THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.

THE SECOND BOOK.

CHRISTIAN IS TURNED OUT OF THE RIGHT WAY,

BY THE COUNSEL OF MR. WORLDLY-WISEMAN; BUT

IS

RESTORED BY EVANGELIST

PROCEEDS TO THE

WICKET-GATE, AND IS KINDLY RECEIVED.

POOR Christian, having thus escap'd his fright, Directs his course towards the shining light. When, lo! a man of gentle form appears, Kindly inquires the reason of his tears, Pities the sorrows of his burden'd state, And asks if good advice would come too late, Condemns th' advice EVANGELIST had giv'n, And vainly boasts an easier way to heav'n. 'Desist,' said he, 'nor spend your time and breath 'In that dread way, which leads to pain and death. ''Twas reading that strange book that made you sad: 'Beshrew the book, it drives its thousands mad.

6

My counsel take-yon pleasant village see:

Delightful spot!—'tis call'd Morality:

• Thither with all convenient speed repair, 'That honest man Legality dwells there.

6

Apply to him, you'll get a speedy cure;

'Nor ever more fanatic fears endure.

เ

There live in credit-live in pleasure there,

Nor shame, nor persecution ever fear.'

Then Christian paus'd; "If this," said he, "be true, "There's little more to suffer or to do."

He turn'd aside to reach the place he saw,
To seek salvation by the moral law.

But ah! no ease he found, his fears rose higher;
The mount he pass'd shot forth devouring fire,—
Mount Sinai fill'd his very soul with dread;
It seem'd just falling on his guilty head.*
'Twas then, his conscience press'd with sin and fear;
Just then-he saw EVANGELIST appear.
'Christian! what business have you here?' he cried,
'What lying knave has turn'd your feet aside?
''Twas Worldly-Wiseman, rightly is he nam'd;
''Twas he, the way of righteousness defam'd:
'I know, he hates the doctrine of the cross,
For which the saint must count his gain but loss:
By his advice, your case is render'd worse,
'For all who trust the law, incur the curse:
'Abhor his counsel: go no more astray,
'But turn your feet into the narrow way;

* Mr. Worldly-Wiseman represents the teachers of mere morality, who dislike the doctrines of the gospel, and prefer morality to Christ. Christian, seduced by his plausible advice, forsakes the right way for a time, but is obliged by the terrors of the broken law, to seek righteousness in Christ alone.

Christian wer: like one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, till again he was got into the way.

Thus, only thus, your sins shall be forgiv'n,

And you shall find the path that leads to heav'n.'

Christian, thus caution'd by his gospel guide,
Pursues his way, and dreads to turn aside;
Looks eagerly to see the Wicket-gate,

And sadly fears lest he should come too late:
When, lo! the wish'd-for gate appears in sight,
Crown'd with resplendent rays of heavn’ly light.
Above was written-KNOCK, AND NEVER FEAR,
THE MAN WHO KNOCKS SHALL SURELY ENTER
HERE.*

He knock'd-and listen'd-then he knock'd again: Mean while his bosom heav'd with anxious pain. "Will He,” said Pilgrim, "Will the Lord on high, "Admittance grant to such a wretch as I?

"Oh! would he deign to open Mercy's door,

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My happy soul should praise him evermore."

At length he hears a voice distinct and grave: 'Who's there without? and pray what would you have?' "A sinner, Sir," he answer'd, "that's my name;

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Sorely oppress'd with guilt, and fear, and shame; "This is the way, I'm told, to flee from sin,

"O will you let a burden'd sinner in?"

* Great is the encouragement afforded by the gospel to penitent sinners" Him that cometh to me," saith Christ, "I will in no wise cast out:" such is his "good-will towards men."