Their Combat.

Then did Christian draw; for he saw it was time to bestir him; and Apollyon as fast made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail: by the which, notwithstanding all that Christian could do to avoid it, Apollyon wounded him in his head, his hand, and foot. This made Christian give a little back: Apollyon therefore followed his work amain, and Christian again took courage, and resisted as manfully as he could. This sore combat lasted for above half a day, even till Christian was almost quite spent; for you must know, that Christian, by reason of his wounds, must needs grow weaker and weaker3.

Then Apollyon, spying his opportunity, began to gather up close to Christian, and wrestling with him › gave him a dreadful fall; and with that Christian's sword flew out of his hand. Then said

I

am sure of thee now: and with that he had almost pressed him to death; so that Christian began to despair of life. But, as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly stretched out his hand for his sword, and caught it, saying, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy!

This glorious confession of faith coming from the heart, honours · Christ, repels and quenches all the fiery darts of Satan, and gets the victory over him. This is what Peter exhorts to: "resist the devil steadfast in the faith," 1 Pet. v. 9.

5 We may think this is hard work; why should a Christian be so severely attacked by Satan? The Lord does not give us armour to be useless, but to fight with, and prove its excellency, and in the use of it to experience his infinite power, mercy, and love; for though we are weak, he is almighty to strengthen us, therefore we are called upon to be "strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."

6 Mind, that the Lord does not look on as a mere spectator of our conflicts, but he strengthens us in every evil day, and in every fight of faith, and brings persevering saints off more than conquerors, through his love.

Christian's Victory.

66

when I fall, I shall arise!" and with that he gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound. Christian perceiving that, made at him again, saying, « Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us";" and with that Apol lyon spread forth his dragon wings, and sped him away, so that Christian saw him no more.

In this combat no man can imagine, unless he had seen and heard, as I did, what yellings and hideous roaring Apollyon made all the time of the fight; hẹ spake like a dragon :—and, on the other side, what sighs and groans burst from Christian's heart. I never saw him all the while give so much as one pleasant look, till he perceived he had wounded Apollyon with his two-edged sword: then indeed he did smile and look upward. But it was the dreadfullest fight that ever I saw.

a

So when the battle was over, Christian said, I will here give thanks to him that hath delivered me out of the mouth of the lion, to him that did help me against Apollyon. And so he did, saying—

"Great Beelzebub, the captain of this fiend,
Design'd my ruin; therefore to this end
He sent him harness'd out; and he with rage,
That hellish was, did fiercely me engage:
But blessed Michael helped me,

and I,

By dint of sword, did quickly make him fly:
Therefore to him let me give lasting praise,
And thank, and bless his holy name always."

Then there came to him a hand with some of the leaves of the tree of life, the which Christian took and applied to the wounds that he had received in the battle, and was healed immediately". He also

7 What a mercy it is, that if we get wounds in our conflicts with Satan there is virtue in Jesus to heal them all.

• Mic. vii. 8.

Rom. viii. 37-39. James iv. 7.

CHRISTIAN & APOLLYON.

Apollyon, therefore, followed his work amain, and Christian again took courage, and resisted as manfully as he could.

OXFORD:

The Valley of the Shadow of Death.

sat down in that place to eat bread, and to drink of that bottle that was given him a little before: so being refreshed, he addressed himself to his journey, with his sword drawn in his hands; for he said, I know not but some other enemy may be at hand. But he met with no other affront from Apollyon quite through the valley.

Now at the end of this valley was another, called the valley of the Shadow of Death; and Christian must needs go through it, because the way to the Celestial City lay through the midst of it. Now this valley is a very solitary place. The prophet Jeremiah thus describes it: "A wilderness, a land of deserts and of pits; a land of drought, and of the shadow of death; a land that no man (but a Christian) passeth through', and where no man dwelts."

Now here Christian was worse put to it than in his fight with Apollyon; as by the sequel you shall

see.

I saw then in my dream, that when Christian was got to the borders of the Shadow of Death there met him two men, children of them that brought up an evil report of the good land', making haste to go back': to whom Christian spake as follows: CHR. Whither are you going?

MEN. They said, Back! back! and we would have you do so too, if either life or peace is prized by you.

• Conflicts with Satan make Christians wary, and value their sword so as to walk with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God in their hands.

9 None but those who have felt it, know what a bitter thing it is to depart from the Lord.

1 Such we frequently meet with; persons who have long made a profession of true faith, real hope, and sincere love to Christ; and as sure as they go back from a profession, they bring up an evil report of the way to the kingdom of Christ.

⚫ Jer. ii. 6.

Numb. xiii.