my faith may be placed aright upon thee Then he said Christ Jesus 〈◊〉 into the World to save sinners He is the 〈◊〉 of the Law for righteousness to every one that believes He died for 〈◊〉 sins and rose again for our justification He loved us and washed us frâ—… our siâ—…s in his own blood He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 between God and us He ever liâ—… to 〈◊〉 intercession for us From all which I gathered that I must look for righteousness in his person and for satisfaction for my sins by his blood that what he did in obedience to his Fathers Law and in submitting to the penalty thereof was not for himself but for him that will accept it for his Salvation and be thankful And now was my heart full of joy mine eyes full of tears and mine affections running over with love to the Name People and Ways of Jesus Christ. Chr. This was a Revelation of Christ to your soul indeed But tell me particularly what effect this hâ—…d upon your spirit Hopef. It made me see that all the World notwithstanding all the righteousness thereof is in a state of condemnation It made me see that God the Father though he be just can justly justifie the coming sinner It made me greatly ashamed of the vileness of my former life and confounded me with the sence of mine own Ignorance for there never came thought into mine heart before now that shewed me so the beauty of Jesus Christ. It made me love a holy life and long to do something for the Honour and Glory of the name of the Lord Jesus Yea I thought that had I now a thousand gallons of blood in my body I could spill it all for the sake of the Lord Jesus I then saw in my Dream that Hopeful looked back and saw Ignorance whom they had left behind coming after Look said he to Christian how far yonder Youngster lâ—…reth behind Chr. Ay Ay I see him he careth not for our Company Hopef. But I tro it would not have hurt him had he kept pace with us hitherto Chr. That 's true but I warrant you he thinketh otherwise Hope That I think he doth but however let us tarry for him So they did Then Christian said to him Come away man why do you stay so behind Igno. I take my pleasure in walking alone even more a great deal then in Company unless I like it the better Then said Christian to Hopeful but softly Did I not tell you he cared â—…t for our Company But however come up and let us talk away the time in this solitary place Then directing his Speech to Ignorance he said Come how do you how stands it between God and your Soul now Ignor. I hope well for I am al ways â—…ull of good motions that come into my mind to comfort me as I walk Chr. What good motions pray tell us Ignor. Why I think of God and Heaven Chr. So do the Devils and damned Souls Ignor. But I think of them and desire them Chr. So do many that are never like to come there The Soul of the Sluggard desires and hath nothing Ignor. But I think of them and leave all for them Chr. That I doubt for leaving of all is an hard matter yea a harder matter then many are aware of But why or by what art thou perswaded that thou hast left all for God and Heaven Ignor. My heart tells me so Chr. The wise man sayes He that trusts his own heart is a fool Ignor. That is spoken of an evil heart but mine is a good one Chr. But how dost thou prove that Ignor. It comforts me in the hopes of Heaven Chr. That may be through its deceitfulness for a mans heart may 〈◊〉 ster comfort to him in the hopes of that thing for which he yet has no ground to hope Ignor. But my heart and life agree together and therefore my hope is well grounded Chr. Who told thee that thy heart and life agrees together Ignor. My heart tells me so Chr. Ask 〈◊〉 Fellow if I be a Thief Thy heart tells thee so Except the word of God beareth witness in this matter other Testimony is of no value Ignor. But is it not a good heart that has good thoughts And is not that a good liâ—…e that is according to Gods Commandments Chr. Yes That is a good heart that hath good thoughts and that is a good life that is according to Gods Commandments But it is one thing indeed to have 〈◊〉 and another thing only to think so Ignor. Pray what count you good thoughts and a life according to Gods Commandments Chr. There are good thoughts of divers kinds some respecting our selves 〈◊〉 God some Christ and some other things Ignor. What be good thoughts respecting our selves Chr. Such as agree with the Word of God Ignor. When does our thoughts of our selves agree with the Word of God Chr. When we pass the same Judgement upòn our selves whâ—…ch the Word passes To explain my self The Word of God saith of persons in a natâ—…ral condition There is none Righteous there is none that doth good It saith also That every imagination of the heart of man is only evil and that continually And again The imagination of mans heart is evil from his Youth Now then when we think thus of our selves â—…aving sense thereof then are our thoughts good ones because according to the Word of Gâ—…d Ignor. I will never believe that my heart is thus bad Chr. Therefore thou never badst one good thought concerning thy self in thy life But let me go on As the Word passeth a 〈◊〉 upon our HEART so it 〈◊〉 a Judgement upon 〈◊〉 WAYS and when our thoughts of our HEARTS and WAYS agree with the Judgmâ—…nt which the Wâ—…rd giveth of both then are both good because agreeing thereto Ignor. Make out your meaning Chr. Why the Word of God saith That mans ways are crooked ways not good but perverse It saith they are naturally out of the good way that they have not known it Now when 〈◊〉 man thus thinketh of his ways I say when 〈◊〉 doth sensibly and with heaâ—…d-â—…militation thus think then hath 〈◊〉 good thoughts of his own ways because his thoughts now
Without all doubt it dot 〈◊〉 if it be right for so says the word The fear of thâ—… Lord is the beginning of Wisdom Hopef. How will you describe right fear Chr. True or right fear is discovered by three things 1. By its rise It is caused by saving convictions for sin 2. It driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for Salvation 3. It begetteth and continueth in the soul a great reverence of God his word and ways keeping 〈◊〉 tender and making it afraid to turn from them to the right hand or to the left to any thing that may dishonour God break its peace grieve the Spirit or cause the Enemy to speak reproachfully Hopef. Well said I believe you have said the truth Are we now almost got past the Inchanted ground Chr. Why are you weary of this discourse Hopef. No verily but that I would know where we are Chr. We have not now above two Miles further to go thereon But let us return to our matter Now the Ignorant know not that such convictions that tend to put them in fear are for their good and therefore they seek to stifle them Hopef. How do they seek to stifle them Chr. 1. They think that those fears are wrought by the Devil though indeed they are wrought of God and thinking so they resist them as things that directly tend to their overthrow 2. They also think that these fears tend to the spoiling of their faith when alas for them poor men that they are they have none at all and therefore they harden their hearts against them 3. They presume they ought not to fear and therefore in despite of them wax presumptuously confident 4. They see that these 〈◊〉 tend to take away from them theâ—… pitiful old self-holiness and therefore they resist them with all their might Hope I know something of this my self for before I knew my self it was so with me Chr. Well we will leave at this tim eour Neighbour Ignorance by him-himself and fall upon another profit able question Hopef. With all my heart but you shall still begin Chr. Well then Did you not know about ten years ago one Temporary in your parts who was a forward man in Religion then Hope Know himâ—… Yes he dwelt in Graceless a Town about two miles off of Honesty and he dwelt next door to one Turn-back Chr. Right he dwelt under the saâ—… roof with him Well that man was much awakened once I believe that then he had some fight of his sins and of the wages that was 〈◊〉 thereto Hâ—…e I am of your mind for my Hâ—…se not being above three mileâ—… from him he would ost times come to me and that with many tears Truly I pitied the man and was not altogether without hope of him 〈◊〉 one may 〈◊〉 it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one that cries Lorâ—… 〈◊〉 Chr. He told me 〈◊〉 That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 resolved to go on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but all of a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Hope Now 〈◊〉 we are 〈◊〉 about him let us a little enquire into the reason of the 〈◊〉 backâ—…ding of him and such others Chr. It 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 proâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yoâ—… 〈◊〉 Hope Well then there are in my judgement four reasons for it 1. Though the 〈◊〉 of such 〈◊〉 are awakenâ—…d yet their 〈◊〉 are not changed thereâ—… when the powâ—… of guilt 〈◊〉 away that which provoked them to be Religious ceaseth Wherefore they 〈◊〉 turn to their own course again even 〈◊〉 we see the Dog that is sick of what he hath eaten so 〈◊〉 as his sickness 〈◊〉 he vomits and 〈◊〉 up all not that he doth this of a free mind if we may say a Dog has a mind but because it troubleth his Stomach but now 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 over and so his Stomach eased his desires being not at all alienate from his vomit he turns him about and licks upall And so it is true which is written The Dog is turned to his own vomit again This I say being hot for Heaven by virtue only of the sense and fear of the torments of Hell as their sense of Hell and the fears of damnation chills and cools so their desires for Heaven and Salvation cool also So then it comes to pass that when their guilt and fear is gone their desires for Heaven and Happiness die and they return to their course again 2ly Another reason is They have slavish fears that do over-master them I speak now of the fears that they have of men For the fear of mâ—…n bringeth a snare So then though they seem to be hot for Heaven so long as the flames of Hell are about their ears yet when that terrour is a little over they betake themselves to second thoughts namely that 't is good to be wise and not to run for they know not what the hazard of loosing all or at least of bringing themselves into unavoidable and un-necessary troubles and so they fall in with the world again 3ly The shame that attends Religion lies also as a block in their way they are proud and haughty and Religion in thâ—…ir eye is low and contemptible Therefore when they have lost their sense of Hell and wrath to come they return again to their former course 4ly Guilt and to meditate terrour are grievous to them they like not to see their misery before they come into it Though perhaps the sight of it first if they loved that sight might make them flie whither the righteous flie and are safe but because they do as I hinted before even shun the thoughts of guilt and terrour therefore when once they are rid of their awakenings about the terrors and wrath of God they harden their hearts gladly and chuse such ways as will harden them more and more Chr. You are pretty near the business for the bottom of all is for want of a change in their mind and will And therefore they are but like the Fellon that standeth before the Judge he quakes and trembles and seems to repent most heartily but the bottom of all is the fear of the 〈◊〉 not of any detestation of the offence as is evident because let but this man have his liberty and he will be a Tâ—…ief and so a Rogue still whereas if his mind was changed he would be otherwise Hope Now I have shewed you the reasons of their going back do you shew me the manner thereof Chr. So I will willingly 1. They draw off their thoughts all that they may from the remembrance of God Death and Judgement to come 2. Then they cast off by degrees private Duties as Closet-Prayer curbing their lusts watching sorrow for sin and the like 3. Then they shun the company of lively and warm Christians 4. After that they grow cold to publick Duty as Hearing Râ—…ading Godly Confeâ—…ence and the like 5. Then they beginto pick holes as we say in the
should die in that River and never obtain entrance in at the Gate here also as they that stood by 〈◊〉 he was much in the troublesome thoughts of the sins that he had committed both since and before he began to be a Pilgrim 'T was also observed that he was troubled with apparitions of Hogoblins and Evil Spirits For ever and anon he would intimate so much by words Hopeful therefore here had much adoe to keep his Brothers head above water yea sometimes he would be quite gone down and then ere a while he would rise up again half dead Hopeful also would endeavour to comfort him 〈◊〉 Brother I see the Gate and men 〈◊〉 by it to receive us But Christian would answer 'T is you 't is you they wait for you have been Hopeful ever since I knew you and so have you said he to Christian. Ah Brother said he surely if I was right he would now arise to help me but sor my sins he hath brought me into the snare and hath left me Then said Hopeful My Brother you have quite forgot the Text where it s said of the wicked There is no band in their death but their strength is firm they are not troubled as other men neithet are they plagued like other men These troubles and 〈◊〉 that you go through in these Waters are no sign that God hath forsaken you but are sent to try you whether you will call to mind that which heretofore you have received of his goodness and live upon him in your distresses Then I saw in my Dream that Christian was as in a muse a while To whom also Hopeful added this word Be of good chear Jesus Christ maketh 〈◊〉 whole And with that Christian brake out with a loud voice Oh I see him again and he tells me When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the Rivers they shall not overflow thee Then they both took courage and the enemy was after that as 〈◊〉 as a stone untill they were gone over Christian therefore presently sound ground to stand upon and so it followed that the rest of the River was but shallow Thus they got over Now upon the bank of the River on the other side they saw the two 〈◊〉 men again who there waited for them Wherefore being come up out of the River 〈◊〉 saluted them saying We are 〈◊〉 Spirits sent forth to minister for those that shall be Heirs of Salvation Thus they went along towards the Gate now you must note that the City stood upon a mighty hill but the Pilgrims went up that hill with ease because they had these two men to lead them up by the Arms also they had left their Mortal Garments behind them in the River for though they went in with them they came out without them They therefore went up here with much agility and speed though the foundation upon which the City was 〈◊〉 was higher then the Clouds They thâ—…refore went up through the Râ—…gions of the Air sweetly talking as they went being comforted because they safely got oâ—…er the River and had such glorious Companions to attend them The talk they had with the shining Ones was about the Glory of the place who told them that the beauty and glory of it was inexpressible Therâ—… said they is the Mount Sion the Heavenly Jerusalem the inumerable Company of Angels and the Spirits of Just men made perfect You are going now said they to the Paradiâ—…e of God wherein you shall see the Tree of Life and eat of the never-fading fruits thereof And when you come there you shall have white Robes given you aâ—…d your walk and talk shall be every day with the King even all the days of Eternity There you shall not see again such things as â—…ou saw when you were in the lower Region upon the Earth to wit sorrow sickness affliction and death for the formâ—…r things are passed away You are going now to Abraham to Jacob and Jacob and to the ProProphets men that God hath taken away from the evil to come and that are now resting upon their Beds each one walking in his tighteousness The men then asked What must we do in the holy place To whom it was answered You must there receive the comfort of all your toil and have joy for all your sorrow you must reap what you have sown even the fruit of all your Prayers and Tears and sufferings for the King by the way In that place you must wear Crowns of Gold and enjoy the perpetual sight and Visions of the Holy One for there you shall see him as he is There also you shall serve him continually with praise with shouting and thanksgiving whom you desired to serve in the World though with much difficulty because of the infirmity of your flesh There your eyes shall be delighted with seeing and your ears with hearing the pleasant â—…oice of the mighty One. There you shall enjoy your friends again that are got thither before you and there you shall with joy receive even every one that follows into the Holy Place after you There also you shall be 〈◊〉 with Glory and Majesty and put into an equipage fit to ride out with the King of Gloâ—…y When he shall come with sound of Trumpet in the Clouds as upon the wings of the Wind you shall come with him and when he shall sit upon the Throne of Judgement you shall sit by him yea and when he shall pass Sentence upon all the workers of Iniquity let them be Angels or Men you also shall have a voice in that Judgement because they were his and your Enemies Also when he shall again return to the City you shall go too with sound of Trumpet and be ever with him Now while they were thus drawing towards the Gate be hold a company of the 〈◊〉 Host came out to meet them To whom it was said by the other two shining Ones These are the men that have loved our Lord when they were in the World and that have left all for his holy Name and he hath sent us to setch them and we have brought them thus far on their desired Journey that they may go in and look their Redeemer in the face with joy Then the Heavenly Host gave a great shout saying Blessed are they that are called to the Marriage supper of the Lamb and thâ—…s they came up to the Gate Now when they were come up to the Gatâ—… there was written over it in Letters of Gold Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the Tree of life and may enter in through the Gates into the City Then I saw in my Dream that the shining men bid them call at the Gate the which when they did some from above looked over the Gate to wit Enoch Moses and Elijah c. to whom it was said These