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Then he took her by the hand, and said, Damsel,

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O sir, said she, I am faint; there is scarce life left in me. But he answered, that one once said, "When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came unto thee, into thy holy temple.' Fear not, but stand upon thy feet, and tell me wherefore thou art come.

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MER. I am come for that unto which I was never invited, as my friend Christiana was. Her's was from

the King, and mine was but from

I fear I presume.

o Jonah ii. 7.

her.

Wherefore

* Mercy's case is not singular. Many have set out just as she did, and have been discouraged by the same reason as she was. Some are wrought on by one means, and some by another. She, as many have

GOOD. Did she desire thee to come with her to this place?

MER.. Yes; and, as my Lord sees, I am come: and if there is any grace and forgiveness of sins to spare, I beseech that thy poor handmaid may be a partaker thereof.

Then he took her again by the hand, and led her gently in, and said, I pray for all them that believe on me, by what means soever they come unto me. Then said he to those that stood by, Fetch something, and give it to Mercy to smell on, thereby to stay her faintings. So they fetched her a bundle of myrrh," and a while after she was revived.

And now were Christiana and her boys, and Mercy, received of the Lord at the head of the way, and spoke kindly unto by him. Then said they yet further unto him, We are sorry for our sins, and beg of our Lord his pardon, and further information what we must do.

I grant pardon, said he, by word and deed : by word, in the promise of forgiveness; by deed, in the way I obtained it. Take the first from my lips with a kiss, and the other as it shall be revealed."

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been, was encouraged to set out in the ways of the Lord by her neighbour and friend. Hence she, as many others also, have thought there was no cause to conclude that she was effectually called by the Lord, but it was only the effect of human power, or moral suasion, and therefore doubted and fainted lest she should not meet with acceptance. But her very doubts, fears, and distress proved the earnestness of her heart, and the desire of her soul after the Saviour; and also, that his attracting love and gracious power had a hand in the work. Well therefore might Mr. Bunyan call upon his readers, at her gracious reception by Christ-Mark this, ye poor doubting, fearing, trembling souls, who are halting every step, and fearing you have not set out aright, hear what Christ's angel said, and be not discouraged, “ Fear not, for ye seek Jesus," Matt. xxviii. 5.

CHRIST CRUCIFIED
SEEN AFAR OFF.

Now I saw in my dream, that he spake many good words unto them, whereby they were greatly gladded. He also had them up to the top of the gate, and showed them by what deed they were saved; and told them withal, that that sight they would have again as they went along in the way, to their comfort.

TALK BETWEEN

So he left them a while in a summer parlour below, where they entered into talk by themselves; and thus Christiana began: O Lord, how glad am I that we are got in hither!

THE CHRISTIANS.

MER. So you well may: but I of all have cause to leap for joy.

CHR. I thought one time, as I stood at the gate, (because I had knocked, and none did answer,) that all our labour had been lost, especially when that ugly cur made such a heavy barking against us.*

MER. But my worst fear was, after I saw that you was taken into his favour, and that I was left behind. Now, thought I, it is fulfilled which is written, "Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left." I had much ado to forbear crying out, Undone !† And afraid I was to knock any more but, when I looked up to what was written

r Matt. xxiv. 41.

* The devil often barks most at us, and brings his heaviest accusations against us, when peace, comfort, and salvation are nearest to us. "Press on, nor fear to win the day,

Though death and hell obstruct the way."

+ See what proper use a gracious soul makes of the doctrine of election. Here is no replying against God; no calling in question his sovereign' right to receive or to reject. No: all that this poor humble heart thought, Now is fulfilled what is written, “One shall be taken, and the other left." If so, what had she to say? No impeachment of the Lord's dealings; but only, I am undone!

But yet, on

over the gate, I took courage. I also thought, that I must either knock again or die: so I knocked, but I cannot tell how; for my spirit now struggled between life and death.

CHRISTIANA THINKS HER COMPANION PRAYS BETTER THAN SHE,

CHR. Can you not tell how you knocked? I am sure your knocks were so earnest, that the very sound of them made me start. I thought I never heard such knocking in

all my life;

I thought you would a come in by a violent hand, or a took the kingdom by storm.'

MER. Alas! to be in my case, who that so was could but have done so? You saw that the door was shut upon me, and that there was a most cruel dog thereabout. Who, I say, that was so faint-hearted as I, would not have knocked with all their might? But pray, what said my Lord to my rudeness? rudeness? Was he

not angry with me?

CHR. When he heard your lumbering noise, he gave a wonderful innocent smile: I believe

for he

CHRIST PLEASED WITH LOUD AND RESTLESS PRAYER.

But I marvel in my

what you did pleased him well,
showed no sign to the contrary.
heart why he keeps such a dog: had I
known that afore, I should not have had
heart enough to have ventured myself in
this manner. But now we are in, we
are in, and I am glad with all my heart.

IF THE SOUL AT FIRST DID KNOW ALL IT SHOULD MEET WITH IN ITS JOURNEY TO HEAVEN, IT WOULD HARDLY EVER SET OUT.

s Matt. xi. 12.

seeing what was written over the gate," Knock, and it shall be opened;" from that, and not from any sight of worth or worthiness in herself, but, ruined as she found herself, lost as she felt herself, she was encouraged to knock again, or to cry and pray more vehemently than ever. Here is a blessed example of deep humility; and of holy boldness, excited by the divine word. Go, thou ruined sinner, and do likewise.

MER. I will ask, if you please, next time he comes down, why he keeps such a filthy cur in his yard: I hope he will not take it amiss.

Do so, said the children, and persuade him to hang him, for we are afraid he will bite us

THE CHILDREN ARE AFRAID OF THE DOG.

when we go hence.

So at last he came down to them again, and Mercy fell to the ground on her face before him, and worshipped, and said, Let my Lord accept the sacrifice of praise which I now offer unto him with the calves of my lips."

So he said unto her, Peace be to thee; stand up. But she continued upon her face, and said, "Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee; yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments:" wherefore dost thou keep so cruel a dog in thy yard, at the sight of which such women and children

MERCY EXPOSTULATES ABOUT THE DOG.

THE DEVIL.

as we are ready to fly from thy gate for fear? He answered and said, That dog has another owner: he also is kept close in another man's ground, only my pilgrims hear his barking: he belongs to the castle which you see there at a distance, but can come up to the walls of this place. He has frighted many an honest pilgrim from worse to better, by the great voice of his roaring. Indeed, he that owneth him doth not keep him out of any good-will to me or mine, but with intent to keep the pilgrims from coming to me, and that they may be afraid to come and knock at this gate for entrance. Sometimes also he has broken out, and has worried some that I loved; but I take all at present patiently. I also give my pilgrims timely help, so that they are not delivered to his power, to do with them what his doggish nature would prompt him

t Jer. xii. 1, 2.

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