Thus they discoursed together till late at night; and, after they had committed themselves to their Lord for protection, they betook themselves to rest; the Pilgrim they laid in a large upper CHRISTIAN'S chamber, whose window opened towards BED CHAMBER. the sun-rising: the name of the chamber was Peace, where he slept till break of day, and then he awoke and sang, Where am I now? Is this the love and care Of Jesus, for the men that Pilgrims are, And dwell already the next door to heaven! CHRISTIAN HAD So in the morning they all got up; and after some more discourse, they told him, that he should not depart till they had shewn him the Rarities of that place. And, first, they had him into the Study, where they shewed him Records of the greatest antiquity; in which, as I remember my dream, they shewed him the pedigree of the Lord of the Hill, that he was the Son of the Ancient of Days, and came by that eternal generation. Here also was more fully recorded the acts that he had done, and the names of many hundreds that he had taken into his service; and how he had placed them in such habitations that could, neither by length of days, nor decays of nature, be dissolved. Then they read to him some of the worthy acts that some of his servants had done; as how they had subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens.8 Then they read again in another part of the Records of the house, where it was shewn how willing their Lord was to receive into his favour any, even any, though they in time past had offered great affronts to his person and proceedings. Here also were several other histories of many other famous things, of all which Christian had a view; as of things both ancient and modern, together with prophecies and predictions of things that have their certain accomplishment, both to the dread and amazement of enemies, and the comfort and solace of Pilgrims. CHRISTIAN HAD IN The next day they took him and TO THE ARMOURY. had him into the armoury, where they shewed him all manner of furniture which their Lord had provided for Pilgrims; as sword, shield, helmet, breast-plate, all-prayer, and shoes that would not wear out: and there was here enough of this to harness out as many men, for the service of their Lord, as there be stars in the heaven for multitude. CHRISTIAN IS MADE TO THINGS. They also shewed him some of the engines with which some of his servants had SEE ANCIENT done wonderful things. They shewed him Moses's rod, the hammer and nail with which Jael slew Sisera, the pitchers, trumpets, and lamps, too, with which Gideon put to flight the armies of Midian. Then they shewed him the ox's goad, wherewith Shamgar slew six hundred men. They shewed him also the jaw-bone with which Samson did such mighty feats. They shewed him, moreover, 8 Heb. xi. 33, 34. the sling and stone with which David slew Goliah of Gath; and the sword also with which the Lord will kill the Man of Sin in that day that he shall rise up to the prey. They shewed him, besides, many excellent things, with which Christian was much delighted. This done, they went to their rest again. Then I saw, in my dream, that on the morrow he got up to go forwards; but they desired him to stay till the next day also; and then, said they, we will, if the day be clear, shew you the Delectable Mountains; which, they said, would yet farther add to his comfort, because they were nearer the desired haven than the place where at present he was: so he consented and staid. When the morning was CHRISTIAN SHEWED MOUNTAINS. up, they had him to the top of the THE DELECTABLE house, and bid him look south;9 so he did; and behold, at a great distance, he saw a most pleasant mountainous country, beautified with woods, vineyards, fruits of all sorts, flowers also, with springs and fountains, very delectable to behold. Then he asked the name of the country? they said, it was Immanuel's Land; and it is as common, said they, as this hill is, to and for all the Pilgrims; and when thou comest there, from thence thou mayest see to the Gate of the Celestial City, as the shepherds that live there will make appear. Now he bethought himself of setting forward, and they were willing he should: But first, said they, let us go again into the armoury: so they did; and, when he came there, they harnessed him from CHRISTIAN SET head to foot with what was of proof, FORward. 9 Isa. xxxiii, 16, 17. AWAY ARMED. lest perhaps he should meet with assaults in the way. CHRISTIAN SENT He, being therefore thus accoutred, walked out with his friends to the gate, and there he asked the porter, if he saw any Pilgrim pass by? Then the porter answered, Yes. Pray, did you know him? said he. Por. I asked his name, and he told me it was Faithful. O! said Christian, I know him! he is my townsman, my near neighbour; he comes from the place where I was born. How far do you think he may be before? Por. He is got by this time below the hill. HOW CHRISTIAN AND Well, said Christian, good porter, the Lord be with thee, and add to all thy blessings much increase, for the kindness thou hast shewed to me. Then he began to go forward; but Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence, would accompany him down to the foot of the hill. So they went on together, reiterating their former discourses, till they came to go down the hill. Then said Christian, As it was difficult coming up, so far as I can see, it is dangerous going down. Yes, said Prudence, so it is; for it is a hard matter for a man to go down into the Valley of Humiliation, as thou art now, and to catch no slip by the way; therefore, said they, we are come out to accompany thee down the hill. So he began to go down the hill, but very warily; yet he caught a slip or two. THE VALLEY OF Then I saw in my dream, that these good companions (when Christian was got down to the bottom of the hill) gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a cluster of raisins; and then he went on his way. Whilst Christian is among his godly friends, Their golden mouths make him sufficient mends But now, in this Valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to it; for he had gone but a little way, before he espied a foul fiend coming over the field to meet him: his name is Apollyon. Then did Christian begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whether to go back, or to stand his ground: But he considered again that he had no ar CHRISTIAN HAS HIS BACK. CHRISTIAN'S RE mour for his back; and therefore NO ARMOUR FOR thought, that to turn the back to him might give him greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts; therefore he resolved to venture, and stand his ground; for, SOLUTION ON thought he, had I no more in my eye than the saving of my life, 'twould be the best way to stand. THE APPROACH So he went on, and Apollyon met him. Now, the Monster was hideous to behold: he was clothed with scales like a Fish (and they are his pride); he had wings like a Dragon, feet like a Bear, and out of his belly came fire and smoke, and his mouth was as the mouth of a Lion. When he came up to Christian, he beheld him with a disdainful countenance, and thus began to question with him: Apol. Whence come you, and whither are you bound? DISCOURSE BE- Chr. I am come from the city of AND APOLLYON. |