Gambar halaman
PDF
ePub

Entertainment of the Pilgrims

INTER. Then is fulfilled that which is written of the man that said to his son, "Go work to-day in my vineyard and he said to his father, I will not; but afterwards repented and went."

CHR. Then said Christiana, So be it: Amen. God make it a true saying upon me, and grant that I may be found at the last "of him in peace, without spot, and blameless!"

INTER. But why standest thou at the door? Come in, thou daughter of Abraham: we were talking of thee but now, for tidings have come to us before, how thou art become a pilgrim. Come, children, come in come, maiden, come. So he had them all into the house.

So when they were within, they were bidden to sit down and rest them; the which when they had done, those that attended upon the pilgrims in the house came into the room to see them. And one smiled, and another smiled, and another smiled, and they all smiled, for joy that Christiana was become a pilgrim they also looked upon the boys; they stroked them over their faces with their hands, in token of their kind reception of them: they also carried it lovingly to Mercy, and bid them all welcome into their Master's house.

And see how confident divine teaching makes us. Under its power and influence, we can say with Christiana, I am convinced that no way is right but this, even to be a pilgrim of the Lord, and a sojourner upon the earth.

Here is joy indeed, which strangers to the love of Christ intermeddle not with. Believer, did you never partake of this pleasing, this delightful sensation, on seeing other poor sinners like thyself called to know Jesus, and follow him? Surely this is the joy of heaven and if thou hast this joy, thou hast the love that reigns in heaven. Glory be to Jesus, I think I can truly say, I have this blessed evidence in my heart, that I know somewhat of this joy,

i Matt. xxi. 28, 29.

at the House of the Interpreter.

After a while, because supper was not ready, the Interpreter took them into his significant rooms, and shewed them what Christian, Christiana's husband, had seen some time before. Here therefore they saw the man in the cage, the man and his dream, the man that cut his way through his enemies, and the picture of the biggest of all; together with the rest of those things that were then so profitable to Christian.

This done, and after those things had been somewhat digested by Christiana and her company, the Interpreter takes them apart again, and has them first into a room where was a man that could look no way but downwards, with a muck-rake in his hand : there stood also one over his head with a celestial crown in his hand, and proffered him that crown for his muck-rake; but the man did neither look up nor regard, but raked to himself the straws, the small sticks, and dust of the floor.

Then said Christiana, I persuade myself that I know somewhat the meaning of this; for this is the figure of a man in this world: is it not, good Sir?

INTER. Thou hast said right, said he, and his muck-rake doth shew his carnal mind. And, whereas thou seest him rather give heed to rake up straws and sticks, and the dust of the floor, than to do what he says that calls to him from above, with the celestial crown in his hand; it is to shew, that heaven is but as a fable to some, and that things here are counted the only things substantial. Now, whereas it was also shewed thee, that the man could look no way but downwards, it is to let thee know, that

arising from seeing poor lost sinners converted not merely to an opinion, or to a party of Christians, but their hearts converted to Jesus, so as sincerely to love and follow him. Oh, for a spread and increase of this spirit among Christians of all denominations! Amen.

[ocr errors]

The withered Tree.

He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that soweth cockle, and thinks to fill his barn with wheat and barley.

If a man would live well, let him fetch his last day to him, and make it always his company-keeper. Whispering and change of thoughts prove that sin is in the world.

If the world, which God sets light by, is counted a thing of that worth with men; what is heaven that God commendeth?

If the life, that is attended with so many troubles, is, so loath to be let go by us, what is the life above? Every body will cry up the goodness of men; but who is there that is, as he should be, affected with the goodness of God?

We seldom sit down to meat, but we eat and leave so there is in Jesus Christ more merit and righteousness than the whole world has need of.

3

[ocr errors]

When the Interpreter had done, he takes them out into his garden again, and had them to a tree, whose inside was all rotten and gone, and yet it grew and had leaves. Then said Mercy, "What means this?""This tree (said he) whose outside is fair, and whose inside is rotten, is it, to which many may be compared that are in the garden of God who with their mouths speak high in behalf of God, but in deed will do nothing for him; whose leaves are fair, but their heart good for nothing, but to be tinder for the devil's tinder-box 8."

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

This is my very character, says måny a doubting, brokenhearted sinner. Well, thank God, says many a self-confident, whole hearted Pharisee, it is far from being mine. We can only say this, He that knows most of his own superlatively deceitful and desperately wicked heart, suspects himself most, and exercises most godly jealousy over himself; while persons who see least of themselves, are more self-confident and daring. Even Judas could of the si of wrong y 1.5M

as boldly ask, Master, is it I who shall betray thee? as anas

rest of his disciples. Mol Loog live et le le mo

Christiana's Reasons for going on Pilgrimage.

Now supper was ready, the table spread, and all things set on the board: so they sat down and did eat, when one had given thanks. And the Interpreter did usually entertain those that lodged with him with music at meals; so the minstrels played. There was also one that did sing, and a very fine voice he had. His song was thissvo ca blow

"The Lord is only my support,

And he that doth me feed:
How can I then want any thing
Whereof I stand in need!”

When the song and music were ended, the Interpreter asked Christiana, what it was that at first did. move her thus to betake herself to a pilgrim's life? Christiana answered, First, the loss of my husband came into my mind, at which I was heartily grieved: but all that was but natural affection. Then, after that, came the troubles and pilgrimage of my husband into my mind, and also how like a churl I had carried it to him as to that. So the guilt took hold of my mind, and would have drawn me into the pond; but that, opportunely, I had a dream of the well-being of my husband, and a letter sent me by the King of that country where my husband dwells, to come to him. The dream and the letter together so wrought upon my mind, that they forced me to this way.

[ocr errors]

INTER. But met you with no opposition before you set out of doors?

[ocr errors]

Sad

CHR. Yes, a neighbour of mine, one Mrs. Timorous (she was kin to him that would have persuaded iny husband to go back, for fear of the lions) she also so befooled me for, as she called it, my intended desperate adventure; she also urged what she could to dishearten me from it: the hardship and trouble that my husband met with in the way: but all this It got over pretty well. But a dream that I had of

Mercy's Reasons for going on Pilgrimage.

two ill-looked ones, that I thought did plot how to make me miscarry on my journey, that hath troubled me yea, it still runs in my mind, and makes me afraid of every one that I meet, lest they should meet me to do me a mischief, and to turn me out of my way. Yea, I may tell my Lord, though I would not every body knew of it, that between this and the gate by which we got into the way, we were both so sorely assaulted, that we were made to cry out murder: and the two that made this assault upon us, were like the two that I saw in my dream.

Then said the Interpreter, “ Thy beginning is good, thy latter end shall greatly increase." So he addressed him to Mercy, and said unto her, "And what moved thee to come hither, sweet heart?"

Then Mercy blushed and trembled, and for a while continued silent.

INTER. Then said he, Be not afraid, only believe, and speak thy mind.

MER. Then she began, and said, Truly, Sir, my want of experience is that which makes me covet to be in silence, and that also that filleth me with fears of coming short at last. I cannot tell of visions and dreams, as my friend Christiana can: nor know I what it is to mourn for my refusing of the counsel of those that were good relations',

9 Ah, Mrs. Timorous, how many professed pilgrims hast thou befooled and turned back! How often does she attack and affright real pilgrims!! many I am sure she has often made my poor heart ache with her ghastly look and terrifying speeches. She always accosts us in the smoothest language, "Save thyself;" or like Satan, when he borrowed Peter's tongue, to oppose our Lord's sufferings. Oh, may we ever say to her, in our Lord's words, "Get thee behind me, Satan; thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that he of men,” Matt. xvi, 23.

very simple and artless confession. The Lord works very differently upon his creatures; but always to one and the same end, namely, to make us prize Christ, his salvation, and his ways; and

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
« SebelumnyaLanjutkan »