ears, or to know from whence those blasphemies

came.

When Christian had travelled in this disconsolate condition some considerable time, he thought he heard the voice of a man, as going before him, saying, "Though I walk through the Valley of the "Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil, for thou art " with me (h)."

Then was he glad, and that for these reasons:

First, Because he gathered from thence, that some who feared God were in this valley, as well as himself.

Secondly, For that he perceived God was with them, though in that dark and dismal state: and why not, thought he, with me? though by reason of the impediment that attends this place, I cannot perceive it (i).

Thirdly, For that he hoped (could he overtake them) to have company by and by.

So he went on, and called to him that was before; but he knew not what to answer; for that he also thought himself to be alone. And by and by the day broke: then said Christian, "He hath turned "the shadow of death into the morning (k)."

Now morning being come, he looked back, not out of a desire to return, but to see, by the light of the day, what hazards he had gone through in the dark; so he saw more perfectly the ditch that was on the one hand, and the quag that was on the other; also, how narrow the way was which led betwixt them both; also now he saw the hobgoblins, and satyrs, and dragons of the pit, but all afar off: for after brak of day they came not nigh, yet they were discovered to him, according to that which is

(h) Psalm xxiii. 4. (i) Job ix. 10.

(k) Amos v. 8.

169

written: "He discovereth deep things out of dark"ness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of "death ()."

Now was Christian much affected with his deliverance from all the dangers of his solitary way; which dangers, though he feared them more before, yet he saw them more clearly now, because the light of the day made them conspicuous to him; and about this time the sun was rising, and this was another mercy to Christian for you must note, that though the first part of the Valley of the Shadow of Death was dangerous, yet this second part, which was yet to go, was, if possible, far more dangerous; for, from the place where he now stood, even to the end of the valley, the way was all along set so full of snares, traps, gins, and nets here, and so full of pits, pit-falls, deep holes, and shelvings down there, that had it been dark, as it was when he came the first part of the way, had he had a thousand souls, they had in reason been cast away; but, as I said, just now, the sun was rising. Then said he, "His candle shineth on my head, and by his light I go through darkness (m)."

:

In this light therefore he came to the end of the valley. Now I saw in my dream, that at the end of this valley, lay blood, bones, ashes, and mangled bodies of men, even of pilgrims, that had gone this way formerly and while I was thus musing what should be the reason, I espied a little before me a cave, where two gian's, Pope and Pagan, dwelt in old time; by whose power and tyranny, the men whose bones, blood, ashes, &c. lay there, were cruelly put to death. But by this place Christian went without much denger; whereat I somewhat wondered: btl have learnt since, that Pagan has been dead many a day, and as for the other, though he be yet alive, he is, by reason of age, and also of the many shrewd brushes that he met with in his

(1) Job. xxii. 22.

(m) Job. xxix. 3.

younger days, grown so crazy and stiff in his joints, that he can now do lit le more than sit in his cave's mouth, grinning at pilgrims as they go by, and biting his nails, because he cannot come at them.

So I saw that Christian went on his way; yet, at the sight of the old man, that sat at the mouth of the cave, he could not tell what to think, especially, because he spake to him, though he could not go after him; saying, "You will never mend, till more of you be burnt." But he held his peace, and set a good face on it, and so went by, and catched no hurt. Then sang Christian:

O world of wonders! (I can say no less)
That I should be preserv'd in that distress
That I have met with here! O blessed be
That hand that from it hath deliver'd me!
Dangers in darkness, devils, hell, and sin,
Did compass me, while I this vale was in:
Yea snares, and pits, and traps, and nets did lie
My path about, that worthless, silly I,

Might have been catch'd, entangled, and cast down,
But since I live, let Jesus wear the crown.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

"MANY are the afflictions of the righteous:" so Christian found it. He came off a conqueror in the Valley of Humiliation; his wounds were healed by the tree of life, and his soul rejoiced in God his Saviour. But new trials await him; he expected them. Experience taught him vigilance, therefore he walked with his drawn sword in his hand. He also heard a disinal account of the valley before him; but as his way lay through it, no persuasions could stop his progress.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death, signifies a state of Desertion: when the believer is deprived of the light of God's countenance, all sensible comforts are withdrawn, and "he walks in darkness, and has no light." Most christians know something of this; but perhaps very few are acquainted with that degree of horror and fear, which is here represented.

Low-spirited persons, of a gloomy turn, or under the power of some nervous disorder, are more usually exercised in this manner, than others; for the fubtle enemy knows how to take the advantage of our weakness, and to impress distressing ideas on the mind, when it is most disposed to receive them. At such times the imagination is crowded with terrible ideas; every thing looks black and big with danger; reason itself is disturbed in its exercise, and no relief can be gained; till the great Physician be pleased to restore health, both to body and soul.

The grace of God in Christian's heart, was remarkably discovered in the valley. The path he trode was very narrow; on one side was the deep ditch of Presumptuous Hopes, into which blind teachers lead their blind hearers; on the other was the (no less dangerous) quag of Despairing Fears. Christian found it exceedingly difficuit, but took abundant pains to avoid both. For this purpose he betook himself to all-player; and this prevailed, when his other weapons were useless.

The most remarkable incident in the Valley was, his being beset with blasphemous thoughts, suggested by the enemy. These are very common to young christians, and such are the most terrified by them, for these two reasons: 1st, "They have not yet attained discretion to stop their ears against them;" and, 2d, "They have not yet learned from whence they come:" but the Lord will show such distressed souls, both how to disregard them, and to consider them as the hellish suggestions of the devil, and not their own chosen or approved thoughts.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.' The light returned, but it discovered more plainly the dangers he had passed: it also showed the greater dangers of the second part of the valley. This was full of snares. The author probably meant the extreme difficulties to which professors were exposed in times of persecution; but these Christian escaped by the light of the reformation. Paganism has long been banished from our happy isle, and the darkness and cruelty of Popery are no more. Blessed be God, the power of the Pope, that " man of sin,” seems to decline in every part of Europe! We are now in equal danger from a different quarter. Infidelity in the proud reasoners of the day, and dissipation in all ranks of men, threaten us with destruction; but the real christian, amidst all temptations, shall hold on his way, while his whole soul sings,-" Let Jesus wear the crown.'

Then let my soul arise,
And tread the tempter down:
My Captain leads me forth
To conquest and a crown.

A feeble saint shall win the day,
Tho' death and hell obstruct the way.

WATTS.

CHAP. XI.

Christian meets with an excellent companion in Faithful, with whom he has much profitable conversation.

Now,

OW, as Christian went on his way, he came to a little ascent, which was cast up on purpose, that pilgrims might see before them: up there, therefore, Christian went and looking forward, he saw Faithful before him upon his journey: then said Christian aloud, Ho, ho! So ho! Stay, and I will be your companion. At that Faithful looked behind him ; to whom Christian cried again, Stay, stay, till I come up to you. But Faithful answered, No, I am upon my life, and the avenger of blood is be

hind me.

At this Christian was somewhat moved, and putting to all his strength, he quickly got up with Faithful, and did also over-run him; so the last was first. Then did Christian vain-gloriously smile, because he had gotten the start of his brother; but not taking good heed to his feet, he suddenly stumbled and fell, and could not rise again, until Faithful came up to help him.

Then I saw in my dream, they went very lovingly on together, and had sweet discourse of all things that had happened to them in their pilgrimage; and thus Christian began: