1. Because he stays for the best things. 2. And also because he will have the glory of his, when the other has nothing but rags.

Things that are first must give place, but things

Int. 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 hath his portion last must have it lastingly : therefore it is said of Dives, "In thy lifetime thou Dives had his good receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art

that are last are lasting.

things first.

tormented."*

Chr. Then I perceive 'tis not best to covet things that are now, but to wait for things to come.

The

first things

Int. You say truth: "For the things that are are but temporal. 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 the 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 ne saw a man with a vessel of oil 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 oil of his grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart by the means of which, notwithstanding what the Devil can do

[Interpreter showing Christian the fire of grace.]

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 built a stately palace, beautiful to behold; at the sight of which Christian was greatly delighted; he saw also, upon the top thereof, certain persons walking, who were clothed 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 ink-horn before him, to take the names of them that should enter therein he saw also, that in the doorway stood many men in armour to keep it, being resolved to do to the men that would enter what hurt and mischief they could. Now was Christian somewhat in amaze 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

The valiant man.

there to write, saying, Set down my name, sir; the which when he had done, he saw the man draw his sword, and put a 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 to those that walked upon the top of the palace, saying,

Come in, come in:

Eternal glory thou shalt win.".

So he went in, and was clothed with such garments as they. Then Christian smiled, and said, I think verily I know the meaning of this.

Now said Christian, let me go hence. Nay, stay, said the Interpreter, till I have showed thee a little more, and, an 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.

Despair like iron cage.

Now, the man, to look on, seemed very sad: he sat with his eyes looking down to the ground, his hands folded together, and he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then said Christian, What means this? At which the Interpreter bid him talk with the man.

Then said Christian to the Man, What art thou? the man answered, I am what I was not once.

Chr. What wast thou once?

The man said, I was once a fair and flourishing professor, both in mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of others. I was once, as I thought, fair for the celestial city, and had 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 into 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 come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and he has left me; I have so hardened my heart that I cannot repent.

Acts xiv. 22.

Luke viii. 18.

Then said Christian to the Interpreter, But are there no hopes for such a man as this? Ask him, said the Interpreter.

Then said Christian, Is there no hope, but you must be kept in the Iron cage of Despair?

Man. No, none at all.

Chr. Why, the Sun of the blessed is very pitiful.

Man. I have crucified him to myself afresh; I have despised his person; I have despised his righteousness; I have counted his blood an unholy thing; I have done despite to the Spirit of Grace; therefore I shut myself out of all the promises; and there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, faithful threatenings, of certain judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary.*

Chr. For what did you bring yourself into this condition ?

Man. For the lusts, pleasures, and profits of this world; in the enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight; but now every one of those things also bite me, and gnaw me like a burning worm.

Chr. But canst thou not now repent and turn?

Man. God hath denied me repentance. His word gives me no encouragement to believe; yea, himself hath shut me up in this iron cage, nor can all the men in the world let me out! O Eternity! Eternity! How shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity!

Then said the Interpreter to Christian, Let this man's misery be remembered by thee, and be an everlasting caution to thee.

Well, said Christian, this is fearful! God help me to watch and be sober, and to pray that I may shun the cause of this man's misery. Sir, is it not time for me to go on my way now?

Int. Tarry till I shall show thee one thing more, and then thou shalt go on thy way.

So he took Christian by the hand again, and led him into a chamber, where there was one rising out of bed; and, as he put on his raiment, he shook and trembled. Then said Christian, Why doth this man thus tremble? The Interpreter then bid him tell to Christian the reason of his so doing. So he began and said, This night as I was in my sleep, I dreamed, and behold the heavens grew exceeding black; also it thundered and lightened in most fearful wise, that it put me into an agony. So I looked up in my dream, and saw the clouds rack at an unusual rate; upon which I heard a great sound of a trumpet, and saw also a Man sitting upon a cloud, attended with the thousands of heaven. They were all

Heb. vi. 6. Luke xix. 14. Heb. x. 28, 29.

in flaming fire; also the heavens were on a burning flame. I heard then a great voice, saying, "Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment!" and with that the rocks rent, the graves opened, and the dead that were therein came forth: some of them were exceeding glad, and looked upward; and some sought to hide themselves under the mountains. Then I saw the Man that sat upon the cloud open the Book, and bid the World draw near; yet there was, by reason of a fierce flame which issued out, and came before him, a convenient distance betwixt him and them, as betwixt the judge and the prisoners at the bar. I I heard it also proclaimed to them that attended on the Man that sat on the Cloud, "Gather together the tares, the chaff, and stubble, and cast them into the burning lake ;" and with that the bottomless pit opened, just whereabout I stood; out of the mouth of which there came, in an abundant manner, smoke and coals of fire, with hideous noises. It was also said to the same persons, "Gather my wheat into the garner." And with that I saw many catched up, and carried away into the clouds; but I was left behind. I also sought to hide myself, but I could not; for the Man that sat upon the cloud still kept his eye upon me. My sins also came into my mind, and my conscience did accuse me on every side. Upon this I awakened from my sleep.*

Chr. But what was it that made you so afraid of this sight? Man. Why, I thought that the Day of Judgment was come, and that I was not ready for it. But this frighted me most, that the Angels gathered up several, and left me behind; also the Pit of Hell opened her mouth just where I stood. My conscience, too, afflicted me; and, as I thought, the Judge had always his eye upon me, showing indignation in his countenance.

Then said the Interpreter to Christian, hast thou considered all these things?

Chr. Yes; and they put me in hope and fear.

Int. Well, keep all things so in thy mind, that they may be as a goad in thy sides, to prick thee forward in the way thou must go. Then Christian began to gird up his loins, and to address himself to his journey. Then said the Interpreter, The Comforter be always with thee, good Christian, to guide thee in the way that leads to the city! So Christian went on his way, saying:—

Here have I seen things rare and profitable,

Things pleasant, dreadful, things to make me stable

1 Cor. xv. 1 Thess. iv. Jude ver. 15. John v. 28. 2 Thess. i. 8. Rev. xx. 11-14. Isaiah xxvi. 21. Micah vii. 16. 17. Psalm v. 4, 5. Mal. iii. 2, 3. Dan. vii. 9, 10. Mark iii. 13. chap. xiv. 32. Mal. iv. 1. Luke iii. 17. 1 Thess. iv. 16, 17. Rom. ii. 14, 15.

1