The Pilgrims begin their Journey.

lady herself is an admirable well-bred gentlewoman, and Mr. Lechery is as pretty a fellow.

By this time Christiana was got on her way, and Mercy went along with her: so as they went, her children being there also, Christiana began to discourse. "And, Mercy," said Christiana, "I take this as an unexpected favour, that thou shouldest set foot out of doors with me to accompany me a little in the way."

MER. Then said young Mercy (for she was but young) If I thought it would be to purpose to go with you, I would never go near the town.

CHR. Well Mercy, said Christiana, cast in thy lot with me: I well know what will be the end of our pilgrimage: my husband is where he would not but be for all the gold in the Spanish mines. Nor shalt thou be rejected, though thou goest but upon my invitation. The king, who hath sent for me and my children, is one that delighteth in mercy. Besides, if thou wilt, I will hire thee, and thou shalt go along with me as my servant. Yet we will have all things in common betwixt thee and me: only go along with me 8.

MER. But how shall I be ascertained that I also shall be entertained? Had I this hope from one that can tell, I would make no stick at all, but would go, being helped by Him that can help, though the way was never so tedious.

8 Such is the true spirit of real pilgrims, that do not love to eat their precious, morsel alone. They wish others to know Jesus Christ, and to become followers of him with themselves. Oh, how happy are they, when the Lord is pleased to draw the hearts of any of their fellow-sinners to himself.

9 On account of the various means by which sinners are brought to the Saviour, and the different ways in which the Holy Spirit works on persons, in bringing them from darkness to light, some new beginners in religion are apt to question the reality of a work

Conversation of the Pilgrims,

CHR. Well, loving Mercy, I will tell thee what thou shalt do: go with me to the Wicket-Gate, and there I will further enquire for thee; and if there thou shalt not meet with encouragement, I will be content that thou shalt return to thy place; I also will pay thee for thy kindness which thou shewest to me and my children in the accompanying of us in our way as thou dost.

MER. Then will I go thither, and will take what shall follow; and the Lord grant that my lot may there fall, even as the King of heaven shall have his heart upon me'.

Christiana was then glad at heart: not only that she had a companion; but also for that she had prevailed with this poor maid to fall in love with her own salvation. So they went on together, and Mercy began to weep. Then said Christiana, "Wherefore weepeth my sister so?"

MER. Alas! said she, who can but lament, that shall but rightly consider what a state and condition my poor relations are in, that yet remain in our sinful town? And that which makes my grief the more, is, because they have no instruction, nor any to tell them what is to come *.

of grace on their minds. But such should remember, that if the heart be drawn to the Saviour, whatever means were used, or whoever was an instrument for good, the work is of God; for whatsoever leads the soul to him for mercy must be from his Spirit. It is light that maketh manifest; it is grace that saves from the love and practice, the guilt and power of sin.

Here is a precious discovery of a heart divinely instructed. Mind, here is no looking to any thing Mercy was in herself, nor to any thing she could do for herself, for hope; but all is resolved into this, all is cast upon this, even the love of the heart to the King of heaven. Reader, can you be content with this lot? Can you cast all, and rest all, upon the love of Christ? Then bless his loving name for giving you a pilgrim's heart.

2 This is natural: when we know the worth of our souls, and the preciousness of Christ's salvation, and weep over ourselves,

as they proceed on their Journey.

CHR. Bowels become pilgrims: and thou dost for thy friends, as my good Christian did for me when he left me; he mourned for that I would not heed nor regard him: but his Lord and ours did gather up his tears, and put them into his bottle; and now both I and thou, and these my sweet babes, are reaping the fruit and benefit of them. I hope, Mercy, that these tears of thine will not be lost for the truth hath said, that "they that sow in tears shall reap in joy" and singing. And "he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

Then said Mercy,

"Let the most blessed be my guide,

If't be his blessed will,

Unto his gate, into his fold,

Up to his holy hill:

And let him never suffer me

To swerve, or turn aşide
From his free grace and holy ways,
Whate'er shall me betide.

And let him gather them of mine,

That I have left behind

Lord, make them pray they may be thine,
With all their heart and mind."

;

Now my old friend proceeded and said-But, when Christiana came to the Slough of Despond", she began to be at a stand; For, said she, "this is the place in which my dear husband had like to have been smothered with mud." She perceived, also, that notwithstanding the command of the King to make this place for pilgrims good, yet it was

and for our sins; to mourn and weep for our unconverted relatives, lest they should be lost, and to wish for their salvation also.