The Pilgrims proceed on their Journey.

When they were gone from the Shepherds, they quickly came to the place where Christian met with one Turn-away, who 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 car ried with him the character of his rebellion at his back. And this I have to say concerning this man; -he would hearken to no counsel, but when once falling, persuasion could not stop him. When he came to the place where the cross and the sepulchre were, he met with one that bid him look there; but he gnashed with his teeth, and stamped, and said be 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.

servant of Christ, stand not in need of those instructions and cautions which others have received who were not so highly favoured, but who have lived in places where they had not the advantage of consulting a minister in cases of difficulty and danger. The privileges which those christians, who have the opportunity of consulting a well-instructed and affectionate pastor, have over others cannot be too highly estimated; and they should lead them to rejoice in the goodness and mercy of the great Head of the church who "gives to his people pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ," Eph. iv. 11, 12.

• This character has been described in the first part, as a "wanton professor, and damnable apostate," whom the pilgrims "met in a very dark lane, bound by seven devils with seven strong cords, and whom the devils were carrying back to the door which they had seen on the side of the hill," or the door from the church to hell. We have here a further description of this awful man ;the person doubtless whom Mr. Bunyan mentions in his Life, p. 27, who turned Ranter or Antinomian, and was so obstinate and self-willed that he would hearken to no counsel, but from the time he began to go back no persuasion could stop him in the practice of the most abominable iniquities. The allegory here founded upon the following awful passage of scripture: "For if we sin wilfully after that we lav received the knowledge of the

The Pilgrims meet Valiant-for-Truth.

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 bloody. Then said Mr. Great-heart, "What 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 that beset me, and propounded unto me these three things: 1. Whether I would become

ruth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God," Heb. x. 26-31. This "wanton professor" is represented as "gnashing with his teeth and stamping," when he was desired to look at the cross; by which is intended his malicious and contemptuous rejection of the atonement, on which he once professed to rest his hope of salvation. And further, this "damnable apostate" is said to have rejected the "offers" or invitations of the gospel, by which he was entreated to "forsake his way, and return to the Lord :" and not only so, but he also despitefully and maliciously resisted the Holy Spirit, by madly stifling and resisting the convictions of his conscience, and resolutely and greedily pursuing his sinful course until he was "given over to a reprobate mind," Rom. i. 28. "to work all uncleanness with greediness," Eph. iv. 19. This appears to be a true and frightful picture of one who has committed the sin which the scriptures declare to be unpardonable, because committed against light and knowledge; because it is a contemptuous rejection of Christ, as the only sacrifice for sin; because it is a devilish and blasphemous opposition to the work of the Holy Spirit; and because it is an unceasing course of rebellion against God. Let all professors avoid the beginning of apostasy, namely, forsaking the assembling of themselves together in the house of God, lest they should be overcome by temptation, and proceed from sin to sin, until, being hardened against convictions, they drink in sin like water, and at length "fall into the bands of the living God," who will punish with tenfold destruction the despisers of the blood of his Son, and of the influences of his Spirit.

Valiant-for-Truth relates his encounter with the three Men.

one of them. 2. Or go back from whence I came 3. Or die upon the place. (Prov. i. 11-14.) To the first I answered, I had been a true man a long season, and therefore it could not be expected that I now should cast in my lot with thieves. Then they demanded what I would to say the second. So I told them respecting the place from whence I came, that 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 dearer far than that I should lightly give it away. Besides, said I, you have no right thus to put things to my choice; wherefore at your peril be it, if you meddle. Then these three, to wit, Wild-head, Inconsiderate, and Pragmatick, 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 betake themselves to flight.P

▸ It was one of the discouragements of the weeping prophet, that the people of Judah bent their tongues "like their bow for lies, but were not valiant for the truth upon the earth," Jer. ix. 3. The pilgrim now introduced to our notice, was one who had distinguished himself as valiant for truth, in a situation of great peril and danger. We are to consider him as a young nonconformist, whom certain "wild-headed, inconsiderate, and pragmatical" persons had endeavoured, by allurements, and by threats, to draw into their wicked company and sinful courses. The passage of scripture referred to in the text, will give us an idea of their design. "Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: we shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse," Prov. i. 11-14. The meaning of their proposals seems to have been, that he would either join with them in their sinful courses and

Valiant-for-Truth relates his encounter with the three Men.

GREAT-HEART. But here was great odds, three against one.

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VALIANT It is true; but whether little or more, it is the same to him that has the truth on his side Though a host should encamp against me, (said one, Psalm xxvii. 3.) my heart shall not fear: though war shall rise against me, in this will I be confident," &c. Besides I have read in some records, that one man has fought an army: and how many did Samson slay with the jaw-bone of an ass!

GREAT. Then said the guide, Why did you not cry out, that some might come in for your succour ? VALIANT. So I did to my King, who I knew could hear me, and afford invisible help, and that was enough for me.

GREAT. Then said Great-heart to Mr. Valiant-fortruth, Thou hast worthily behaved thyself; let me see thy sword. So he shewed it him.

When he had taken it in his band, and looked thereon a while, he said, Ha! it is a right Jerusalem blade.

VALIANT. It is so. Let a man have one of these olades, 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 be blunt. It will cut flesh and bones, and soul and spirit and all.' (Heb. iv. 12.)

pursuits, give up his religion, or fall a victim to their power and malice. Rejecting all these terms, he was unmercifully and cruelly treated. But he valiantly maintained the unequal combat, refusing to sin, whatever he might suffer, and was at length, after receiving some wounds and giving others, left victor on the field of battle.

In the spirit of a humble christian, he ascribes both his courage, and his conquest, to the divine help, which he had earnestly sought and obtained.

The weapon which christians use in defending the truth against all opposers is, "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Eph. vi. 17. or, as our author has designated it, right Jerusalem blade." This is a weapon which, if held by faith

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The Pilgrims wash the Wounds of Valiant-for-Truth.

GREAT. But you fought a great while; I wonder you were not weary.

VALIANT. I fought till my sword did cleave to my hand; and when they were joined together as if a sword grew out of my arm, and when the blood ray through my fingers, then I fought with most cou

rage.

GREAT. Thou hast done well; thou hast resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Thou shalt abide by us, and 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 together.'

Now as they went on, because Mr. Great-heart was delighted with him, (for he loved one greatly whom he found to be a man of his hands,) and because there were in company they that were feeble and weak, therefore he questioned with him about many things; as first, what countryman he was.

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

and used with judgment, will make even the angel of the bottomless pit flee, as "its edge will never be blunt," and it will cut through every thing which is opposed to it.

The resisting of sin even unto blood, or the preferring of suffering to sinning, is a proof of great faith; and where opposition and danger have a tendency to increase zeal and courage in the service of the Saviour, it is a proof of the reality and strength of faith. The friendship of such a person may be coveted, and his fellowship considered as an acquisition, by any minister, or society of christians, who will be happy to give him every proof of their affection. The church of Christ has produced heroes of the first class in point of courage, which they have displayed in circun.stances of great danger. LUTHER, and KNOX, and LATIMER, and BUNYAN, were men of this stamp, each of whom might with great propriety have been named, VALIANT-FOR-THE-TRUTH. The description of the combat and conquest of this pilgrim is founded upon 1 John v. 18. "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.