Now when they were gone over the ftile, they began to contrive with themselves, what they should do at that ftile, to prevent those that should come after from falling into the hands of Giant Defpair. So they confented to erect there a pillar, and to engrave upon the stile thereof this fentence, "Over this "ftile is the way to Doubting-Caftle, which is kept by Giant-Defpair, who despiseth the King of the coeleftial country, and feeks to destroy his holy pilgrims." Many therefore that followed after, read what was written, and efcaped the danger. This done, they fang as follows: st Out of the way we went, and then we found, Whofe caftle's Doubting, and whofe name's Defpair. They went then till they came to the Delectable Mountains: which mountains belong to the Lord of that hill, of which we have spoken before: fo they went up to the mountains to behold the gardens and orchards, the vine-yards, and fountains of water, where also they drank and washed themselves, and did freely eat of the vine-yards. Now there was on the tops of those mountains, fhepherds feeding their flocks, and they ftood by the highway fide. The pilgrims therefore went to them, and leaning upon their staves, as it is common with weary pilgrims when they stand to talk with any by the way; they asked, e Chriftian is again favored with a view of the delectable mountains; (fee page 71.) where his foul is refreshed, and his heart comforted, as on the mount of God's unchangeable love. The blessed Jefus ever watches over his people, as his pecu afked, whose Delectable Mountains are thefe, and whose be the sheep that feed upon them? Shep. Thefe mountains are Emanuel's Land, and they are within fight of his city; and the sheep also are his, and he laid down his life for them. Chr. Is this the way to the cœleftial city? just in the way. Shep. You are just in the Chr. How far is it thither? Shep. Too far for any, but those that shall get thither indeed. Chr. Is the way fafe or dangerous? Shep. Safe for thofe for whom it is to be fafe, but tranfgreffors fball fall therein, Hof. xiv. 9. Chr. Is there in this place any relief for pilgrims, that are weary and faint in the way ? Shep. The Lord of these mountains hath given us a charge not to be forgetful to entertain ftrangers, therefore the good of the place is before xiii. 1, 2. you. Heb. I faw alfo in my dream, that when the Shepherds perceived they were wayfaring men, they also put questions to them (to which they made anfwer as in other places) as, Whence came you? And how got you into the way? And by what means have you fo perfevered therein ? for, but few of them that begin to come hither, do fhew their face on these mountains. But when the Shepherds heard their anfwers, being pleased therewith, they looked very lovingly upon them, and faid, Welcome to the Delectable Mountains. The Shepherds, I fay, whofe names were Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and Sincere, took them by the hand, and had them to their tents, and made them peculiar flock, and appoints cœleftial fpirits to be their guardian protectors. Whilft they fojourn in tabernacles of clay, his dear and faithful minifters, the shepherds of his flock, are ap |