THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.

THE TENTH BOOK.

THE PILGRIMS MEET WITH IGNORANCE, A POOR
THEY SEE TURNAWAY, AN

EMPTY
APOSTATE

PROFESSOR

CARRIED OFF BY SEVEN DEVILS

WHENCE THEY

DUCED BY THE FLATTERER, THEY ARE LED ASTRAY
AND ARE DRAWN INTO HIS NET
ARE DELIVERED BY A SHINING ONE, BUT CHASTISED

NOW, pressing forward, on the end intent,
Tow'rds the celestial gate their course was bent;
When, from a little crooked lane there came
A forward youth-one Ignorance by name;
Born in the neighbouring country of Conceit;
With pride and self-sufficiency replete:
About his own good life the lad would prate,
But nothing knew about the Wicket-gate:
He boasts the pious motions of his heart,
But ne'er, like Mary, chose the better part:
He never felt the mis'ry of the fall,
Nor what for mercy, on his God to call:
No need of righteousness in Christ he saw,
But trusts his own obedience to the law.

Together far, such pilgrims could not walk,
He could not bear experimental talk;

No pleasure in their company could find,
But cried-' You walk too fast, I'll stay behind.'
When further they advanc'd a little way,
Through a dark gloomy lane their passage lay;
And here a dreadful object meets their eyes,
And both were fill'd with terror and surprise.
A man, fast bound with cords, sev'n devils bore
Towards the hill, where they had seen the door.
"'Tis Turnaway," says Christian, "I believe!
"I knew the man and where he us'd to live."
'You're right,' said Hopeful,' sure enough 'tis he,
'A written paper on his back I see.

6

This man is damn'd for base apostacy!

Ah! brother, seeing this, what can we say?

But, help us always, Lord, to watch and pray!',

Ah! easier said than done; for 'twas not long

Ere both our Pilgrims fail'd, though now so strong.
A path presents itself, and joins their way— :
Both in appearance straight before them lay-
But somewhat doubtful, here a pause they make—
"Which of these two," said Christian, "shall we
take?"

Just then a man came up whose face was black,
Yet wore a splendid robe upon his back.