herds, What that should mean? So they told them, saying: Thus it is with the vile person; all means used to get such a one a good name shall, in conclusion, tend but to make him more abominable. Thus it was with the Pharisees, and so it shall be with all hypocrites.

Mercy has a mind to see the hole in

the hill.

Then said Mercy, the wife of Matthew, to Christiana her mother, Mother, I would, if it might be, see the hole in the hill, or that commonly called the By-way to hell. So her mother brake her mind to the shepherds. Then they went to the door, it was on the side of an hill; and they opened it, and bid Mercy hearken a while. So she hearkened, and heard one saying, "Cursed be my father, for holding of my feet back from the way of peace and life:" and another said, "O that I had been torn in pieces, before I had, to save my life, lost my soul!" and another said, "If I were to live again, how would I deny myself, rather than come to this place!" Then there was as if the very earth had groaned and quaked under the feet of this young woman for fear; so she looked white, and came trembling away, saying, Blessed be he and she that is delivered from this place.

Now, when the shepherds had shown them all these things, then they had them back to the palace, and entertained them with what the house would afford. But Mercy, being a young Mercy longeth, and breeding woman, longed for something that she and for what. saw there, but was ashamed to ask. Her mother-in-law then asked her what she ailed? for she looked as one not well. Then said Mercy, There is a looking-glass hangs up in the dining room, off which I cannot take my mind; if therefore I have it not I think I shall miscarry. Then said her mother, I will mention thy wants to the shepherds, and they will not deny it thee. But she said, I am ashamed that these men should know that I longed. Nay, my daughter, said she, it is no shame, but a virtue, to long for such a thing as that; so Mercy said, Then, mother, if you please, ask the shepherds if they are willing to sell it.

very

God.

Now the glass was one of a thousand. It would present a man one way, with his own features exactly, and turn It was the word of it but another way, and it would show one the face and similitude of the Prince of Pilgrims himself. Yes, I have talked with them that can tell, and they have said that they have seen the very crown of thorns upon his head, by looking in that glass; they have therein also seen the holes in his hands, his feet, and his side. Yea, such an excellency is there in this glass, that it will show him to one where they have a mind to see him, whether

living or dead; whether in earth or in heaven; whether in a state of humiliation, or in his exaltation; whether coming to suffer, or coming to reign.*

Christiana, therefore, went to the shepherds apart, (now the names of the shepherds were Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and Sincere,) and said unto them, There is one of my daughters, a breeding woman, that I think doth long for something that she hath seen in this house, and she thinks she shall miscarry, if she should by you be denied.

Experience. Call her, call her; she shall assuredly have what we can help her to. So they called her, and said to her, Mercy, what She doth not lose is that thing thou wouldst have? Then she blushher longing. ed, and said, The great glass that hangs up in the dining-room; so Sincere ran and fetched it, and, with a joyful consent, it was given her. Then she bowed her head, and gave thanks, and said, By this I know that I have obtained favour in your eyes.

They also gave to the other young women such things as they desired, and to their husbands great commendations, for that they had joined with Mr. Great-heart in the slaying of Giant Despair, and the demolishing of Doubting Castle.

How the shep

About Christiana's neck the shepherds put a herds adorn the bracelet, and so did they about the necks of her Pilgrims. four daughters; also they put ear-rings in their ears,

and jewels on their foreheads.

When they were minded to go hence, they let them go in peace, but gave not to them those certain cautions which before were given to Christian and his companion. The reason was, for that these had Great-heart to be their guide, who was one that was well acquainted with things, and so could give them their cautions more seasonably; to wit, even when the danger was nigh the approaching.

What cautions Christian and his companion had received of the shepherds, they had also lost by that the time was come that they had need to put them in practice. Wherefore here was the advantage that this company had over the other.

From thence they went on singing; and they said:

Behold! how fitiy are the stages set,

For their relief that Pilgrims are become!
And how they us receive without one let,

That make the other life our mark and home
What novelties they have, to us they give,
That we, though Pilgrims, joyful lives may live.
They do upon us, too, such things bestow,
That show we Pilgrims are where'er we go.

· 1 Cor. xiii. 12. 2 Cor. iii. 18.

When they were gone from the shepherds, they quickly came to the place where Christian met with one Turn-away, that dwelt in the town of Apostacy. Wherefore of him Mr. Great-heart, their guide, did now put them in mind, saying, This is the place where Christian met with one Turn-away, who carried with him the character of his rebellion at his back. And this I have to say concerning this he would hearken to no counsel, but, once a-falling, perman, suasion could not stop him.

How one Turn

away managed his

When he came to the place where the Cross and Sepulchre was, he did meet with one that did bid him look there; but he gnashed his teeth, and apostacy. stamped, and said he was resolved to go back to his own town. Before he came to the gate, he met with Evangelist, who offered to lay hands on him, to turn him into the way again; but this Turn-away resisted him, and having done much despite unto him, he got away over the wall, and so escaped his hand.

One Valiant-for

truth beset with thieves.

Or die upon the

Then they went on, and just at the place where Little-faith formerly was robbed, there stood a man with his sword drawn, and his face all over with blood. Then said Mr. Great-heart, Who art thou? The man made answer, saying, I am one whose name is Valiant-for-truth. I am a Pilgrim, and am going to the Celestial City. Now, as I was in my way, there were three men did beset me, and propounded unto me these three things: 1. Whether I would become one of them? 2. Or go back from whence I came ? 3. place? To the first I answered, I had been a true man for a long season, and therefore it could not be expected that I should now cast in my lot with thieves.* Then they demanded what I would say to the second? So I told them, The place from whence I came, had I not found incommodity there, I had not forsaken it at all; but finding it altogether unsuitable to me, and very unprofitable for me, I forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what I said to the third? and I told them, My life cost far more dear than that I should lightly give it away. Besides, you have nothing to do thus to put things to my choice; wherefore at your peril be it, if you meddle. Then these three, to wit, Wildhead, Inconsiderate, and Pragmatic, drew upon me, and I also drew upon them. So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of above three hours. They have left upon me, as you see some of the marks of their valour, and have also carried away with them some of mine. They are but just now gone. I suppose they might, as the saying is, hear your horse dash, and so they betook themselves to flight.

*Prov. i. 10, 11, 13, 14.

i

Great-heart. But here was great odds, three against one.

Val. 'T is true; but little or more are nothing to him that has the truth on his side. "Though a host should encamp against me, (said one,) my heart shall not fear; though war rise against me, in this will I be confident," &c. Besides, said he, I have read in some records that one man has fought an army; and how many did Samson slay with the jawbone of an ass?

Then said the guide, Why did you not cry out, that some might have come in for your succour ?

Val. So I did to my King, who I knew could hear me, and afford invisible help; and that was sufficient for me.

Then said Great-heart to Mr. Valiant-for-truth, Thou hast worthily behaved thyself; let me see thy sword. So he showed it him. When he had taken it in his hand, and looked thereon a while, he said, Ha! it is a right Jerusalem blade.

Val. It is so. Let a man have one of these blades, with a hand to wield it, and skill to use it, and he may venture upon an angel with it. He need not fear its holding, if he can but tell how to lay on. Its edge will never blunt; it will cut flesh and bones, and soul and spirit, and all.

Great-heart. But you fought a great while; I wonder you was not weary.

The word.

The faith.

Blood.

Val. I fought till my sword did cleave to my hand, and then they were joined together, as if a sword grew out of my arm; and when the blood ran through my fingers, then I fought with most courage. Great-heart. Thou hast done well; thou hast "resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Thou shalt abide by us, come in and go out with us, for we are thy companions.

Then they took him, and washed his wounds, and gave him of what they had to refresh him ; and so they went on together. Now, as they went on, because Mr. Great-heart was delighted in him, (for he loved one greatly that he found to be a man of his hands,) and because there were in company them that were feeble and weak; therefore he questioned with him about many things; as, first, What countryman he was?

Val. I am of Dark-land; for there was I born, and there my father and mother are still.

Dark-land! said the guide; doth not that lie on the same coast with the city of Destruction?

How Mr. Valiant

Val. Yes it doth. Now, that which caused me came to go on pil- to come on pilgrimage was this: We had one Mr. grimage. Tell-true came into our parts, and he told it about

what Christian had done that went from the city of Destruction; namely, how he had forsaken his wife and children, and had betaken himself to a Pilgrim's life. It was also confidently reported, how he had killed a serpent that did come out to resist him in his journey, and how he got through to whither he intended. It was also told what welcome he had at all his Lord's lodgings, especially when he came to the gates of the Celestial City; for there, said the man, he was received with sound of trumpet by a company of Shining Ones. He told also, how all the bells in the City did ring for joy at his reception, and what golden garments he was clothed with; with many other things that now I shall forbear to relate. In a word, that man so told the story of Christian and his travels, that my heart fell into a burning haste to be gone after him; nor could father or mother stay me; so I got from them, and am come thus far on my way.

He begins right

Great-heart. You came in at the Gate, did you not? Val. Yes, yes; for the same man also told us that all would be nothing, if we did not begin to enter this Way at the Gate.

Look you, said the guide to Christiana, the pilgrimage of your husband, and what he has gotten thereby, is spread abroad far and near.

Val. Why, is this Christian's wife?

Christian's name famous.

He is much rejoi ced to see Christian's wife.

Great-heart. Yes, that it is, and these also are his four sons. Val. What! and going on pilgrimage, too? Great-heart. Yes, verily, they are following after. Val. It glads me at the heart. Good man! how joyful will he be, when he shall see them that would not go with him, yet to enter after him in at the gates into the Celestial City ? Great-heart. Without doubt it will be a comfort to him; for, next to the joy of seeing himself there, it will be a joy to meet there his wife and children.

Val. But now you are upon that, pray let me see your opinion about it. Some make a question whether we shall know one another when we are there?

Great-heart. Do you think they shall know themselves then, or that they shall rejoice to see themselves in that bliss? And if they think they shall know and do this, why not know others, and rejoice in their welfare also? Again, since relations are our second self, though that state will be dissolved there, yet why may it not be rationally concluded that we shall be more glad to see them there, than to see they are wanting?