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and are attacked by a Giant.

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so he was not afraid of a lion: but yet when they were come up to the place where the lions were, the boys that went before were glad to cringe behind, for they were afraid of the lions; so they stept back, and went behind. At this their guide smiled, and said, "How now, my boys; do you love to go before when no danger doth approach, and love to come behind so soon as the lions appear?"

Now as they went on, Mr. Great-Heart drew his sword, with intent to make a way for the pilgrims in spite of the lions. Then there appeared one, that it seems had taken upon him to back the lions; and he said to the pilgrims' guide," What is the cause of your coming hither ?" Now the name of that man was Grim, or Bloody-Man, because of his slaying of pilgrims: and he was of the race of the giants.

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GREAT. Then said the pilgrims' guide, These women and children are going on pilgrimage; and this is the way they must go; and go it they' shall, in spite of thee and the lions.

GRIM. This is not the way, neither shall they go therein. I am come forth to withstand them, and to that end will back the lions.

Now, to say the truth, by reason of the fierceness

5 Who is this Giant Grim, who backs the lions, and terrifies the hearts of pilgrims with a sense of danger in the right way to the kingdom? It is an evil heart of unbelief. This Great-Heart will fight with, and conquer. Oh, how does unbelief multiply dangers and magnify difficulties, call up fear, and deject our hearts! Unbelief makes every danger wear a grim and terrible aspect. The only weapon to slay this enemy is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Eph. vi. 17. O pilgrims! when dangers beset you, and fears arise in you, hear what the Lord speaks to you; and in the belief of his truth, quit yourselves manfully; fight the good fight of faith; ever remembering, that you are more than conquerors through Christ who hath loved you. Faith will exalt the love and power of Christ above the fear of every enemy.

Great-Heart kills the Giant.

of the lions, and of the grim carriage of him that did back them, this way had of late lain much unoccupied, and was almost grown over with grass.

CHR. Then said Christiana, Though the highways have been unoccupied heretofore, and though the travellers have been made in times past to walk through by-paths, it must not be so now I am risen, "now I am risen a mother in Israel"."

GRIM. Then he swore by the lions but it should; and therefore bid them turn aside, for they should not have passage there. But their guide made first his approach unto Grim, and laid so heavily on him with his sword, that he forced him to retreat.

GRIM. Then said he that attempted to back the lions, "Will you slay me upon mine own ground?" GREAT. It is the King's highway that we are in, and in this way it is that thou hast placed the lions; but these women and these children, though weak, shall hold on their way in spite of the lions.-And with that he gave him again a downright blow, and brought him upon his knees. With this blow he

also broke his helmet, and with the next cut off an arm. Then did the giant roar so hideously, that his voice frightened the women; and yet they were glad to see him lie sprawling upon the ground. Now the lions were chained, and so of themselves could do nothing. Wherefore, when old Grim, that intended

• How often, after we have fought with the courage of faith, and the resolution of hope, and have overcome a grim enemy, have we seen the fiercest of our enemies chained by the power of God, so as not to have the least power to hurt us! Ó pilgrim! it is sweet to reflect, that every lion-like foe is under the control of thy God, and cannot come one link of his chain nearer to thee than thy Lord will permit. Therefore, when fears and terrors beset thee, think of thy Lord's love to thee, of his power as engaged to preserve thee, and his promises to comfort thee. For "the Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him," Psal. cxlv. 18.

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The Pilgrims arrive at the House Beautiful.

to back them, was dead, Great-Heart said to the pilgrims, "Come now, and follow me, and no hurt shall happen to you from the lions." They therefore went on, but the women trembled as they passed by them; the boys also looked as if they would die : but they all got by without further hurt.

Now, when they were within sight of the porter's lodge, they soon came up unto it; but they made the more haste after this to go thither, because it is dangerous travelling there in the night. So when they were come to the gate, the guide knocked, and the porter cried, "Who is there?" But as soon as the guide had said, "It is I," he knew his voice, and came down (for the guide had oft before that come thither as a conductor of pilgrims.) When he was come down, he opened the gate, and, seeing the guide standing just before it, (for he saw not the women, for they were behind him,) he said unto him, How now, Mr. Great-Heart, what is your business here so late at night? "I have brought (said he) some pilgrims hither, where by my Lord's commandment, they must lodge: I had been here some time ago, had I not been opposed by the giant that used to back the lions. But I, after a long and tedious combat with him, have cut him off, and have brought the pilgrims hither in safety"."

POR. Will not you go in, and stay till morning? GREAT. NO; I will return to my Lord to-night. CHR. O Sir, I know not how to be willing you should leave us in our pilgrimage: you have been

7 How mindful is the Lord of us! How gracious is he to us! What blessed provisions doth he make for us! If pilgrims be attacked by Giant Grim, and terrified with the sight of lions, they may be sure, that it is only a prelude to some sweet enjoyment of their Lord's love; and that they are near to some precious asylum, some sanctuary of rest, peace, and comfort. Some bitter generally precedes the sweet, and makes the sweet still sweeter.

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They intreat Great-Heart to protect them the Rest of the Journey.

so faithful and so loving to us, you have fought so stoutly for us, you have been so hearty in counselling of us, that I shall never forget your favour towards us.

MER. Then said Mercy, Oh, that we might have thy company to our journey's end! How can such poor women as we hold out in a way so full of troubles as this way is, without a friend or defender?

JAMES. Then said James, the youngest of the boys, Pray, Sir, be persuaded to go with us and help us, because we are so weak, and the way so dangerous as it is 8.

GREAT. I am at my Lord's commandment; if he shall allot me to be your guide quite through, I will willingly wait upon you. But here you failed at first; for when he bid me come thus far with you, then you should have begged me of him to have gone quite through with you, and he would have granted your request. However at present I must withdraw; and so, good Christiana, Mercy, and my brave children, adieu.

Then the porter, Mr. Watchful, asked Christiana of her country, and of her kindred; and she said, "I come from the City of Destruction; I am a widow-woman, and my husband is dead; his name was Christian, the pilgrim."

"How!" said the porter," was he your husband?"-"Yes," said she; " and these are his children; and this (pointing to Mercy) is one of my townswomen.”

Then the porter rang his bell, as at such times he

9 Oh, it is hard work to part with Great-Heart! How many blessings do we lose for want of asking! Great-Heart is at the command of our Lord. Oh, for more power to cry incessantly to the Lord for the presence of Great-Heart, (that is courage,) that we may go on more cheerfully, and more joyfully, in the ways of the Lord.

They are received at the House Beautiful.

is wont, and there came to the door one of the dam. sels, whose name was Humble-Mind. And to her the porter said, "Go tell it within, that Christiana, the wife of Christian, and her children, are come hither on pilgrimage." She went in therefore, and told it. But, oh, what noise for gladness was there, when the damsel did but drop that out of her mouth!

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So they came up with haste to the porter, for Christiana stood still at the door. Then some of the most grave said unto her," Come in, Christiana, come in, thou wife of that good man; come in, thou blessed woman, come in, with all that are with thee." So she went in, and they followed her that were her children and her companion. Now when they were gone in, they were had into a large room, and bid to sit down; so they sat down, and the chiefs of the house were called to see and welcome the guests. Then they came in, and under standing who they were, did salute each other with a kiss, and said, "Welcome, ye vessels of the grace of God, welcome unto us who are your faithful friends'.

Now, because it was somewhat late, and because the pilgrims were weary with their journey, and also made faint with the sight of the fight, and the terrible lions, they desired, as soon as might be, to prepare to go to rest. Nay," said those of the family," refresh yourselves with a morsel of meat :"

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9 Here is a blessed mark of being the children of God, when we delight in the sight of, rejoice with, and welcome others in the way to Zion, and mutually have our hearts and affections drawn out to each other in love. Oh, how sweet is the fellowship of pilgrims below! What must it be above! Infinitely above conception. Lord, fire our souls with the thought of ever being with thee and each other in thy kingdom.

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