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SOME SIGNS OP THE BATTLE REMAINS.

here and there are yet to be seen upon the place some of the shivers of Apollyon's broken darts: see also, how they did beat the ground with their feet as they fought, to make good their places against each other; how also, with their by-blows, they did split the very stones in pieces: verily Christian did here play the man, and showed himself as stout as Hercules could, had he been here, even he himself. When Apollyon was beat, he made his retreat to the next valley, that is called the Valley of the Shadow of Death, unto which we shall come anon.*

Lo, yonder also stands a monument, on which is engraven this battle, and Christian's victory,

A MONUMENT OF CHRISTIAN'S

to his fame throughout all ages. So because VICTORY.
it stood just on the wayside before them, they stepped
to it, and read the writing, which, word for word, was
this:-

Hard by here was a battle fought,
Most strange, and yet most true;
Christian and Apollyon sought

Each other to subdue.

The man so bravely play'd the man,
He made the fiend to fly;
Of which a monument I stand,
The same to testify.+

When they had passed by this place, they came upon the borders of the Shadow of Death, and this valley was longer than the other, a place also most strangely

* If Satan be driven back from one attack, prepare for another. Bless God for your armour. Never put it off.

+ Monuments of victory over Satan, are to God's glory, and are very animating and encouraging to those who come after. Proclaim, O Christians, your mercies with thankfulness, and your victories with shouts of humility, to the honour of the Captain of your salvation.

haunted with evil things, as many are able to testify; but these women and children went the better through it, because they had daylight, and because Mr. Greatheart was their conductor.

When they were entered upon this valley, they

GROANINGS
HEARD.

thought they heard a groaning, as of dying men-a very great groaning. They thought also that they did hear words of lamentation, spoken as of some in extreme torment. These things made the boys to quake, the women also looked pale and wan; but their guide bid them be of good comfort.

THE GROUND

SHAKES.

So they went on a little further, and they thought that they felt the ground begin to shake under them, as if some hollow place was there; they heard also a kind of hissing, as of serpents, but nothing as yet appeared. Then said the boys, "Are we not yet at the end of this doleful place? But the guide also bid them be of good courage, and look well to their feet, lest haply, said he, you be taken in some snare.* Now James began to be sick, but I think the cause thereof was fear; so his mother gave him some of that glass of spirits that had been given her at the Interpreter's house, and three of the pills that Mr. Skill had prepared, and the boy began to revive. Thus they went on, till they came to about the middle of the valley; and then Christiana said, Methinks I see something yonder upon the road before us; a thing of a shape such as I have not seen.

JAMES SICK

WITH FEAR.

THE FIEND
APPEARS.

• None know the distress, anguish, and fear that haunt pilgrims in this valley, but those who have been in it. The hissings, revilings, and injections of that old serpent, with all his infernal malice, seem to be let loose upon pilgrims in this valley. Asaph seems to be walking in this valley, when he says, "As for me, my feet were almost gone: my steps had well-nigh slipped," Psalm lxxiii. 2.

Then said Joseph, Mother, what is it? An ugly thing, child, an ugly thing, said she. But, mother, what is it like? said he. "Tis like I cannot tell what,

THE PILGRIMS ARE AFRAID.

said she. And now it is but a little way off. Then said she, It is nigh.

Well, said Mr. Great-heart, let them that are most afraid, keep close to me. So the fiend

GREAT-HEART EN

COURAGES THEM.

came on, and the conductor met it; but when it was just come to him, it vanished to all their sights. Then remembered they what had been said some time ago, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from

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They went therefore on, as being a little refreshed; but they had not gone far, before Mercy, looking behind her, saw, as she thought, something most like a lion, and it came a great padding pace after; and it had ▲ LION. a hollow voice of roaring; and at every roar it gave, made the valley echo, and all their hearts to ache, save the heart of him that was their guide. So it came up; and Mr. Great-heart went behind, and put the pilgrims all before him. The lion also came on apace, and Mr. Great-heart addressed himself to give him battle. But when he saw that it was determined that resistance should be made, he also drew back, and came no further.**

g1 Pet. v. 9.

* Let Satan appear in what shape he will, we ought ever to put on great-heart and good courage. For the faith of what Jesus is to us, will inspire these. Let us ever look to Christ our conqueror, and ever resist Satan our adversary.

+ Satan is often most dreaded at a distance, and courageously resisted when advanced nearer. This advice is ever needful: "Be sober; be vigilant." These pilgrims kept up their watch. Satan did not come upon them unawares: they heard his approach—were prepared for his attack—and, lo, Satan drew back.

DARKNESS.

Then they went on again, and their conductor did go before them, till they came at a place where was cast A PIT AND up a pit the whole breadth of the way; and, before they could be prepared to go over that, a great mist and a darkness fell upon them, so that they could not see. Then said the pilgrims, Alas! what now shall we do? But their guide made answer, Fear not, stand still, and see what an end will be put to this also. So they stayed there, because their path was marred. They then also thought that they did hear more apparently the noise and rushing of the enemies; the fire also and smoke of the pit was much easier to be discerned.* Then said Christiana to Mercy, Now I see what my poor husband went through; I have heard much of this place, but I never was here afore now. Poor man! he went here all along in the night; he had night almost quite through the also way: these fiends were busy about him, as if they would have torn him in pieces. Many have spoken of it, but none can tell what the Valley of the Shadow of Death should mean until they come in themselves. "The heart knoweth its own bitterness; and a stranger intermeddleth not with its joy." To be here is a fearful thing.†

CHRISTIANA NOW KNOWS WHAT HER HUSBAND FELT.

GREAT. This is like doing business in great waters, or like going down into the deep; this is like being in the heart of the sea, and like going down to the bottoms

* Miserable, uncomfortable walking, with a pit before us, and darkness around, yea, within us—and hell seeming to move from beneath to meet him who has been left to the darkness of his nature, the terrors of a fiery law, the sense of guilt, and the fear of hell? Oh, what an unspeakable mercy, in such a distressing season, to have an almighty Saviour to look to, and call upon for safety and salvation! "For he will hear our cry, and save us," Psalm cxlv. 19.

To hear of the soul-distresses of others, is one thing; to experience them ourselves, is very different.

of the mountains; now it seems as if the earth, with its bars, were about us for ever. "But let them that walk in darkness, and have no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon their God."* For my part, as I have told you already, I have gone often through this valley; and have been much harder put to it than now I am; and yet you see I am alive. I would not boast, for that I am not my own saviour. But I trust we shall have a good deliverance. Come, let us pray for light to Him that can lighten our darkness, and that can rebuke, not only these, but all the Satans in hell.

THEY PRAY.

So they cried and prayed, and God sent light and deliverance; for there was now no let in their way, no, not there where but now they were stopt with a pit. Yet they were not got through the valley: so they went on still, and behold great stinks and loathsome smells, to the great annoyance of them. Then said Mercy to Christiana, There is not such pleasant being here as at the gate, or at the Interpreter's, or at the house where we lay last.

ONE OF THE BOYS
REPLY.

Oh, but, said one of the boys, it is not so bad to go through here, as it is to abide here always; and, for aught I know, one reason why we must go this way to the house prepared for us, is, that our home might be made the sweeter to us.

* This precious text, Isa. 1. 10. has been as a sheet-anchor to my soul, under darkness and distress. I doubt not that it has been so to many others. Oh, there is an amazing depth of grace, and a wonderful height of merey, in it. Bless God for it. Study it deeply.

In seasons of distress, the most irksome smells of our vile lusts, and filthy corruptions, greatly offend and distress real pilgrims.

Precious thought! under the worst and most distressing circumstances, think of this. Their continuance is short. Their appointment, love. Their end shall be crowned with glory. Our dark and distressing nights make us prize our light and joyful days the more.

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