to work in her mind. First, for that she had lost her husband, and for that the loving bond of that relation was utterly broken betwixt them. For you know, said he to me, nature can do no less but entertain the living with many a heavy cogitation, in the remembrance of the loss of loving relations. This, therefore, of her husband did cost her many a tear. But

MARK THIS, YOU

THAT ARE CHURLS

ΤΟ YOUR GODLY
RELATIONS.

this was not all; for Christiana did also begin to consider with herself, whether her unbecoming behaviour towards her husband was not one cause that she saw him no more; and that in such sort he was taken away from her. And upon this came into her mind, by swarms, all her unkind, unnatural, and ungodly carriage, to her dear friend; which also clogged her conscience, and did load her with guilt. She was, moreover, much broken with recalling to remembrance the restless groans, brinish tears, and self-bemoanings, of her husband, and how she did harden her heart against all his entreaties, and loving persuasions, of her and her sons, to go with him; yea, there was not any thing that Christian either said to her, or did before her, all the while that his burden did hang on his back, but it returned upon her like a flash of lightning, and rent the caul of her heart in sunder, especially that bitter outcry of his, What shall I do to be saved?" did ring in her ears most dolefully." *

Then said she to her children, Sons, we are all undone. I have sinned away your father, and he is gone he would have had us with him, but I would not go myself: I also have hindered you of life. With that

*Here see what those who cruelly and unkindly treat their godly relations and friends on account of their religion, must come to, feel in the bitterness of their spirit, and groan under in the sorrow of their soul, if ever the Lord grant them repentance unto life.

the boys fell into tears, and cried out to go after their father. O! (said Christiana) that it had been but our lot to go with him! then had it fared well with us, beyond what it is like to do now. For, though I formerly foolishly imagined, concerning the troubles of your father, that they proceeded of a foolish fancy that he had, or for that he was overrun with melancholy humours; yet now it will not out of my mind, but that they sprang from another cause; to wit, for that the light of life was given him; by the help of which, as I perceive, he has escaped the snares of death.* Then they all wept again, and cried out, Oh! wo worth the day!

The next night Christiana had a dream; and, behold, she saw as if a broad parchment was opened

CHRISTIANA'S
DREAM.

before her, in which were recorded the sum of her ways; and the crimes, as she thought, looked black upon her. Then she cried out aloud in her sleep, Lord, have mercy upon me, a sinner!"

very

the little children heard her.

g John viii. 12. h Luke xviii. 13.

and

Is it any marvel, that a quickened, enlightened sinner should be judged by those around him, who are yet dead in their sins, to be full of whims and melancholy? No: it is very natural for them to think us fools and mad; but we know that they really are so. For when it pleases the Lord to take the veil of unbelief off the heart, and to remove the scales of ignorance from the eyes, then they will confess, with Christiana, that the light of life is given to us.

This is the very first cry of an awakened sinner-mercy for the lost and miserable: and no sooner are the sinner's eyes opened to see his ruined, desperate state, and to cry for mercy, but the god of this world, who hitherto had blinded the eyes, and kept the heart secure by presumption, now opposes the sinner's progress to a throne of grace, to a God of mercy, and to the Saviour of the lost. Satan does not easily part with his prey. But Jesus, the strong man armed with almighty

power and everlasting love, will conquer and cast him out. This is the sinner's mercy, or none could ever be saved.

THE QUINTESSENCE

OF HELL.

After this, she thought she saw two very ill-favoured ones standing by her bed-side, and saying, What shall MARK THIS; THIS IS we do with this woman? for she cries out for mercy, waking and sleeping. If she be suffered to go on as she begins, we shall lose her as we have lost her husband. Wherefore we must, by one way or other, seek to take her off from the thoughts of what shall be hereafter, else all the world cannot help but she will become a pilgrim.

HELP AGAINST

DISCOURAGEMENT.

Now she awoke in a great sweat, also a trembling was upon her; but after a while she fell to sleeping again. And then she thought she saw Christian, her husband, in a place of bliss among many immortals, with a harp in his hand, standing and playing upon it before One that sat on a throne, with a rainbow about his head. She saw also, as if he bowed his head with his face to the paved work that was under his Prince's feet, saying, I heartily thank my Lord and King for bringing me into this place. Then shouted a company of them that stood round about, and harped with their harps: but no man living could tell what they said, but Christian and his companions.

Next morning, when she was up, had prayed to God, and talked with her children a while, one knocked hard at the door; to whom she spake out, saying, If thou comest in God's name, come in. So he said, Amen; and opened the door, and saluted her with, Peace be to this house. The which when he had done, he said, Christiana, knowest thou wherefore I am come? Then she blushed and trembled; also her heart began to wax warm with desires to know from whence he came, and what was his errand to her. So he said unto her, My name is Secret;* I dwell with those that are on high.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," Psa. cxi. 10. and "the secret of the Lord is with them who fear him," Psa. xxv. 14.

It is talked of where I dwell, as if thou hadst a desire to go thither also there is a report that thou art aware of the evil thou hast formerly

CONVICTIONS SECONDED BY TIDINGS OF GOD'S READINESS TO PARDON.

done to thy husband, in hardening of thy heart against his way, and in keeping of these babes in their ignorance. Christiana, the merciful One has sent me to tell thee, that he is a God ready to forgive, and that he taketh delight to multiply the pardon of offences.* He also would have thee to know, that he inviteth thee to come into his presence, to his table, and that he will feed thee with the fat of his house, and with the heritage of Jacob thy father.

There is Christian, thy husband that was, with legions more, his companions, ever beholding that face that doth minister life to beholders; and they will all be glad when they shall hear the sound of thy feet step over thy Father's threshold.

Christiana at this was greatly abashed in herself, and bowed her head to the ground. This visitor proceeded, and said, Christiana, here is also a letter for thee, which I have brought from thy husband's King. So she took it, and opened it, but it smelt after the manner of the best perfume; also it was written in letters of gold. The contents of the letter were these: That the King would have her to do as did Christian her husband, for that was the way to come to his city, and to dwell in his presence with joy for ever. At this the good woman was quite overcome; so she cried out to her visitor, Sir, will you carry me and my children with you, that we also may go and worship the King?

i Song i. 3.

CHRISTIANA QUITE

OVERCOME.

*The Spirit, the Comforter, never convinces the soul of sin, but he also revives and comforts the heart with glad tidings of free and full pardon of sin, through the blood of the Lamb.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS TO CHRIS

TIANA.

Then said the visitor, Christiana, the bitter is before the sweet. Thou must through troubles, as did he that went before thee, enter this Celestial City. Wherefore, I advise thee to do as did Christian thy husband; go to the Wicket-gate yonder over the plain, for that stands at the head of the way up which thou must go, and I wish thee all good speed. Also I advise, that thou put this letter in thy bosom; that thou read therein to thyself, and to thy children, until you have got it by root of heart; for it is one of the songs that thou must sing while thou art in this house of thy pilgrimage: also this thou must deliver in at the farther gate.*

HER SONS TO TAKE
THEIR JOURNEY.

*

Now I saw in my dream, that this old gentleman, as he told me the story, did himself seem to be greatly affected therewith. He moreover proceeded, and said, So Christiana called her sons together, and began thus CHRISTIANA PRAYS to address herself unto them: My sons, I have, as you may perceive, been of late under much exercise in my soul about the death of your father; not for that I doubt at all of his happiness, for I am satisfied now that he is well. I have also been much affected with the thoughts of mine own estate and yours, which I verily believe is by nature miserable. My carriage also to your father in his distress is a great load to my conscience, for I hardened both mine own heart and yours against him, and refused to go with him on pilgrimage.

k Psalm cxix. 54.

* Says our Lord, "When the Spirit is come, he shall testify of me -he shall lead you into all truth-he shall show you things to come." All this the convinced sinner finds true in experience. As the Spirit testifies of Christ, so he leads the soul to Christ, that he may be the sinner's only hope, righteousness, and strength. Thus he glorifies Christ.